10 minute read
REMOTE CONTROL
the welcome wagon photos by Daria amato
SEEING ILM THROUGH NEW EYES
The rise in remote working over the past couple years has brought a wave of people to the Wilmington area. Meet some of these new neighbors and discover (or rediscover, if you’ve been here a while) where to work, relax, and connect around town.
MEET
GREET
KATIE SCHMIDT works remotely as managing editor for Universal Parks & Resorts, managing the Discover Universal blog, which is the official blog for the Orlando and Hollywood Universal theme parks. “I essentially get to help people planning their Universal vacations by coordinating – or writing myself – destination guides, itineraries, tip blogs, etc.,” says Schmidt, who moved to Wilmington from Orlando in April. “I write about roller coasters and Butterbeer for a living.”
What made you decide to move here? “I went to college in Orlando and honestly never intended to stay as long as I did after graduation! Like so many people during the pandemic, I had an unusual opportunity to work from anywhere and get to sort of try on different cities during 2021. Wilmington was one of those cities, and I just absolutely fell for it. The people are genuine and interesting, the town is charming and welcoming, and the dining options are insanely good.”
What factors played most into your decision of picking here? “It was definitely the people. I was here for a month in early 2021, and everyone I met during that month was so hospitable to me. My family – like most families during 2020 – had gone through a lot of loss, and my trip here was a much-needed mental and emotional recharge. The people I came across during that month were remarkably open and kind. Whether it was my Airbnb neighbors in Carolina Place inviting me to sip wine on their front porch; the founder of a local business giving me her number and insisting I reach out if I ever moved here; or the three women I met waiting in line at End of Days Distillery one night who said, ‘You’re going to come sit with us, right?’ I have never met people as welcoming as those I’ve met here in Wilmington.” Favorite places to visit or spend a day? “One of my favorite things about living here is how walkable everything is! I live downtown, so my favorite way to spend a day is just walking in and out of the shops – Gallery Citrine, Papercut Books, Modern Legend – grabbing a tamale at Capricho and catching a show at Thalian Hall. I’ve loved every production I’ve seen there so far and have even caught a couple movie nights.”
Favorite places to eat or drink? “‘Favorite’ is such a tricky word because it implies I’m capable of picking one! Favorite bars are End of Days Distillery (shown left), New Anthem, and Blue Post Billiards. I’d like to go on record and say I’ve never had a bad meal in Wilmington. I’m going to limit myself to three spots here, though, and lay it out as what I would consider a flawless day of eating in town – The Basics for breakfast, Elijah’s for lunch, and manna for dinner.
Advice for other newcomers? “Start a list of recommendations you get. I have a running one on my phone so that whenever I’m chatting with a local and they mention their go-to spot, I just write it down. I’ve found a lot of great new places to try this way!”
BEACH DRAW
LOLETA ROBINSON moved to Wilmington at the beginning of 2021 from Omaha, Nebraska, – “by way of Maryland.” As CEO of Fortis Industries LLC, she is running her business remotely here now. Robinson’s company uses data analytics, due diligence, and an industry network to evaluate potential investment opportunities in health care for various clients. “We are expanding our service offerings to include the use of geographic information systems and tools to address public health issues related to health equity, access to care, and population health,” she says.
What made you decide to move here? “I enjoyed the beach, downtown, Riverwalk, and the surrounding area so much during my first visit to Wilmington in October 2021 that I moved here.”
Were you considering other cities as well? “Jacksonville, Florida, was on my list, but I realized it wasn’t for me once I spent some time there.”
What factors played most into your decision of picking here? “It’s near the beach, not too far from the mountains, where I can go fly fishing, and it’s on the East Coast.”
Impressions so far? “I love it. Great restaurants, not too big or small, and only a twenty-minute drive from the beach.”
What do you miss, though from your last city? “My friends. However, they have plans to visit me soon.”
What have you learned about how to work remotely? “I’ve been working remotely for the last couple of years, and I’ve found it useful to set up a comfortable workspace and take breaks throughout the day. Walking, yoga, or reading a book on the balcony are all excellent ways to unwind between Zoom meetings.”
How about networking with your new community – how have you tried to make connections? “Not nearly as much as I should. Most of my day is spent working, so after work, I like to relax. But I’m still new to Wilmington, so I’m open to suggestions.”
Favorite place to visit or spend a day? “Wrightsville Beach”
Favorite places to eat or drink? “Catch, Indochine”
A surprise you’ve come across since moving here? “There are so many people moving here. I thought I was the only one who discovered this gem of a city.”
Advice for other newcomers? “Take advantage of the growing cultural community – art galleries and museums, live music venues, and the North Carolina Black Film Festival.”
PLUGGING IN
KELLY SPECHT relocated in-state, moving from Durham to Wilmington last summer. She works remotely as a customer success representative for California-based Nutanix, a cloud computing company that focuses on the design, construction, and deployment of IT infrastructure.
What made you decide to move here? “When I lived in Durham, I would frequently visit the area. I have wanted to live near the beach, and I love the history in Wilmington.”
What factors played most into your decision of picking here? “I was looking for a smaller city, but one where I could still go back to my office. I sometimes return to Durham for team events and meetings. When deciding to move, I considered cost, live entertainment, local restaurants, and outdoor activities that are available. Wilmington is a great city to live in because it is focused on the beach. It offers a lot of water-related activities, such as boating and paddleboarding.”
What have you learned about how to work remotely? “Before the pandemic, I was always a passionate office worker. I really enjoyed going into the office every day, seeing my co-workers, and collaborating with my team members. I really miss that sense of community. However, remote work has presented an opportunity to experience a new city. I think it is really important to establish a routine and set up a dedicated workspace. I go to O2 fitness in the morning, and then I feel much more energized for work. I sometimes go to a local coffee shop to work for the afternoon. Bespoke Coffee (shown left) is one of my favorites. I also joined Blue Mind Coworking, which has been a great experience. I like meeting other people who work in completely different industries, but who all gather in an office environment. Julie Donlon is the owner, and she has created an amazing space for remote workers. The office has a beach/surfing theme, but it also has conference rooms, whiteboards, and printers.”
How about networking with your new community? “As a remote worker, I think it is important to develop a professional network in your new community. I joined Port City Young Professionals as soon as I moved here. The first event I attended was a Wilmington Sharks game. I have consistently attended the networking events, and I’ve met some of my closest friends through PCYP. I am really impressed that Jenna Curry thought to create this group. It is a lifesaver for transplants. I also joined the Junior League of Wilmington last fall. The Junior League empowers women to improve their community through volunteering and outreach opportunities. We have meetings once a month, and we have had socials at Second Glass, SUP Wilmington paddleboarding, and Palate wine bar. JLW has also offered some thought-provoking seminars, on environmental issues, women’s health, and financial planning. I have also played kickball with Sport City intramural league. I joined the team as a free agent and met a lot of great people. We are planning on participating in the fall league.”
Advice for other newcomers? “Definitely check out the Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington. Regardless of whether or not you believe in ghosts, it was a great opportunity to learn about the historic sites. I think the stories about the Carolina Apartments are fascinating, especially since people still live in the apartments.” W
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