2008 Hot Retirement Towns

Topsail Beach, North Carolina
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TOPSAIL ISLAND, NORTH Navy and Johns Hopkins University. is very little for children to do except w
Carolina, a little more than 26 miles More than 200 experimental rockets enjoy the water, the beach and spend
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.
long, includes three towns–North were ﬁred into the North Carolina time with their families,” says Parrish.
R
etir
Topsail Beach, Surf City and Topsail sky between 1946 and 1948, launch- “We have very nice draw as a family
Beach–and some of the best beaches ing the nation’s space program, which beach, and there are plenty of things
ing t
on the East Coast. eventually moved south to Florida. for families to do together here.”
Topsail Beach, at the island’s Another interesting family activity The town has some of the best
southernmost tip, is the most se- is a visit to the Karen Beasley Sea restaurants in the area, serving ev-
cluded town on the island. A mere Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation erything from Calabash-style sea-
N
o
450 people live there full-time, but food and steaks to deli sandwiches,
the population swells to about 8,000
“Topsail Beach, at the
homemade ice cream and Southern
ORTH
during the summer months. Ac- breakfasts.
cording to Mayor Butch Parrish, the
island’s southernmost
The Jolly Roger Pier is the place to
town has managed to retain its 1950s go to try your hand at ﬁshing, or for a
atmosphere. tip, is the most secluded moonlit stroll.
Topsail Beach is home to some Topsail Beach is a place to restore
of the oldest and most signiﬁcant town on the island.”
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your soul. The sunsets are breathtak-
buildings on the island. The Assembly ing, ﬁlling the air with brilliant reds
Building, for example, is the head- Center, the only one of its kind in and yellows as the sun’s rays reach out
AROLINA
quarters for the Missiles and More North Carolina. The hospital, which to engulf you.
Museum, which houses artifacts from rescues injured, ill and stranded sea “It’s the most unique place I’ve
the 1940s, especially those concern- turtles, is open only in the summer, ever been,” says Town Manager Jim
ing Operation Bumblebee, a missile but you can watch the turtles year- Carter.
testing program operated on the round at www.topsail-island.info. When you visit Topsail Beach,
island after World War II by the U.S. “When families visit here, there you’ll agree.
At A Glance
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Topsail Beach, NC
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Population: 539
Average Temp: 74 F
Average Age: 56
Nearest Hospital:
New Hanover Regional
Medical Center
Nearest Major Airport:
Wilmington International
Airport
Topsail Beach Info:
Topsail Area Chamber
of Commerce
www.TopsailBeach.org
(910) 328-5841
Photo by Justin Williams
www.RetiringToNorthCarolina.com I www.HotRetirementTowns.com I www.CoastalRetirementTowns.com
93_TopsailBeachNC.indd 93 1/14/08 4:53:32 PM
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