Wilmington, North Carolina was recently found to be among the top 10 cities for people relocating. As a beach town steeped in history, art, and delicious craft beer, it’s little wonder why the Port City is so popular! If you’re looking for a new place to call home, Wilmington, NC should be at the top of your list! This charming port town has something for everyone. From its beautiful beaches and historic downtown district to its burgeoning art scene and award-winning craft beer scene, Wilmington is quickly becoming one of the most desirable places to live in the country.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the reasons people are choosing to relocate to Wilmington, North Carolina. Let’s get going!
Wilmington Ranks #7 On “Most Moved-To” List
According to HireAHelper.com, an online moving marketplace, Wilmington is one of the most popular places in the country for people to move to in the past year. With 59 percent more people moving to Wilmington than moving away, the Port City ranked No. 7 in the nation on Hire A Helper’s “most moved-to” list. This is likely due, at least in part, to the outbreak of COVID-19 and the resulting pandemic. As people have been forced to reevaluate their lives and priorities, many have decided to relocate to cities that offer a better quality of life. For some, that has meant moving to coastal towns like Wilmington, where they can enjoy the beach and a slower pace of life. So just what is life like in Wilmington, North Carolina that makes this beach town so great? Here are just a few reasons!
We’re A Beach Town
Wilmington is situated near several beaches and public water access points like Wrightsville Beach, Masonboro Island, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Fort Fisher, and more! Whether you’re up for enjoying water-related outdoor recreation activities on your own, or whether you’d rather take part in a tour, there’s plenty to get into!
The area offers guided kayak tours, water ski rentals, sunset cruises, boat rentals, simple days at the beach, and beyond! The coastal communities in and around Wilmington not only love being by the water, but they also care for the preservation and restoration of the beaches and wildlife that live in it.
For example, early this year of 2022, a beach renourishment plan was agreed upon to help restore both Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. Carolina and Kure beaches are two of the most popular destinations on the East Coast, attracting millions of visitors each year. However, the beaches have experienced an alarming amount of erosion due to their location near the coast. In order to protect the beaches from damage, the Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company will soon be dredging new sand onto the beaches. This process, known as beach renourishment, is scheduled to happen every three years. The new sand will help to protect the beaches from damage caused by storms and other coastal events. In addition, the dredged sand will provide a more enjoyable experience for beachgoers, as it will be softer and more comfortable to walk on.
In addition to the beach renourishment project that is underway at various beaches in and around Wilmington, the Wrightsville Beach Sea Turtle Project is dedicated to protecting the sea turtles during their nesting period. During the months of May, June, July and August, loggerhead sea turtles crawl out of the Atlantic Ocean to lay their nests on the shores of Wrightsville Beach. A loggerhead mother uses her rear flippers to dig a nest chamber in the sand, then deposits approximately 100 round, white leathery eggs. The mother turtle then covers the nest chamber, concealing it with sand, and crawls back to sea, never to meet her offspring. The eggs incubate for approximately 55-70 days before hatchlings emerge.
The Wrightsville Beach Sea Turtle Project is a volunteer organization working to protect the endangered and threatened sea turtles by locating their nesting areas and roping them off as federally protected. More than just having fun at the beach or doing water recreation activities, Wilmingtonians are dedicated to caring for the coastline and the natural habitats of the neighboring wildlife!
It’s Wilmywood, The New Hollywood
Did you know that Wilmington is known as “Wilmywood” in the film industry? The Port City has been a popular filming destination for decades, dating back to the days of D.W. Griffith’s silent films. In fact, some of Hollywood’s most iconic films have been shot in Wilmington, including Blue Velvet, Firestarter, Iron Man III, and Dawson’s Creek. More recently, Wilmywood has been home to hit TV shows like One Tree Hill, Sleepy Hollow, Eastbound & Down, and Netflix’s Outer Banks.
With new Hollywood productions happening ongoing, most Wilmington residents are used to spotting celebrities at local restaurants or walking onto live movie sets by accident in downtown Wilmington near Front Street! There are Facebook community groups for residents looking to become an extra in major film productions just for the fun of it. Just about anyone can be an extra in a film production in Wilmington, and you even get paid to do it!
To learn more about the film productions on the docket in town, you can visit the Wilmington Regional Film Commission’s website.
It’s The Ultimate Entrepreneur’s City
If you’re an entrepreneur or small business owner, Wilmington is the perfect place to be. There are a number of reasons why Wilmington is such a great place for entrepreneurs. First, the cost of living is relatively low compared to other major metropolitan areas. This means that your business will have more room to grow without being hindered by high overhead costs. Additionally, Wilmington’s proximity to major East Coast cities like New York and Washington D.C. makes it easy to connect with potential investors and customers.
The business community of Wilmington is a highly supportive and connected one. There are numerous networking events in the area designed to provide resources and support to small businesses, but also connect you with potential customers and investors. The Small Business Center at CFCC provides free and confidential counseling to people who are exploring the opportunity to open their own business. They also provide counseling and advice to existing small businesses at their request.
The SBTDC at UNC Wilmington is affiliated with the UNCW Cameron School of Business and is located next to the UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Their experienced business advisory team offers confidential, in-depth business counseling to small and mid-sized company business owners and management staff and to entrepreneurs preparing to launch their next venture.
So, if you’re thinking about making a move to Wilmington, NC, there’s no better time than now! With its beautiful beaches, rich history, and thriving entrepreneurial scene, Wilmington has something for everyone.
