Ash is a rural community with appealing proximity to North Carolina's coast
Quiet, laidback and spacious, Ash is the kind of place that appeals to homeowners who value freedom over convenience. But it is also close enough to the North Carolina coast that locals can enjoy its amenities. “Ash is going to be associated with rural Brunswick County, where there’s a no-HOA mentality,” says Brian McGhee of Re/MAX at the Beach/Calabash, who has sold several homes in the community. “You can get a couple of acres of land right on the outskirts of the beach area.”
Large lots are standard; more development is expected in coming years
Housing options built from the 1930s through the present day comprise a variety of sizes and styles. The ranch style is prominent among traditional single-family homes and manufactured homes. The community is sparsely populated, so homeowners enjoy plenty of space along quiet country roads. The largest homes on the largest lots are typically built in the Farmhouse style and feature large porches. “The area is probably going to grow in the next three to five years, and you’ll start seeing more development,” McGhee says. “They’re starting to build up everywhere in the coastal area.” The Dr. Horton-built Rich Square on the community’s southwest side features contemporary homes and townhouses with attached garages in walkable subdivision settings. Overall, prices typically range from the mid-$100,000s to more than $700,000 for the largest acreage homes. With the nearby ocean moderating temperatures, summers are warm and humid, while winters are mild.
Preserve, nearby beaches offer a range of outdoor activities
The Green Swamp Preserve is a featured attraction among the region’s longleaf pine savannas. The ecosystem supports a diverse collection of flora and fauna and is famous for its Venus flytraps and orchids. Its animal population includes everything from butterflies to alligators. A hiking trail was recently renovated with the addition of a boardwalk. Hikers should come prepared, as the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office has had to rescue several visitors. The community is also home to Carolina Backwoods, a company that offers ATV tours through the region’s unique terrain. The amenities-filled Waccamaw Township Park is the center of athletic activity. It is anchored by four ballfields and includes courts for tennis, pickleball and basketball.
A significant change of scenery is only 15 miles away along the North Carolina coast. The Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean offer plenty of recreational opportunities for anglers, boaters and outdoors enthusiasts of all kinds. Sunset Beach is a premier oceanfront destination with a fishing pier and access to Bird Island. “The direct beaches from Ash are Sunset and Ocean Isle,” McGhee says. “Sunset is more family-oriented. Ocean Isle is a little more touristy.” Golfers have plenty of nearby options, including the public Crow Creek Golf Club and the resort-style Brunswick Plantation & Golf Resort.
Restaurants, shopping centers are plentiful in nearby Shallotte
Dining and retail options are concentrated about 15-20 minutes away in Shallotte. Butcher of Brunswick, Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q and Chance’s Steak and Seafood are popular destinations along U.S. Highway 17, better known as Ocean Highway. The Walmart-anchored Coastal Walk Marketplace is among several shopping centers just south of the highway on Business 17. “You also have Little River-Myrtle Beach in South Carolina,” McGhee says. “Between Shallotte and that area, there are a lot of options.”
Community is home to a pair of Brunswick County schools
Students are served by Brunswick County Schools, a B-rated district by Niche. There are two schools in the community. Jessie Mae Monroe Elementary serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade. It is a B-rated school by Niche. The Waccamaw School is a K-8 institution that earns a B-plus. Shallotte Middle School and West Brunswick High School are rated B-minus. The high school offers a Career and College Promise program that allows students to take dual-enrollment classes to accelerate the completion of a college degree.
Highway 17 provides access throughout the region
Given its secluded location, Ash is car-dependent. Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center is about a 20-mile drive from the community. It’s relatively easy to get to regional attractions. “There’s one main highway, 17, that runs from North Carolina to South Carolina, and it will get you anywhere you want to go,” McGhee says. The heart of Myrtle Beach is within an hour’s drive. Wilmington and its international airport are less than 50 miles away.
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Matt Pallister
