Wilmington: work downtown, live at beach? (Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach: rentals, college, to live in)

[curlygc]

Hello all:

I am considering relocating to Wilmington for a job. The job is downtown, in the vicinity of the Country Club. I would like to live as close to the water as possible (ocean or sound or canal). Can anyone tell me what the commute to downtown Wilmington is like from the various beaches -- Carolina, Kure, Wrightsville? Also, I would like to live in an area with a "year-round" population. I don't want to feel like I live in a ghost town in the winter. Ideally I'd like no more than a 20 minute commute, but I'm told even though the distance is short, the traffic is heavy and it could take a half hour easy to get downtown from Carolina Beach. What about Wrightsville Beach? Any other areas or suggestions? Any info would be appreciated!

curly

[rubber_factory]

My commute from the south end of Wrightsville to the Cape Fear River (slightly further than the Country Club) is about 30 minutes every morning and afternoon.

[Goheels]

Get a wilmington city map and find the back roads the rest of us locals know. In peak season traveling on college from carolina beach is a nightmare to me. That's one of the main reasons we live in the northern end , have a boat , and put in at ScottsHill.

[NCGT]

It's 15 minutes to the Wrightsville Beach bridge and a lil over 30 minutes to the Snows Cut bridge at Carolina Beach. Those travel times shorten up a little in the winter.

Wrightsville Beach is a LOT more expensive than Carolina Beach but it's closer and nicer.

[curlygc]

I was in Wilmington yesterday and got a chance to check out Wrightsville Beach. It took about 15 minutes to get there from downtown, which isn't bad at all. I have noticed that there's not much in the way of year-round rentals there though, and what there is available is *very* expensive!

For those of you who live in or near Wrightsville Beach, is it a year-round community?

[rubber_factory]

Originally Posted by curlygc

I was in Wilmington yesterday and got a chance to check out Wrightsville Beach. It took about 15 minutes to get there from downtown, which isn't bad at all.

Yeah. It can range from 10 minutes to an hour, depending on exactly where you're at, exactly where you're going, whether you can park or not, what route you take, and what the traffic is like.

I have noticed that there's not much in the way of year-round rentals there though, and what there is available is *very* expensive!

Yep.

If you manage to find something long-term, it'll probably be small, furnished, expensive, fewer parking spots than bedrooms, they'll jack up the rent during the summer, or require 9-month leases.

I managed to find what I wanted and needed, avoiding most of those problems, but it isn't quick or easy to do so. It has definitely been worth it, though.

For those of you who live in or near Wrightsville Beach, is it a year-round community?

I don't understand the question. As opposed to what?

[curlygc]

Originally Posted by rubber_factory

Yeah. It can range from 10 minutes to an hour, depending on exactly where you're at, exactly where you're going, whether you can park or not, what route you take, and what the traffic is like.



Yep.

If you manage to find something long-term, it'll probably be small, furnished, expensive, fewer parking spots than bedrooms, they'll jack up the rent during the summer, or require 9-month leases.

I managed to find what I wanted and needed, avoiding most of those problems, but it isn't quick or easy to do so. It has definitely been worth it, though.



I don't understand the question. As opposed to what?

What I mean is, does the town become like a ghost town in winter? Do shops and restaurants close up once the summer is over? It's like that at the Jersey Shore, which is why I ask.

Is it possible to find a year round rental, at least 2 bedrooms, in the Wrightsville/Harbor Island area (lets say, a short bike ride to the beach) for about $1000 a month? Or am I dreaming!? (in which case I guess I'll start looking in the Carolina Beach area)

Thanks!

curlygc