Apartments in Wilmington

On North Carolina’s southeastern edge and along the Cape Fear River, Wilmington is the state’s most accessible coastal area and is a Coast Guard City, an honorable title given at the discretion of the commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. Wilmington was first settled in the early 1700s and contains one of the nation’s largest historic districts, which spans 230 blocks along the river and features aged architecture as well as sleek, modern buildings. Look across the river from downtown, into a small bay, to find another huge marker of Wilmington’s historical significance: The USS North Carolina battleship, which originally launched to support the American fleet in World War II in 1941. What once carried more than 2,000 soldiers and participated in all of the war’s major naval events now serves as a museum and monument. With a population of just around 112,000 people, this lush Southern city plays a surprising role in the film industry. Wilmington has appeared onscreen several times, such as in One Tree Hill, as the home of one of the largest TV and movie production facilities outside of California. Several colleges are based in the city, including the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, which serves more than 14,000 students.

When to Search

Finding an apartment in Wilmington is typically going to take about two months, which is the average for most cities. Available listings tend to dry up over the summer months, as students move into their apartments in advance of the fall semester, but in many cases you’ll find apartments that are available immediately.

Staying in the Know

Rents in Wilmington are below average, especially in comparison to North Carolina’s other main hubs, such as Raleigh — which is just two hours away and makes for an easy day trip. And though Wilmington lacks the metropolitan feel of those larger cities, it makes up for it by being nearly surrounded by water, thanks to both the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Fear River, so beaches and a coastal lifestyle abound.

Life in Wilmington