Southport for Families?? (Charlotte, Wilmington, Concord: low crime, broker, homes)

[charlottePA]

Is Southport a good town for young (very young) kids/families? As opposed to say Wilmington. My job could be in Leland area.

Does Southport get simply mobbed in the summer making it too touristy for year-round family life?

Thanks.

[jmarquise]

southport is better for retirement. it's VERY boring and small. also, the traffic in the summer is horrible, but it is in wilmington as well.

Originally Posted by charlottePA

Is Southport a good town for young (very young) kids/families? As opposed to say Wilmington. My job could be in Leland area.

Does Southport get simply mobbed in the summer making it too touristy for year-round family life?

Thanks.

[charlottePA]

Originally Posted by jmarquise

southport is better for retirement. it's VERY boring and small. also, the traffic in the summer is horrible, but it is in wilmington as well.

Boring and small sounds like what we're looking for. Throw in safe/low-crime and I'm there. I'm looking for more of Mayberry and less of 90210.

[jmarquise]

it's a bit too crowded to be a mayberry! safe and low crime is relative. it is probably low but the area is small. I would just go crazy living there, especially with kids. there isn't a whole lot to do, although you can take the ferry to carolina beach. more to do there.

Originally Posted by charlottePA

Boring and small sounds like what we're looking for. Throw in safe/low-crime and I'm there. I'm looking for more of Mayberry and less of 90210.

[charlottePA]

Anyone else actually living in Southport have an opinion?

[raylebrun]

Southport has low key lifestyle features, good ice cream shops, antiques, boating, some high end homes and good water access..... and now there will be a new Port built just north of Southport, container vessel size, supposed to be larger than Charleston, SC port... point being that this will bring additional infrastructure, traffic, jobs and the like... which will also bring some changes so depending where in southport may something to spend some time on.

Oh and on the point of disclosure I'm a broker here in the Coastal Wilmington area

Originally Posted by charlottePA

Anyone else actually living in Southport have an opinion?

[charlottePA]

Originally Posted by raylebrun

Southport has low key lifestyle features, good ice cream shops, antiques, boating, some high end homes and good water access..... and now there will be a new Port built just north of Southport, container vessel size, supposed to be larger than Charleston, SC port... point being that this will bring additional infrastructure, traffic, jobs and the like... which will also bring some changes so depending where in southport may something to spend some time on.

Oh and on the point of disclosure I'm a broker here in the Coastal Wilmington area

Thanks, I'm actually from Charleston and lived 2 miles from the Wando terminal. Really not a big deal, IMO. I remember the protests when it was built, though. I'm more worried about raising my son in a low crime environment, good neighbors. You know, the ride-a-bike-through-town type community. Is Southport where I should be looking?

Wife and I are in medical fields, so jobs are not an issue--but I'll be in north brunswick. We're in Charlotte now and can't wait to leave the traffic and rat-race behind.

[dodgeguy]

Southport is nice little town, but is choked year 'round with traffic, especially in the Summer. Electric rates are outrageous and drug dealing is a problem. Boiling Spring Lakes, 7 miles away is a city, but is very much like living in the country. Plenty of room ot spread out. I have been here over 30 years (moved here from Concord, NC) and don't regret a second of it. Leland is only about a 20 minute commute with several ways to get there. Electric is much cheaper here than Southport. Worth checking out. Visit the Boiling Spring Lakes, NC website.

[charlottePA]

Originally Posted by dodgeguy

Southport is nice little town, but is choked year 'round with traffic, especially in the Summer. Electric rates are outrageous and drug dealing is a problem. Boiling Spring Lakes, 7 miles away is a city, but is very much like living in the country. Plenty of room ot spread out. I have been here over 30 years (moved here from Concord, NC) and don't regret a second of it. Leland is only about a 20 minute commute with several ways to get there. Electric is much cheaper here than Southport. Worth checking out. Visit the Boiling Spring Lakes, NC website.

Thanks for the post. We like the historic aspect of Southport. It reminds us of our home in Charleston. Anyone on these boards living in Southport proper that can give some insight?

[Carolinafan]

Originally Posted by jmarquise

southport is better for retirement. it's VERY boring and small. also, the traffic in the summer is horrible, but it is in wilmington as well.

Leland is less than 10 minutes from Wilmington. Southport is at least a 40 minute drive to Wilmington down hwy 17.