Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage Blog

Single Family Homes In Wilmington Offer Some Of The Best Value On The Coast


Posted: May 31, 2016 by Kathy Alexander

Right between North Carolina’s famed Cape Fear River and the inner bank beaches in the southeastern part of the state lies the charming, historic port city of Wilmington, an untapped wonder of a town that’s seeing one of the greatest population booms in the nation.

With its great weather, natural beauty on all sides and a relatively inexpensive cost of living, Wilmington has been attracting seasonal visitors, second-home vacationers, property investors and permanent residents since the 1990s.

A Look at Wilmington

As the only substantially-sized city on the North Carolina coast, Wilmington is an eclectic mix of grand old Southern mansions, charming cottages, gleaming condos and beautiful homes. It features its own seaport, international airport, a local University of North Carolina campus and myriad technical schools, community colleges and other educational facilities.

Already considered a rare breed among travel destinations due to the variety of world-class golf courses, shopping, restaurants and entertainment venues, it boasts a lively art and theater scene, splendid gardens, museums and Civil War sites, Naval battleships, deep sea fishing and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

The population of about 116,000 is diverse and culturally rich, all contributing to Wilmington’s unique atmosphere. Wilmington is primarily a white-collar city, with more than 85 percent of the workforce employed in white-collar jobs – well above the national average. Overall, Wilmington is a city of professionals, sales, office workers and service providers.

Not being a huge metropolis is one of the characteristics that allows Wilmington to keep its Southern charm and small-town feel, although the city offers a huge range of diversions, professional and personal opportunities and amenities to both its residents and the thousands of visitors and vacationers who descend upon the area beaches every year. Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach are all within a 25-minute drive of each other and minutes from Wilmington.

Location, Location, Location

Whether you’re interested in living downtown, immersing yourself in the historic district, enjoying the countryside or taking advantage of the serene or active lifestyle the local beaches offer, the greater Wilmington area offers a wealth of homes at reasonable prices.

Downtown

Wilmington City offers a wide variety of architectural styles and sizes in homes – from cozy one-bedroom cottages to larger family-size properties, townhouses and condos. When compared to similar homes in cities of about the same size, the savings in Wilmington are impressive.

For example, a two-bedroom, one-bath home in downtown Wilmington offers almost 800 sq. ft. for about $106,000. In Charleston, S.C., a comparable home in that city’s downtown area will cost more than $380,000. Both homes are in great locations, close to local amenities and the historic districts. The cities are almost even in population, but real estate is at a premium in Charleston.

Historic Homes

Wilmington’s historic district not only features one-hundred-year-old oak-lined streets, the famed one-mile-long Riverwalk is minutes away, which is home to many boutiques, eclectic shops and vibrant nightlife venues. Living along the elegant streets of the historic district also allows you to enjoy fresh local seafood and regional specialties at more than 40 locally owned restaurants and pubs any night of the week.

If the thought of living in a restored 19th century home on a cobblestone street appeals to your sense of history, a number of lovely homes in Wilmington’s historic district are just waiting for your finishing touches. Live in a classic 3 to 6 bedroom Southern home updated with the latest in modern day amenities, but retaining the original architectural beauty of 9-foot ceilings with crown moldings, multiple fireplaces, original wood flooring and magnificent Southern porches.

In Wilmington, you can live that dream in a lovely updated 1895 home offering 2,344 square foot, 3-bedroom, 2-bath home for under $430,000. In the historic district of Savannah, Ga., a 2,002 square foot single family home with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms starts at nearly $700,00.

Townhomes and Condos

Businesses of all sorts are booming in Wilmington. Some of the top employers include the New Hanover Health Network, General Electric, the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and Verizon Wireless. The jobs that these and other companies provide naturally attract young singles and couples to the area. Not everyone wants a house with a picket fence, but luckily there’s a wide selection of townhomes and condos within minutes of Wilmington downtown and the area beaches, offering new residents the best of both worlds.

There are no size constrictions when it comes to condo living in Wilmington – whether you prefer a simple, yet tastefully appointed loft or a comfortable two-bedroom townhome within easy proximity to your job or interests, Wilmington has both and more at reasonable prices. These low maintenance units, which offer yard service and community amenities, are much less expensive than a traditional single family home.

For example, a centrally-located 2-bedroom, 3-bath, 1,345 square foot townhouse in Wilmington will cost far less at $105,000 than a 2-bedroom, 2-bath, 1,224 square foot townhome in Virginia Beach, VA, which starts at $170,000. 

Wilmington, North Carolina, offers a wide variety of homes for everyone. From first time home buyers to people looking for a place to retire or invest, the North Carolina coast provides you with a value that is hard to find anywhere else. 

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