Communities & Relocation

More people each year are choosing to relocate to the southeastern corner of North Carolina from many other parts of the country. This area is a desirable, premier location for retirees, corporate relocation and expansion, entrepreneurs and those seeking a better quality of life. New houses are being built, existing homes are selling, and the real estate and construction industries appear to be enjoying robust recovery and growth once again.

The Cape Fear Riverfront area in north Wilmington

There are so many distinct communities in the Greater Wilmington area that it’s not possible to list all of them. We will mention a few that are continuing to develop in three basic areas: Brunswick County, which includes Southport and Leland; New Hanover County, which includes Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach; and Pender County, just north of Wilmington.

We’ll begin with Brunswick County, which experienced a 43.5 percent population growth during the ’90s and is one of North Carolina’s fastest growing counties.

Today numerous relatively new developments and neighborhoods exist in Brunswick County, primarily along North Carolina N.C. highways 133 and 211 from Southport and along U.S. Highway 17. A number are gated communities, sometimes called resorts, and quite a few have golf courses.

NEW HANOVER COUNTY

Although New Hanover County geographically is the second smallest county in North Carolina, it’s far from the smallest in residential development.

One of the fastest growing areas in the county is along River Road, which has been rerouted to facilitate some of this development. Not so many years ago, the only developments between Carolina Beach Road and River Road were The Cape, Beau Rivage Plantation and Echo Farms Golf and Country Club.

Today, thousands of homes have been built or are planned for this burgeoning corridor along the Cape Fear River from downtown Wilmington to Pleasure Island, with prices ranging from the $200s to the millions.

Proximity to beaches and services makes this area particularly attractive. Wilmington’s airport, the New Hanover Regional Medical Center and all the health facilities and medical offices around it, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach are all a short

The city's close. The river's closer.

Single-family, luxury, townhomes and 55+ living along the river. Floorplans by 9 homebuilders from the high $300s - $1M+

@RiverlightsNC

RiverlightsLiving.com | (910) 405-1234 | 109 Pier Master Point, Suite 100 | Wilmington, NC 28412

Newland is the largest private developer of mixed-use communities in the United States. With our partner, North America Sekisui House, LLC, we believe it is our responsibility to create enduring, healthier communities for people to live life in ways that matter most to them. newlandco.com | nashcommunities.com

NNP IV-Cape Fear River, LLC (“Fee Owner”) is the owner and developer of the Riverlights Community (“Community”). Fee Owner has retained Newland Real Estate Group, LLC (“Newland”) solely as the property manager for the Community. North America Sekisui House, LLC (“NASH”) has an interest in one of Fee Owner’s members. Homebuilders, unaffiliated with Fee Owner, Newland, NASH, or their affiliates (together, the “Released Parties”) are building homes at the Community. The Released Parties are not co-developing, co-building, guarantors of, or otherwise responsible for, nor shall they incur any liability as a result of, any of the obligations or representations made to buyers by any homebuilder or other third party. Fee Owner’s responsibility with respect to the Community is limited to certain infrastructure improvements (e.g., roads, sewer, etc.) and such obligations run solely to persons buying real property directly from Fee Owner. Buyers of homes waive, to the fullest extent allowed under the law, any and all rights, claims, causes of action and other rights whatsoever against the Released Parties arising from their purchase of a home or services, respectively, in the Community from homebuilders or other third party. Not an offering of the sale or lease of real property to residents of any jurisdiction where prior qualification of out-of-state real property is required unless the Community has been so qualified or an exemption is available. Any prices, sketches, renderings, and specifications contained herein are proposed only and subject, without notice, to change or withdrawal at any time. The maps contained herein are for illustrative purposes only and are based on current development concepts, which are subject to change without notice. © 2020 NNP IV-Cape Fear River, LLC. All rights reserved. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

drive away. The area’s largest shopping centers are reachable in 15 minutes or less, making it easy to find whatever might be needed.

RIVER BLUFFS

A beautiful new community continues to take shape in a wonderfully convenient location. Situated along the high bluffs of Castle Hayne, River Bluffs is a new, low-impact community offering 3,000 feet of navigable river frontage.

Wilmington’s airport, historic downtown, arts and entertainment, major medical facilities and destination shopping are just minutes from the gated entrance of River Bluffs.

River Bluffs presents a luxurious coastal waterfront lifestyle with a considerable number of community amenities. Completed in 2017, the River Club offers a warm, inviting restaurant and lounge with riverfront views. The River Bluffs Marina Complex features 141 boat slips, 20- to 30-foot water depth, and floating docks to take full advantage of the community’s riverfront location. Davis Square offers a wide range of amenities, including a swimming pool, tennis courts, a fitness center, a children’s playground, general store, post office and a café. The organic farm, located just outside the community entrance, grows certified organic produce available at the River Club and general store. One of the amenities just opened at River Bluffs is already receiving excellent reviews. Porches Café is open to the public as well as residents of River Bluffs Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Chef Erin Wiley uses fresh, local bounty to create irresistible salads and sandwiches. Wiley has earned big respect from top Wilmington chefs. She was part of the success of some of the city’s best restaurants, including Rx and Pembroke’s.

River Bluffs features Southern architecture reminiscent of riverfront homes in historic Wilmington, Charleston and Savannah. Styles include garden homes, coastal cottages, Floridian villas and custom designs. The Cape Fear River wraps around the property in a way that affords many opportunities for water access or simply enjoying the views. At completion, River Bluffs will include approximately 750 home sites within the 313-acre community. During Phase 1, 221 home sites will be built over 88 acres. Home sites range from one-fourth to onethird acre with prices for house and lot spanning from $304,500 to $800,000 plus. More than one-third of the community’s land (over 100 acres) has been preserved for walking trails, open green space, and a dog park.

Developed on a philosophy of sustainability and environmental preservation, River Bluffs is certified as a Low Impact Development (LID) based on its water re-use, rainwater harvesting and storm water control techniques. The community is designed to preserve existing rolling terrain, native hardwood forests, coastal plants and high bluffs overlooking the river. LID communities enjoy improved water quality and the notable absence of storm water ponds.

Burrows Smith, managing partner in River Bluffs Development Group, is a native of Wrightsville Beach. His real estate construction and development experience in the area spans several decades and notable projects include Masonboro Landing, Masonboro Forest, Landfall, Porters Neck and Dockside Restaurant.

RIVERLIGHTS

Riverlights is one of the newest communities to come to the waterfront in Wilmington. While this quickly growing neighborhood offers gorgeous homes, it is also designed around nature and an outdoor lifestyle. Nestled on the banks of the Cape Fear River, Riverlights provides convenient, wellness-centered living within 5 miles of historic downtown. Greet the sun with a morning paddle, walk or bike along the community trails, or enjoy dinner or shops with neighbors and watch the sun set over the river. Embrace a life that shines bright — and let the master-planned community of Riverlights guide you home.

There are 5 miles of trails, 6 parks, a zero-entry lap pool, the Lake House, a fitness center and a 38-acre lake — plenty of opportunities for families. Their information center is open 7 days

a week with model homes available to tour. The price range in this splendid community is from the mid $300,000 to $1,000,000+. Give them a call at 910239-3456 or stop by the information center at 109 Pier Master Point, Suite 100, Wilmington, NC.

DOWNTOWN WILMINGTON

Downtown Wilmington continues to enjoy an upsurge in people living there as new condo developments spring up. This increase in downtown residency is a great part of what is fueling the strength of the downtown area.

A fair amount of residential construction has occurred on the north side of downtown where the new headquarters building for PPD Corporation opened in 2007. Add to this the continued renovation of old homes and the growth of living quarters above shops and offices, and you have a recipe for a vibrant downtown Wilmington.

Many more buildings are in the planning stages. New hotels and new mixed-use buildings that will include residential spaces are being discussed since there is a need for additional housing downtown.

The continuing renovation, building, and investment in the downtown area are encouraging. New restaurants and marinas are now open.

NEW NEIGHBORHOODS GALORE

Getting away from downtown, new neighborhood growth is taking place all over the city and outlying areas. Much of it is concentrated along several corridors: the east side near Wrightsville Beach, especially along Eastwood Road; the southeast side along Carolina Beach Road down to Pleasure Island; and the northeast side along Market Street through Ogden.

On the east side of the city near Wrightsville Beach, quite a few new residential communities have developed. One of the communities that continues to develop is Landfall, with gated entrances on both Eastwood and Military Cutoff roads.

An area that continues to see very rapid growth surrounds the intersection of Porters Neck Road and Market Street. Porters Neck Plantation and Country Club is on the Intracoastal Waterway about four miles north of Wilmington. Porters Neck is another of New Hanover County’s upscale developments.

The 18-hole golf course at Porters Neck was designed by Tom Fazio and has been named “the #1 coastal course” in North Carolina by Golf Digest. Among the amenities at Porters Neck are a clubhouse, two large pools, seven lighted hydro-clay tennis courts, a fitness complex and a boat ramp on the Intracoastal Waterway.

Forest Creek is a newer gated neighborhood in Porters Neck Plantation. Nestled among majestic oaks and beautiful magnolia trees, this quiet community features more than 20 classic home designs ranging from 2,200 to 3,500 square feet.

Members can enjoy all Porters Neck Country Club privileges, plus private walking paths, open green space and lighted streets.

Several huge apartment complexes are

Premier Home Builder SPecializing in Wilmington and tHe Surrounding areaS

rising near Porters Neck and are adjacent to Marsh Oaks, a lovely community comprised primarily of single-family homes. The apartments, mostly rental, are in the building phase now with just a few ready for current occupancy.

Another new apartment complex built just north of Porters Neck Road, and a huge shopping complex that includes Walmart as its anchor is continuing to develop on Market Street just south of Porters Neck Road.

EXPANSION NORTH

New housing developments have spread into Pender County, just north of Wilmington. People who work at GE and Corning, two of the area’s larger employers, can reach their offices quickly thanks to the new bypass. As a result, several communities in Hampstead are now nearly built out. New communities include Salters Haven at Lea Marina, Wyndwater, Hope Creek and Sparrows Bend. Up closer to the Surf City area, there's Summer House on Everett Bay and Waterside.

BUSINESSES TO KNOW

When it comes to home building, buying, remodeling and decorating, these businesses are ones to look for.

D. BAXTER'S

Once your house is designed and you’re settling into your new home, you may find that new furnishings are needed. An item that can make a huge difference in how a room looks is lighting.

Customers throughout the tri-county area have relied on D. Baxter’s for the company’s expertise for many years. D. Baxter’s, located on Oleander Drive in the Anderson Shopping Center in Wilmington, does a beautiful job repairing lamps and light fixtures of all types.

In addition to top quality repairs for lamps and chandeliers, they have an enormous selection of frames. They also have people with the talent to do a superb job of matting and framing.

D. Baxter’s has by far the largest selection of lamps, replacement shades, finials and pulls in the area. They can produce a lamp out of most anything. They also refinish brass and silver and expertly repair porcelain and glass.

BILL CLARK HOMES

Bill Clark Homes of Wilmington spans four counties along the southeast coast of the beautiful beaches of North Carolina. With a reputation built over 40 years, it’s no wonder that Bill Clark Homes has become a staple builder in the Wilmington area. The company prides itself on building quality homes at an affordable price for families. Bill Clark and his sons have built a company that allows them to provide for their communities. 