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Wilmington, NC

During the 1990S Wilmington evolved into one of the fastest growing retiree havens in the region, a trend that continues today.

The warm weather, inviting beaches, and the rich history of the area draws people from across the country to call this famed Cape Fear River town home.

Founded by English settlers in 1739, initially the coastal outpost struggled because of its inaccessibility from land. The surrounding marshes and tidal pools made overland travel nearly impossible. It was technological advancements in road and bridge construction that facilitated the growth of the city, which, by 1840 was a heavily trafficked shipping port, and North Carolina’s largest city.

“In the ‘70s residents undertook a massive preservation project saving many of the historic homes from ruin."

By the turn of the last century Wilmington has lost that distinction to inland cities in the Piedmont area, thanks to tobacco and textile production, which sent the city into decline. It was not until the tourist boom starting in the 1980s that the city began to regain its luster.

In the ‘70s, residents undertook a massive preservation project saving many of the historic homes from ruin, making Wilmington home to one of the largest historical districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. And thanks to those efforts, Wilmington has become a top tourist destination. Tourists come from around the world to walk the cobbled streets and view the mansions, now restored to their pre-war glory.

The movie making industry, too, has taken a shining to Wilmington. The city is often used for external shots and has been featured in several period epics.

Today, Wilmington’s population continues to grow. State of the art medical facilities, upscale shopping, and a wide range of restaurants have flourished in the slow-paced beach community. The area offers residents a number of recreational activities to chose from, including golf, fishing, riverboat cruises, for which the city is famous, nature trails and bicycling.

Wilmington is the ideal locale for history buffs: spotted with pre-war antebellum mansions, museums and a Civil War battle field, the area’ rich historical traditions have been preserved for upcoming generations. Visitors and residents alike can be seen wondering the streets of the historic district in the springtime, admiring the many gardens in full bloom.