Wilmington, North Carolina and surrounding areas are becoming increasingly attractive to retired individuals globally because of their beautiful landscapes, readily accessible services, vast recreational opportunities, cultural activities, low cost of living, low crime rate, and mild climate.

Traditionally, many have chosen to escape their colder weather and exchange it for a chance to live in the much gentler environment of coastal North Carolina. As much as Florida seems to be the promised land for retirees, a continuing many are finding the year-round warmth as too much of a good thing. As a result, North Carolina is undergoing extreme growth as retirees leave Florida and head North for more seasonal range.

An average temperature of 64 degrees makes our climate extremely enjoyable. The Wilmington area temperature range is moderate due mostly to its seaside and riverside situation. Most winters here are short and mild. According to records kept since 1870, on the average, there is usually only a single day each winter when the temperature fails to rise above freezing. The mean temperature in January is 47 degrees. Retirees who enjoy horticulture will appreciate the fact that the growing season may be as long as 302 days for some flowers and vegetables.

In addition to pleasant weather, the southern coast has much to offer its retired population. You'll find abundant shopping facilities, top-notch healthcare, inexpensive housing opportunities, a healthy industry emerging toward more services to our older society, and more culture than you can "shake a stick at."

The median age of the Wilmington population was 37 in 1999, and it is projected to move to 40 within two decades, a statistic that intimates what most people here already know... The Wilmington area is experiencing an expanansion of more than 10 percent per year in the residents who are age 60 and over. Seniors are increasingly attracted to the state of North Carolina as a whole. North Carolina ranks fifth in the nation for migrating retirees, as reported by the North Carolina State Division of Aging.

Given the special attributes of this area, it would not be surprising to see the southern coastal region place higher than the overall state in years to come.