2008 Hot Retirement Towns

Caswell Beach, North Carolina
LOCATED AT THE SOUTHERN Besides observing turtles, other Island Christmas Parade, in which
tip of coastal North Carolina, Caswell favorite outdoor activities include all of the towns and communities of
Beach combines two enviable ele- boating and kayaking, and biking is Oak Island sponsor a ﬂoat. The town
ments: the beach life and the small popular because much of what there is also hosts a variety of themed parties
town. Facing south, Caswell Beach is to see and do in Caswell Beach is eas- throughout the year, such as luaus or
shielded from the busier tourist rush ily reachable without the necessity of western shindigs. Despite its remote
that sometimes consumes Southport an automobile. Seven golf courses are location, Caswell Beach is less than 30
and the rest of Oak Island. nearby, including Caswell Beach’s own miles from the shopping and dining
With only 461 residents on this of Wilmington and near many great
four-mile stretch of beach on Oak
Island, Caswell Beach spurns com-
“The town’s top priority
dining options in Southport.
om
Fort Caswell, built beginning in
.c mercial development in favor of small
is protecting the beach
1827 to guard the mouth of the Cape
local businesses and restaurants. The Fear River, is located on the northern
town’s top priority is protecting the
and the turtles that
tip of Caswell Beach. During the Civil
beach and the turtles that nest there. War, its job was to keep the port of
Loggerhead turtles, the most com-
nest there.”
Wilmington open. Another landmark
mon, usually arrive in mid-May and within the boundaries of Caswell
dig their nests during the summer, Oak Island Golf Club, a semi-private Beach is the 58-foot-tall Oak Island
and turtle watches are more a pas- club that oﬀers moderate greens fees. Lighthouse.
sion than a hobby for many residents. Caswell Beach is a community in Caswell Beach features a beautiful
AROLINA
Since man-made light is a potentially every sense of the word. Many of the shoreline and has been blessed with a
deadly hazard for young turtles, draw- events sponsored by the town are low- strategic location, both for sea vessels
C
ing them inland instead of out to sea, key, aimed at fostering community and sea turtles. But it also is a close-
beach cabin owners are asked to douse spirit rather than providing entertain- knit community that takes its social
their lights after dark. ment. One popular event is the Oak responsibility seriously.
At A Glance
ORTH
Caswell Beach, NC
N
Population: 466
o
Average Temp: 73 F
ing t
Average Age: 60
Nearest Hospital:
R
etir
.
Dosher Memorial Hospital
w
w
w
Nearest Major Airport:
Wilmington International Airport
Caswell Beach Info:
Southport -Oak Island Chamber
of Commerce
www.southport-oakisland.com
(910) 457-6964
SUZY KING- CALABASH PHOTOGRAPHY
www.RetiringToNorthCarolina.com I www.HotRetirementTowns.com I www.CoastalRetirementTowns.com
82_CaswellBeachNC.indd 82 1/14/08 4:46:01 PM
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