I think it's funny and baffling that someone would have 2 choices they're torn between, So Cal and Wilmington.
Because the two areas probably couldn't be less similar. I've never been to So Cal but have friends there, I now live south of Wilmington...there has to be a lot more to do in So Cal and also So Cal HAS to be so much more expensive....they must be absolutely worlds apart.
It's not that there's anything wrong with Wilmington, it's just that it has to be the polar opposite of anything in California. I'd say if you want a more conservative and laidback lifestyle that's more like a small town and way less glamorous than So Cal, pick Wilmington, but if you are the type to like So Cal you may be bored in Wilmington. If it's more important to be where cost of living is less and there are way less people, then I could see choosing Wilmington. But you might almost like Myrtle Beach better in that case.
To me, it's sort of like someone trying to choose between L.A. or Raleigh..there's no obvious comparison.