WIlmington, NC questions... (Raleigh, Cary: fit in, transplants, for sale)

[gimme it]

I would love to hear about your favorite established neighborhoods in Wilmington. Looking to possibly relocate to your area. Ideally we would like to spend between $250,000 and $300,000. Hopefully dc will be able to go to Cape Fear academy, so it would be nice to find neighborhoods that are relatively close to this school, downtown and the beach. Much thanks.

[nitneylion]

Only $250000 - $300000 and you want your child to go to Cape Fear Academy?

He/she won't fit in being that "poor".

[NC man]

Originally Posted by nitneylion

Only $250000 - $300000 and you want your child to go to Cape Fear Academy?

He/she won't fit in being that "poor".

Thats not very nice..... But the truth is that would be a low end house in wilmington nc. Rated the most expensive city in nc followed by N Raleigh Cary ect. The growing areas here are high priced and getting higher has already priced some transplants out as well as the uncontrolled growth in the state has sent people to other boom states like TN and SC.

[nitneylion]

I was trying to be truthful, not nice. Cape Fear Academy is a rich kids school.

[Annabelle]

NC Man,
I disagree with your statement that a $250K-$300K home in Wilmington is low end. Where are you getting your facts? As someone who is searching for a home in that price range, I find the selection to be very good. There are currently 278 homes for sale in that range and most of the homes are quite decent, in fact, many of the homes in the high $200's are extremely nice. I also find some homes in the $200-$250 category that are half decent.

[scjj]

It's not only that Cape Fear is just a rich kids school, like you just pay the tuition and you're in, it's not that simple. Your child will be interviewed and tested. You have to release and present your previous records from prior schools which they review. There is an admissions committee and if and only if they decide you are worthy and meet their strict qualifications will you be referred to the Headmaster who has the final say on admittance. Not sure what the tuition there is now but last I heard it was somewhere around 12k a year. It's a great school, but everyone and anyone cannot just waltz on in. I'd be sure you were accepted first before you limit yourself to homes in just that area.

As far as homes are concerned, decent is a matter of personal opinion. All the homes on Realtor.Com tend to look good. Actually seeing it and the neighborhood up close and in person is another story.

[NCSC]

I'll have to agree that for the upper end/ more desirable neighborhoods in Wilmington, you will spend more than 300k if you want a house that's around 1500-2000 sq. ft. or more. There are also good homes that size in good neighborhoods from 250-300K, maybe less, just not quiet as nice as others, be it location, age, quality of housing, etc. Lots of factors when you compare.
Cape Fear Academy --- does have a reputation for being pricey, but from what I've heard it is a good school. Of course, there are good public schools in Wilmington too, and some people prefer public to the private, even some "rich" folk I know! I agree you have to look at the house, neighborhood, etc. to know if you are getting what you want for the price.
If you have elementary age and would consider public, I would recommend Parsley Elementary (based on people I know whose kids go there).

[NCSC]

In the 250-300k price range, try Pine Valley or Woodberry Forest, or others in the 28409 area code.

[gimme it]

We are looking for a house that is not too expensive so that we can buy a nice boat, send our child to private school, go on vacations and continue to pay the mortgage on our NYC apartment! We are not millionaires either, but from what I saw, a nice house can be found in that price range in Wilmington. Is Cape Fear Academy only for millionaires? I'd love to hear more about it's reputation and vibe. Thanks in advance.

[gimme it]

so it would be nice to not be saddled with a huge mortgage.