So you just moved to the greater Wilmington area. You have researched all the best neighborhoods, schools, restaurants and can’t wait to park yourself at the beaches all summer. We have some insight and tips into how to make sure your transition here is as smooth as possible. We complied a list of 7 common rookie mistakes we want you to avoid. If you are new to the area or plan to live here avoid these pitfalls:

Slow down

Wilmington may be a city, but really its a small town with a lot of people. The pace of life here is picking up somewhat, but overall Wilmington offers a slower pace of life. With our beaches and rural communities just on the outskirts of town, don’t expect everyone to be punctual or as hurried as you. In fact, take some time to soak in all that the area has to offer — you’ll like Wilmington better this way, we promise. And please … don’t drive like a crazy person — one of the worst rookie mistakes.

Know your soil

Whether you have a big yard or a back patio, newcomers from other regions will tell you there is a steep learning curve with keeping a lawn looking fresh here. Ask neighbors about their lawn care routine, get your soil tested and fertilize your lawn early and often. You may also be shocked by the amount of weeds that spring up all over your lawn. The weeds here are very pesky and invasive. 

Don’t drink the water

Maybe in your research about the area you’ve come across some troubling news articles about our water. We’ll link to more information here, but a company polluted the river for at least 30 years. One of the best ways to ensure this stays out of your drinking water is a reverse osmosis (sometimes called R/O) filter. These chemicals do not affect all homes in the area, so be sure to get your well tested and inquire with the CFPUA. Even if GenX is not cause for concern in your neighborhood, some say the water still tastes bad (especially closer to the beach) so splurge on your water filtration anyway. 

Avoid comparing us to “back home.”

Wilmington is very different from wherever home may be, but that’s what makes it special. If you don’t want to offend the locals (and many locals are actually transplants themselves) avoid complaining about how things here are done differently.

Lack of infrastructure, childcare

Pardon our mess, we are building! Yes, everywhere you look there is new construction, new major roadways and bypasses. Honestly these road projects should have been done years ago, but we are patiently waiting. Know when you come here our area is at least five to 10 years behind on where we should be with infrastructure. With all the newcomers schools are running out of space. Want to know about childcare? You will need to jump on a wait list long before you move here. The daycare waitlists can be at least a year long!

Don’t go to the DMV in-person

Need to update your license or tag? Don’t fall into the common rookie mistake of going in-person to the DMV. You can do just about everything online for the DMV these days. Don’t waste time going in-person if you can avoid it. Check their website to see if they can assist you. 

Know the NC House buying process

So I wrote a Buyer’s Guide E-book for getting homebuyers up to speed on all things North Carolina and to help you avoid rookie mistakes. If you area new to buying a home in the area, or just new to home buying in general, there are plenty of new things to learn. My free E-book has helpful tips on what to look for in the due diligence period, the inspection process (yes termites are a real thing!) and more. If you have any other area-specific questions I relocated here more than a decade ago. Wilmington is a place I treasure and hold so dear and I want you to love it too! Let’s talk — connect with me anytime here.