Fishing, golf, history highlight southern coast
The atmosphere from Wilmington (pop. 75422) and Southport (pop. 12,600) down to the state line just north of Myrtle Beach, SC is focused on deep sea fishing, golf, history and the ocean. While the area is still somewhat rural, you can see why the 50 miles stretch from Wilmington to North Myrtle Beach has become North Carolina’s “Retirement Alley.” Plantations or gated communities offering country club-style, gated homesites at a reasonable cost, have virtually exploded in this area, as more and more out-of-stater retirees and empty-nesters have discovered the opportunities. Live near the ocean. Play golf. Live in a low maintenance home. Sail. Boat. Fish. Visit Myrtle Beach or Wilmington with their unique offerings. Is there any wonder people are lining up to sign up?
What makes Wilmington so interesting is that it is a classic riverfront port city that has retained much of its charm and that is just a hop, skip and jump from the ocean. Its historic district takes up 230 blocks with incredible antebellum and European architecture. UNC-Wilmington brings an intellectual injection and energy to the community, as does a significant film production industry. Founded in the early 1700s, Wilmington proper has also been discovered. Two area counties are among the fastest-growing in North Carolina. Retirees enjoy shopping, arts festivals, museums and the totally-renovated wharfs and cotton buildings along the waterfront. Medical care is considered good in Wilmington.
Nearby are Southport, another old shipping village, and Wrightsville, Kure and Carolina Beach. If you live and work in Wilmington proper and want to drive just a few minutes to the ocean, you head for one of these latter beaches. They offer 30 miles of beautiful seashore to sail or frolic on or, perhaps, fish off a boardwalk or the surf. On a quiet Sunday, you might want to go a few miles south to stroll down the cobblestone streets of Southport, a quaint shipping village along the intercoastal waterway. Southport has neat shops and a very interesting historic district, including a large harbor.
Executives in the Triangle often have vacation or second homes in the Greater Wilmington area, as the trek by interstate is under two hours. However, those from Charlotte and further inland generally dred the drive to this area. Within 20 miles inland of Wilmington, the area becomes rural and there are many small town stops. In fact, the drive from Charlotte to Charleston, SC by interstate is faster than the drive from Charlotte to Wilmington. Almost always, people forget about this ordeal once they are soaking up the salt water in one of the many oceanside locations.
