considering Hampstead from NY - general opinions wanted

[banshee45]

thanks coffeebean and glam!

Originally Posted by glamatomic

Banshee: As far as gardening, decorating, etc goes it seems to depend on the landlord/ real estate company.

Yes, i really want to avoid the hyper controlled apartment complexes. We live in an attic apartment in a private house now and it is so much more comfortable. And with kid and artist mom hardwood floors are a must - the last thing i want to do is be responsible for someone's wall-to-wall. Are folks more into carpeting or wood down in that area? I would be VERY unhappy if there weren't private duplexes or houses available in our price range. In fact, I would sooner continue sharing a room with my daughter than not have a private situation. Our landlord and co-renters love us now for the gardening and window boxes and repairs i have made so i hope to have a similar relationship down there with a landlord for a long-term rental.

Originally Posted by glamatomic

As for the heat, personally I find it unbearable down here.

Oh boy. Watching the temp of Yonkers NY vs Hampstead right now, we are actually hotter than you but you have the brutal humidity.

Originally Posted by coffeebean330

When I first got to Wilmington, the heat seemed crazy to me. I was never cool enough. Now it doesn't really bother me.

THATS promising thanks! How many seasons dod it take and if you don't mind my asking, what age are you?

Originally Posted by glamatomic

beaches (Topsail, etc) get crazy, crazy busy. At the height of Summer, you're flat out trying to even find a place to park your car to go to the beach, even on a weekday.

That sounds actually worse than here. At least we can get into a beach on a weekday morning here. hmmmmm....

Originally Posted by glamatomic

Trailers: Avoid at all costs! ... you don't want to give your child the 'Trailer Trash' stigma if she'll be attending an area school. I know that sounds cruel, but as we all know, kids can be!

yes, EXACTLY. thank you for "getting it". These are the questions I have to ask so I dont inadvertantly set her up for painful middle years in school.

Originally Posted by glamatomic

When you come to visit, keep in mind that although you'll probably be staying at one of the beach hotels..

yes, and i'm not looking forward to paying THAT hotel bill. any suggestions for something cheaper within an hour? we will have two moms and 3 kids (6-8) so a week long cabin-cottage rental if such a thing exists? she absolutely will not camp, and she's probably right! lol

[glamatomic]

banshee- I am just PMing you with some suggestions right now! I don't know what City Data Forum's link policy to external websites is sorry!

[banshee45]

is it only chance that so many photos im seeing have dead grass in the lawns? or is that the norm during hot months?

[coffeebean330]

Originally Posted by banshee45

THATS promising thanks! How many seasons dod it take and if you don't mind my asking, what age are you?

I think the first year. Because it just hit me in the face when I got here. But then I gradually got used to it. And I'm 25.

[glamatomic]

It's possible that the photos were taken during winter...

Although it never gets as 'Green' down here as it does in the North / Midwest. There are some lush areas in the historic corridor of Wilmington, but I've found that the area in general just doesn't appear as 'green' as it does in the north. It's more a khaki color (in my personal opinion) if that makes sense.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by banshee45

is it only chance that so many photos im seeing have dead grass in the lawns? or is that the norm during hot months?

No, the grass around here is usually centipede grass. It normally turns brown in the winter and starts returning to green in April. It usually needs to be watered during dry condition.