6 Most Important Maps you need when Relocating to Wilmington NC

Getting to Know the Area 

If you are considering relocating to Wilmington NC, getting to know the area should be one of the most important things you do.

Why?

You don’t want to make a bad decision about where to live.

• Where will my kids go to school?
• What areas are prone to constant crime?
• Which areas have the best shopping?
• Which areas are in flood zones?

When you learn the area before you move, you will feel less overwhelmed about relocating and more confident about your decision to move.

So how do you get to know Wilmington NC when You don’t live anywhere near Wilmington NC?

The easy answer?

Online maps that break down the southeastern NC coastal area into bite size pieces.

The problem with online maps is that they are scattered all over the web and are many times located inconspicously on websites you may or may not even know about.  But don’t fret.  I have searched the web high and low and have compiled a list of interactive maps that can help you get to know the Wilmington NC area better.

1.   How do I locate Homes for Sale?

MLS Finder has a great map feature that allows you to plug in your search criteria and then shows you where available homes are located on a map.  You can click on the icon for more details on each property.  When you view the details of an individual property, you can use the map feature to show nearby shopping, schools, restaurants, and much more.

I suggest you save your searches using SearchSaver.  This way you can save multiple types of searches to see how the results may vary.  You may want to compare homes that come up in a search of New Hanover County to a search of Brunswick County.

Once you have set up your SearchSaver account, you can:

• Save homes you like to a favorites folder so you don’t forget which homes stood out to you
• Get emails of homes as they come on the market (this can be turned on and off by you)
• Conveniently search the Wilmington’s Local MLS without forgetting your original search criteria
• You will receive a weekly tutorial on how to use the various features with simple explanations and pictures so that you get the most out of your SearchSaver account.
• Log in anytime the mood hits to search for homes in the Southeastern NC coastal region.

2.   How do I learn about the different areas of Wilmington?

Zip Codes Maps

Learning the zip codes of a city helps you break down a larger area into bite sizes.  In my real estate market reports, I divide market statistics by zip codes.  You will want to take note of the different market trends you find in each zip codes.

By understanding what kind of schools, businesses, and amenities are located within a zip code, it will be easier to narrow your search for where to live.

NOTE: These maps are in a pdf. format.  You can zoom into the street level to explore the dividing boundaries. These maps also feature the major roads in bold so that you can get to know the major roads in Wilmington.

[Download time may take a few seconds.  These maps can be saved to your computer for future reference.]

• New Hanover County
• Brunswick County
• Pender County

3.   How can I tell which areas belong to a certain school district?

New Hanover County Schools

IMPORTANT UPDATE (December 2008):

Relocating to Wilmington NC? How the New Changes in the New Hanover County School Redistricting Can Affect Your Next Home Purchase

Click the link above since school districts are changing! The links below will be obsolete 2009-2010!

• Elementary
• Middle
• Secondary (High School)
• Year Round

4.   Crime and Traffic Maps

Starnewsonline.com, our local newspaper’s website has a few helpful maps that are still in beta testing.  At present, I don’t believe you can zoom in and out.  But you can grab the map and scroll back and forth to find different areas.  Here are the available maps:

• Crime Reports – See what crimes have been committed in the last 30 days
• Who’s Wanted in Wilmington? – See where people are wanted
• Traffic Map - See where drivers have had wrecks in the last 30 days
• Speeders Map – And much more.  This map is a community interactive map noting speeders, slow pokes, potholes, congested areas, bad traffic designs.

5.   Which areas are located in flood zones?

Flood Maps

Because much of Wilmington is surrounded by water, you may be concerned about flood zones.  After clicking the link below, click the compass located beside “Digital Flood Maps”.  This may take a little while to load since it is for the entire state of North Carolina.

NC Flood Maps

My clients often ask about whether homes are in a flood zone.  First of all, North Carolina real estate law requires sellers and their representing agent to disclose if a home is in a known flood zone.  To be sure, you and your buyer’s agent should always check the NC flood map.

6.   Google Maps

Google maps is a great way to explore an area.  Simply type in Wilmington NC and hit search maps.  Then use your mouse to click the link right under the search box titled find businesses.  Then think of businesses or local attractions you are curious about.

Maybe Home Depot is your favorite Home Improvement Store and you want to see if there is a Home Depot located in Wilmington NC, so type in Home Depot and search “Find Businesses”.  But maybe you are curious to see what other Home Improvement stores are in the area and where they may be located.  Then you would type in a certain category of business and search for that.

View Larger Map

Would you like more help with relocating to Wilmington NC?

If you would like personal help with relocating to Wilmington NC, I would be happy talking with you about Wilmington and providing additional information that would be helpful in learning about the area.

Simply fill out this confidential form and when the best time is to reach you.  I understand you may not be looking for hiring an agent at this point.