OBX vs everywhere else.

[VAsurfer604]

Have you thought at all about the Charleston area? It is much warmer in the winter and there would be many more job oppurtunities than in the Outer Banks. Also, I live and surf in Virginia Beach and it can get crazy crowded in the summer. Any time there is a decent swell the lineup is just packed. And you have to worry about swimmers unless you are at a surf only area. And alot of places youy aren't even allowed to surf during the in-season. The cool part about the OBX is how chill and laid pack it is, but the further south the better.

[surfer2118]

I lived in WB/Wilmington area for 6 years and worked in restaraunts the entire time. Their are always really nice restaraunts/bars hiring in that area. The waves aren't real consistent, and when they are good, its super crowded and the swell usually doesn't last very long. For the last two years I have been living an hour from Hatteras and you couldn't pay me enough to go back to Wilmington. Up here its just chill and relaxed, the waves are much more consistent, the crowds are not a factor because you can always find a good empty wave. The only downside is that a lot of restaraunts are seasonal, but not all.

Also, to the guy that was asking if WB catches NE swell, the answer is yes. Their is a certain spot that has amazing barrels on a good NE swell, arguably the best on the east coast.

[JMD]

Going from SD back to the east cost. You are going to hate life at least your surfing aspect of it. I am not sure if I would ever be able to do it. I know family is a big thing for some people but I know I would never be able to move back here after living anywhere other then the east coast. I am like you and living away from the ocean is NOT am option but after surfing mainly SD and some other nice nooks and crannies in Northern "Cali" I could never compare it to anyplace on the East Coast. I would not even be asking the question you asked.

Get ready for almost year round wetsuit and invest in a nice 5/4. Or you could always check out snowboarding during the winter, wait....that isn't even worth it coming from the West Coast.

GL though.

[EJsurfnfish]

One thing is for sure, just like JMD said, is that wherever you move to you're gonna hate life for a little bit. I lived in SD for a couple of years and thought I was gonna kill myself when I moved back to DE. What restaurant do you work at? I worked at the Reuben E Lee, what a ****ty restaurant that was. But I did have benefits as a waiter. God I miss SD! It's such a great city. I used to love paddling out at Blacks at 11:00 when the crowds died down and you could actually catch waves. Surf till 2 or 3 and be at the restaurant at 4:30, that was the life.

[wedge1]

living in wrightsville beach currently and it has been flat (maybe waist high at best) for a month or two... so there are painful stretches of not having surf for sure. When we do get surf there are some really fun spots around, i never surf wb b/c its usually fat and the sandbars are really ****ty, but other spots within 10 miles north and south can really fire on good swells (obviously not as good as the banks, which is where we go when its gonna crank) even NE swells at a particular favorite spot, hope this helps... oh yeah if you and your girl don't pan out there are plenty of beautiful women in the area to occupy your time between flat spells

[tommyh]

If I recall from Surfingoc forum you are from the Bmore area right? Jersey beaches I think are about 3 hrs from Baltimore. I just moved up to Newark, DE from Delmarva and being away from the beach is definitly hard, but there are way more opportunities up here. I really want to explore Jersey too, once the days get longer. VaBeach I don't think is very consistent, but their saving grace is the outer banks. Ocean City, MD and Delmarva is really isolated, you don't realize it until you live there, especially in Southern Delaware all year, and is very seasonal. Like someone else said Maybe AC, but I hear the Casinos are having problems now too.

[zach619]

trust me guys, it took me a few years to even get to the point where I consider moving back east. I love sd. best city on earth for a surfer. perfect weather all year, we pick up every swell direction. I know.

but like I said, its not like im from here. I can live through the bad weather etc. I grew up in it. I just know now that there is more to life than surfing.

so when thinking of moving back east, I just want to get myself the best possible setup for a waterman or surfer. I know it only breaks about 20 percent of the time at most east coast beaches. I just want to be at a place that I can clock the highest amount of time in the water.

so thanks a bunch for all the great feedback. I know im spoiled out here. I got 5 foot sheet glass south garbage for 3 hours before work. so I am blessed to be out here. and anyone who plans on visiting or moving to cali should give it a try. life out here is way different. and I don't mean in a good way. just different.

and to the guy tthat surfed blacks at 11 each morning. that funny, cause I always go there mid morning too in the winter. 10 am is my money time at blacks. get the south bowl with like 20 other guys instead of 100!

p.s. to the guy who mentioned charleston. 3 have family in hilton head island. which has weather kind of like san diego, but absolutely no surf... so why live 12 hous from md and get no waves =( that was my big deturant down therfe.

[pvjumper05]

South Jersey. You could get a job as a chef in Atlantic City tomorrow and there are dozens of beach towns and mainland communities within 30 mins or less drive and the surf in NJ is better than just about everywhere else on the East Coast. Better than DelMarVA better than Florida and more consistent than New England. I'll help you out, come to New Jersey and ask for Salty J.

this man speaks truth. plus a lot of times if your beach isnt working, the beach 3 blocks down will be. i just hate when it gets to this time of year cause it is cold... except for yesterday lol 50 degrees wooo

[BonerSurfs]

Alright Zach, here is whats up. Ive lived in VB for 21 years. The surf pretty much sucks there, but whenever there is swell you can just make drive down south. It can take anywhere from an hour to an hour and half depending on where you surf. Hell I've made the drive down south so many times i could probably do it with my eyes closed. If i were you, and you are totally set on moving back to the east coast, i would move to VB. That way you are still in a populated area, and are within easy striking distance of the OBX.

[smitty517]

I've known a few folks who moved back east from cali and had a hard time adjusting to the whole scene (not just the surf). That being said, OBX is one hundred times better than anywhere on the mid atlantic coast. if the wind is out of the north you surf on southside of island and vice versa. There are breaks that work on every type of swell possible. If you travel from OBX to MD during off peak travel hours you can be in OCMD in 3-4 hours and bmore area in 5 or so. Drive is not bad at all. OBX is quite seasonal but there are a number of places that are open year round now. I've been to SD a few times and the surf in OBX certainly isn't as good but there are days that rival the best days at the beachbreaks (ain't nothing like Blacks though)