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Hello,
I am a 22 yr old college graduate with my degree in Hospitality and Restaurant Management. I love the beach and love to surf and I am looking for an area with good beaches/surfing, decent cost of living, ample nightlife and cultural opportunities, and a laid back progressive attitude. I am not really concerned about jobs, because with my degree there are usually plenty of jobs anywhere I would like to move. Rent wise I would like to spend up to 1200 and be as close to the beach as possible. Also what are the average year round temps in wilmington area and can you surf year round there? I found a little info about an area called Surf City a bit north of Wilmington, does anyone have any more info? I am also looking into SoCal but its so expensive and crowded. Any advice would be much appreciated, Thanks!
Hello,
I am a 22 yr old college graduate with my degree in Hospitality and Restaurant Management. ....... I am not really concerned about jobs, because with my degree there are usually plenty of jobs anywhere I would like to move...
Really? Have you tried? You might be in for an awakening, especially if you don't have any contacts in the industry or haven't done any internships. If you are currently employed in the industry, look into transferring within the company.
Location: Sunny Phoenix Arizona...wishing for a beach.
4,300 posts, read 14,958,068 times
Reputation: 813
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rachel127
Hello,
I am a 22 yr old college graduate with my degree in Hospitality and Restaurant Management. I love the beach and love to surf and I am looking for an area with good beaches/surfing, decent cost of living, ample nightlife and cultural opportunities, and a laid back progressive attitude. I am not really concerned about jobs, because with my degree there are usually plenty of jobs anywhere I would like to move. Rent wise I would like to spend up to 1200 and be as close to the beach as possible. Also what are the average year round temps in wilmington area and can you surf year round there? I found a little info about an area called Surf City a bit north of Wilmington, does anyone have any more info? I am also looking into SoCal but its so expensive and crowded. Any advice would be much appreciated, Thanks!
If I had a real choice I'd pick Southern California over Wilmington, if you can't afford California then Wilmington.
I'd pick SoCal, to be honest. I've been living in Wilmington for the past five years and there are a lot of great things about it, like the beach, but you will not find the laid back, progressive attitude here, at least not easily. It's a pretty conservative town. Culturally, it's okay, but not great. If you like to party, downtown Wilmington is pretty cool, lots of good restaurants and there is some diversity there, but basically we are still in the bible belt. There are a lot of religious and political conservatives here - nothing wrong with that, but it doesn't sound like that's what you're looking for and I think after the first year of enjoying the novelty of it you'd find yourself feeling a little limited and disappointed. JMO. Good luck with your decision! Remember you're young enough that if you decide you don't like your first choice, you can always make a change.
If you can find what you want in SoCal, I'd go there. There's way more to do especially in LA. My bro lived in LA and I got to go out there with him, the place never closes down. Wilmington feels dead in the winter months to me. Actually the whole coast of NC does to me, honestly there's just not a whole lot there especially when you compare it to what you could have in places like So Cal. If you decide to check out Wilmington, check out Wrightsville Beach, it's probably one of the cooler parts of the area and can have a bit of a So Cal flare to it in the summer.
I am from SoCal and I think asking if you should go to SoCal or Wilmington is like asking if you like apples or oranges better. They are completely 100% different. The cost of living is a killer in CA, but there will probably be more jobs available. The surf is far better in CA, especially in the winter. Some summers the waves can be flat for days. If I was young and single I would still be in CA. I liked the NC beaches because they seemed so mellow and warm for my toddler. In CA the water is pretty darn cold even in the summer, but that was never a problem for me. I am a beach person, so I personally enjoy any beach; however, if I was surfer I would pick CA without question. Rent for $1200 won't get you much, but you can find a small studio if you look hard enough. The Ventura, CA area has great surf and is slightly less expensive than the LA area. People from NC think Wilmington is expensive, but it still far cheaper than even crappy inland places in CA....Good luck.
Thanks for the input! enlightenme, I agree, Cali would probaly be my first choice but the affordability would be a factor. I have been to Ventura and Santa Barbara several times and its amazingly beautiful there the main thing that would stop me from moving there is the cost. Thats why I have been looking into Wilmington area, it has what looks like fairly nice beaches and in my opinion, is incredibly affordable for a beach community. I currently live in Phoenix, Az (my family moved here when I was still in high school) and I am so sick of the desert and insane heat, (ex, its Nov 10 and its 93 degrees here). In any case, the cost of living in Phx is rapidly approaching Ca levels, my question is, How is Wilmington so inexpensive? Are there jobs in the hospitality industry available there? I realize I will probaly make less there but with a lower cost of living it should even out. Thanks again for the advice!
Location: Sunny Phoenix Arizona...wishing for a beach.
4,300 posts, read 14,958,068 times
Reputation: 813
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rachel127
Thanks for the input! enlightenme, I agree, Cali would probaly be my first choice but the affordability would be a factor. I have been to Ventura and Santa Barbara several times and its amazingly beautiful there the main thing that would stop me from moving there is the cost. Thats why I have been looking into Wilmington area, it has what looks like fairly nice beaches and in my opinion, is incredibly affordable for a beach community. I currently live in Phoenix, Az (my family moved here when I was still in high school) and I am so sick of the desert and insane heat, (ex, its Nov 10 and its 93 degrees here). In any case, the cost of living in Phx is rapidly approaching Ca levels, my question is, How is Wilmington so inexpensive? Are there jobs in the hospitality industry available there? I realize I will probaly make less there but with a lower cost of living it should even out. Thanks again for the advice!
Hey Rachel I've been in Phoenix for 19 years, just moved to Myrtle Beach. I agree I was sick of that desert and heat. Check out Myrtle Beach it's nice and has lots of hospitality jobs, especially with the Hard Rock park opening soon. I have 3 teens with me and they love it and they are making nice money as servers.
Lots of clubs and nightlife, you can get decent apts and even condos at the beach for great prices.
I'd pick SoCal, to be honest. I've been living in Wilmington for the past five years and there are a lot of great things about it, like the beach, but you will not find the laid back, progressive attitude here, at least not easily. It's a pretty conservative town. Culturally, it's okay, but not great. If you like to party, downtown Wilmington is pretty cool, lots of good restaurants and there is some diversity there, but basically we are still in the bible belt. There are a lot of religious and political conservatives here - nothing wrong with that, but it doesn't sound like that's what you're looking for and I think after the first year of enjoying the novelty of it you'd find yourself feeling a little limited and disappointed. JMO. Good luck with your decision! Remember you're young enough that if you decide you don't like your first choice, you can always make a change.
Dowtown Wilmington is the place to be for singles especially the Ice House. California is pretty expensive, and I would choose Wilmington. I don't think it is that conservative any more. There are plenty of New York and New Jersey people who live down here now, and plenty of liberals too. It is a good mix of everyone. It has gotten a bit congested and traffic can be a pain at times.
Hey Rachel I've been in Phoenix for 19 years, just moved to Myrtle Beach. I agree I was sick of that desert and heat. Check out Myrtle Beach it's nice and has lots of hospitality jobs, especially with the Hard Rock park opening soon. I have 3 teens with me and they love it and they are making nice money as servers.
Lots of clubs and nightlife, you can get decent apts and even condos at the beach for great prices.
I wholeheartedly agree with you that Myrtle Beach is the place to go for jobs in the restaurant business. Good call.
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