considering Hampstead from NY - general opinions wanted (Wilmington: hardwood floors, apartment complexes)

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by MTNesters

We did not find that there was "excellent medical care" available in Hampstead...I would think you could call it "adequate".

I gues it depends on your perspective. We have zero doctors in Sneads Ferry. My husband goes to Hampstead for his primary doc, and I go to Surf City. There is the huge Med-Ac building at 8115 Market Street which has labs, imaging and specialists. I guess that is a Wilmington address, but the border where Hampstead ends is never clear to me. You are correct, though that it takes a long time to get to the New Hanover Hospital from the north end of Hampstead.

Hampstead sprawls for a long distance, but I am sure the OP can find a convenient physical therapist.

[Francois]

Originally Posted by banshee45

I was hoping Wilmington would be my cultural backup but...I might be mistaken on that. My friends are really warning me against this right now, that I'll be too far and alone and trapped and unhappy due to nothing happening. So, I'm trying to weigh it up and be realistic.

Lastly - both my daughter and I like cooler weather better but the more cold, the more pain i have. We will definitely miss the first fresh snowfall. But....hoping the fresh air from being near the ocean will balance the heat a bit. Maybe I underestimate the heat.

It is off-the-scale laughable to suggest that Wilmington will be any sort of "substitute" for New York City in the cultural department. It is a very small, beach-tourist-oriented city for the most part. Some tiny pockets of artsy types, but you find those in any town of its size.

I don't think Hampstead is close enough to the actual beach to get any benefit from "ocean breezes"--once you go a mile or two inland from the actual shore in NC, you'd never know there was an ocean nearby (as far as air quality). And if heat worries you, definitely plan your visit for July or August because those are the ones that matter.

[banshee45]

Thank you Francois - I'm beginning to think you're right on many of these points. The heat. The lack of breeze would make that unbearable. And I've been trying to check your humidity down there lately, it's alwys always higher than here. I'm imagining what rural Ohio feels like on the deadest of summer days. The tourist business i think would really get on my nerves. And the fact that regardless of whether I actually utilize NYC, once I find out I have no culture close at hand, I might be feeling very, very trapped. I THINK i want to sit on a rocking chair on a screen porch - but maybe for only six months or so

And, it's so very far from NY that I'm not sure we would get to see our people here much. Half of NY might be in NC, but it's not the half that we're close to.

Maybe I need to line up my darts again. sigh.

[coffeebean330]

Originally Posted by banshee45

And, it's so very far from NY that I'm not sure we would get to see our people here much. Half of NY might be in NC, but it's not the half that we're close to.

I can say from personal experience, no one wants to come down. I'm from upstate NY and in the almost two years I've been here, not a single family member has made the trip down. There are always excuses. It might not be the same for you at all, but it seems like people think it's another world down here. And if it is, it's better.

[banshee45]

thanks coffeebean

i believe you that its better - how did you handle the change in climate? did the humidity feel 'unbreathable' at first?

and yes, the reaction i'm getting is North CAROLINA? why so FAR? why not New England? Maybe it's a North-South thing.

so, you feel like you found your sanctuary?

[Yaqngie]

I started reading this thread and just due to the volume of responses and the number of pages I stopped. However I wanted to say that I am a Wilmingtonian (lived here my entire life) and I actually have worked and still do on a part time basis work at the Pender 911 center and since Hampstead is in Pender County I can probably assist you on many questions that you may have about the area. I will remember to check this forum and respond accordingly. I actually created this account on this forum just to help assis ya.

[banshee45]

i have a couple more questions - it seems like we might be able to get a 1-2 br house for $800-$1000 a month? Am I wrong on that?

I'm trying to avoid an apartment complex or trailer.

Also, looks like Hampstead has a broad range on economic levels - lots of very expensive larger homes and then the other end, which is probably where we will land. We, as a two person family, are a bit of a paradox in that we are white and well-educated and yet poor. (disability). Socially - is my daughter going to feel that much in school, that feeling of being the "poor kid' lol. Sounds silly but her well being is my primary concern.

If we were to rent, how likely is it that the landlord will allow us to garden or put up a swing in the yard? I know no one can answer this for certain but there are localized standards for landlord-tenant relationships and trying to get a feel for that.

[Yaqngie]

you have your poor sections of hamsptead and you have your rich neighborhoods all together in the same area. You should be able to find housing, check some websites and see what you run across. Not sure what the landlords will allow you to do.

Your daughter should be fine, she is use to a variety of people you say where you live now and she will see that here and the kids here will see her as just part of the variety. There are plenty of northerners in the area.

[glamatomic]

Banshee: As far as gardening, decorating, etc goes it seems to depend on the landlord/ real estate company.

The first property I lived in when moving to the area was through a Real Estate agent and they didn't allow us to do *anything*. Even having a BBQ on the back porch was prohibited as they were concerned that it could get too close to the house, start a fire, etc etc (I thought that was pretty ludicrous). Currently, as I before mentioned, we're renting through a private landlord and he really doesn't care what we do as long as the house and garden is returned to it's former state before we move out (blank canvas yard, white walls in house, etc). Either way though, that would definitely be something you'd have to ask from the onset. Seemingly, private landlords are a bit more lenient than some real estate agents.

As for the heat, personally I find it unbearable down here. Other posters are correct in that we do not get sea breezes in Jacksonville / Hampstead / Wilmington for the most part (only the areas directly on the coast do). Subsequently, the heat is EXTREMELY oppressive, and summer seems to last forever! Winter, Spring and Fall seem very short compared to the North and Midwest.

Tourists: I wouldn't think Hampstead would be too bad, but during the summer, the nearby beaches (Topsail, etc) get crazy, crazy busy. At the height of Summer, you're flat out trying to even find a place to park your car to go to the beach, even on a weekday. It's not as insane as areas of Myrtle Beach, but from late April til late September the tourists definitely flock in, in droves.

Trailers: Avoid at all costs! I've never lived in one, but I consider them a complete eyesore. Even though some of them look to be fairly well maintained down Hampstead way (with a lot of retirees etc) you don't want to give your child the 'Trailer Trash' stigma if she'll be attending an area school. I know that sounds cruel, but as we all know, kids can be!

Distance to Wilm: I know you got a few responses from this (ranging from 5 mins to 45 mins) and as others have said, it depends where in Hampstead you're coming from and where in Wilmington you're going. Generally, in traffic, it has taken me anywhere from 30-45 mins from the middle of Hampstead to get to Downtown Wilmington. Also, as far as distance from NY- I'm sure you're aware that it's 10-11 hours from NYC (can be longer if you hit traffic in DC!) so depending on what your NYC friends think of as 'accessible'-they may/ may not want to make the trip.

When you come to visit, keep in mind that although you'll probably be staying at one of the beach hotels (which get a breeze!) at your price point you'll most likely be living further inland (without the breeze!), so focus your impressions of the area mainly upon the corridor surrounding US-17 as that's closer to where you'll probably live.

As I've said before though, it sounds like you're being extremely sensible about this and assessing all of your options before diving in head first

Good luck again!

[coffeebean330]

Originally Posted by banshee45

thanks coffeebean

i believe you that its better - how did you handle the change in climate? did the humidity feel 'unbreathable' at first?

and yes, the reaction i'm getting is North CAROLINA? why so FAR? why not New England? Maybe it's a North-South thing.

so, you feel like you found your sanctuary?

When I first got to Wilmington, the heat seemed crazy to me. I was never cool enough. Now it doesn't really bother me. Yes, sometimes it's a little much, but I don't find it unbearable.

And yes, I love it here. I don't regret the move at all. I love the whole state, not just Wilmington. I couldn't imagine ever leaving.