Living in Wilmington, NC: Pros & Cons 2024

[@ibhomer1017]

We've lived here for 9 yrs...your pros and cons are very accurate! We are from upstate NY and actually stayed up there an extra year after we purchased our place down here because I wasn't ready to give up the money I was making in NY. It took me 6 yrs to find my niche' here workwise, but we love Wilmington.

[@livejacksonvillenc]

I appreciate your comment!! What part of upstate ny? I’m from Canandaigua Lake area! It’s definitely a shocker to see the income gaps… now we’re getting a ton of remote workers!

[@ibhomer1017]

@@livejacksonvillenc Ahhhhhhh...the Finger Lakes! Beautiful! We are from the Albany area...certainly don't miss the snow!!

[@maddyestep9510]

I have lived here since 1994 and i will tell u that those pros and cons are spot on!!

[@livejacksonvillenc]

Thank you Maddy!!! 🤙🏼

[@ninoknows8932]

Make a video about best places to live near Willmington that are NOT master-planned communities. There are many of us that don't want HOAs, share pools, golf courses, and snobby neighbors. Nor do we want people working on their cars on the front lawn. Make it about affordable ($400,000- 800,000) areas and if you have areas that may offer .5 acres to 5 acres that would be another great video.

[@livejacksonvillenc]

Loud and clear! Thank you for the suggestion!

[@chrism2042]

Exactly what we encountered. We moved here from Central NC, leased a house in Hampstead to figure out where we wanted to live around Wilmington, but not in Wilmington. We had option to buy the lease house for a good price, 1 block off the ICW but in a HOA on .75 acre lot. After moving from 32 acres without a house in site in central NC, just didn't care to have neighbors so close. We looked at a few new homes (in HOA's), nice houses but the HOA's rules were ridiculous. I just searched Pender county 10+ acres and we found our current house, custom built home with detached garage, pond, fenced yard, over 10 acres. Live in the country but less than 20 minute drive to Wilmington.

[@jeffreyhughes7107]

I have a 11.9 acre property for sale between Rocky Point and Hampstead. It’s in a gated community (each lot is 10+acres) with a common boat ramp to the river. The HOA fees are $50.00/month… let me know if you’re interested.

[@DukeofHesse-he7bu]

My wife and I have been living in Wilmington Porters Neck area for 22 years having come from the frozen tundra called Connecticut. The biggest negative now is the over development; there are dozens of new apartment complexes, new houses squeezed into every possible lot and so forth. There must be eight bejillion new car washes and storage facilities marring the view on the main roads. Still a great place despite all that.

[@livejacksonvillenc]

Yes there definitely is a ton of development and a lot of neighborhoods are being squeezed it. Pretty soon wilmington is going to have to start “building up”. Lots of car washes and storage for the influx of people! Haha I still love it here. Thank you for your comment 🙏🏻

[@themarkandmelteam]

Very helpful and honest analasis! Thank you!

[@livejacksonvillenc]

Thank you!!! Hope you’re crushing it and please let me know if I can ever help 🙂

[@trax3d]

Thanks again for another awesome video on Wilmington. Your vids get me amped to move there and always move Wilmington to the top of our list. We both work from home so that is a huge plus for us. Can' wait to get done there for some serious recon!!

[@livejacksonvillenc]

Thank you!! Excited for you guys and please reach out even you visit! I would love to grab a drink 👍🏼

[@lexykoots]

I like how you emphasized even when it’s cold it’s mostly Sunny. ☀️ good video too 👍

[@livejacksonvillenc]

Thank you! Please let me know if there is anything I can help you with! 🙏🏻

[@ed1658]

I feel like they downplayed the winter. There is a very definite winter in NC. Yeah it’s not weeks of single digit temperatures but single digits aren’t unheard of and a damp dreary 30 degrees is worse than “chilly”. It’s cold in the winter. You will need a coat if you spend more than 5 minutes outside.

[@livejacksonvillenc]

@@ed1658I appreciate your comment! We do try to be as honest as possibly in our videos but we’re also speaking from our own perspective of living in The finger lakes our entire lives. To be honest, living in ENC during the winter for MOST of my clients is NOTHING compared to where my clients are moving from (mostly the north).

[@livejacksonvillenc]

Appreciate you!!!

[@StJames1938]

Great video, good info to consider before making the move

[@livejacksonvillenc]

Let my know if I can help with anything 👍🏼

[@Ygudsk]

Thanks for keeping it real! I'm coming from Houston. A lot of the cons are applicable to varying degrees across the South honestly. It's the subtropical climate. I'm moving to Wilmington from Houston next year. All of the cons you mentioned are heightened here. You said, "We're eight feet above sea level. I instantly thought, "AT least your above sea level." 😂🤣🕺🏿

[@livejacksonvillenc]

Haha I appreciate that man! Give me a shout if you need anything, I would love to help out! NEver too early 🤙🏼 I have friends in Houston and they love it but say it’s changed so much

[@Ygudsk]

I definitely will hit you up for sure in the coming weeks/months. Yeah the same things you’re saying about Wilmington being ‘discovered’, I witnessed that in Miami during the pandemic and they’re getting a heavy influx of people from California and the West Coast here in Houston. I’m originally from DC. I majored in theatre and moved to NYC, where I lived from 2008-2020. When c19 hit, I moved to Miami and went to grad school at Full Sail. I moved to Miami on Memorial Day 2020. The rent in Miami jumped 51 percent from 2020-2022, when I left with the intention of moving to L.A. had to bunch of friends here in Houston who suggested I check it out. I’ve been here ever since. My dad is from Smithfield, NC and I’ve spent a lot of time in the state over the years. North Carolina has always been one of my favorite coastlines in the U.S. Miami was great, but it’s Vice City. Too wild for me. Houston is cheap with spectacular year around weather, but it’s SPRAWLING. Man, this is a big city. The layout reminds me of L.A. A big city built around freeways. The driving culture here sucks though. Everyone has a gun here. I sit. I don’t mind the right to bear arms, but it needs to be tougher to get a gun and mandatory continued time at the range with a trainer. I need to be near the beach, living a coastal lifestyle. I want the super laid back vibes, the natural beauty. In North Carolina has spectacular hiking in the West. Waterfalls and all’s it’s gonna be awesome. I hope it doesn’t get too discovered. 😬😞

[@OG2Tone87]

Thanks for speaking on jobs more lol. Notice more in your videos you speak on them. Hardest part of my decision on moving to Jacksonville In particular is pay. Hard to go from 30 to 20. Or even less. Even with a good resume it seems though. But still searching. Appreciate the videos. The family can't wait to get down their. Wisconsin is nice but I'm done with the snow. Done with being stuck inside while we are in the negatives here right now 😆.

[@livejacksonvillenc]

I appreciate that! Yeah that job market isn’t the best, many pastries that make up for it but definitely a big consideration. Please let me know if there is anything I can help you with 🙏🏻

[@kenlewis4457]

Just moved here it's ok here in Wilmington looking for work been here for 2 months I like it

[@livejacksonvillenc]

Employment is definitely difficult! I hope to see you strong town and let me know if I can ever do anything for ya!

[@chosenberkley3556]

Great review!

[@livejacksonvillenc]

Thank you!

[@fromthefuture9353]

Don't get upset. Just a suggestion since so many high end prospects are from out of state.. One other thing, Sir, I have dealt with 100's of Real Estate agents from here to NY, tothe midwest to Califronia and beyond and most, close to all dress up...Talking about sport coats, nice slacks. Not like someone just coming from a workout, etc..Dress to your prospect's values, may it be NY, CA, or local..... One other thing, Sir. Last year we called a local agent who believed he was a legend in his own mind about selling our home. He asked what we thought we would get..Told him (over one million dollars) and said we would never, never get it...He did not even want to see our property which was decorated by a real Pro! Well one week later we sold the home for over 1.1 million dollars and in just one day on the market. The point, Sir. Never assume anything in your profession. Dressing appropriately especially for a specific market/prospect may be something you should consider. Just an idea from someone who was in business sector for over 65 years. By the way, I am originally from New State....

[@livejacksonvillenc]

Oh, I’m not upset at all! 10000%. There are a ton of realtors that talk the talk. They can’t deliver and they know it. I think if you ever met me (which I would love to do sometime) you would see my professionalism. I’m laid back, I don’t wear suits and ties anymore BUT I am darn good at what I do and my track record says so - but most importantly, my clients get what they’re looking for. At the end of the day, if a suit coat is what someone is looking for, I’m not their guy. But if a true professional Real Estate Broker who gets the job done is what someone is looking for, I’m their guy. Either way, I appreciate your advice 🙏🏻

[@MoniqueElliott23]

Im living in Georgia and working for Newton Piedmont and TD bank on South College rd. And Georgetown, SC they are having difficulty processing my Nurse Career payments.

[@livejacksonvillenc]

Honestly a lot hospitals around the country are

[@Thicketandfern]

If I want some affordable areas (under 400) with character within 1 hr of beach where should I look?

[@livejacksonvillenc]

Down town wilmington, Leland, Burgaw, Jacksonville, Richlands, & New Bern are all great options 🙂

[@gallen2101]

Of course you will like it here if you are European. There is a nefarious history (City on Fire: 1898). I grew up here 70 years, left for a career in the 70s and returned for duties as caregiver. This is the perspective of persons who live life in privilege, and I get that but to those of you of color or that care about "diversity" this place may disappoint.

[@livejacksonvillenc]

😂😂😂😂

[@sandrafuller3850]

My son had to leave because of no good jobs. And why does no one say the water is bad here? ILM born & bred.

[@livejacksonvillenc]

Hey Sandra! Thank you for watching! I actually do mention both of those topics in several videos, especially the jobs. The water is hard to deal with because the city/county is always working on the issue and claim to have fixed a lot of the water issues. I always recommend people get an RO System though regardless of where they live.

[@arynspikes5767]

How is the school district? I have watched several of these videos, but none have said whether or not this is a good family starting city or what the school district is like. Are there good job opportunities in education? I am an elementary teacher

[@livejacksonvillenc]

Hey Aryn! We (as Realtors) have to be careful when talking about schools because our Association could take our license. I have a few resources for you though. And yes, the education sector is one of the leading employers in the area. You are likely going to be able to find a job rather quickly as an elementary teacher. Shoot me a text or email and I’ll give you some resources as well as my personal family research. 910-541-4088 [e-mail]

[@arynspikes5767]

@@livejacksonvillenc Thank you so much! Will do!

[@mjenkins8992]

the water is very bad, drinking water polluted in the Wilmington area.

[@livejacksonvillenc]

I know it at least used to be. I’ve seen some studies saying that it’s been fixed for a while. What is your experience with that water quality?

[@southernstacker7315]

We dont need you advertising our area to Yankees.

[@livejacksonvillenc]

I don’t consider it advertising to Yankees.. they’re going to make the move regardless, I’m answering their questions. The people that move here from the north are actually pretty cool.

[@fromthefuture9353]

Good review, Folks but you need to dress up and look more professional. Just a suggestion for better first impression(s)..

[@livejacksonvillenc]

I appreciate you watching but respectfully we’re going to keep wearing whatever we want to wear. You are the ONLY person that has ever mentioned this. I work with lots of people with budgets from $300k-$3M+… The atmosphere here in eastern NC is very laid back and a polo is my choice of attire. If you dress fancy around here you’ll stand out like a sore thumb. I appreciate your comment, but we’re going to keep doing what we’re doing.

[@livefree5874]

North Carolina is full though. Please stay in your home states

[@livejacksonvillenc]

It’s not full and most people will “live free” anyway and move where they want 🙂

[@ibhomer1017]

I'm so happy we've never encountered that attitude from our wonderful NC native friends and neighbors! We yankees have felt very welcomed since moving here,,,I guess I'm happy you don't live next door to me...lolol

[@wizpin]

Don't lknow why this popped up on my youtube feed. Maybe because im a realtor too, but in southern Spain lol. Beautiful area where you live, and almost the same problems where I live. Not many jobs except for real estate and hospitality.

[@livejacksonvillenc]

Haha it’s a sign that you should move to North Carolina 😄 thank you for watching though and yes to your point, there seems to be many places with the same issues which is why I don’t think it necessarily deters anyone from moving here 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@lucasmurrinsmarques9967]

Always great to watch your videos. I’m a Brazilian researcher planning to move to Wilmington looking for UNCW. Considering my current distance, for me it’s really difficult to understand Wilmington lifestyle, best neighborhoods, cost of living. Fortunately we have your Channel. As a suggestion, it would be great to have a video explain how it would be for a foreigner to live in Wilmington, like cultural differences and etc. Thank you!

[@livejacksonvillenc]

Thanks so much for this comment! Excited for you to move to Wilmington! I will start some research to make a video on this! I don't have the experience of living in another country so I might be limited in that regard, but i'll do my best for the video soon! Feel free to reach out with any questions 😀

[@lucasmurrinsmarques9967]

As always… thank you for all efforts!!! Amazing channel. Watch it everyday!!!

[@studiohost]

PFAS