Reviews & Comments
Raleigh, NC
Why We Said No to Raleigh and Yes to Wilmington NC -
12/31/2018Better weather, great eats, funky historic neighborhoods walking distance to downtown... an artsy vibe, brew pubs and dog parks. This was what we were hoping to find in the Raleigh Durham area- we were moving from the north.
A sprawling diaspora of new construction awaited us, Truman Show type developments with 5’ between you and your neighbor. This is Minivan Metropolis. Suburbia on Steroids. Helloooo Gridlock.
2 hours east, we discovered Wilmington NC. A port city that was never destroyed during the civil war, the historic neighborhoods are walking distance to a fun and funky downtown... homes less than HALF of what you would pay for Raleigh. 15 minutes to the beach, the downtown is currently undergoing extensive development with house boat communities and luxury condos incoming. Golf courses and new developments abound as well; there’s plenty of variety for everyone.
Will prices stay low in Wilmington indefinitely? I doubt it. Since coming here I posted one review on of the city, received over 80 inquiries and ended up spending so much time answering questions that I opted to get my real estate license.
We looked at over 100 homes in New Orleans, but the violent crime was worrisome to us. Richmond VA didn’t have the charm we were hoping for. Prices in the DC metro area were more than we wanted to spend. The Burlington VT area (where we moved from) had absurdly cold winters and crazy hush property taxes. California wildfires /property prices were too risky for us to be comfortable with.
If you’re thinking of moving anywhere, my best advice is to book an airbnb and stay local. Experience weekend culture, what a neighborhood is really like. Walk a block before you make an offer.
Still longing for the world of lazy front porches where Dawson’s Creek was filmed? Where neighbors bring you cookies and brownies just because? That’s Wilmington. One Tree Hill was also filmed here. Our neighborhood (Carolina Heights) has fans who still come by to photograph homes featured in the series. We are a 20 minute walk to ice cream and fantastic culinary cuisine.
Our house was featured on the historic home tour, is almost 3000 s/f, it wasn’t a fixer upper and we paid under $400k. Bungalows in Carolina Place can still be had for under $200k. Cute cottages in up and coming areas... under $150k.
And as for the dog parks and the people parks, most of the older neighborhoods have an abundance of green spaces. It took us more than 6 months of research to find our Best Place and it was so worth it!
Wilmington, NC
Best Up and Coming City on the East Coast -
3/21/2018Point 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.
Wilmington, NC
Best Up and Coming City on the East Coast -
3/21/2018Point 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.