From Alaska to the Sea (Wilmington, Carolina Beach: fit in, cheap apartment, crime rate)

[CaracalSidhe]

Hello all. I was hoping someone could help me out. I can't take the arctic winters anymore and am aiming for a September move to the Wilmington area. Can anyone tell me the general pay scale for a retail/customer service type position there? I currently work in a deli making $10.75 an hour, 35-40 hours a week. Can I find anything similar there? Is a decent job going to be difficult to find?

Also, what is considered a cheap apartment? I'm going to be needing a pet friendly place to live. I currently pay $625 a month for a small one bedroom in a apartment complex with the worst reputation in town. I'm not afraid of high crime rate or bugs as we have both in this place. Can anyone recommend a nice, cheap, pet friendly place that can be afforded on a retail salary?

I am certainly willing to change the time I plan to move if a different date would make my transition easier. If anyone could recommend something closer to Carolina Beach I would appreciate it. I have many fond memories of vacationing there as a child and would love to live there.

P.S. To those of you posting beach photos, they really brighten my sunless day.

[Oyster07]

I'm guessing you could make that kind of hourly wage here with that type of work. There are several apartment complexes near the Monkey Juncion area (about 10 minutes to Carolina Beach). Not sure the name of the apartments off hand...I know The Keys is one of them. They are all located off of St. Andrews Drive. I used to live in some decently priced apartments w/ my dog on the corner of 17th Street and Shipyard. Sorry I can't remember the apt complex names but hope that helps some

[BeachLiving]

Hi CaracalSidhe,

As someone who went to college at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, I can fully understand your desire to head somewhere a bit warmer. Although nothing compares to the sheer beauty of Alaskan summers...I try to get back to visit friends whenever I can.

My wife and I moved to Carolina Beach just over a year ago and absolutely love it. We had been living up closer to Wrightsville Beach/Wilmington but decided to move to Carolina Beach because it is much more geared towards an active lifestyle and I believe the area is currently one of the most undervalued beach communities. Not to mention, the summer crowds are not nearly as stifling as other beach communities so it is still relatively easy to get around. As an avid cyclist, I love the ease of bike riding on Pleasure Island. A fun day is to ride down to the ferry and head over to Southport for a few hours and then ferry home. Before you know it, you can log quite a few miles.

As for jobs paying over $10 an hour, that should be easy to accomplish. Monkey Junction is a growing area not too far from Carolina Beach and it appears if restaurants/retailers are always looking for help.

Here is a link to the local paper which may help you with some apartment leads on the island:
Island Gazette Online - Home (http://www.islandgazette.net/content/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 - broken link)

All the best with your search and move. But do me a favor, bring the Aurora Borealis with you. I sure do miss the occasional winter night show.

[CaracalSidhe]

Thank you both for your help. I'll definitely keep my eyes open for things in that area. BeachLiving, I would certainly bring the Aurora with me if I could. It would certainly look beautiful over the ocean. Unfortunately, I don't think it'll fit in a suitcase. lol

[Dusty Rhodes]

Originally Posted by CaracalSidhe

Thank you both for your help. I'll definitely keep my eyes open for things in that area. BeachLiving, I would certainly bring the Aurora with me if I could. It would certainly look beautiful over the ocean. Unfortunately, I don't think it'll fit in a suitcase. lol

Having been to Alaska, I understand in part the beauty you are leaving. The N.C. Coast is also beautiful in a differing way. Your sense of humor will serve you well here. No Salmon here but, fresh Tuna is also a red meat fish and is quite delicious. There is good fishing all along the coast and some hunting as well. Good luck and hope you keep in touch.