SPOTLIGHT ON WILMINGTON

WELCOME TO WILMINGTON,

The city has been declared “The Next Big Thing” by national media as one of the best places to live in North Carolina.

Nestled between the River and Atlantic Ocean, Wilmington strikes an enviable balance between a casual lifestyle and global business opportunities and makes an ideal destination for moving to North Carolina. Entrepreneurial zeal permeates every facet of the community, giving it the vibrancy of a city much larger in size, with the ease of living found in a small town.

Contents

Climate and Geography 02

Cost of Living and Transportation 03

Sports and Outdoor Activities 04

Shopping and Dining 05

Schools and Education 06

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CLIMATE Wilmington, NC Climate Graph Wilmington has a humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot, usually humid summers and mild to cold winters. People in Wilmington breathe easily because the air quality for Wilmington is rated 21% better than the national average and the pollution index is 16% better than the national average.

Average High/Low Temperatures Low / High January 36oF / 56oF

July 73oF / 90oF

Average Precipitation Rain 58 in.

Snow 1 in.

GEOGRAPHY

Wilmington is in a part of North Carolina known as the or Coastal Plain. This area is characterized by thick forests of pines and other evergreens; due to the sandy soils it is difficult for many deciduous trees to grow. This portion of the state contains the , sandy islands that do not have coral reefs to attach to and thus are constantly shifting their locations. The Outer Banks are known as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic” because numerous ships have been wrecked along their beaches and shoals due to storms and strong tides.

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COST OF LIVING

Wilmington average cost of living is 7% higher than the national average, it is expected that a place this beautiful would have a premium. The median home price is $244,100. However, the median monthly rental rate of $850 is 8% below the national average. Residents of Wilmington enjoy a cost of goods and services that are 2% below the national average. The sales tax in Wilmington is 7% below the national average.

Key Metrics

Avg. Cost of Living Cost of Housing Health Costs +7% +17% +11%

% above or below national average

TRANSPORTATION

Highways Interstate Highways I-40, I-140 US Highways 17, 74, 76, 117, 421 State Highways 132, 133

Airport

Wilmington International Airport (ILM)

Department of Motor Vehicles One Station Road Wilmington, NC 28405 http://www.ncdot.gov/dmv

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LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT

People in Wilmington like to soak up some island time at Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach – all no more than 25 minutes apart. There is always a fresh catch of things to do from beach to boardwalk; exhilarating deep-sea fishing to new aquarium exhibits; birding sites and interactive adventures at renowned Civil War sites, to action-packed water sports and stand up paddleboard tournaments. With so many options for outdoor play both on and off the water and one-of-a-kind festivals and events, each beach offers signature things to see and do and quality time spent with family and friends. Residents and tourists can test their skills on arcade games at a beach-side boardwalk, nationally recognized as one of the top boardwalks in the country by USA Today. A day can be spent discovering under-the-sea animals at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, voted one of the best aquariums in the U.S. by the Travel Channel, or learning about sea turtles at the new Ocean Front Park.

SPORTS

Teams CPL - Wilmington Sharks TRBL - Wilmington Sea Dawgs USL - Wilmington Hammerheads

Major Venues Buck Hardee Field Legion Stadium

OUTDOORS & ADVENTURE

Parks & Trails Fun on the Water Attractions Discover More

Airlie Gardens Atlantic Ocean Cape Fear Serpentarium whatsonwilmington.com Halyburton Park North Carolina Aquarium wilmingtonandbeaches.com Hugh Macrae Park Lake Sulton USS North Carolina wilmingtondowntown.com

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SHOPPING & DINING

A Taste for Everyone A Shoppers Paradise

Farmers and fishermen fill restaurant larders with lush Wilmington offers something for every shopper. Upscale produce, prime meats and succulent seafood, all turned shopping abounds at the Mayfaire Town Center, while into irresistible combinations by downtown Wilmington’s small, local boutiques dominate the quaint riverside top chefs. There is no shortage of variety. Along with district of Chandler’s Wharf. There is a healthy mix of both real Southern comfort foods, diners in Wilmington can at Independence Mall - Wilmington’s only completely find authentic French, German, Greek, Japanese, Thai, enclosed mall. The Cotton Exchange is a group of eight and Turkish restaurants, to name a few. But dining is not historic buildings from the late 19th and early 20th just for night time. Downtown Wilmington is known for centuries that has been turned into a home for retail shops serving the South’s tastiest morning meals. and restaurants for the past 40 years.

ART & CULTURE

Wilmington is home to a nice collection of museums, galleries and attractions.

Theaters: l Cape Fear Playhouse l Red Barn Studio Theatre l Thalian Hall l TheatreNOW l Wilson Center for Humanities and Fine Arts

Museums: l Burgwin-Wright Museum and Gardens l Cameron Art Museum l Cape Fear Museum l Clio Ancient Arts and Antiquities l Museum of the Bizarre l Wilmington Railroad Museum

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EDUCATION IN WILMINGTON, NC

Notable Colleges & Universities Elementary & High School

New Hanover County School System Cape Fear Community College Wilmington, NC Schools There are 33 public schools in Wilmington. The average Shaw University test scores in Wilmington are 9% higher than the Wilmington, NC national average.

Wilmington Educational Attainment High School Graduates or higher 87% University of Mount Olive Bachelor’s Degree or higher 40% Wilmington, NC

Contact 6410 Carolina Beach Road UNC at Wilmington Wilmington, NC 28412 Wilmington, NC (910) 254-4206 l www.nhcs.net

CONNECT WITH GMS

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Online Resources Phone & Email www.gmsmobility.com 1-800-617-1904 Baker’s Dozen LinkedIn: Global Mobility Solutions [email protected] Customer Satisfaction Ratings RELOCATION 2016 Winner

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