An often overlooked community of the Hampton Roads MSA, Moyock, NC is trending upwards. As you cross over the Virginia/North Carolina border going south along the Chesapeake Expressway, you quickly are met with an abundance of new development along Caratoke Highway. From new retail strips to large subdivision developments, it is hard to ignore that the small town is growing. A connecting community between metropolitan Hampton Roads and the Outer Banks, Moyock provides good soil for development and new businesses. This small outskirt community in northeastern North Carolina has been considered the “Gateway to the Outer Banks” for some time, and residents, regional and local developers, and investors are buying in and setting down roots.
The Benefits of Moyock
Developers and residents alike have flocked to Moyock for two primary reasons:
- Affordability: Compared to other areas of the Hampton Roads MSA, Moyock has a relatively low cost of living. Housing, groceries, and other daily expenses tend to be more affordable given it’s remote location. This allows residents and business to stretch their dollar and make it easier to save money.
- Location: Moyock is only a short drive from the Outer Banks, a popular vacation destination in the southeast. Moyock is also only about a 30-minute drive from both downtown Norfolk and Elizabeth City. This provides residents reasonable access to a wider range of shopping, dining, and entertainment options without having to live in those more urban environments.
Plans For Future Development in Moyock
Currituck County Economic Development developed a long-term plan in 2017 to spurn development in the area. Known as “Currituck Station”, the plan started originally as a feasibility study for 3,000 undeveloped acres surrounding Moyock. The study identified a strong potential market for a mixed-use project featuring various housing, commercial, retail, office, and industrial uses.
The Currituck County Board of Commissioners adopted the plan officially in the summer of 2017 and has been slowly developing the plan the past 6 years. Larry Lombardi, the Director of Currituck Economic Development stated the goal of Currituck Station is to, “create an environment that supports and encourages a diversification of job-creating businesses and industries, while providing the necessary residential supporting neighborhoods and public infrastructure.”
The Currituck Station plan balances commercial uses such as retail stores, medical offices with institutional and industrial development, along with commercial and manufacturing spaces, creative office space, and live-work housing. Currituck Station will create a walkable community with uninterrupted pedestrian connections with a variety of residential areas. By planning for, and investing in this site, the county looks to attract quality businesses, employers and developers to foster an environment of innovation and inspiration as the population continues to grow.
Residential Development in Moyock
The new residential development boom in Moyock has been steady since 2018. According to 2020 census data, from 2017 to 2020 the population in Moyock grew nearly 45%. Currituck County is expected to add an estimated 17,800 new residents by 2045, representing an increase of 71% according to a market feasibility study for Currituck Station conducted by Kimley Horn. These projections have spurned developers to build in accordance with the estimated steep increase in population and expectation of future demand. According to Currituck County Economic Development, in February, 2020, roughly 1,700 single family lots were proposed surrounding Currituck Station from Moyock down south to Barco, NC. The number dropped to 1,386 in 2021. This did not include the additional 1,500 single family lots and 1,500 multifamily units that were planned within the immediate area of Currituck Station. Although the pandemic slowed and even killed some projects, residential development in Moyock seems to be gaining steam once again.
One of the most significant residential developments currently underway in Moyock is the new housing development Fost. A QHOC community, Fost is Moyock’s first traditional neighborhood design, which offers both townhomes and single family detached homes that range from 2,179-3,000 SF. The community is located just 4.5 miles from the VA/NC border in Moyock and is developed on 86-acres. Fost is a multi-year project that will eventually be home to 479 new homes. Other notable developments include:
- Waterleigh which currently offers 275 newly built single family homes. The community will also offer a host of amenities including a pool, clubhouse, and walking trail.
- Hidden Oaks: a 67-lot community offering ranch style floor plans and 2-story floorplans.
- The Landing : A Kirbor Homes community, this 29-lot site offers 3-6 bedroom floorplans.
Commercial Development in Moyock
Commercial development has also been increasing along with residential development with the projected uptick in population. Moyock’s convenient location between metropolitan Hampton Roads and the Outer Banks provides it with a heavy flow of traffic which bodes well for retailers along Caratoke Hwy. Multiple retail developments have begun popping up along Caratoke Highway. The highly active road is also home to major national retailers including Advanced Auto Parts, Food Lion, Dollar Tree, and multiple national fast food franchises. Dunkin Donuts and 7-Eleven are some of the area’s newest move-ins. Commercial development in the area should continue to grow alongside the Currituck Station plan which includes plans for multifamily, office, retail, and other mixed use projects.
Considering the forward thinking plan of Currituck Station, the rapid growth of population and new subdivisions, and the flocking of national and regional business to the location bodes well for the Moyock community. It will likely transform from a small insignificant pass through community towards the Outer Banks to a well-developed and active area.
Written by Thomas McCoy and William Wilson
