Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
My wife and I just spent four days in Wilmington, and there is no doubt that we would eventually like to move there. We are looking at a year to two year window, so have some time. We stayed at a wonderful bed and breakfast(The Verandas) at Second and Nun street. Besides the touristy thing, we did get a "lay of the land" in some parts nearby. It appears that from Front St. to about 5th/6th, is a nice area, but once you move from 7th on out, it's not that safe. Lead story on the news was the "gang violence in and around those areas.
So my question is, with a budget of no more than 200k, we obviously can't live in the historic district, but would like to be within 10-15 minutes or so of the water.(Front St area). We didn't get a chance to check the area around the college, or on the other side of Market St., but plan on going back down in February. With the tourist stuff out of the way, we can spend more time looking at the various neighborhoods. We met some of the nicest people duriing our stay, and while we like Chester County, PA, we are looking for a different area to first semi-retire, and then eventually fully retire.
We also realize, and are Ok with the fact that we may have to rent first, and then eventually buy, and would prefer a single family home.
So my question is, with a budget of no more than 200k, we obviously can't live in the historic district, but would like to be within 10-15 minutes or so of the water.(Front St area). We didn't get a chance to check the area around the college, or on the other side of Market St., but plan on going back down in February.
In my opinion, the nicer areas in your budget are east of College Street. You can be 10-15 minutes from the *ocean*, instead of the river. I'd suggest the Mayfaire, Myrtle Grove, or Masonboro neighborhoods or between Eastwood Road and Military Cutoff Road. There numerous condo developments where you could rent. There would be older SFH's in your price range when you want to buy.
If you really want to be on the river side of Wilmington, I'd suggest a condo in the Carolina Beach Road corridor.
I lived in the Princess Place neighborhood, which I think is Wilmington's best kept secret (that I just let out). It's a lovely little neighborhood of 1940s homes with very large backyards ... very, very safe...very close to downtown. I miss that neighborhood, it was just wonderful with friendly people.
it's off 23rd Street between Shirley and Princess Place and also bordered by 21st - other streets are Noble, Klein, Plaza. Houses are very affordable to both buy and rent (I rented mine from a sign in the front yard).
Princess Place Drive is sketchy near 30th, but not where I'm describing.
I lived in the Princess Place neighborhood, which I think is Wilmington's best kept secret (that I just let out). It's a lovely little neighborhood of 1940s homes with very large backyards ... very, very safe...very close to downtown. I miss that neighborhood, it was just wonderful with friendly people.
it's off 23rd Street between Shirley and Princess Place and also bordered by 21st - other streets are Noble, Klein, Plaza. Houses are very affordable to both buy and rent (I rented mine from a sign in the front yard).
Princess Place Drive is sketchy near 30th, but not where I'm describing.
Speaking of which, here is a listing in that neighborhood...
And this is maybe my favorite little historic neighborhood, Carolina Place...here is a small version of the bungalow houses in this neighborhood...(best places are from Wrightsville Ave to the creek)
So OP should see that there are affordable neighborhoods not far from the downtown historic district...Carolina Place is actually a historic district I believe.
It appears that from Front St. to about 5th/6th, is a nice area, but once you move from 7th on out, it's not that safe. Lead story on the news was the "gang violence in and around those areas.
in downtown, i personally wouldn't live east of 4th street, north of market, or south of church -- but that's just me.
Quote:
So my question is, with a budget of no more than 200k, we obviously can't live in the historic district, but would like to be within 10-15 minutes or so of the water.(Front St area).
Oh, you can definitely afford to live in the historic district. the historic district is huge and includes a lot of places in the $30k - $100k range.
Quote:
We didn't get a chance to check the area around the college, or on the other side of Market St., but plan on going back down in February.
Market Street is pretty long, so 'other side of market' is kind of vague
to each his (or her) own, but i don't consider that location to be "very safe." That's waaaaaaay too close to Creekwood.
Ok, but, I actually LIVED THERE for nearly two years, and you didn't.
Virtually zero impact of/from Creekwood, and you don't even have to drive near Creekwood...I did once just to see how bad it would be midday on a weekend, and was satisfied by my one cruise by that I don't need to go that way again.
Heh. OK, it was a guess based on your post...because if you had lived in the neighborhood I described you wouldn't have said it
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
