I have an itch to move out of Wilmington. What other areas would you recommend for a twenty-something?

[rnc2mbfl]

Wouldn't a lot of this relocation depend on where he gets accepted into a four year program? As for those possible locations, the OP may want to consider the particular areas around the universities if he gets accepted into more than one school. Some schools are located in more interesting and urban areas while others are not.

[NM posts]

Asheville or Durham (but Durham has suburbs too) - Chapel Hill too - and I would have suggested downtown Raleigh but you've been there.

Of the four, I think Asheville is most ideal for you, if you can get past the distance to the ocean (I can't).

I felt much the same way as you do about Wilmington and left it after 1.5 years.

[Francois]

Originally Posted by rnc2mbfl

Wouldn't a lot of this relocation depend on where he gets accepted into a four year program? As for those possible locations, the OP may want to consider the particular areas around the universities if he gets accepted into more than one school. Some schools are located in more interesting and urban areas while others are not.

Yes, there is no point in asking where good places to live are, until he knows what school he'll be attending. And that should be based on the program he's interested in and whether he gets in, not "what it's like to live there".

[WaldoKitty]

Originally Posted by elektrified

....

What other areas would you recommend for a twenty-something?

This really depends upon what you want to do with the rest of your life.

You haven't given us much to go on in that regard beyond liking good places to eat and places to shop. The worth of any recommendation to you, is going to depend upon what you provide to us.