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7 Reasons to Move to Wilmington, NC

This gorgeous historic port town has been home to Baywatch, Dawson's Creek and many celebrities.

By Emily Handy on August 8, 2017

Wilmington

This Eastern Coast town has some of the best small town charm mixed with big-city amenities around – plus the gorgeous beaches. Tucked away on the southern shores of North Carolina, Wilmington is a port town that offers a serene downtown life near the channel, while 10 minutes away, the beach town vibe is vibrant all year long. The location is popular for filming too, with TV shows like MatlockDawson’s Creek, and movies like Iron Man 3 and classic cult favorite Empire Records.

Here are more reasons to make the move to Wilmington: 

Pristine Carolina Beaches

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Carolina beaches are some of the most beautiful beaches around. Charming beach bungalows adorn pristine sands while marshes and sand dunes provide even more scenery. Some fan favorite Wilmington beaches include Kure Beach, Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach. The Kure Beach pier is one of the oldest piers along the Atlantic Coast.

 A Beer Lover’s Paradise

Photo: Courtesy of Diann Bayes under a CC 2.0 license

Cape Fear Wine and Beer is a North Carolina favorite. Located along the beautiful Cape Fear River, the only thing scary about this bar is its crazy-good beer selection. This hip bar offers fun bar games and even massages on Monday nights. Wilmington Brewing Company, Flytrap Brewing and Waterline Brewing Co. also rank on the top of local’s lists.


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Southern Charm Since 1542

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Wilmington’s history spans all the way back to pre-colonial times when Verrazano in 1524. Today, residents can enjoy the stunning Antebellum historical buildings and neighborhoods that were erected when Wilmington was the largest city in the state of North Carolina. The Bellamy Mansion and the Latimer House are just a few of these historic treasures.

Cheaper Living by the Sea

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Cheap seaside living is possible in Wilmington. Coastal houses may come at a premium in other cities, but Wilmington is one of North Carolina’s most affordable cities. The median house price in Wilmington is just $226,000, while the town’s walkability factors in to saving costs on transportation.

UNCW – Perks of a College Town

Photo: Courtesy of JB Kilpatrick under a CC 2.0 license

If you live in Wilmington, it’s only a matter of time before you start wearing teal and chanting “Go Hawks!” Every fall, residents cheer on he University of North Carolina Wilmington’s basketball team, the Seahawks. Being a college town has its other perks. Plenty of bars, breweries and restaurants provide residents with non-stop fun and nightlife.


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Education Reigns Supreme

Photo: Courtesy of JB Kilpatrick under a CC 2.0 license

A top city for job growth in American, Forbes listed Wilmington as number 32 in their Best Places for Business and Careers roundup. New Hanover County Schools and the University of NC Wilmington are two of the biggest employers. Wilmington’s median household income comes in at a cool $42,128.

Endless Fresh Seafood

Wilmington

Photo: Courtesy of Joan Nova under a CC 2.0 license

Try the shrimp and grits at Cape Fear Seafood Company, or try something more modern at Catch. Of course, all this great seafood means even better fishing! Wilmington is known for its incredible fishing scene. Lakes, creeks and the huge Cape Fear River provide fishers with tons of options.

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