Family-centric subdivisions in Wilmington? (Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach: cul-de-sac, homes, shop)

[denemante]

Hey all...I have a few questions about Wilmington NC (I've never visited). My wife and I (35 years old) and two young kids are considering moving there. We're currently in burbs north of Atlanta. It's a great place, but we've been here 15 years and are ready for a change. Mostly, Atlanta is too far from the beach.

My wife is a teacher and may "retire" for awhile to stay home with the kids. I own my own business and can work from anywhere. Overall, we're looking for a town with an abundance of things to do and see.

1. I've been to Charleston SC. Pictures of Wilmington look similar. But is it as broadly picturesque as it looks? Some towns are backdropped by factories nicely cropped out of the pictures.

2. Is the ocean blue-ish? In SC, the water is murky. We've spent time at the Jersey Shore where the ocean is blue.

3. Are there subdivisions in Wilmington? Since we have a young family, we'll spend a lot of time around the home. Our perfect scenario would be a large subdivision with lots of families like ours. Community pool, etc. On weeknights or weekends, everyone would mingle in the cul-de-sac, etc.

4. I see an international airport. But is it really full service? I mean, can you get affordable non-stop flights to most anywhere just like a major city's airport?

5. Do any homes have basements? We'd love one. But since it's coastal, perhaps it's too flat for basement homes.

6. Given the location, does it feel isolated? In a year, are we going to have seen and done everything and feel bored?

Thanks!

[le roi]

1. I've been to Charleston SC. Pictures of Wilmington look similar. But is it as broadly picturesque as it looks? Some towns are backdropped by factories nicely cropped out of the pictures.

Downtown Wilmington is aesthetically pleasing, but no match for downtown Charleston.

As far as the rest of the city is concerned, its sprawl is not much different than Charleston.

2. Is the ocean blue-ish? In SC, the water is murky. We've spent time at the Jersey Shore where the ocean is blue.

Carolina Beach is nasty and gray from hog waste sediment coming down the Cape Fear River, and through Carolina Beach inlet; worse than anything I've seen in SC.

Wrightsville, Figure Eight, and Topsail are beautiful, better than anything I've seen in SC.

3. Are there subdivisions in Wilmington? Since we have a young family, we'll spend a lot of time around the home. Our perfect scenario would be a large subdivision with lots of families like ours. Community pool, etc. On weeknights or weekends, everyone would mingle in the cul-de-sac, etc.

Yes.

4. I see an international airport. But is it really full service? I mean, can you get affordable non-stop flights to most anywhere just like a major city's airport?

Not really. You have direct flights to a handful of places like Atlanta and Philly. I can't find a direct flight from ILM to Europe, for example.

5. Do any homes have basements? We'd love one. But since it's coastal, perhaps it's too flat for basement homes.

No, extremely rare. It is not due to being flat, it is more due to a high water table.

6. Given the location, does it feel isolated? In a year, are we going to have seen and done everything and feel bored?

First question, yeah. Second question, no.

[Florida15]

1. Downtown Wilmington is not picturesque.
2. Wrightsville Beach is definitely the prettiest beach around here,but not as pretty as beaches in the gulf in Florida.
3.Yes,plenty of family-oriented subdivisions.
4.No!
5.No!
6. Yes! Yes! You'll find yourself going to Myrtle Beach,S.C. about 80-100 miles away for better dining,shopping,and things to do......especially for kids.