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Hello!! My husband and I have been thinking of relocating to coastal North Carolina. I have family in Wilmington, and recently went to visit for the first time. We, of course, loved it and have been throwing around the idea of moving down there from cold, snowy New Hampshire. I have always wanted to move down south, and we almost moved to Florida last year. Now that we have been to Wilmington and have family there, I feel that is the area for us! So, after extensively perusing these boards(which has been extremely helpful) and doing lots of research, we have agreed Hampstead may be ideal for us and our three children (12, 4, and 2 years old). I just have a few questions.
I know how the job market is, and that is one of my concerns. I am a nurse, and am either going to try to secure a job first, or do travel nursing to get down there and set up. That way I can look for a permanent job while I am on assignment. My question is about commute to the hospitals from Hampstead. From looking at the maps, it looks like it will be around 30-45 minutes to the hospitals in Wilmington or Jacksonville. Is that accurate? And are there any other local hospitals in or around Hampstead?
Also, my husband is a truck driver with his CDL license, and we have seen jobs posted in Wilmington. Can anyone give me any info about the job market for truck drivers? It's one thing to see job listings, but another to get an insider prospective from locals.
I would love to hear helpful info anybody has.Thanks in advance!!
My question is about commute to the hospitals from Hampstead. From looking at the maps, it looks like it will be around 30-45 minutes to the hospitals in Wilmington or Jacksonville. Is that accurate? And are there any other local hospitals in or around Hampstead?
The times are pretty accurate.
You might also look at Pender Memorial in Burgaw or the Brynn Marr Hospital in Jacksonville which does substance abuse treatment, or the Naval Hospital at Camp Lejeune. If you can deal with the commute, try the Dosher Hospital in Southport. There is also the NHRMC Atlantic SurgiCenter for ambulatory surgery, if that helps. It is at 9104 Market St. (US 17), Wilmington, NC. Also, this company runs several clinics and has an office building with all kinds of lab and Xray equipment: http://www.medachealth.com/ .
I have little insight on truck driving jobs, except that there is a lot of construction going on. I see big rigs hauling joists and drywall all the time. The must be contracting with the building supply companies. Another big source of jobs would be hauling pine logs out to the pulp mill in Riegelwood (would they all be independent contractors?)
Last edited by goldenage1; 10-31-2014 at 09:39 AM..
I would rent in Hampstead until your job situation is settled. The northern area of New Hanover is the more industrial area, so Hampstead may be fine in terms of commute. But you may also find what you are looking for in the Porters Neck area, which may lessen your commute (unless you are going to Jacksonville). I really would hate to see you having long commutes with young children, it can really make life hectic.
Thank you both for the info, I have researched some of your suggestions. Pender Memorial looks like a nice, smaller community hospital, similar to where I work now. And I like that it's still affiliated with NHRMC, and a not-for-profit hospital.
The Porters Neck area does look beautiful, but it seems a bit pricier than Hampstead for rentals. It would be nice to have a shorter commute though. I would definitely be open to living in a nice, family-oriented part of Wilmington. I'm still trying to figure out school districts and what the "good" areas are, it's a little confusing to someone not familiar with the area. ☺ I am also nervous on whether I would be able to get into NHRMC, even with 5+ years experience in cardiac nursing. I have read on these boards that it may be difficult to secure a job there.
I was trying to stay in the Pender County school district, but I know there are other good districts in Wilmington. I believe how well you're children do in school starts at home, and I am very involved in making sure they work hard and stay motivated.
Thank you both again for your insight, you're other responses on these threads have been very informative!
I know a lot of folks talk up the Topsail district...in reality it is "on par" with the New Hanover County districts.
Some have that confused with being "better"...what can make it better is that the housing in the Topsail district can be cheaper than New Hanover. For instance, for the most part you can buy a house on the ICWW in Pender County cheaper than in New Hanover County. However that in no way means its cheap.
One thing I don't understand is people make a...say, 10 year purchase of a house and then add 40 minutes of a commute each day...300 plus days a year for 10 years. Not only does the cost of gas make up for the cheaper house, but the worst thing is the time it takes away...40 minutes a day every day you are basically throwing away.
That's why I suggest to rent until the jobs are settled. If you are working in Jacksonville and your husband is working in northern New Hanover, then Hampstead may be the right place, but if you are both working in New Hanover, then, IMO, there is no reason to live in Hampstead.
I know exactly what you're saying about the commute, I agree. I have always wanted to work 5-10 minutes from my home. My guess as to why so many people commute is because they're used to it. Where I am now, it is 30 minutes to my work. However, tack on at least an extra 30-60 minutes if there's an ice or snow storm (which is a possibility 6 months out of the year) and I'm looking at a pretty good commute. Luckily as a nurse at a hospital, I'm only doing 3 days for full-time and making decent money. That is the only reason I tolerate the commute.
We are definitely planning on renting first, that's all we've ever done, but that's good advice. I would need to see where we end up working to see where we settle. Like I said, I would love to be 5-10 minutes from work ��
I have another quick question.... I'm hoping you can help me with this one, Goldenage1. How far is it from Sneads Ferry to the Brynn Marr Hospital? I am asking for my mother, who may possible relocate with us also. She is a psychiatric nurse, and I told her about that facility. She has done some research and is interested in Sneads Ferry , she's just wondering about the commute. I told her about a half hour, is that accurate?
...How far is it from Sneads Ferry to the Brynn Marr Hospital? I am asking for my mother, who may possible relocate with us also. She is a psychiatric nurse, and I told her about that facility. She has done some research and is interested in Sneads Ferry , she's just wondering about the commute. I told her about a half hour, is that accurate?
It is 31 minutes (or 24 miles) from my house to Brynn Marr Hospital. The drive isn't bad unless you get caught behind people entering gates at Camp Lejeune. One limit on commuting from Sneads Ferry is the you can't use Highway 172 through the base. You have to go around Camp Lejeune and that takes longer.
My husband moved to Wilmington about two years ago from Maine...I remained in Maine for about nine months then I too made the move to North Carolina. We did a lot of research and house hunting and finally purchased a home in Hampstead. I have NO regrets at all about our choice. I have found the atmosphere in Hampstead very refreshing, the people are friendly and it has a good community feel. I am employed in the Hampstead area, and my husband works in Wilmington. The commute for work has not been an issue. I find that for the most part....Hampstead offers everything we need. Property taxes are low, and from all accounts...the school systems are very good. There are many clinics/out patient facilities in and around Hampstead. If I can help in any way...let me know. I do know a few people who work at the hospital in Wilmington, and I have never heard them complain about the commute to/from work.
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