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by Corolla Classic Vacations

Carolina by the Sea
Oceanfront: Pine Island
Bedrooms: 9 Sleeps: 22

A View to Sea
Oceanside: Ocean Sands
Bedrooms: 7 Sleeps: 18

Waverly
Semi-Oceanfront: Whalehead
Bedrooms: 9 Sleeps: 22

Dune Deck
Oceanside: Ocean Hill
Bedrooms: 7 Sleeps: 16

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Topic: General Information

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Posted By: Pam

Subject: Hatteras or Duck/Corolla?

Planning a vacation to OBX and am trying to decide between Hatteras/Avon area or Duck/Corolla, with oceanfront rental in either location. From what I understand Duck/Corolla is newer and more residential and rentals seem to be more costly. Hatteras area appears to be less populated, and rentals less costly.
I'm trying to determine the benefits or drawbacks to each area. A couple of specific questions I have are:
- how long is drive to each area once you get over bridge
- are there enough 'large' grocery stores; video rentals and restuarants in each area?
- is the beach area different in either area or access to beach from the homes (in things read on Hatteras rental descriptions don't mention 'private boardwalk to beach')
Any and all information would be appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Message Replies:

174: RE: Hatteras or Duck/Corolla?

9/2/2004 2:04:08 PM

Posted By: Paul

Hi Pam,
I can't say anything about Duck. I have only been farther down the coast. Hatteras Village is maybe an hour and a quarter drive from the Bonner Bridge. There is one large supermarket and it is in Avon which is about 45 minutes from the bridge. There are small shops in Hatteras Village. There is a post office in Hatteras Village with internet connection you can use for short times. It's not used much. I guess that's it and I'm not being much help am I. Ocean rentals are abound at every town down the OB. Much is national seashore but any map will tell you that. The Surf or Sound or Outer Beaches or Hatteras Realty web sites have maps that will show you house locatons and even house pictures.
Paul

175: RE: Hatteras or Duck/Corolla?

9/2/2004 2:04:39 PM

Posted By: Brian

Used to stay in Duck in late 70s and early 80s before McMansion era. Have stayed mainly in Salvo (and Rodanthe and Waves) since then. I prefer Hatteras...whole different feeling. You are 15 to 25 miles off the mainland and there is definitely a different kind of weather, atmosphere, etc. I really like it there and have to work at NOT thinking about it until I get there.

422: RE: Hatteras or Duck/Corolla?

10/2/2004 12:15:51 AM

Posted By: Guest

Just returned home from Hatteras Island! Still feeling sorry for ourselves that we had to leave such a perfect place!! We ahve already made reservations for May!! It is wonderful! Calm, layed back, just perfect! Avon has a large grocery store, a video rental, and other little stores/ restaurants up and down ( Dolphin Den was excellant for crab legs) I would highly recommend Hatteras Island (HI)

442: RE: Hatteras or Duck/Corolla?

10/18/2004 1:27:08 PM

Posted By: duckcrossing

I'm partial to Duck/Corolla.
Duck is a small village with just the right amount of development. Nothing is to over the top and there is everything you need for vacation. It is a great area for families. We have a condo on the beach there.
The trip north to Corolla is the narrowest part of the island and it's great.The road ends at the beach where you can drive your 4X4.
It really comes down to what you like ie. great restaurants, quaint shops, galleries etc all in town or less developed towns south.

588: RE: Hatteras or Duck/Corolla?

2/7/2005 1:45:16 PM

Posted By: Shelly

I have stayed both. duck is quicker to get to coming from the north. hatteras takes a little longer.

I will always choose hatteras over duck. Duck is a little more yuppiefied. I don't mean that in a bad way, some folks want that on vacation. Hatteras is what OBX used to be. It is flip flops and cut off's. Duck is cute sandals and a sun dress.

You have to choose what you want in a vacation.

Shelly

11199: RE: Hatteras or Duck/Corolla?

4/14/2007 5:47:19 PM

Posted By: Michelle

Hi!
Have stayed in both and used to love Duck...not so much anymore...Hatteras is THE best place to stay. Wider beaches, less people, warmer weather and water! Lots of nice shops in all of the villages, great fishing, kayaking, lots of wildlife. HATTERAS is the ONLY vacation destination for our family EVER! :)

18877: RE: Hatteras or Duck/Corolla?

11/24/2007 10:48:26 AM

Posted By: Guest

Hatteras, Hatteras, Hatteras.
Less "touristy" feel, more locals, really away from it all. The first year in the Outer Banks we stayed in Kill Devil Hills, YIKES! (No offense, just way too many chains and tourist traps. Water is warmer, beach is more natural, locals are lovely! Enjoy

20142: RE: Hatteras or Duck/Corolla?

2/22/2008 12:07:54 PM

Posted By: Guest

No contest...Hatteras Island. If you miss suburbia so much that you want it on vacation go to Corolla or Duck ...if you want a little less action and more satisfaction go to Hatteras Island (when we first started going there Corolla had very few upscale homes and Duck none. Progress they call it..

32356: RE: Hatteras or Duck/Corolla?

3/18/2009 8:44:49 AM

Posted By: Guest

Hatteras for sure. You can drive 20 miles through stop and go traffic to Corolla, or 20 miles non-stop to Rodanthe through a National Preserve. Its your choice.

32357: RE: Hatteras or Duck/Corolla?

3/18/2009 8:46:33 AM

Posted By: Guest

Hatteras Island for sure. You can drive 20 miles through stop and go traffic to Corolla, or 20 miles non-stop to Rodanthe on Hatteras Island through a National Preserve. Its your choice.

43698: RE: Hatteras or Duck/Corolla?

7/18/2009 5:43:39 PM

Posted By: Guest

We have stayed at Pine Island, between Duck and Corolla, Rodanthe and Kill Devil Hills, We have gone back to Kill Devil Hills three times because it is close to the bridge where you run into big traffic going out to all the others. We are coming from New York State so we don't want another 90 minutes added onto the trip.There is a new Harris Tetter grocery store, it is close to Jockey Ridge, if you have any runners.
We always cook in with one family doing a meal each night. We have never had to find restaurants.

49239: RE: Hatteras or Duck/Corolla?

8/16/2009 9:35:17 PM

Posted By: On The Rocks @ Buxton

Hatteras is the Island to be on and Buxton is the Village to call home, without a doubt. My wife and I shopped for a home for several years, lookig at all the islands. Duck, of course is beautifully landscaped with some of the most expensive real estate in OBX and most homes are large with seven or eight bedrooms.... downside is not only the cost in this area but the traffic drives me crazy. plan on standing in traffic and having the walker on the sidewalk get there before you.

The Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and a large part of Nags Head, is a mix of higher end and lower end homes...somewhat crowded together for a piece of the sand....and the stores which line Rt 12 are as far as the eye can see with a seemingly a million strip stores and malls. Traffic here again, is abundant much of the time during the season.

The Southern communities, on Hatteras Island are futher down and out the island. I ended up purchasing a beachfront home in Buxton which my wife and I just love. Quiet, not as crowded, slower pace, and a seemingly closer, friendlier atmosphere. The lighthouse at night washes our home with the indirect lighing as the lighthouse sweeps the coast and the sound of the pounding surf will sing you to sleep each and every night.

Once you cross the Bridge we are South to just about the 62 mile marker which is still quite a ride, but well worth the trip.

www.ontherocksobx.com

55000: RE: Hatteras or Duck/Corolla?

9/24/2009 1:43:03 PM

Posted By: Mike P

My wife and I have rental cottages in Waves and Duck. Love both. Waves is a small oceanfront and the peace and tranquility there is unbelievable Duck is gorgeous, especially in the neighborhoods with elevation. Sunsets are gorgeous from the elevated properties. We thnk both are great.

70014: RE: Hatteras or Duck/Corolla?

6/30/2010 4:15:39 PM

Posted By: Guest

Hatteras. Duck is to busy even though very nice. You have to be a millionaire it feels like to get oceanfront in Duck. I like nice, big houses that are oceanfrontand that have atleast 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. You can't get that in Duck or Coralla for 3,000 - 4,000 dollars. Very disappointing since it is such a nice area. I am going on to hatteras now. We will take a day trip or two to Duck/Coralla to see the sights. We can stay in a nice area that is afforadoble with ehat we want and still be in Duck/Corolla whenever we want. Housing is the same, the shops are different and that can be accesed easily. Bottom point is just go to Hatteras and I suggest looking at surf or sound.

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