Posted By: Shannon

I’m going to say what a lot of people around here have been thinking but maybe not saying out loud enough, East Arcadia is being overlooked, and it’s starting to show in ways that are honestly disheartening. You look around and see other nearby areas slowly building up, getting new businesses, more services, more opportunities.

Then you look at East Arcadia, and it feels like we’re stuck… or worse, slipping backward. And something as simple as not having consistent access to services like DoorDash or Uber might not seem like a big deal to outsiders, but for people actually living here, it matters more than folks realize. Let’s be real for a minute. Not everybody has the time, gas, or resources to drive out 10–15 minutes every single time they need groceries, food, or even a job opportunity. People say, “Well, Riegelwood is right there.” Okay… but why should everything always be somewhere else? Why can’t East Arcadia have something too?

And yeah, DoorDash kind of delivers out here, but it’s inconsistent at best. Uber? Basically nonexistent. If you need a ride to Wilmington, you’re looking at $70 to $80 one way. That’s not realistic for everyday people. That’s not sustainable. That’s the kind of thing that quietly pushes people out of a community because it becomes too hard to stay. What really hits is that this isn’t just about food delivery or ride apps. It’s bigger than that. It’s about access. It’s about opportunity. It’s about feeling like your community actually matters.

We already saw the school close down because there weren’t enough kids. Think about that for a second. Families are leaving. Why? Because there’s nothing here to keep them. No jobs nearby, limited services, and not enough investment to make people feel like staying is worth it. It becomes a cycle, people leave, businesses don’t come, and then even more people leave. And the truth is, East Arcadia has potential. Real potential. It’s not like this place doesn’t have people who care or land that could be developed. It’s just that nobody seems to be pouring into it the way they do other communities. It feels like we’re always the afterthought.

Imagine if there were more local jobs here. Imagine if small businesses were encouraged to open up. Imagine if services like Uber actually operated here consistently, or if DoorDash expanded fully instead of halfway. That alone would make a difference…not just in convenience, but in how people view this area. Because when services don’t reach a community, it sends a message: “This place isn’t worth it.” And that’s not true for East Arcadia. Not at all.

People want to work here. People want to live here. But they also need basic things to function day-to-day. You can’t expect a community to grow if it’s constantly being skipped over. At some point, there needs to be real attention brought to areas like this. Not just talk, not just promises, but actual investment. Because right now, it feels like East Arcadia is slowly being forgotten, and that’s the part that really hurts.

We don’t need everything overnight. But we do need something. Something that shows this community matters just as much as the next one down the road. Because if nothing changes, it’s not hard to see what’s coming next, and honestly, that’s what makes this whole situation so sad.

Posted By: Mark

I’m right there with you on this. Everything you said is exactly what a lot of people are feeling but don’t always put into words. It’s not just about convenience, it’s about being treated like your community actually matters. When services skip over areas like East Arcadia, it really does feel like we’re being left behind while everyone else moves forward.

The part about having to drive out every time you need something is real. People act like “it’s only 10 minutes,” but that adds up—gas, time, wear and tear, and not everyone even has reliable transportation to begin with. And those Uber prices? Completely unrealistic for everyday life. That’s not access, that’s a barrier.

What really stuck with me is what you said about the school closing. That says a lot about what’s happening here. When families start leaving, it’s usually because they don’t see enough opportunity to stay. And when businesses and services don’t come in, it just keeps that cycle going.

You’re absolutely right…. East Arcadia has potential. It’s just not getting the same attention or investment as other places, and that’s the frustrating part. People here deserve the same level of access, the same opportunities, and the same chance to grow as any other community. It shouldn’t feel like we’re constantly being passed over. I really hope more people start speaking up about this, because ignoring it is exactly how communities end up fading away—and East Arcadia deserves better than that.