Calabash enjoys proximity to beaches and known as “Seafood Capital of the World”
The North Carolina fishing town of Calabash, which has dubbed itself “The Seafood Capital of the World,” is home to just over 2,000 people. The area is in Brunswick County, just above the South Carolina state border. It is known for its style of fried seafood, especially its shrimp. “Calabash seafood” has spread in popularity and is served in multiple Myrtle Beach buffets and beyond. Cheryl Helmecki, a resident and broker in charge at RE/MAX At the Beach, says the town's location is one of its biggest draws. It is less than 30 miles away from Myrtle Beach. “Yet it’s kind of out of the hustle and bustle of vacationers, so it feels more like a long-term living area as opposed to a resort area,” Helmecki says.
Calabash, NC, known as the "Seafood Capital of the World," pioneered Calabash-style seafood in the 1930s—lightly battered and flash-fried, setting a culinary trend.
Calabash, NC, is distinguished by its gently rolling terrain and proximity to the Calabash River, which meanders through the town, enhancing its scenic beauty.
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Golf course communities and manufactured homes
The median price in Calabash is $365,000. The town has a mix of distinct neighborhoods, Helmecki says. “They range from golf course subdivisions to maybe more of a manufactured home community,” she says. Architectural styles range and include newer construction traditional homes, many with garages, and older ranch-style homes. A few gated communities can be found in the area. Most neighborhoods do not have sidewalks. Helmecki says some communities are geared toward specific demographics, including retirees and vacationers.
Calabash, NC, offers diverse housing communities like Coastal Club, Calabash Lakes, and Carolina Shores, blending coastal charm with modern amenities.
Calabash, NC offers affordable housing with a median property value of $202,000 in 2023, significantly below the national average of $303,400.
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Plenty of seafood restaurants and retail in nearby towns
There are plenty of dining options near the Calabash River. Local favorites include Calabash Seafood Hut, Beck’s Restaurant and The Boundary House. The Oyster Rock is right along the waterfront and has outdoor seating with views of the river. Nearby grocery stores include Food Lion and Lowes Foods. Walmart and Publix are expected to open soon in neighboring Carolina Shores, which shares a zip code with Calabash. Callahan's of Calabash is a popular local gift shop and Christmas store. For more retail, residents head to North Myrtle Beach or Shallotte.
Calabash, NC, boasts over 30 seafood restaurants within a square mile, earning it the title "Seafood Capital of the World" .
Calabash, NC, offers diverse entertainment options beyond its renowned seafood scene.
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Summer music at the park and classes at the senior center
Calabash Community Park has a pavilion and playground and hosts a free monthly concert series in the summer. The county also recently built a senior center in downtown Calabash, which offers numerous activities, including knitting and exercise classes, card games and line dancing. Ocean Isle Beach is just 10 miles away and has playgrounds and a fishing pier.
Calabash Community Park, located at 868 Persimmon Road, serves as a central gathering spot in Calabash, NC, offering walking trails, picnic areas, and playgrounds for residents and visitors alike.
The Brunswick Center at Calabash, opened in 2018, is Brunswick County's fifth senior center, offering fitness classes, arts, meals, and social activities.
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Children zoned for Brunswick County school district
Children are zoned for Brunswick County Schools. Jessie Mae Monroe Elementary is rated B. Shallotte Middle School and West Brunswick High School each have a B-minus. The high school serves about 1,500 students. It has a JROTC and offers fine arts and STEM classes, as well as career and technical education courses.
Shallotte Middle School is recognized as one of the most diverse middle schools in North Carolina.
West Brunswick High School offers extracurricular activities, including clubs and organizations such as Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), JROTC, and the International Club.
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Transportation and flooding risk in Calabash
Calabash’s main thoroughfare is Beach Drive, or North Carolina Highway 179, which leads east to Shallotte. The road connects with U.S. Route 17 in South Carolina and leads to Myrtle Beach. Traffic gets a little heavier in the summer when visitors arrive, particularly around mealtimes, Helmecki says.
The area is considered at moderate risk of flooding, according to the climate modeling website First Street. About 25% of properties in the area are at risk of flooding over the next 30 years.
Written By
Nour Habib
Photography Contributed By
Justin Stapp
Video By
Jason Jacot
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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On average, homes in Calabash, NC sell after 63 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Calabash, NC over the last 12 months is $336,990, down 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Experience coastal luxury and resort-style living at 395 S Crow Creek Drive NW #1603 in beautiful Calabash, NC. This stunning first-floor corner condo in the highly desirable Crow Creek Golf Community offers peaceful pond views with a tranquil water fountain, upscale finishes, and easy access to Sunset Beach and Ocean Isle Beach. Whether you're searching for a primary residence, vacation getaway,
Dreaming of sipping sweet tea in the afternoon shade on your back porch with breathtaking tee-box and green views of one of the United States top 100 most beautiful golf courses? Here at Crow Creek golf community you will have just that in this newly constructed four bedroom three and a half bathroom home. Not a detail was spared in this home from the luxury LVP flooring, high quality stone
MOTIVATED SELLER, now offering a $7,500 credit as a gift to the buyer to use as they please! If you were thinking of updating carpet, painting walls or upgrading the appliance package you can choose what you prefer with this very generous home purchaser credit of $7,500. At 220 Woodlands Way in unit 21 you can view the RARE ''super two'' floor plan. This Crow Creek community condo is one you have
Welcome to Saltaire Village in the charming town of Calabash. Just minutes from the Carolina coast! This beautifully maintained home offers coastal living, complete with community amenities and low HOA dues. From the moment you arrive, you'll notice the inviting curb appeal, spacious front deck, and carport with attached storage. The exterior has been thoughtfully refreshed with refurbished
Where in Calabash can you find a WELL-LOCATED 1st floor CONDO that is as pristine or thoughtful? This unit is unbelievably completely redone and is being sold TURNKEY FURNISHED! Truly, what you see is what you gel, even fresh linens and towels are provided! So classy, paints are soft neutral colors and with a new LVP matching floor throughout. So smart for the beach! The popcorn ceiling,
Tucked away in the charming Saltaire Village community, this beautifully updated corner-lot home offers the perfect mix of coastal comfort and everyday convenience. Inside, the bright and open layout feels welcoming from the moment you walk through the door. Fresh paint, updated flooring, and a remodeled kitchen with new granite gives the home a clean, modern feel while still keeping its warm
A Dramatic 16' Vaulted Ceiling sets the stage in this move-in ready 4 bedroom Beauty with ''real'' Hardwood Floors! White kitchen, formal dining, 3 full bathrooms, sunroom, screened porches and a fully fenced backyard creating a happy home. Enjoy the ease and comfort of this home's many offerings: a welcoming foyer, a pleasing living area with architectural angles and an open concept flair; a
Welcome to this beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bath home in the sought after Spring Mill Plantation community. Thoughtfully designed for both comfort and functionality, the open floor plan seamlessly connects the spacious living area with a formal dining space, ideal for everyday living and effortless entertaining. Durable luxury vinyl plank flooring runs throughout the main living areas,
Welcome Home to Coastal Living in Calabash, NC! 982 Charlotte Avenue is in a great location — just a short car ride to the heart of downtown Calabash, where you'll find seafood restaurants, charming boutiques, and all the coastal attractions this beloved town is known for! This move-in-ready home sits on a beautiful corner lot in the established community of Calabash Acres, with no HOA, county
** BRAND NEW HVAC ** Beautifully maintained and freshly painted, this 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom home in The Farm at Brunswick offers a light coastal feel and a flexible floor plan just minutes from Sunset Beach and North Myrtle Beach. The main level features a spacious primary suite with walk-in closet and private bath, along with two additional guest bedrooms and a full bathroom.Upstairs you'll
Experience coastal luxury and resort-style living at 395 S Crow Creek Drive NW #1603 in beautiful Calabash, NC. This stunning first-floor corner condo in the highly desirable Crow Creek Golf Community offers peaceful pond views with a tranquil water fountain, upscale finishes, and easy access to Sunset Beach and Ocean Isle Beach. Whether you're searching for a primary residence, vacation getaway,
Meticulously maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bath home nestled in the Lighthouse Cove community. An ideal primary home or second home retreat. This elegant home features engineered hardwood flooring throughout and a thoughtfully designed kitchen with pantry, abundant cabinetry, and an adjoining dining area. Perfect for everyday living and entertaining. The oversized primary suite serves as a private
Become the second owner of this ''Custom'' home, a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 1858 sq ft residence situated on nearly half an acre of land. This unique property stands out as the only home in its neighborhood with this specific floor plan.Immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature by listening to the birds in the surrounding woods and enjoying a cup of coffee on your spacious patio. As the sun
Experience refined coastal living at 1220 North Middleton Drive NW in Brunswick Plantation. This barely used, better-than-new home offers 2,650 heated sq ft and 3,625 total sq ft on a wooded lot in Flood Zone X, with no homes behind for added privacy and peace of mind. This stunning coastal farmhouse blends modern luxury with Southern charm, featuring Hardi Board siding, board-and-batten exterior
Thought it was too Expensive to move to the Beach? This Carolina Beauty shatters that notion, allowing you to Live Your Dreams just 7 1⁄2 miles from the Pristine Sand & Surf at Sunset Beach! Easy Living awaits you in this Cozy Home with its open Living & Dining area, a peaceful Sunroom, a Fenced Backyard for your dog and a vinyl siding exterior making for low maintenance long term. Enjoy stunning
Pristine • Partially Furnished • Ready for You to Call Home!Welcome to home sweet home! This immaculate, like-new residence is offered partially furnished, making your move easy and comfortable from day one.From the moment you step inside, you'll appreciate the beautiful finishes, tasteful furnishings, and spotless condition that make this home truly stand out. Every room has been
Welcome to The View at Crow Creek, a brand-new luxury apartment community in the heart of charming Calabash, North Carolina. Located near the scenic Crow Creek Golf Club, our spacious two- and three-bedroom apartments are designed with modern amenities and upscale finishes to elevate your lifestyle. Enjoy premium features like a resort-style pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and
Just minutes from Ocean Isle Beach and Myrtle Beach, Heartsease at Calabash unites comfy cottage homes, sprawling outdoor spaces, next-level amenities and maintenance for an incomparable rental lifestyle with lock-and-leave convenience. Let us handle the “honey-do” list so you can work on your golf tan and your beach hair.
Discover comfortable coastal living at Tides at Calabash Apartments in Sunset Beach, North Carolina. Our welcoming apartment community offers thoughtfully designed 1- and 2-bedroom apartments with features including spacious kitchens, private patios or balconies with additional storage, walk-in closets, full-size washer and dryer, and select units with beautiful hardwood-style
Egret Landing, nestled in the charming town of Calabash, NC, offers a pristine and welcoming rental home community. Boasting modern amenities, scenic surroundings, and thoughtfully designed residences, Egret Landing provides a serene and comfortable living experience for those seeking a coastal lifestyle just 20 minutes from the beaches of North Carolina. With its proximity to golf courses and
Welcome to Calabash Shores – Coastal, Carefree Living.Discover vibrant, maintenance-free living at Calabash Shores, a thoughtfully designed community just minutes from the beach. With 132 beautifully appointed 1- and 2-bedroom apartments and townhomes, you'll find the perfect layout to match your lifestyle.Enjoy modern apartment features, resort-style amenities, and effortless
Property Id: 2750567 BRAND NEW HOUSE FOR RENT - Calabash, NC - $2,400/month Be the first to live in this never-occupied 1,886 sq ft home in the heart of Calabash! Cozy, modern 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom single-family house built in 2026 with all-new everything. Home Features: White shaker kitchen with quartz-style counters, large island, and all brand new stainless appliances.
Brand new home never lived in Close to dozens of Calabash seafood restaurants, shops and ice cream storesFive minute drive to Sunset beach, Little riverTen minute drive to Ocean Island beach, Cherry Grove, N MyrtlePrivate drive with two car garage and room for your boat or RvRear covered patio with slider to living roomlarge yard front and rearDead end on cul de sac
Stunning Custom Home with Golf Course Views – Gated CommunityWelcome to luxury living in the highly sought-after, gated community of Brunswick Plantation. This magnificent, 2024-built Charleston-style home features beautiful first and second-story front porches and sits on a premium lot overlooking the golf fairway and green. Offering 4 spacious bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, and 24-hour
Wow, Utilities included with this fully furnished of mostly new furniture, 2 bedroom, 2-bathroom condo in Crow Creek. This unit offers a hassle-free, move-in-ready experience with every detail carefully considered. The Laundry - Utility room allows plenty of space for the washer and dryer and storage or drop-zone upon arriving home. The kitchen is stocked with essential housewares from glasses to
Property Id: 2761467 Brunswick Plantation,Calabsh NC 1 Bedroom 1st floor unit, Sits on Golf Course with covered patio. Included Direct Tv, Internet, All Utilities Electric etc. Tennis, Pica Ball courts, Club House, work out center, indoor and Outdoor pools. gated Security. New Bedding, LVP Floors, Appliances. Totally Furnished. Would like 1 year Lease But open to others. 15 Minutes to N
Experience relaxed coastal living in this beautifully furnished 3-bedroom, 2-bath condo in the sought-after Crow Creek community of Calabash, NC. Thoughtfully designed for comfort and convenience, this inviting residence features a spacious screened porch, elevator access, and desirable in-unit amenities, including a washer/dryer, stove/oven, microwave, refrigerator, and dishwasher. The primary
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