Wilmington is EXPENSIVE.. No Affordable Housing - 3/24/2023

I was born here and I will update more at a later time. First and most important, teh average cost of a 1br apt in Wilmington is approximately $1,800. Rentals have skyrocket since the pandemic. The average at the Pandemic was $1,200. Today, it is $1,800. There is an incredible shortage of affordable housing. In fact, there is no affordable housing unless u find something in old Wilmington and then there are major pocket of crime in this area because of teh cost of housing. Secondly, healthcare costs is higher than the national average. Food cost are higher than the national average. Wilmington was just a sleepy costal town until about 15 years ago until the northerners really started to relocate here during the summer months. The traffic is HORRIFIC due to a total lack of planning by teh City because of teh influx of PPL. There is NO real infrastucture. We have 2 beaches and unless u get there at 8 in the morning..GOOD LUCK and parking will run u $15 a day. This is little growing city is EXPENSIVE. DO NOT KID YOURSELF--Do your research first cause most of these cost of living sites are extremely outdated.

[Comment on this Posting]

Wilmington has it's pros and cons. - 5/31/2022

I think that a lot has changed since covid for this city and will continue to keep changing with our insane economy. But I was born and raised in Wilmington and have lived here all my life. I am however, trying to leave Wilmington. There's a lot of good here and honestly, it's actually hard to find another city that competes with Wilmington, ESPECIALLY coastal cities. Wilmington has beautiful beaches, it's a nice mid sized city and has an okay night life. People in Wilmington are very nice and if definitely has a more southern feel than a lot of cities that I have visited. Pros and cons: Pros: The warm weather, and all 4 seasons year around. The beautiful beaches. Nice and friendly people. It's a mid sized city, not too small, not too big. Good restaurants and places to eat. Affordable if you are coming from a bigger city up north. Cons: Lack of jobs and especially good paying jobs. Of course, you CAN find jobs in Wilmington but I find that there is a lack of opportunities here. Most of the jobs here are tourist and service industry jobs. Lots of jobs in the food industry. Lots of business and management jobs too. But not very many tech or science jobs. Teacher pay in Wilmington is astonishingly low and pay in general is not the best. Traffic. Wilmington doesn't have a huge population but it is a tiny city when you look at it on a map. The roads are not built for the influx of people coming here and the traffic is pretty bad for the amount of people that live here. The prices in Wilmington have been going up for years and covid hit us hard. Wilmington was one of the number 1 places in the entire U.S. to move to during covid. And we had a huge increase in people moving here. Due to this, there's been an insane rental shortage and sky high rent prices. I'm talking like 40% increases in some of the rental complexes. Not enough houses. Wilmington has used up almost all of its land already and if there's the tiniest bit of land left, a luxury apartment will be built there and ask for way too much in rent. Houses are getting more and more expensive and there's not enough houses being built. Leland and Hampstead are a little ways away and are helping to combat this and I would suggest living in Leland to buy a home. Last, is crime. Wilmington has a lot of crime. There feels like there's a shooting downtown once a week, if not more. We have a big heroine problem here and a very high crime rate. The city is very divided and some parts of town are really nice and other parts of town are very run down. Wilmington is a nice city and I've enjoyed living here but Im looking elsewhere just to find more opportunity.

[Comment on this Posting]

Erasing History and charm - 8/3/2021

Wilmington NC was once a wonderful city filled with Southern charm, history, safety and natural beauty. Recently that has been replaced by erasing everything Southern or historical, crime and clear cutting ever old growth live oak tree in sight. As if we need another car wash or apartment complex. Wilmington is fast becoming just another generic soulless city. Unfortunately with the current city leadership you have must better options as a tourist seeking a southern beach town or looking to relocate.

[Comment on this Posting]

Wilmington NC.... You Can Find Way Better - 7/16/2021

I've lived in Wilmington NC my whole life and can say it gets worse and worse every year live PD was filming here on the regular but the local politicians got rid of them because of bad publicity a family member of mine head of a local law enforcement agency here before retiring and moving away told me storys they don't let out and said and I'm quoting get your kids and get out Well Wilmington is in the lead for... HIV Opioids Humid Trafficking And the crime rate goes up every year So if your looking at Wilmington....Good Luck

[Comment on this Posting]

Extreme caution - 5/8/2021

The most dangerous city. Top heroine trafficking. The crypts, bloods and gangsters disciples war here. Shots ring out all the time, do not care if they hurt children. Beaches always overcrowded, rip tides and frequent drownings. Recent mass shooting. A town soaking in post civil war racism. The police are very good though, excellent response time. Flooding is always an issue here, getting worse.

[Comment on this Posting]

Racism? - 12/16/2019

I am a Floridian looking to move up north, I’ve heard great things about Wilmington, however I’ve also heard it can be a racist state. For those who live in Wilmington, how open are people to diversity, minorities? Is it an inclusive state or is there racial tension?

[Comment on this Posting]

Still a wonderful place - 9/19/2019

We do have a beach house in Wilmington for almost a year. It's a nice small town (yes, it's growing), with historical center / fast access to beaches / a lot of great food places and kind people.

[Comment on this Posting]

Two Very Enthusiastic Paws Up! - 12/31/2018

Update- we have been living in Wilmington for almost a year now... so here it is, the paws-itive and the negative. We stayed through Hurricane Florence, we helped our community rebuild, and we have learned a thing or two along the way... 1) The Restaurants Here are a Hazard. Really. We adopted Miss Charlotte Anne (a husky mix) after her family could no longer care for her. Miss Charlie had learned that many of the local coffee shops and restaurants keep biscuits on standby. She will now drag us, raining or otherwise, to every place that she knows has a cookie. Particular hazards of note include Fork N Cork, Bourbon Street (check out the Bloody Mary’s!) and Elijah’s- slightly more upscale and on the Boardwalk, a great place to watch the sunsets. 2) The Kindness and Compassion of the People Here Will Shock You It was my first day with Coldwell Banker Seacoast Advantage when we realized that there were close to zero overflow shelters prepared for animals, and Florence was about to make landfall. I appealed, and CBSA reached out directly to other agents, and donated -YES DONTATED- buildings to serve as distribution centers and shelters. Those efforts resulted in more than $44,000 being raised for Pender Humane Society and more than $150,000 of product being distributed to the local community at our location on Blue Clay Road 3) Drive Bye Brownies If you think staying away from downtown will help your waistline, think again. In Carolina Heights, where we live, our front door has more than once been the location of a Drive By Brownie Incident. Neighbors will drive by, leave brownies on your front porch... they will knock at your door with chocolate covered pretzels... and if you work from home, this is an issue 4) Wilmington Is Changing The Riverfront is undergoing extensive redevelopment. A Port City, there are houseboat communities are on the horizon and multiple luxury condo developments are going up. So, too, are the newer communities with amenities including pools, tennis courts and golf clubs. Price wise, the value is still unbeatable. We paid under $400k for a 3000 sf home with a bed and breakfast license... (translation: we have guests overnight on Airbnb and include a map to the local diner!) this house would have been twice as much in Raleigh, three times as much in New Orleans and four times as much in DC. Across Market Street, historic bungalows can still be had for under $300k, some of the more up and coming areas (still walkable to downtown) include renovated cottages for under $200k. Fixer uppers under $100k are not out of the question. It took us four spreadsheets, three months of research and weeks upon weeks of travel to find our city. With cosy wine bars, cute cafes and a creative welcoming community, we couldn’t be happier. As with all places, stay local (ie in the community you are considering) before you make an offer. Walk the block, meet the neighbors... no place will be perfect and there is an uptick in traffic during the summer months. Most importantly, be warned that Wilmington is big on animal rescue- chances are, with in a year, your house will have added a furry friend or two.

[Comment on this Posting]

OK needs rain - 9/17/2018

Extreme drought needs more rain . like a desert. needs more lakes and rivers. and more rain to make the place more green.

[Comment on this Posting]

Best Up and Coming City on the East Coast - 3/21/2018

Point blank, the best up and coming city on the East Coast. My fiancée and I picked Wilmington, after an exhaustive search of the continental USA. Between us, we have lived in San Diego CA, Los Angeles CA, Austin TX, San Antonio TX, Raleigh NC, NY, VT, Washington DC, Tampa and Sarasota FL, Alexandria VA... the list goes on. We were in search of an artsy city that supported small businesses... coffee shops over clubs, boutiques over strip malls, historic homes over Suburbia, a walkable downtown, cultured locals, a night life that included plays and funky restaurants. Initially, Wilmington wasn’t even on our radar. We work in the music industry and in PR- neither of us had ever even heard of it. But with the price of housing surging in the more “popular” cities, we were struggling to balance quality of life with finding a home that packed personality and potential. New Orleans offered an unmatched scene for foodies and a phenomenal music scene. But the oppressive summer weather, the high crime, and the cost of housing ($500k for 1500 sf that still needed work) made it a no-go. Raleigh-Durham, while centrally located and growing, felt like suburban sprawl on steroids... the racial tension in areas that are undergoing gentrification, is palpable. As an inter-racial couple, we wanted to find a neighborhood that welcomed us both. Savannah offered some of the most charming city squares we have seen, but a concerning lack of job opportunities. Wilmington took us by surprise. We fell in love with the dog friendly downtown, the eclectic mix of locally owned shops and restaurants, the historic homes. If golf is your thing, if you’re after good public schools and friendly suburban neighborhoods- while not necessarily our highest priorities, Wilmington has that in spades. If you’re looking for a fun and funky beach culture, with affordable homes that are walking distance to the waves- Carolina and Kure beach have got you covered. For cheap flights and great deals, the newly remodeled airport at nearby Myrtle Beach offers more travel options than the local airport. As to the naysayers and the critics- every city has its drawbacks. But there’s a reason that Wilmington has been growing at such a fast pace- check the statistics. While there are parts of the city that are transitioning, this has kept prices affordable. The moment that Wilmington ups it’s PR and gets ‘discovered’, you better believe that all the charming bungalows and the stately homes with the wrap around front porches... will be gone. And in about 5 minutes. Buying in Wilmington is a smart move. With the third largest film industry in the USA, an incredible theater scene, and a series of neighborhoods that are protected by the National Register of Historic Places... prices are going to be ticking upwards. As to the Riverfront, permits for luxury condos, conference centers and high rise hotels... they’re already approved and construction has started. Visit. This. City.

[Comment on this Posting]

Best Up and Coming City on the East Coast - 3/21/2018

Point blank, the best up and coming city on the East Coast. My fiancée and I picked Wilmington, after an exhaustive search of the continental USA. Between us, we have lived in San Diego CA, Los Angeles CA, Austin TX, San Antonio TX, Raleigh NC, NY, VT, Washington DC, Tampa and Sarasota FL, Alexandria VA... the list goes on. We were in search of an artsy city that supported small businesses... coffee shops over clubs, boutiques over strip malls, historic homes over Suburbia, a walkable downtown, cultured locals, a night life that included plays and funky restaurants. Initially, Wilmington wasn’t even on our radar. We work in the music industry and in PR- neither of us had ever even heard of it. But with the price of housing surging in the more “popular” cities, we were struggling to balance quality of life with finding a home that packed personality and potential. New Orleans offered an unmatched scene for foodies and a phenomenal music scene. But the oppressive summer weather, the high crime, and the cost of housing ($500k for 1500 sf that still needed work) made it a no-go. Raleigh-Durham, while centrally located and growing, felt like suburban sprawl on steroids... the racial tension in areas that are undergoing gentrification, is palpable. As an inter-racial couple, we wanted to find a neighborhood that welcomed us both. Savannah offered some of the most charming city squares we have seen, but a concerning lack of job opportunities. Wilmington took us by surprise. We fell in love with the dog friendly downtown, the eclectic mix of locally owned shops and restaurants, the historic homes. If golf is your thing, if you’re after good public schools and friendly suburban neighborhoods- while not necessarily our highest priorities, Wilmington has that in spades. If you’re looking for a fun and funky beach culture, with affordable homes that are walking distance to the waves- Carolina and Kure beach have got you covered. For cheap flights and great deals, the newly remodeled airport at nearby Myrtle Beach offers more travel options than the local airport. As to the naysayers and the critics- every city has its drawbacks. But there’s a reason that Wilmington has been growing at such a fast pace- check the statistics. While there are parts of the city that are transitioning, this has kept prices affordable. The moment that Wilmington ups it’s PR and gets ‘discovered’, you better believe that all the charming bungalows and the stately homes with the wrap around front porches... will be gone. And in about 5 minutes. Buying in Wilmington is a smart move. With the third larges film industry in the USA, an incredible theater scene, and a series of neighborhoods that are protected by the National Register of Historic Places... prices are going to be ticking upwards. As to the Riverfront, permits for luxury condos, conference centers and high rise hotels... they’re already approved and construction has started. Visit. This. City.

[Comment on this Posting]

Not that South! - 9/1/2016

Wilmington has a great climate. It is far enough south that you genuinely don't get snow and it's far enough north that you don't get the humidity of Florida. The climate, like the culture is a mixture of south and north. We transplanted from the Midwest in 2007. We were pleasantly surprised by how many fellow Midwesterners living here! There are some drawbacks if you move to Wilmington... you will have more visitors at your home than you know what to deal with. Haha! Seriously, Wilmington is a great place to live. It does have its problems like any other city but the upside of living here is far greater. I'm a Sperling Expert and Realtor, so if you have question feel free to contact me. Cedric Cedric@spotrealestate.com 910-233-0040

[Comment on this Posting]

Move to Wilmington ASAP! - 7/3/2016

Wilmington without a doubt is one of the best cities on the east coast of the United States. Voted best river city three years in a row by USA Today, Wilmington is full of lots of culture, fun things to do, and an extremely family-friendly environment. Wilmington was voted #35 best places for business in the country by Forbes Magazine! Wilmington's metro area is constantly growing. With lots to do, you can take a walk down in the beautiful downtown packed with hundreds of bars, cafes, restaurants, clubs and more! Take a tour of USS North Carolina, voted one of Americas Top 5 Battleship Museums by USA Today! Not to mention that you can travel to any of Wilmington's beaches including Figure 8 Island, a private island home To hundreds of celebrities. Or take a trip to Wrightsville Beach,voted one of the best beaches in the country by National Geographic and Thrillist! Or even go down to Carolina Beach or Kure Beach, home to North Carolinas best beach boardwalk and one of Americas best donut shops by Food & Wine. Wilmington is choc full of great parks, including skate parks, water parks, and other multipurpose parks around the city. Travel Wilmington and visit some of the best golf courses in the country. Wilmington is hosting the 2017 PGA Tour Championship at one of the areas finest golf courses. Wilmington's Geography is one that's extremely unique. All within in a short distance, one can travel from the Mountains, to the beach, to swamp land and forrests, and back again to the city. Wilmington's culture is extremely unique, taking on a strong Northern Influence due to the North Eastern Americans moving south. In Wilmington, you can find a wide variety of foods from many different cultures the way one would be able to in New York City. Wilmington has every single major store and chain found within its borders! Wilmington is also home to one of America's Best 100 hospitals by Womens Choice Awards. The New Hanover County Regional Medical Center is voted one of the best hospitals for patient experience. Wilmington has a wide variety of jobs available from major industry, to pharmaceutical companies such as PPD (headquaterted Downtown Wilmington). Wilmington is also home to one of the deepest ports in the US making us the largest ammunition port in America and a busier port year by year with expansions being made. If you are interested in Americas Entertainment Industry, you might want to know that Wilmington is also home To the largest Film Production Facility outside of California and home to the largest special effects water tower in North America! Wilmingtons traffic is not too bad depending on time of year and rush hour peaks (8-10am 4-7pm) and is home to multiple major junctions including I-40, US-17 (Coastal Highway) and more! Overall, Wilmington is a constantly growing city with great culture, a great economy, and more! I've lived in Wilmington for a year, and I have to say it is the best place I've lived in! Move to Wilmington NC as fast as you can!

[Comment on this Posting]

Considering relocating - 12/17/2015

Hello, Just recently visited my daughter in Wilmington and visited her college. I have been considering moving here to be closer. I am currently in Las Vegas and hate it. I haven't been here long and the crime is absolutely overwhelming. I am a CA native but don't want to go back there either. Everyday someone is getting murdered here in Las Vegas and you're constantly being serenaded by the sounds of police sirens and the helicopters. I read alot of mixed reviews about the town so its hard to make up my mind. I did love the town and surrounding towns i visited while there. I felt safe, did not feel threatened in any kind of way. How is the job market, housing, etc. I have lived in many states and i'm pretty good at settling in. I appreciate any helpful advice!

[Comment on this Posting]

It really is less expensive here - 12/16/2014 - 8/31/2015

To Sonya I forgot to put two m's in my email address.. it's" I_mm_Here@live.com Hope to here from you Thanks so much Patricia

[Comment on this Posting]

It really is less expensive here - 12/16/2014 - 8/31/2015

Hi Sonya, That was a great read on NC., I been wanting to move down to NC from Philly for a while now, but I m moving on my own so I really want to move where it is safe and where all the shopping and stores are..I've been looking on Neighborhood Scout to find the safest places to live in NC., but that's starting to look scary. Is there anything that you can send me some info on places where there is less crime rate and where the area is around things to do. I have a house here in philly so with the money that I have left over I want to buy a house outright if I can about $65,000., do you think that's enough for a nice house in NC? If you know any of the above can you send it to my email at: I_m_here@live.com I really appreciate any help you can offer Thank You Patricia

[Comment on this Posting]

Wilmington has too much crime and too many cover u - 7/26/2015

Wilmington is a place where cops can buy houses with the money they made by selling cocaine, as Ron Hewett proved to the world. It's a place where crime is covered up and racism lives. It is where a murder of a great actor ruined the film industry slowly and the locals put the blame on incentives when the truth is that no one can be trusted in the area to work on films, or actors will get shot, or props will be stolen or famous people will be stalked. Even Dennis Hopper had to get out after his restraining order didn't stop some crazy local gold digging woman from being a constant annoyance to him in town. He brought business, and money and like all others who came here to relax and slow down, he LEFT unhappy with the ways of the area.

[Comment on this Posting]

Relax, you're in the South now. - 6/22/2015

I get a chuckle out of the negative reviews here regarding Wilmington (especially the cultural aspects). Wilmington was just rated the best riverfront city in the country by USA Today. I have never experienced any real unpleasantness from anyone but visitors from the Northeast who are very tense from, well, living in the Northeast. As a former Yankee, I can sum it up for you: Wilmington is a great friendly little city on the coast in North Carolina that is 90% transplants and exploding with people fleeing the Northeast for a better quality of life. Many Northerners just can't handle the friendliness of the people here and have to find something about which to complain rather than being grateful for all the great things. The glass is either half full or you are a Yankee. As you read the reviews here, keep in mind that most people are coming here to escape the weather, tension and economies of liberal states. Expecting Wilmington to change for your tastes is such a silly Yankee idea. As such, some immediately love the laid back friendly lifestyle here, some take a while to relax and some just can't get along and complain until they leave. We love New Yorkers, for example, at least after they lose their arrogance and rudeness and realize that New York is not the center of the universe and they don't know everything. Enjoy paying less than your taxes were up North for a mortgage and wave back at others-they are using all 5 fingers and are genuinely friendly. Everyone is welcome here, just be nice if you can and quit complaining.

[Comment on this Posting]

Amazing place to call home! - 4/14/2015

Wilmington, NC is a truly awesome place to live! Having lived here for over 11 years now, I'm pretty sure I'm never leaving :) Since Wilmington is a peninsula - it's surrounded by water! We have the Cape Fear River and historic downtown on one side while we have intracoastal waterway and the ocean of Wrightsville, Carolina and Kure beaches. The weather is pleasant here too - with all 4 seasons - albeit the winter is pleasantly short with barely a dusting of snow! We have history, culture, great schools, delicious restaurants, and a good sense of community here. I love it and I'm passionate about helping folks relocate to the Wilmington area. My husband and I work as a real estate team, If we can help any of you with an real estate related questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us! -Stef Archer #TeamArcher, RE/MAX Essential hello AT getteamarcher.com 910.777.2790

[Comment on this Posting]

Jobs - 11/21/2014

Living wage middle class jobs are in short supply here. Few decent paying jobs here.

[Comment on this Posting]