There’s a joke people tell in this part of the world. It happens anytime you meet someone who was born and raised in Wilmington or the surrounding areas. The encounters are so rare that you look at them, maybe arch your eyebrows and say “So, you’re the one.”
We never said it was a funny joke, but it is still poignant. It’s an indicator of just how much the Cape Fear region has become a transplant community. You are far more likely to meet someone who moved here from somewhere else than you are to meet a native.
Former New Yorkers lead the way. For years, if not decades, folks have been fleeing the cold weather and the higher taxes of the Empire State and have started over here.
If you had to guess what state do you think has contributed the next highest amount of new residents? Certainly New Jersey and Connecticut would be in the conversation. You also meet a lot of people from Pennsylvania and the Virginias. But in the last year, at least according to inquiries made on search engines, it is Ohio that comes in second place.
In fact Just For Buyers Realty has two agents who started life in the Buckeye state. Scott Saxton grew up in Elyria, Ohio which is outside Cleveland. Jennifer Reinholt is from Centerville, Ohio which is in between Dayton and Cincinnati
“I am always going to be a Buckeye. I am raising my kids to be Cleveland sports fans, and we try to get up there at least once a year.” said Saxton who moved to Wilmington in 2009, followed later by his parents “But after a decade down here, this is home now. And sometimes, honestly, I wonder how I survived all those long winters up there.”
“Starting over is never easy, leaving an area you’ve know your whole life and moving to another part of the country can be scary,” said Reinholt. “You’ve got to go into it embracing the adventure. You will meet others from Ohio down here, it is very easy to find them, but you can never duplicate your hometown. When I left Ohio, I knew I would take it with me on some level, but also knew that my next stop would be a new beginning and uniquely its own experience.”
One of the best parts of moving from Ohio to the Cape Fear region is not just the warmer weather and mild winters, or the perks of living this close to the ocean and all the new things you get to experience. It’s that when you get homesick there are tons of ways to connect back to your roots
Here is a list for current and future residents from Ohio:
- On a Saturday in the fall, head to Tinyz Tavern and watch an Ohio State game.
- On Sundays the Browns have a huge group of local fans. Last year they met at Whiskey Trail at the Creek Tavern located in the Masonboro part of Wilmington.
- Meanwhile Bengals fans went downtown to watch Joe Burrow at the Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar.
- If you’re looking for a new church home, Mike and Cala Dickey moved down here from Brookville, Ohio to launch City Life Church.
- We know you love Hocking Hills State Park, but trust us the best waterfalls anywhere in this country are a short drive from the Cape Fear region.
- You’ll never miss the beautiful fall colors. Just head west on a weekend road trip to do some leaf peeping and soak up the beauty of autumn.
- Deer Hunting is also huge down here in the fall. There are camps, and state land, and even people who rent out private property to those in search of big game.
- Ohioans are proud of their Hall of Fames, from the pro football museum in Canton to the Rock Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Meanwhile North Carolina is home to NSCAR Hall of Fame. It’s about a four hour trip from the Cape Fear Region.
- If you’ve ever been to the Warther Museum in Dover, Ohio then we know you have an appreciation for trains. You will really get a kick out of The Wilmington Railroad Museum located in downtown.
- Great Lakes Brewery products can be found at several Wilmington area bars and restaurants.
- It’s easy to find Buckeye candy balls. They’re frequently sold at Kilwins Chocolates in downtown Wilmington.
- And let’s not forget about the big connection between our two states. You gave birth to the Wright brothers, and they came to our coast to change the world with flight. A national monument and museum is dedicated to the brothers in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina – roughly a four hour road trip from the Cape Fear Region.
“I fell in love with Wilmington and the Cape Fear Region,” said Saxton, “It’s amazing to me how many friends back home have never heard of this area. I think it’s the best kept secret in America. My passion these days is helping anyone, but certainly a fellow Buckeye, discover and fall in love with this area, too.”