Albemarle Plantation vs Dataw Island - The Big Debate
Here we go again, comparing two similar Carolina coastal communities to help our clients find the best master planned community for them. Today, we compare our Bliss Award Winners - Albemarle Plantation in Hertford North Carolina and Dataw Island in Beaufort South Carolina. Both have golf courses, a marina and wellness amenities. Both have similar home prices and are away from major cities. Here's what makes them similar and different:
ALBEMARLE PLANTATION - HERTFORD NORTH CAROLINA
2013 BLISS AWARD WINNER - NORTH CAROLINA COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR
GOLF COURSE AND CLUB MEMBERSHIP - Dan Maples designed this semi-private 18 hole championship golf course named one of the 2010 Best Golf Courses to Play by Golf Digest. Ablemarle’s 18th hole and 12,000 square foot golf clubhouse have panoramic views of the Albemarle Sound. A pro shop and practice facility are additional golf amenities and the community is golf cart friendly. The putting greens were recently renovated and the greens are planned next. The golf clubhouse was renovated in 2010. Golf club membership at Albemarle Plantation is optional. A $5k initiation fee will grant you full golf privileges and golf dues are $235 a month. Social club membership is required as a property owner, the initiation fee is $2,500 and dues are $85 a month.
BOATING AND MARINA - Along the Inner Banks of North Carolina, Albemarle Plantation’s protected deepwater marina is located 22 miles west of the Intracoastal Waterway. This Inner Banks marina community is one of the largest private boat basins on the East Coast with 166 wet slips accommodating boats up to 60 feet. Services at the marina include fuel, pump out, water, electric, cable, boat ramp, dry storage, shower and laundry facilities. Kayak and canoe services are also available. Long term leases run $1.60 a foot and the docks can accommodate boats up to 60 feet. According to Active Captian, the marina is rated 3.8 stars.
MORE AMENITIES - Two lighted Har-Tru tennis courts, three regulation bocce ball courts, volleyball, basketball and children’s playground are more community amenities. Albemarle Plantation’s Jr Olympic-sized swimming pool and fitness center both overlook the Albemarle Sound. With more than 50 active social clubs, making friends is easy and we can prove it. According to property owner scorecards we have on file, Albemarle Plantation is another one of the happiest communities to live.
HOME PRICES - The average sold home price last year at this Carolina coastal community was in the low $300k’s. Marina side condominiums are available in the low $200k’s. Lots are still available to build your dream home. Approximately 500 homes have been built to date of the 1,000 planned. Albemarle Plantation HOA fees are $133.58 per month and real estate taxes are low at approximately .0044 per $100 of assessed value.
PROXIMITY TO PLACES OF INTEREST - Albemarle Plantation’s location on the northeastern tip of North Carolina makes it particularly attractive to those who frequently commute to see relatives and friends in the northeast. Beach goers can access the northern Outer Banks in about an hour. One of the Prettiest Small Towns in America is located 20 miles to the west, Edenton NC. If you desire to escape the congestion of a big city but not be too far away from modern conveniences, Albemarle Plantation is an Inner Banks marina community to consider. Ask about being our guest for the weekend, so you can experience the lifestyle up close.
DATAW ISLAND - BEAUFORT SOUTH CAROLINA
2012 BLISS AWARD WINNER - HAPPIEST COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR
GOLF COURSE AND CLUB MEMBERSHIP - Cotton Dike and Morgan River are Dataw Island’s two championship private golf courses on the Sea Islands. Tom Fazio’s Cotton Dike course went through a $5.4 million dollar renovation which was completed in 2012. The Arthur Hills-designed Morgan River course was enhanced just prior. This Beaufort SC neighborhood's elegant 40,000 square foot clubhouse overlooking Jenkins Creek was under renovation during our visit last year. This impressive clubhouse is no doubt the central hang out of property owners. Adjacent to the clubhouse, a waterfront resort-style swimming pool and comprehensive Tennis Center. Ten of Dataw Island 36 golf holes border Lowcountry marsh and expansive waterways. A $17k initiation fee will grant you full golf privileges and golf dues are $629 a month. At a minimum, social club membership is required as a property owner. The social club initiation fee is $15,000 and dues are $285 a month.
BOATING AND MARINA - The Dataw Island Marina is a full service deep-water marina has 83 wet slips, boat ramp, dry storage, a 50 ton boat lift, 20,000 lb. fork lift, utilities, fuel, pump out, showers, laundry facility and 24 hour security. This privately owned marina is three miles from the Intracoastal Waterway. Boat slips are available for rent by the month or on an annual basis. Long term leases run $11 a foot and the docks can accommodate boats up to 100 feet. The Dataw Island Yacht Club overlooks the marina and the cost for a family membership is $45 a year. According to Active Captain, the marina is rated 4.7 stars.
MORE AMENITIES - The 16,000 square foot Dataw Island Community Center is where you’ll find more wellness amenities such as indoor swimming pool, fitness room, massage room, aerobics studio and much more. Dataw has two championship-caliber lawn croquet courts and the community is golf cart friendly. Dataw Island has more than 30 active social clubs. Dataw Island won our 2012 Bliss Award for Happiest Community of the Year.
HOME PRICES - The average sold home price last year at this Beaufort SC neighborhood was $399k. Small foot print homes can be found under $200k. Deepwater homes can easily exceed $1 million. Approximately 800 homes have been built to date of the 1,000 planned. Dataw Island HOA fees are $161.91 per month and real estate taxes are low at approximately .0044 per $100 of assessed value.
PROXIMITY TO PLACES OF INTEREST - Dataw Island is located 10 miles west of downtown Beaufort South Carolina, one of the Best Small Towns in South Carolina where you’ll find great restaurants, art galleries and charming boutiques. Fifteen miles to the east, Hunting Island State Park is home to one of America’s Most Beautiful Beaches. Big city amenities and brand name shopping can be found further south in the Hilton Head Island area, about an hour’s drive away.
In our opinion, both of these best master planned communities are financially stable, limiting the risk to buyers. Both Carolina coastal communities are friendly, something important to transplants from other states. Ablemarle Plantation is clearly the more affordable choice. We’ve spent years searching for the most knowledgeable real estate brokers at these two Carolina coastal golf communities. They’re happy to send you more information and share their secrets with you. Just ask us to introduce you by writing info@communityfinder.com or call us toll free at 866.384.1799.
