Is Wilmington, NC that bad? (Charlotte, Raleigh: transplants, new home, neighborhood)

[Florida15]

Originally Posted by thefinalsay

crime in wilmington is a joke if you have ever lived in a city. it's unfortunate that the police department here is so bad, because crime really only happens in a few areas. you have to be careful where you go out and when you go out in any city you are in. this includes mayberry. any town of 250,000+ is going to have pockets of crime, no matter where you are. however, since I don't like people moving here, I will say that crime is crazy.

I have lived in a big city.....Orlando,Florida and my husband has lived in New York and New Jersey before we met in Orlando,so......we do know the difference. We both still say there's way too much crime here for the size.

[Tiger Beer]

Since the downtown of Wilmington is relatively small...is that the relatively small area that the majority of the crime is occuring?

Sorry, I don't know the answer, just curious.

So, does that mean, if a person lives a suburban or rural life existance in the Wilmington area, then it is fine, and if a person is attracted to the downtown areas of the city itself, then it isn't?

Just trying to clarify...I am a person that wants to find a nice liveable city (and not rural/suburban) lifestyle...but curious if Wilmington is a place I should dismiss altogether or consider.

[thefinalsay]

2006 crime index reports.

orlando, florida. 227,000 people
49 murders
984.6 crime index

wilmington, north carolina
7 murders
602.9 crime index.

orlando's crime index is on par with a city like detroit. the only way I can figure you thinking orlando is a safer city than wilmington is that it is a large metro area, and it's easier to avoid crime pockets. like I said before, crime in wilmington is a joke. I live downtown and I have NEVER felt unsafe. it might be different for a female. then again, no matter what the city, women shouldn't walk around alone late at night.

Originally Posted by Florida15

I have lived in a big city.....Orlando,Florida and my husband has lived in New York and New Jersey before we met in Orlando,so......we do know the difference. We both still say there's way too much crime here for the size.

[Florida15]

Originally Posted by thefinalsay

2006 crime index reports.

orlando, florida. 227,000 people
49 murders
984.6 crime index

wilmington, north carolina
7 murders
602.9 crime index.

orlando's crime index is on par with a city like detroit. the only way I can figure you thinking orlando is a safer city than wilmington is that it is a large metro area, and it's easier to avoid crime pockets. like I said before, crime in wilmington is a joke. I live downtown and I have NEVER felt unsafe. it might be different for a female. then again, no matter what the city, women shouldn't walk around alone late at night.

I never said Orlando was safer......I said I knew what a big city is like. I'm glad you have never felt unsafe living downtown. You're one of the few and I hope your luck continues.

[thefinalsay]

haha. it doesn't take any luck, just a little bit of common sense.

Originally Posted by Florida15

I never said Orlando was safer......I said I knew what a big city is like. I'm glad you have never felt unsafe living downtown. You're one of the few and I hope your luck continues.

[Florida15]

Originally Posted by thefinalsay

haha. it doesn't take any luck, just a little bit of common sense.

Try telling that to the victims families.......especially the senior lady who was attacked just going out to get her newspaper.

[thefinalsay]

here is me playing the worlds smallest violin. it happens in every city and every town. no exceptions in wilmington. I posted the crime stats. stats don't lie. crime in wilmington is a joke. you can try to contest it all you want, but anyone who actually goes around town knows this. there isn't a single neighborhood that scares me in this town.

Originally Posted by Florida15

Try telling that to the victims families.......especially the senior lady who was attacked just going out to get her newspaper.

[Florida15]

Okay.....this is my last comment on this subject. Yes,crime happens everywhere. However,you do not expect the amount and type of crime that's here in Wilmington. You'd expect it in larger cities,but not here and it's not a joke...it's a VERY serious problem. It isn't the neighborhoods that's scary.......it's the criminals and drug addicts that's invading the neighborhoods.

[Bob Brackett]

Anyone want to weigh in as to Wilmington NC as a place for retired folks? My wife and I both like the beach...a lot. I also like going to baseball and basketball games. I like nice pubs, libraries, museums and such. How's Wilmington NC for those things...and generally for folks that are retired...in our 60s?

[rubber_factory]

Originally Posted by Bob Brackett

Anyone want to weigh in as to Wilmington NC as a place for retired folks? My wife and I both like the beach...a lot. I also like going to baseball and basketball games. I like nice pubs, libraries, museums and such. How's Wilmington NC for those things...and generally for folks that are retired...in our 60s?

it has plenty going for it.. great weather, tons of medical specialists, the beach. lots of pubs downtown, a wide variety of good places to eat.

it is not a the best place for watching sports. UNCW has competitive mid-major type basketball and baseball. the museums are not bad, but not very impressive.

from what I see on the forums here, Wilmington is too busy for a lot of retirees.. many of them move to a smaller town in the area - Leland, Hampstead, etc.. taxes may also be a factor.