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Hi
I'm wanting to relocate within a year or so to NC. I've read all kinds of different reactions to places like Asheville and Waynesville. I'm hoping to give a little info on what I'm looking for when relocating and then getting some feedback from the locals on places that might fit my interests. So, I'm a single female, 26 yrs old and would be looking to buy a condo. I love the ocean but not sure if I could afford to live on the coast? I need to be in an area that has a city feel with things to do and places close by(neat restaurants and shopping), but not too cityish with too much traffice, noise, crime etc. I have a dog and we walk every day so a place that's animal friendly too helps. I also would like to be relatively close (10-15 miles) to where I would work which is in the social service field (children's services, mental health). Uniqueness is important to me in my surrounding, I enjoy the scenary of the mountains and the ocean.
Wilmington is really the only city on the NC coast. It has everything you mention: restaurants, shopping, traffic, noise AND crime! :-) Downtown Wilmington is really the only area with any uniqueness. The outlying suburban sprawl is pretty bland. Lots of strip malls and car dealerships.
You may be able to afford to living Wilmington, or the surrounding suburbs of Brunswick or Pender counties. Living right at the beach, i.e., out on the barrier islands, would probably be unaffordable for you.
I like the climate here, and the beach. To my native New Englander's eyes, the scenery is kind of bleak. It all depends on what you're used to, I guess. No mountains around here. Not even any hills.
Hi, I live in the Asheville area and just want to let you know that the cost of living is very high and the wages are low. The majority of the jobs are health care and service. Most of the people who work here can not afford to buy here. My husband is looking at a job in Wilmington so we may be heading that way ourselves. If that happens we will be selling our condo/townhouse. ;>)
missy, I would be leary about moving here if I were you. if you are looking to avoid high cost of living and poverty level wages, keep looking! I don't think wilmington is as bad as asheville, but it's got to be close. I would be looking at raleigh or charlotte if you want average paying jobs and average cost of living.
jmarquise, thank you for the advise. From what I have read Wilmington seems to be the coastal equivalent of Asheville and were it not for the job my husband is looking at we would not consider moving there. I would love the Raleigh/Cary area but unfortunately the only jobs my husband has been approached about in that area have been contract and we just can't see relocating for a contract job. So if the job doesn't work out we will not move to Wilmington for the exact reasons you mentioned. We already live in an area like that. Thanks Missy
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