College Acres - Wilmington, NC

For thousands of years, Native American tribes were the only occupants of the land that now holds College Acres. European settlers drove out local Algonquin in the 1700s, and the land sat on the outskirts of town during Wilmington's early years. In 1963, when the nearby university transitioned to a four-year college, families began to move to College Acres; many neighborhood homes were built in the 1960s.

Although College Acres does not house any museums or cultural institutions, it sits within an easy drive of the Wrightsville Beach Museum, the Cameron Art Museum and the Cape Fear Museum. The university hosts a number of student and touring performing arts events in the Kenan Auditorium, which lies within walking distance of most homes in College Acres. Though the neighborhood does not host its own events, residents enjoy local festivals such as Christmas by the Sea and the Wilmington Fringe Festival.

As a primarily residential area, College Acres does not house any restaurants or bars within its boundaries. Just a short walk away on Racine Drive and South College Road, however, residents enjoy a number of inexpensive eateries serving Mexican, Latin, Mediterranean, Asian and American foods.

Casual and friendly, Blue Surf Cafe gets rave reviews from students and professionals for its Brisket Steam Buns and Mojo Pork. Soothe your soul after a wild night out with the cafe's signature Castro breakfast mixture served over a bowl of creamy grits.

Don't be put off by the casual strip-mall location of Eternal Sunshine Cafe — this friendly eatery serves indulgent diner classics with a Southern twist. Try the eggs Benedict with chipotle hollandaise, or stop in at lunch for the Longleaf Pine pita.

The cheap tacos at Islands Fresh Mex Grill bring in crowds of budget-seekers, and the creative menu keeps them coming back for more. Standouts include the bacon cheeseburger burrito and the jerk burrito.

Nightlife in the area surrounding College Acres revolves around casual, budget-friendly establishments such as Rack'M Darts and Billiards with new tables, tournaments and leagues, karaoke, a friendly crowd and cheap drink specials. On weeknights, join the locals at the Break Time Billiards Sports Bar & Grill on College Road to play pool on one of the 30 tables or enjoy a game of bowling. The closest live music venue, Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern, sits a couple of miles south.

Most residents of College Acres walk, drive or bike around the neighborhood. The nearby university sits just a few minutes away by foot or bike, and many students and professors opt to leave their cars at home. Few bike lanes exist, but cyclists can ride safely on the nearby Cross City Trail. You aren't likely to find a cab on the street, so it's important to call in advance or book a ride with Uber. Bus lines 103, 104 and 712 run near the western edge of the neighborhood; to get downtown, residents must make at least one transfer.

Residents of College Acres take advantage of the neighborhood's ample free street parking. Getting out of the neighborhood usually takes less than five minutes, and Highways 132 and 74 lie just a short drive away.

College Acres does not have any parks, but a few nearby green spaces provide a respite from residential life. The neighborhood wraps around a small tract of forest adjacent to the University of North Carolina Wilmington campus. Locals enjoy running, biking and walking along the paths that cut through the trees. The Bluenthal Wildflower Preserve, which sits in the middle of campus, offers a quiet stretch of nature, complete with unpaved paths.

Residents with children and pets often head south to Hugh MacRae Park, which features a playground and an off-leash dog park. The pond, lighted tennis courts and large picnic area bring in visitors from around the city. Locals also enjoy the park's Spring Fling and Spooktacular events.

The cost of living in College Acres sits slightly lower than the Wilmington citywide average. The neighborhood's average rental rate comes in at $884. If you want to get a pint of beer at a neighborhood pub, expect to pay an average of $4. A one-way bus ticket into downtown Wilmington costs $2. Gas prices in the neighborhood tend to sit about 10 percent lower than the national average.

Although no shopping options exist within the boundaries of College Acres, several specialty stores and boutiques lie just a few minutes away. Along College Road, budget-conscious shoppers enjoy options such as TJ Maxx, Old Navy and Best Buy. If you're looking for designer goods or high-end shopping, head to nearby Wrightsville Beach.

For youthful, trendy dresses, fur vests and club-worthy shoes, stop by Lula Balou. Locals also love the wide selection of unique jewelry pieces that don't show up in mainstream stores. Support local artisans at Blue Moon Gift Shops, where a group of individual booths gathers in a single building. Products range from handmade seashell art to natural soaps. Music lovers in College Acres often become regulars at Yellow Dog Discs on College Road, where the friendly staff members always have a recommendation for the latest CD, video game or classic record.

The nearest grocery stores to College Acres sit a few blocks northwest, between College Road, Market Street and Kerr Avenue. Pick up kitchen staples at Lowes Foods, Wal-Mart or Food Lion. When you're in the mood for Pad Thai or other southeast Asian foods, Saigon Market carries all of the necessary spices, noodles and sauces. Owned and operated by a Vietnamese family, the store carries both fresh and preserved foods. The nearest farmers market, the Riverfront Farmers Market, sits on the banks of the Cape Fear River in downtown Wilmington.