The 10 Best Places to Live in Wilmington, NC
Wilmington, North Carolina is a moderately large city with a population base of 115,261 residents. The population has grown by more than ten percent since 2010. It’s a lovely and desirable place to live with a comfort index of 7.3 out of 10 regarding the climate. The median home price is $230,500, and the median annual household income is $42,130, making it an affordable place to live.
The unemployment rate is 4.1 percent and the median age is 36, suggesting that there are a lot of young professionals living in the area, with ample job opportunities. Some neighborhoods are more desirable than others. We’ve consulted resources in the area to learn which are the most highly recommended. Here are the 10 best places to live in Wilmington, North Carolina, for your consideration.
10. River’s Edge
According to Network Wilmington, River’s Edge is a community that has a lot to offer residents regarding activities. This is a community that is near the Echo Farms Golf and Country Club. It’s an idyllic neighborhood that is home to a variety of top-rated private and public schools. It’s a good place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the greater metropolitan area of the city.
If you desire more excitement, it’s not far from the center of Historic Downtown Wilmington with restaurants and shopping malls. Life in River’s Edge is more laid-back with modern amenities and elegant homes in the neighborhood. Another benefit is the location at the edge of the Cape Fear River, for which the community has been named.
9. Water Street Center
Water Street Center is a small neighborhood that features the Water Street Center condominiums. This small community is located in the historic part of Downtown Wilmington. The condos offer the best location and view of the city and surrounding landscapes. The community is also close to some great amenities. This is one of the best places in Wilmington to live if you enjoy the quaintness of the historic district, you enjoy city living and you like living within walking distance of entertainment and restaurants. You don’t need a vehicle to get by in Water Street Center.
8. The Cape
The Cape is one of the friendliest and most charming neighborhoods in Wilmington. This is the ideal location for newly married couples and for singles who are looking for their first homes. The neighborhood is filled with a variety of good starter homes as well as some larger homes for established families. The cost of living is low with affordable rent and houses.
This is an HOA-maintained community of friendly residents who live on waterfront properties. It’s also the home of the Masonboro Country Club, which is a world-class golf course. Residents enjoy easy access to Kure Beach Fort Fisher and Carolina Beach. There are miles of lovely clean beaches, diverse wildlife, and a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment venues.
7. Harbor Oaks
Harbor Oaks is a condominium community located on the coast of North Carolina. This area features beautiful apartments near Carolina Beach. It’s a luxury-oriented community that is hard to get into because of the desirable lifestyle and environment it offers. If you don’t mind apartment living, the spaces are rich and luxurious. There is a private boat dock and many amenities in this HOA-maintained beach community.
6. Sentry Oaks
Sentry Oaks is an established neighborhood not far from Monkey Junction. This is a great place to live if you enjoy being close to the beach. It’s near Pleasure Island, Fort Fisher, Kure, and Carolina Beaches. It’s a coastal community with a wide array of dining and shopping options and the schools are highly rated. It’s a friendly and peaceful neighborhood with a lot of families with kids.
5. Bayshore
According to Niche.com, Bayshore is a suburb of Wilmington that is highly rated as one of the best places to live in the city. The suburb has a quiet vibe and open skies where you can see the stars at night. The people are friendly and there are plenty of shopping, dining, and employment opportunities nearby. The overall score for this neighborhood is an A-minus with great public schools, a small population of just under 4,500 residents.
4. Surf City
Surf City is a small town near Wilmington that has friendly residents in a tight-knit community-minded neighborhood. The people are helpful and the weather is mild. The neighborhood is just a five-minute drive to the beach for fun in the water and the sand. The air is clean and during the summer months, the smell of flowers is in the air. It’s a community that offers a good combination of luxury homes and more affordable places to live. The public schools are highly rated in this area with a small population of 3,449 residents.
3. Ogden
Ogden is a medium-sized suburb of Wilmington with a population of 8,408 residents. Ogden is a lovely little neighborhood that is known for its excellent public schools and its friendly people. There are employment opportunities, affordable housing, and it’s not far from the ocean. You can reach the beach by can in just 15 minutes or less.
2. Wrightsville Beach
Wrightsville Beach is a suburb of Wilmington with a population of only 2,565 residents. It’s a small and beautiful community that is situated on the beach. It’s a historic community that offers a few attractions and plenty of recreational opportunities if you like the ocean, fishing, or the beach The public schools have a rating of excellent and this is one of the most comfortable and peaceful places to live in Wilmington.
1. Sea Breeze
Sea breeze is a suburb of Wilmington with a small population of only 1,785 residents. This neighborhood is known for its low crime rates and beautiful surroundings. The public schools are highly rated and it offers a peaceful break from the hustle and bustle of the larger more densely populated neighborhoods of the city center. It’s a great place to raise a family with a choice of affordable housing units or more luxurious homes.
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