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Wilmington, North Carolina is a coastal port city where the college scene meets the beach, anchored by the University of North Carolina Wilmington and its Seahawks. UNCW sits a short drive from the Atlantic, so the student experience comes with sand in the car mats and a laid-back coastal pace. The historic downtown along the Cape Fear River is the centerpiece, with brick streets, a riverwalk, and a 4th Street corridor full of student energy. The Midtown corridor links campus to the rest of the city, while the east side runs toward Wrightsville Beach and the area's marshes and sounds. Public green space is everywhere, from the riverfront to coastal trails, and the film industry has long given Wilmington a creative streak.
Linking UNCW to the rest of the city, Midtown offers some of the closest, most convenient student housing near campus.
Areas like Seagate and the neighborhoods near the sounds draw students who want sand minutes from their door.
Along 4th Street between Market and Castle, this area brings riverwalk energy, walkable nightlife, and old-Wilmington charm.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Wilmington.
Wave Transit, the regional bus system, is free for UNCW students with a valid ID. The Seahawk Shuttle runs routes within about a mile of campus, stopping at apartment complexes and shopping plazas. Getting to campus is simple from Midtown and the east-side complexes, most of which sit on a Wave or shuttle route. Check schedules, since coverage is strongest near campus and the core.
Walkability is best downtown along the riverwalk and the 4th Street corridor, where you can park once and stroll to food, nightlife, and the water. The terrain is flat, so biking is easy and popular, especially between campus and nearby housing. The downtown core is the most pedestrian-friendly part of the city. Flat streets keep rides low-effort year-round.
A car is genuinely useful, since the beach, the sounds, and the spread-out east side aren't all on a bus line. Wilmington blends a walkable downtown with a car-friendly sprawl, so many students keep a vehicle. Parking is generally easier away from the downtown core. Confirm permit and parking rules with your complex or UNCW before move-in.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
As a coastal city, Wilmington runs a bit higher. Off-campus options range widely from around $500 a room in shared setups to $1,500 or more for a full unit, with citywide apartment averages near $1,700 to $1,800 a month. Splitting a place with roommates is the standard move to keep your share manageable.
Browse student housing near each Wilmington-area university.