Wrightsville Beach
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7/5/2007
My husband and I and our friends just got back from visiting Wilmington for the 4th of July 2007. We spent the night at the Marriott-Courtyard off Market St. I used to live in Wilmington with my parents nearly 12 years ago and although we only got to stay there for a year, it was absolutely wonderful at that time. Returning after so many years, I was glad to find that Wilmington has remained the same except for the usual new chain restaurants and what appeared to be some new housing construction (which in all my travels that's pretty commonplace). Other than that it was a great visit--even if it was one day.
You see, unlike other visitors or the residents, you have to take Wilmington for what it is...a quaint little city. Actually, it's more like a large town than a city. Yes, it has it's "downtown" and a good urban sprawl, but it just isn't like Raleigh or Charlotte. Wilmington is meant to be kept like a town. I think if it had, after all this time, spread out and built up some more or boomed like its neighboring coastal towns Myrtle and Virginia Beach, it just wouldn't be the same. As the gentleman who had lived in Wilmington for 58 years previously stated, it has changed. No, I didn't live there my whole life to see it from a very small coastal town, but from what I left behind, it's kept that quaint and charming allure. The climate I remember being fairly comfortable throughout the year (we never wore coats the entire winter) and during this recent trip we made, the weather was gorgeous (not too hot 86 degrees and being on the beach helped with those nice ocean breezes). Schools are good, at least the ones I remember. We don't have children yet, so I'm not too savvy on schooling in Wilmington. I've lived in many cities in different states all my life and I believe that Wilmington is a pretty safe town. My friends and I never feared for going out and about. North Carolina is part of the Bible belt so if you're looking for a church/synagogue in particular Wilmington has it. There are plenty of major roads, I-95, 421, 17/74 that are merely minutes away, so accesibility to highways is very good. Plus, you're about an hour or so from the famous Myrtle Beach in SC.
So, what town/city doesn't have their little problems or lack of culture as some might look at it. That is the least of things. One of the main attractions of Wilmington is the beaches of course! Wrightsville is my personal favorite, then you still have Carolina
Abhd | High Point, NC