The city of Wilmington is one of the most popular destinations for relocation on North Carolina’s southern coast. This coastal city is considered an economic hub, which elevates tourism, education, employment, and housing to new levels. Alongside this, the lifestyle, weather, low tax rates, and culture make Wilmington an attractive choice for many young professionals and families, who want to make a fresh start. It’s also known for its beautiful beaches, local seafood, and affordable cost of living. As a result, you’ll find that Wilmington is a perfect mix between big city living and a charming small town. If you’re planning to move to this historic beach town, the steps below will help you ensure a stress-free moving experience.
Learn About The City
Firstly, it’s advisable to do some research about the city to determine whether it is the right place for you. It may be helpful to find out what makes Wilmington such a popular southern destination. For example, you may want to learn more about its historic neighborhoods and riverfront. Also, you’ll likely discover that Wilmington has a great vibe to it, as it’s fun and friendly, but also low-key and laid back. In fact, it’s big enough that you can easily escape the claustrophobia of small towns, but not so big that you’ll get lost in the hustle and bustle.
Choose Where To Live
One of the most crucial things to consider before moving to a new place is choosing your new home. Thankfully, Wilmington has been experiencing significant growth in home value. However, if you’re having difficulties deciding where to live, a real estate agent can help you in this process. For example, EZ Home Search is a great resource, which features a database of approved real estate agents throughout South Carolina and North Carolina. Therefore, if you want to find out more about real estate in Wilmington, this is the perfect place to browse the newest homes for sale and schedule a private showing.
Familiarize Yourself With The Roads
Keep in mind that the region around Wilmington has become highly busy over the last few years, as more people, cars, buses, bikes, and trucks are making their way to the area’s land-locked road network. Therefore, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the road system and find out which places you should avoid and if there are any alternative routes you can take. In addition, you may want to learn more about the public transportation options available in Wilmington, which can also make it easy to reach many neighborhoods, parks, and employment centers.
Check The Climate
To ensure you’re fully prepared for your move to Wilmington, you should also think about the climate in the area. Typically, the average weather in this city includes hot summers, while winters are usually short and cold. Although it rarely snows in winter, it’s still important to pack your hats and gloves. Throughout the year, temperatures vary from 37°F to 89°F and it’s often wet and partly cloudy. You can expect warm weather between mid-April to early June and mid-September to late October. However, remember that much like any other coastal city, the weather in Wilmington is beautiful but also unpredictable.
Plan Your Move
Planning your move to Wilmington in advance is one of the best things you can do to reduce stress. Be sure to give yourself enough time to breathe during the process, as this way the challenges you face along the way will only be small hiccups instead of emergencies. Therefore, you should think about everything you need to do for your move and how much time each task will require. It might be beneficial to work backward from your moving date, as this will help you figure out when you should start packing and preparing.
Move At An Off-Peak Time
Another key decision you’ll need to make is to choose the best time to move to Wilmington. The summer is usually the most popular time of the year when people move. Consequently, during these months, it may be more difficult to find a moving truck, hire movers, and schedule your move. If possible, you may want to move during winter or early spring so that you have more options and you can select the date that works best for you. Also, many people choose to move on the weekends, so it may be better to take a few days off in the middle of the week instead.
Ask For Help
Many people hesitate to ask for help when they’re moving, as they’re afraid that this may inconvenience others. Nevertheless, moving entirely by yourself can be quite challenging, so it might be worth asking your family, friends, or neighbors for support. For example, you may be able to ask a family member to watch your kids while you pack, or someone in your neighborhood may have boxes or other moving supplies that you will need. If packing and preparing become too overwhelming, you can simply ask a friend to keep you company while you work.
Find New Activities
Wilmington has plenty to offer when it comes to activities and entertainment, so it may be a good idea to find new hobbies that can help you settle in more quickly. Apart from spending the day at the beach, you will find many parks and green spaces, which make the city a perfect place for nature lovers. It will also be easy to lead an active lifestyle, as there are many hiking trails, basketball courts, and baseball fields. Also, if you’re looking for some family fun, you can enjoy some great amusement park rides and fireworks in the summer.
Meet New People
The community of people living in Wilmington is what makes living in this area so exciting. This beach town is continually attracting new people and as a result, it has become a culturally booming city. Also, there are many popular events that bring locals together, where you can meet new people and maybe even find your next best friend. Wilmington is made up of college students, young professionals, families, as well as retirees, which means there is always someone new to meet.
Try The Local Cuisine
As a southern port city, Wilmington features plenty of high-quality restaurants, bars, and cafes. Additionally, living by the beach means that you can enjoy endless amounts of seafood. Thanks to the amazing fishing scene, many restaurants in Wilmington serve locally caught favorites, which will appeal to any palette. There are also over 40 locally-owned restaurants, which offer gorgeous views of the water and an upbeat atmosphere. You will find that Wilmington is a foodie haven, whether you’re looking for a new go-to spot for date night or planning a fun evening out with your friends.
Expect And Embrace Stress
Even if you create a thorough list and organization system for your move, you may find that moving to Wilmington can be stressful at times. This is because you’ll have to manage the logistics of the move, while also going through a major life transition. It’s important to do whatever you can to ensure the process goes smoothly. However, you should also allow yourself to feel stressed, frustrated, or worried, as these are all valid reactions. If you’re careful and intentional with your move, you’ll be able to approach your new life and new home in Wilmington with the right mindset.
