Wilmington Relocation Questions (Myrtle Grove, Ogden, Carolina Beach: condos, crime, houses)

[Noodlenoggin]

I have the typical "thinking of moving to Wilmington" questions -- I'm thinking of applying for an IT job at New Hanover Medical Center. I've searched and read the Coastal NC forum thoroughly already.

We currently live in Tampa, Florida. Can anyone compare the summers to Florida summers? Less hot and humid, maybe not as long?

We grew up in Michigan and really miss 4 seasons. Does Wilmington get them? Fall colors, maybe?

We're a family of 6, and our four kids will need elementary and high schools next year...any chance of a 4 bedroom house that'll fit all of us....in a neighborhood where our neighbors will actually talk to us and be friendly...with good schools....for $200k or less?

I've read the words "crime" and "gangs" here...how is it REALLY? Are there places you just don't go...ever? Or is it basically all okay as long as you pay attention?

How bad is the traffic if I have to commute to downtown every day? I read here about the projects to improve the congestion that are in the works.

Any chance my wife would be able to find a job? She's a registered dietician who currently works for WIC in the Health Department.

Lastly, we did visit the (sort of) area about 5 years ago -- we spent a week in Atlantic Beach, and I remember kind of liking the vibe of the area -- ocean front, but not glitzy like the Florida coast. I don't want to say it felt a bit run-down, more like relaxed, and not 100% built-up, just a little bit rustic-feeling. Does the Wilmington area have that kind of vibe? Or is it the typical expensive, new, shiny condos for rich vacationers and retirees?

Thanks in advance, I know this was a long post.

[HP91]

$200K or less? That's probably not going to happen in a neighborhood you want to be in. If you increase it to $300K then you have some options.

There are a few places you don't go, some northside neighborhoods, housing projects, that sort of stuff. For the most part the rest is good or at least not bad.

NHRMC is off of 17th St, there is rush hour traffic getting in there and out, but you could get anywhere in the county from there in 30 minutes or less. I went from Hoggard High School on Shipyard to NHRMC in 5 minutes the other day. From Ogden or Myrtle Grove its about 15-20 minutes.

Not much in fall colors, mainly because many tree's are year round pine or live oak. But the winter is short, lots of good weather in spring and fall. Summers will be sweltering for at least a few weeks...get over the dunes on the beaches to cool off. When it rains it pours, Wilmington gets it off the Ocean many times, and conversely lots of the fronts coming in from the west dissipate.

Carolina Beach is Atlantic Beach on steroids....its busy. But was originally built about the same time. Easiest way to describe the area is Wilmington is a Historic City flanked by two busy beach towns and the rest of which is suburban.

[goldenage1]

Good luck with the job application, as there probably will be lots of competiton.

I can answer a few questions. 1. There will be minimal fall colors, except for planted landscape trees.

2. The budget of less than $200K is very tight for a 4 bedroom house. You might try the Pine Valley are of Wilmington or the Ogden area or Hampstead.

3. The crime issue is vastly exaggerated. It is fine to eat at a downtown restaurant in the evening. However, I would suggest that you stay out of the public housing projects and low-income areas if you look affluent.

4. I'd suggest you wife do some general job searches on Indeed.com . Brunswick and Pender County are growing, and might have openings. Onslow County has a lot of job turnover because of military families leaving.

5. Wilmington and the beach towns are not glitzy. Vacationers are mainly families, and they prefer the traditional, slightly run-down houses. If you want to see "rich retirees", they are in St James and other Brunswick County towns.

[Noodlenoggin]

Thanks, HP91 and goldenage1.

[abnheel]

I've been to Tampa and the surrounding area many times visiting family. And I just moved to Wilmington in November. There is no comparison regarding crime. You are overwhelmingly more safe here.

[Noodlenoggin]

Thanks, everyone. We decided not to apply for the position.