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That budget is going to be very difficult, if not impossible in Wilmington. You might want to think about how far she is willing to drive an start looking in Brunswick or Pender Counties, and even then I'm sure you're going to find anything.
Flooding is very location specific. Its not something one can generalize about. You can look on line at flood maps here if you have a specific location:
With a 4 year old, you don't want to just go anywhere...will he/she be turning 5 soon and going to Elementary school in the fall?
As for flooding, the City (and New Hanover County in general) do pretty well. Its high ground...there was a larger issue with drainage flooding, but the City has done an pretty good job alleviating that (via a drainage tax and projects). New Center Drive still floods pretty frequently.
Keep in mind, you will not want to be near the college, because college kids hours differ from 4 year olds. You could consider the Preserve at Pine Valley as a starting point (about $750 or so), they are older but kept up pretty well and kids in the neighborhood. Publix being built next door right now.
Medical jobs are out there...check Indeed.com...but they are fairly competitive in Wilmington, lots of applications when jobs come available. It has to be the right fit.
That budget is going to be very difficult, if not impossible in Wilmington. You might want to think about how far she is willing to drive an start looking in Brunswick or Pender Counties, and even then I'm sure you're going to find anything.
Do you have to be in Wilmington? I'd also suggest the fiancee look for jobs in Onslow County, maybe even Carteret or Craven Counties. The rent will be cheaper, and the area is growing.
Hurricanes. How bad are they in the city area as far as flooding goes? If we were to get into an average apartment on say market street/college street, would we have much to worry about as far as our apartment flooding and destroying our valuables if we end up on the first floor somewhere?
A category 5 hurricane would be extremely unpleasant for all of Wilmington, especially east of College Road. Same with a category 4. I think the last Cat 5 / Cat 4 to make land fall in Wilmington was in the 1950's, so it's tough to say exactly what would happen today.
Smaller hurricanes and big rain events will give you flooding in low-lying pockets across Wilmington, but it is very much a site-by-site problem.
From a map, you'll notice that Wilmington has tidal creeks that branch inland. The upper reaches of those creeks appear dry most of the time, but when it begins to rain, those upper reaches will flood. Unfortunately, there's no quick and easy way to identify those locations where developers have built in these areas.
Thanks for all the advice everyone. Well, Wilmington is ideal because she is also planning to continue her education at UNCW. Has anyone heard anything about Colonial Parke apartments, good/bad? They have 2 bedrooms going for $615 right now. And our daughter will be turning 5 in december, so she won't be starting kindergarten until next year.
Wouldn't mind neighbors being college kids, I'm know we can't expect luxury with our budget! Just a place that isn't TOO horrible that we can afford to rest our heads in while she goes to school and hopefully gets a nursing degree.
Well, Wilmington is ideal because she is also planning to continue her education at UNCW. Has anyone heard anything about Colonial Parke apartments, good/bad? They have 2 bedrooms going for $615 right now. And our daughter will be turning 5 in december, so she won't be starting kindergarten until next year.
Wouldn't mind neighbors being college kids, I'm know we can't expect luxury with our budget! Just a place that isn't TOO horrible that we can afford to rest our heads in while she goes to school and hopefully gets a nursing degree.
From the pictures and aerial view they look basic, somewhat older and not too horrible. The main disadvantage is there would be limited places for your daughter to play outside. It is in a busy commercial area. (New Centre Drive is where the auto dealers are.) The closest school is College Park Elementary which gets an average rating.
Thanks for all the advice everyone. Well, Wilmington is ideal because she is also planning to continue her education at UNCW. Has anyone heard anything about Colonial Parke apartments, good/bad? They have 2 bedrooms going for $615 right now. And our daughter will be turning 5 in december, so she won't be starting kindergarten until next year.
Wouldn't mind neighbors being college kids, I'm know we can't expect luxury with our budget! Just a place that isn't TOO horrible that we can afford to rest our heads in while she goes to school and hopefully gets a nursing degree.
That's not the best area. There's a fair amount of petty crime in the region surrounding UNCW, and Lullwater is known for petty crime.
However, serious violent crime shouldn't be a big problem there. It isn't a terrible area. A terrible area would be like -- Emory Street, N. 30th St, that area just north of Market.
But like you say, you're on a budget. I couldn't necessarily tell you a better spot for under $700/mo
On a map Colonial Park looks like it makes sense, but I just can't advise that with a 4 y/o. If its College Park district, that school will be being replaced in the next couple of years and the kids will be bused to a former church building past Laney High School. Will not be the ideal situation at all for starting Elementary School. The new College Park won't be done until 2019 or 2020.
I would suggest looking just south of UNCW, area behind K-Mart in the Winter Park district, near Wrightsville Ave. This is an older area that is somewhat apartments surrounded by bungalow houses and small commercial businesses. The crime is low in the area and because it is older, you can find places cheaper. There are UNCW students in the area, but its not all UNCW students. Its convenient to UNCW through the back entrance, but also convenient to Wrightsville Beach and going South on College Rd. Winter Park Elem is small and there are some good parents in there that are active. It is really a historic school that was renovated about 7-8 years ago.
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