Living in Wilmington? (renting, high crime, neighborhoods)

[clrk]

I just moved into the area, and bought a row home. I spent a bit of time researching the area, and am aware that Wilmington has some real issues regarding high crime and drug trafficing; given the high cost of renting it seemed best to buy.

Having said that, I have also found that there are people living here who have lived here a long time, and really like it. There seem to be some nice neighborhoods (Union Park Gardens, Bayard Square, trolley Square) and some efforst to improve the other areas.

I have also been struck by the quick need of people I have run into recently who want nothing more than to commiserate with me about how nasty it is here, yet, there ARE people carving out lives for themselves here...walking dogs, eating out, visiting with neighbors, attending city events (art on the town, festivals etc...)

I am wondering if anyone out there can comment (in a blanced way) on the realities of living in this city? Anything good happening to anyone out there? Anyone participating in any positive or proactive community building endeavors?

Also, does anyone know what the riverfront development is doing for the city?
Are more people moving into the city?

Anyone involved in city planning or neighborhood development that can comment?

clrk

[Joe84323]

Originally Posted by clrk

I just moved into the area, and bought a row home. I spent a bit of time researching the area, and am aware that Wilmington has some real issues regarding high crime and drug trafficing; given the high cost of renting it seemed best to buy.

Having said that, I have also found that there are people living here who have lived here a long time, and really like it. There seem to be some nice neighborhoods (Union Park Gardens, Bayard Square, trolley Square) and some efforst to improve the other areas.

I have also been struck by the quick need of people I have run into recently who want nothing more than to commiserate with me about how nasty it is here, yet, there ARE people carving out lives for themselves here...walking dogs, eating out, visiting with neighbors, attending city events (art on the town, festivals etc...)

I am wondering if anyone out there can comment (in a blanced way) on the realities of living in this city? Anything good happening to anyone out there? Anyone participating in any positive or proactive community building endeavors?

Also, does anyone know what the riverfront development is doing for the city?
Are more people moving into the city?

Anyone involved in city planning or neighborhood development that can comment?

clrk

I'm not involved in the community directly, as I don't make enough money to have time off to join city council.

BPG is who you're looking for. They are natives from Wilmington who are spearheading the whole riverfront, and back to the city movement with their projects ( Christina Landing, Rodney Square, WSFS HQ bldg.)

Since they have started, the effort has grown. Since the article in the News Journal 4 years ago on the Christina Landing effort, whereas people goffed and laughed in disbelief, those same people are looking for new residences and investment opportunities.

The only thing stopping this whole urban influx is that the things that were downtown to sustain life back in the day are now wigshops, pawn shops, and diners that close at 5 pm. You still need a car, and you still have to drive out of the city to buy anything decent since the closest large clothing store to city limits had a a murder just within the past month. (Forman Mills stabbing incident, guy runs out, threatens cops, they shoot him xxx times.)

Personally, I still shop there, I will stop on 4th street and get some Dominican Food, and I will patronize and recommend any place downtown that is reasonably priced with a good avenue. (*********, Caribbean place on Market - crappy portions, mediocre food, high prices.)

Little by little, it will get better, but right now doesnt have enough good to offset the bad, with the exceptions of the far west side of town (Lita, UPG, T. Square.)