Is Wilmington, NC that bad? (Charlotte, Burgaw: commuters, area, distance)

[kurtger]

I have been to the area many times on business and think it is a great place, as with any area with lots of people and lots of shopping you are going to have some bad eggs, but compared to a lot of places that I have been too, I would consider it a cut above most. I think as with any area you have to find the best place to live to provide your family with the schools, the shopping and the housing you are looking for. It is all out there, just depends on how much sacrifice you are willing to give to get what you want.

[Milesz]

I spent 5 years in the area and miss it every day. 1 year in Wilmington, 1 in Hampstead and 3 on Topsail Island. Everyone is right about downtown, it's great, but not really my thing personally. It's more for the college students IMO. They are also right about the traffic. It SUCKS. Sorry, there's just no polite way to put it.

The outlying areas are growing at an alarming rate, but the Ogden and Hampstead areas are still nice. Topsail Island rocks if you like the beach. I'd avoid Wrightsville beach at all cost if you don't want to pay $8 bucks a minute to park. That is, if you can even find a spot.

[jctripp]

Like a fading Southern Dame who's well passed her prime, Wilmington is an old port city that has gussied up itself to appear charming and historic. The problem is, one can only apply so much paint to stop the rot. Yes, it has a quaint little downtown with a smattering of typical shops and empty storefronts but it is mostly a bar and tavern district. The historic part of town is nice to walk around, but how many times can you do that? And, yes, there is a beach and a lot of growth that looks like Clearwater, Florida. But one mustn't forget that this IS the south and Southern values are the norm here. it's not as bad as South Carolina but it's still got that good ole boy, redneck, racial tension, backward thinking feel of the south. Maybe there's been growth but that doesn't mean much has changed. Granted, there are some interesting cultural events and an active cultural community but nothing to compare with what you'd find in any small city. The crime rate is out of control, just check out the crime report at the local Wilmington newspaper. Don't let the nice weather, the Spanish moss, the historic homes, etc. fool you. This town would have been long forgotten if not for its proximity to the ocean.

[seashellbelle]

Originally Posted by jctripp

Like a fading Southern Dame who's well passed her prime, Wilmington is an old port city that has gussied up itself to appear charming and historic. The problem is, one can only apply so much paint to stop the rot. Yes, it has a quaint little downtown with a smattering of typical shops and empty storefronts but it is mostly a bar and tavern district. The historic part of town is nice to walk around, but how many times can you do that? And, yes, there is a beach and a lot of growth that looks like Clearwater, Florida. But one mustn't forget that this IS the south and Southern values are the norm here. it's not as bad as South Carolina but it's still got that good ole boy, redneck, racial tension, backward thinking feel of the south. Maybe there's been growth but that doesn't mean much has changed. Granted, there are some interesting cultural events and an active cultural community but nothing to compare with what you'd find in any small city. The crime rate is out of control, just check out the crime report at the local Wilmington newspaper. Don't let the nice weather, the Spanish moss, the historic homes, etc. fool you. This town would have been long forgotten if not for its proximity to the ocean.

Wow, what a great analogy, love it. Don't you think it's time we did something about this? Can only complain for so long. It's a beautiful city, has much to offer, but where oh where is it headed? It really is up to those who live there, or are close to living there, to make the changes.
I was a college student during the 70's. We ended the Vietnam War (no harm intended to the vets, what so ever, how disgraceful, they came home to such hostility).
I don't think our current college folks have the guts or impetus to do anything, (not like we did in the 60's or 70's) they are all living off their trust funds, or expecting their inheritance to save them. Sorry kids, you'll be lucky if there is Social Security or Medicare to provide for you when you reach your 60's.
My only reaction to this dilemma, is to stop complaining, and start doin' somthin' about it, capeche

[alanna1234]

i just moved to Wilmington in May and i love the area, weather, and beaches. The only thing is that when you apply at jobs, why doesn't anyone call you back? do you have to be from wilmington to get hired? I'm from Maine and my Fiancée and five year old daughter moved here to start over and get away from the snow. I thought this was going to be a good move but now i am having second thoughts. i know the economy is bad, but there is a lot more jobs here then where i am from. A phone call back from these jobs would be nice, i mean i have been here since May and still have no job. I also don't get why the newspaper doesn't list jobs. why is that? Craigslist lists a few, but not many. I am now expecting a child in March and now i know i definatley won't get hired anywhere, so i just don't know what to do. If anybody has advice for me and my family please let me know. Another thing is that the pay is not as good either, i didn't think it would be this low here. I don't want to sound like a complainer i just don't know what to do.

[melbern]

Originally Posted by alanna1234

i just moved to Wilmington in May and i love the area, weather, and beaches. The only thing is that when you apply at jobs, why doesn't anyone call you back? do you have to be from wilmington to get hired? I'm from Maine and my Fiancée and five year old daughter moved here to start over and get away from the snow. I thought this was going to be a good move but now i am having second thoughts. i know the economy is bad, but there is a lot more jobs here then where i am from. A phone call back from these jobs would be nice, i mean i have been here since May and still have no job. I also don't get why the newspaper doesn't list jobs. why is that? Craigslist lists a few, but not many. I am now expecting a child in March and now i know i definatley won't get hired anywhere, so i just don't know what to do. If anybody has advice for me and my family please let me know. Another thing is that the pay is not as good either, i didn't think it would be this low here. I don't want to sound like a complainer i just don't know what to do.

Getting a job depends upon skill and ability. Maybe you're not applying for the right job. And...with a baby on the way, perhaps an employer would be reluctant to hire you if they know you are going to leave in 6 months, even if its just temporarily. Maybe you haven't told potential employers about that though...in which case, something else isn't adding up. You might need to take a job which you find beneath your capabilities, etc...just to earn some income. We all have to do it at some time or other.

I know that sounds a bit harsh, but, this is reality. And truly, I'm not saying it to be mean. It's just the reality.

In terms of pay, you could have learned about the pay scale before arriving. It's easy to do basic job searches and see what the pay scale is for various jobs. NC in general has lower wages than many other states.

In this economy, it's not wise to make "life-style" based moves (ie. weather). The key is to make a move, if you really need one, based on your potential to establish a life at all.

That said, I'm sure you'll be able to find something - if you are willing to expand your boundaries and be willing to work at anything.

So, to re-iterate, I'm not saying this to be harsh. This is just the reality of the day. I don't believe Wilmington is a city where you must "know someone" to get a job. You just have to be willing to get a job, any kind of job, at all.

[MTNesters]

Sorry to hear about your troubles in finding employment here - I have heard it is really tough. Don't know what field you are looking in, but I have seen some "help wanted" signs recently in retail stores and restaurants, which I haven't seen in a long time. Perhaps if the potential employers don't call you back, you could call them and ask if the position for which you applied has been filled. If it has, perhaps you could ask to speak with the person who interviewed you, and inquire what you would have needed, could have done to improve your chances at getting that job. Ask them to please speak frankly with you. Who knows, you might learn something that will help, and you might impress them so that if another job becomes available, they will call YOU! Good luck with your search!

[Richard Martin]

alanna1234, you must be applying in the retail field. My son works at a major national office supply store in Greenville and you wouldn't believe how many applications they get each week. He showed me a stack of applications about 4 inches thick just for the last year. They would have to hire someone full time just to call all of the applicants back to tell them they didn't get a job. That's not going to happen.

Did you have any sort of plan before you moved here or did you literally just jump in the car and come here? My wife and I moved here back in '06 and we've had no trouble. I started a service company and my wife landed a good job at an upscale grocery store. Our son came with us but he had an advantage in the job field. He transferred from where he worked to the store he works at. My daughter and son-in-law came here in '07. She works in medical so it was easy for her since Greenville is hugely a medical city. I got my son-in-law a good reference through a connection I established with my sevice company and he had 2 jobs within 3 days of moving here.

[dsilvius_2009]

My twin sister and I want to move to a small coastal town in North Carolina from where we are now in Florida. Most likely in less than a year's time. Any input to where? We wanted Wilmington but it seems it may be too pricey for us. We both work in the Medical field. Thanks in advance...

[Bill Hitchcock]

We both work in the Medical field.
The NC coast is very diverse with both an Outer Banks (Ocean) and Inner Banks (Sound, Bay & Coastal Rivers). It will help to know what type of coastal area you like best.
Wilmington is our only "big" city along the coast. It has more people than the entire county I live in (Carteret County).
The NC coast is peppered with beautiful, historic and quaint towns and villages. We also have miles and miles of uninhabbitted ocean side beaches. Our state has a lot to choose from!

But when you said medical I instantly thought of the Greenville area. Bunches of medical facilities, hospitals and of course East Carolina Univ. Medical School.
Let me know if I can help!
Bill