subject: Relocating to Wilmington, NC & the Cape Fear Coast [print this page] Relocating to Wilmington, NC & the Cape Fear Coast
If you are like many people in the United States, it is not uncommon to daydream about moving to a warmer climate along the Carolina Coast. The river city of Wilmington, NC offers residents easy access to nearby beaches, a thriving music and artistic community, a charming historic downtown, and a growing number of opportunities for education and employment. Bolstered by a stable economy, beautiful natural areas, and revitalization efforts, Wilmington has grown from a population of 44,000 people in 1980 to over 101,000 in 2009.
Weather:
Wilmington's has a humid subtropical climate with summer temperatures in the 80's and 90's with some days breaking the 100 degree mark. The area is also prone to hurricanes and experiences hurricane weather effects every few years. Winter temperatures average in the 50's during the day and 30's at night. The area typically only sees snow every few years.
Downtown:
Downtown Wilmington lies on the Cape Fear River and is home to many historic homes and commercial buildings. The city's 300 block historic district is one of the largest in the United States. The downtown also houses many of the New Hanover County government buildings, pharmaceutical research giant, PPD, Inc. and a campus for the Cape Fear Community College. There are a number of fine restaurants, shopping outlets, and tourist attractions downtown including the Cape Fear Riverwalk, Cape Fear Serpentarium, small cruise ships, horse drawn carriage rides, and trolley tours. The Battleship North Carolina is also easily accessible and open for tours located just across the river. For more information on the downtown area, visit www.wilmingtondowntown.com.
Area Beaches:
Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach are the two beaches located closest to most areas in Wilmington. Wrightsville Beach boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the country as well as some of the most expensive real estate prices on the East Coast. Carolina Beach is located just southeast of Wilmington and is home to close to 6,000 people. Many vacationers flock to Freeman Park at the North End of the beach where they can drive their 4-while drive vehicles and camp in designated areas. The downtown center is filled with restaurants and shopping and is home to the Carolina Beach Boardwalk which is in the middle of a revitalization effort. Just south of Carolina Beach is family friendly Kure Beach and historic Fort Fisher. Anglers spend many months a year fishing on the Kure Beach Pier in the heart of downtown. Fort Fisher is a small community at the southern end of Pleasure Island. The area is home to the Ft. Fisher Civil War National Historic Landmark which is open daily for tours. Fort Fisher is also home to one of North Carolina's great state aquariums.
Real Estate:
Real estate values vary greatly throughout the city and the surrounding towns. There are pockets where one can buy property for $100,000 or less. Move a few blocks in any direction and prices can change dramatically. Wrightsville Beach real estate and that on gated Figure Eight Island and in the Landfall development command higher values. If you are considering a move to the area, there are plenty of real estate and Wilmington NC mortgage companies to speak with.
