Wilmington-Good for us??? (Raleigh, Wrightsville Beach: relocate, real estate, transplants)

[ampetry]

Ok, so I know that there are very different opinions of Wilmington here but I was hoping I could get some information and advice based on my own certain circumstances.

Personal Wants;

My fiance and I are looking for a new place to live and have been researching different areas for almost 2 years now. We want to be closer to the ocean (right now it's about an 8 hour drive to a decent beach) but we don't mind a small drive, which is why we are also considering Raleigh. We are looking for an area that has plenty to do for people in their early 20's since we are still young and aren't looking to have kids any where in the near future (so "family only" areas and schools are not of interest to us). We want to live somewhere that has plenty to do but don't want to live in a really big city (we like to have space around us).

Living Wants;

Obviously jobs are very important! My fiance is an Automotive Technician and would also be interested in a job as a Service Writer (the person who communicates between the customer and technician on the repairs that are needed). I would be looking for temporary employment (probably as a cashier since I have the experience) until I can go to school at the Miller-Motte College for Esthetics (skin-care specialist). Can anyone give me some insight on what the job market is for either of these careers? I think for my fiance it shouldn't be a problem since almost any where that has cars as the main mode of transportation usually also needs some one who can fix them. As for me, with the local film industry and assuming there's a good number of spas I'm hoping there is a need for Estheticians. Any information on the market for these two careers would be a really big help!

As for apartments, we are interested in something that is moderately priced and it doesn't have to be any thing fancy but should be some where safe. Unfortunately I can't give you a price range for apartments since that would depend on income. We would prefer to find something close to the Miller-Motte College which is located at 5000 Market St. Is this considered a safe area? We would rather be between Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach since we are not really interested in living in downtown Wilmington.

I know this is a lot of information and a lot of questions to answer but we are trying to make the best decision for moving based on our own needs and wants. Any information would be incredibly beneficial to us! Thank you in advanced to any one who responds!

P.S. I don't know if this makes any difference but we currently live in a VERY small town in South Western Pa, about an hour East of Pittsburgh.

[ampetry]

Please! Any advice would be really helpful. We'll be in town for a day or two around March 26 and I would really like to get some info.

[jmarquise]

I definitely think that raleigh would be a much better bet. a lot more to do, lower cost of living, and higher paying jobs. I am sure that in your professions that you wouldn't have a hard time getting a job in either area though. I am pretty sure that raleigh will have a lot more for single 20 something people to do. in recent years, wilmington has become a mecca for families. the only real draw to wilmington is the beach, and you can ask the majority of people that live here, when you live here you don't go as much as you think you will. I have found it much more practical to visit the beach rather than living at the beach. the area around miller motte isn't a great area, but since it's right off market it probably isn't too bad. rent is actually pretty reasonable in wilmington, just don't plan on buying!

[ampetry]

You know, I posted a similar question on the Raleigh forums and they recommended Wilmington. It's funny how, based on our personal circumstances, people in Raleigh say we should go to Wilmington and people in Wilmington say we should go to Raleigh. Now I'm really confused!!!

[jmarquise]

people in raleigh just come to wilmington to go to the beach. they think wilmington=beach. they don't really think about things like traffic during the tourist season, the fact that finding a job making more than $10 per hour is pretty rare. they just equate the beach with happy times. this is a place for retirees and college students. this isn't a place for young professionals. I could recommend another place if you are interested.

[BabyBluEyes1122]

Jmarquise, I am interested in these other places you speak of. My needs and wants very similar to those of ampetry. My boyfriend, myself, and my best friend all are planning to move to NC -- were also looking at the Wilmington area, after I graduate from college in a little over 1 year. I will be the only one with a college degree, looking for work in juvenile probation. They both work in the resturaunt industry, currently, and if there is a Texas Roadhouse there my boyfriend can be transferred.

We are interested in somewhere SAFE, somewhere a little more quiet but if we wanted go into town there would be plenty to do. We want the beach near by, and obviously somewhere that isn't too expensive. We would be renting a house. By the time we move, I will be 22, my friend 21, and my boyfriend 26. Any ideas or advice?

[jmarquise]

how close do you have to be to the beach? close enough for a day trip or do you have to live within walking distance? if you are comfortable with a day trip to the beach, take a good look at greenville, south carolina. I went there a couple of weeks ago and I am planning to relocate. there was just so much more to do there. downtown greenville makes downtown wilmington look like the slums. I think it's like 2.5 hours to the beach, and 1 hour to the nicest mountains on the east coast. it is about 5 times bigger than wilmington too. the most attractive part about it is the seemingly abundance of jobs and the dirt cheap real estate.

[fortysixandtwo]

No problem finding a job for a service writer. The condescending arrogant transplants keep any service oriented folks on the defensive and on the move around here. Same thing for the threesome looking to come to Wilmington. By all means come on...really folks get a clue. There are no jobs around here...all crap jobs. Do not fall for the fantasy of the care free living at the beach. Two diverging characteristics here...high cost of living with low paying jobs. Hey ampetry...better make it a threesome as well...it will take it to pay the bills.

[Oyster07]

Allow me to help you out. I have lived in both the Raleigh area and the Wilmington area off and on throughout my 20's. I live in Wilmington now. Raleigh is much more family oriented and spread out than Wilmington is. It was really hard for me to make friend in the Raleigh area because it is so spread out. There are many more people in there early 20's here in the Wilmington area. I don't think you would have a hard time finding a job in either locations. The Miller Motte Tech College seems very nice. I have, on numerous occasions, gone over to the school to get massages and facials. The staff is very professional and it seems like a good school. I would think there is still quite a demand for estheticians. Plenty of places to rent here and the rent is not too expensive.

[jmarquise]

oyster, is raleigh really more of a family place? all I seem to see in wilmington is young families. maybe I am just going to the wrong places.