Beautiful historic downtown, surrounded by urban s
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11/25/2006
We relocated from California for the reasonable housing but the humidity and job market did us in. In summer it may cool down at night to a balmy 78. How people ever lived here without a/c, I can't even imagine. Beaches are far more beautiful than anything in CA. The sand is whiter, the water bluer, the waves gentler. And the ocean gets warm in the summer which beats the icy chill of the Pacific. Real estate is very reasonable but on the rise. You can still get a 4-bedroom home in a brand new subdivision for under $400,000. Job market is tight, unless you are in the hospitality, healthcare or construction business. Salaries are low. Lots of entry level stuff, but very little at manager-level. We have been here 3 years and can't find jobs so we are moving out. There does seem to be a bias against non-Southerners. I've heard a few complaints about 'yankees.' Wilmington traffic is getting worse, but it's because there are no freeways here, which is a refreshing change from California. You can still get all the way across town to the beach in less than 20 minutes. The city has been far too slow in developing infrastructure and too quick to approve housing & commercial developments. The result is congestion, ugly urban sprawl and a crumbling sewer system. Downtown is charming, with historic homes, a vibrant restaurant and club scene, but the rest of the city is strewn with strip malls. Development across the river in Brunswick county is exploding but the schools are generally abysmal. That will change if you can wait long enough. If you depend on a good airport, be aware that only 2 airlines serve 'ILM' and fares are usually double what you would pay out of Raleigh. If you like to travel by air, you'll pay dearly to do so from here.
Joanna | Leland, NC