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A Local's Field Guide

Best Neighborhoods in Wilmington, NC.

Where to live along the Cape Fear coast — from barrier-island beach towns and Intracoastal estates to walkable historic blocks and master-planned river communities.

Aerial view of the mainland side of Surf City, North Carolina, west of the Intracoastal Waterway, showing newer subdivisions, shopping and commercial development along the N.C. 50 and N.C. 210 corridor and the wooded land still being cleared

Hampstead or Surf City for a Military Family?

Surf City is about 10 minutes closer to the base. Hampstead usually wins on schools, price and resale, which is where most families land.
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The brick United States Post Office building and parking lot in Shallotte, North Carolina

Is Shallotte NC a Good Place to Retire?

Yes for most retirees, if you can live with a 23-minute drive to the hospital and an hour to an airport. Median asking price is $369,900.
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Aerial view of the east end of Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, with the finger canals and boat slips on the sound side, the beachfront row of houses along the strand, the Intracoastal Waterway running behind the island and the marsh and inlet shoals at the east end

What Are the Downsides of Owning on Ocean Isle Beach?

The real downsides are one bridge, an island almost all in a flood zone, and an east end still buying sand. None of it is a dealbreaker if you budget it.
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Aerial view at sunset of a barrier island beach town on the southeastern North Carolina coast, with oceanfront homes and docks on the sound side, the beach strand and the surf line in the foreground

Moving to Wilmington NC from Pennsylvania: An Honest Guide

Pennsylvania to Wilmington NC trades a high property tax bill for a high insurance bill, and a lower house price for a higher one.
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Red brick row houses on a historic Boston street with downtown towers behind them

How Do NC Property Taxes Compare to Massachusetts?

North Carolina's effective rate is 0.66 percent against Massachusetts' 1.00 percent, and the bill gap is far wider because houses here cost less.
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Aerial view of Waccamaw School and the ball fields, tennis courts and playground of Waccamaw Park on Waccamaw School Road NW in Ash, North Carolina, surrounded by farm fields and planted pine

Is Ash NC a Good Place to Retire?

Ash gives retirees acreage, the county base tax rate and the beach in half an hour. The catch is a 30-minute drive to the nearest hospital.
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Traffic on Market Street in Wilmington, North Carolina, looking along the residential stretch of the corridor with homes and sidewalks on both sides

How Do NC Property Taxes Compare to Pennsylvania?

About half: 0.66 percent effective here against 1.26 percent in Pennsylvania. The savings go back out on coastal insurance and NC income tax.
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Aerial view of the center of Surf City, North Carolina, with the high-rise N.C. 50/210 bridge crossing the Intracoastal Waterway from the mainland, the roundabout and town center at the island end, the ocean pier reaching into the Atlantic and the marsh behind the island

Is Surf City NC a Good Place to Buy a Beach Rental?

Yes, if you are buying bookings rather than a bargain. Surf City's own 3 percent occupancy tax collected $1.77 million in fiscal 2024-25.
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The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge carrying US 17, 74, 76 and 421 over the Cape Fear River between downtown Wilmington and Brunswick County, North Carolina

What Are the Real Downsides of Living in Wilmington NC?

Insurance and carrying costs have outrun local pay, hurricane season is a yearly budget line, and the roads are strained. None of it should scare you off.
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Westbound US 17 at the Mt. Pisgah Road intersection west of Supply in Brunswick County, North Carolina

What Is It Like Living in Supply, NC?

Supply is a quiet, unincorporated part of Brunswick County, 14 minutes from Holden Beach and 38 from Wilmington. Lower prices, weak school grades, septic.
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