Moving to hampstead, NC (Wilmington, Jacksonville: theatre, schools, live in)

[Cabeachkid]

Hello,
My wife and i recently visited the Wilmington area on a trip to check out places we are thinking about moving to, and really liked hampstead. I work for a SF based tech company and work from home, so we can really live anywhere. We currently live in Orange County (Huntington Beach) CA and are looking to leave. I would really appreciate any suggestions or feedback on moving there, and what its like. We are a family of 4 with 2 small children and love the beach and surfing. Schools would be really important to us along with finding a slower pace of life that is a family friendly community. Also, please no judgment, we are LDS (mormon) and would love to get a local perspective on the congregation(ward) there in Hampstead. Any and all responses are appreciated.
Thank you

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by Cabeachkid

My wife and i recently visited the Wilmington area on a trip to check out places we are thinking about moving to, and really liked hampstead. I work for a SF based tech company and work from home, so we can really live anywhere. We currently live in Orange County (Huntington Beach) CA and are looking to leave..... Also, please no judgment, we are LDS (mormon) and would love to get a local perspective on the congregation(ward) there in Hampstead. Any and all responses are appreciated.

I think you would enjoy Hampstead. (I have been in Orange County, and understand it's appeal, as well as the congestion and cost.) Wilmingon and Hampstead are much smaller, more low-key, and maybe less materialistic.

I have met a few of the volunteers at the LDS Family History Center in Wilmington. They are good, dedicated people, and I believe you would be welcomed.

The only negative will be that the surfing is not as good as on the California beaches. You really have to go to the Outer Banks for comparable surf.

[stevensmom]

I just moved to Hampstead 7 months ago. I moved here for the close proximity to Topsail Island. The schools are good but growing and over crowded. As far as anything else you will need to drive to Wilmington Or Jacksonville to go to malls, chain restaurants, big box stores, Movie theatre bowling or most entertainment. Hampstead offers grocery stores, gas stations some local restaurants a few fast food places and a few local shops. Its growing like crazy and most residential traffic all dumps in on HWY 17 which runs from Wilmington to Jacksonville and is treacherous. All said and done I am glad we moved here and are happy for the most part.