At the southern tip of North Carolina is a coastal town of just under 10,000 people, where anglers gather along the pier in the early morning, and summertime sees beaches full of families lounging beneath fluttering umbrellas. Oak Island, the largest barrier island surrounding Southport, has long been known as a tourist destination for its natural scenery, waterfront lifestyle and laidback community feel. “A lot of people who visit for vacation decide they want to live here,” says Sue Singleton, who lived on the island for seven years and works as a Realtor for Carolina Coast Homes Real Estate LLC. “Despite the tourism, it’s just a small-town vibe. We live on island time — real slow. You can go to Wilmington and Myrtle Beach for the big shows and shopping, but at the end of the day, you want to come back to a relaxed community.” Many living on Oak Island are either retired or work remote jobs.
Oak Island Pier is a popular saltwater fishing spot where anglers catch large Bluefish.
Oak Island residents go for a fun bike ride on the beach with a nice ocean breeze.
Live the coastal lifestyle on the waterways in Oak Island with serene marsh views.
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Fresh produce at Middleton Park Complex
Oak Island Parks and Facilities oversees several green spaces, nature trails, and sports complexes. Wainwright says the city provides many beach access points and public parking, which is helpful when the island hits peak tourist season. “Boating is huge here, to the point where a buyer may not pick a property if it can’t have a boat lift built in,” Wainwright says. “With all our different waterways, including the intracoastal, kayaking and fishing is a big deal, too.” The Middleton Park Complex, considered a central city park, is the site of the Oak Island Farmer's Market and the Middleton Park Amphitheater.
Oak Island residents love to take a stroll on the nice walking trail at Middleton Park in Oak Island.
Meet friends on the courts for a fun game of pickleball at Middleton Park in Oak Island.
Families love to gather to chat, play, and watch concerts at the Middleton Park Complex Amphitheater in Oak Island.
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Relaxing to the tunes of the Summer Concert Series
For a relatively small area, Oak Island hosts many events throughout the year. “There’s lots of opportunity to get out in the community,” Singleton says. “Marathons, parades for any holiday, you name it. Not to mention the small pop-ups, like artisan and produce markets.” From May to August, the field surrounding the Middleton Park Amphitheater fills with residents toting in their lounge chairs and coolers to catch the annual Summer Concert Series tunes.
Coastal homes on Oak Island
The median price in Oak Island for a contemporary single-family home is $680,000, much higher than the national median. With the area's extensive housing stock, prices are lower here than in other waterside communities. “Sure, your direct waterfront homes with multiple bedrooms can get over a million dollars. But it’s insane to me that in most homes, you’re within walking distance from the beach and it’s less than $700,000,” says Jessica Wainwright, local Realtor and owner of Live Love Brunswick. “Now more than ever, people want to live here year-round."
Oak Island has spacious waterfront homes with double porches and coastal styles.
Find gorgeous waterside homes with private docks and boat lifts.
Oak Island locals love the walking distance to the beach from their front door.
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Heading to Southport for extensive shopping
Despite its small size, Oak Island has all the essentials. “We have your well-known grocery stores and, importantly, a Dollar General. If you’re from the South, you’ve come to love Dollar General,” Singleton says. “We have mom-and-pop shops, little boutiques and seafood restaurants — it’s a vintage feel. You’re a 10-minute drive to chain restaurants and more shopping.”
Dollar General in Southport is a popular store for shopping near Oak Island.
Beach Pantry on Oak Island is a quick and easy option for groceries on island.
Locals like to shop at Haag & Sons Seafood on Oak Island for fresh local seafood.
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Schooling with Brunswick County
Oak Island is served by Brunswick County Schools, which earns a B from Niche. There aren't any schools on the island, so many parents will drive their children to a nearby school. Singleton says most children attend schools in either Southport or Bolivia, and zoning is not set in stone; parents can apply to send their children to a school of choice.
Southport Christian School is a private, Christian school that serves students in grades PK, K-8 in Southport.
South Brunswick Middle School is a public school in Southport serving students in grades 6-8.
South Brunswick High School in Southport is a public high school serving students in grades 9-12.
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Free rides with Brunswick Transit Services
Major thoroughfares include North Carolina highways 133, 906 and 211. All of them connect to Route 17 and Interstate 140. While most residents drive, Brunswick Transit Services offers on-demand rides that the North Carolina Department of Transportation sponsors. “For urgent care, you’ll have to cross the bridge into the Southport area — it’s still less than 10 minutes,” Singleton says. “And Cape Fear has a regional airport, but for most people, it’s worth it to head up for about an hour to Wilmington International.”
Oak Island crime statistics and weather patterns
The Oak Island Police Department reports that the island has significantly lower violent and property crime rates than state and national averages. When it comes to weather, the city experiences hot summers and mild winters. There is a risk of flooding and storms, though a good portion of the island is not in a flood zone. Oak Island has a Hazard Mitigation Plan that is maintained and updated at five-year intervals.
Written By
Kaitie Lamb
Photography Contributed By
Jon Puckett
Video By
Christian Gortler
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