New Home Communities

If you are looking for history and charm as well as an energetic and culturally inspirational atmosphere, downtown Wilmington is definitely the place to be. It's lively, warm and relentlessly interesting.

Many of the homes date from the mid-to-late 1800s and the first quarter of the twentieth century. There are stunning examples of Victorian, Italianate, Renaissance, Neoclassical and Revivalist architecture. Homes in the area, small cottages and large mansions alike, feature high ceilings, hardwood floors, fascinating detail, front porches and all of the interesting characteristics one would expect of vintage homes.

Within the Historic District proper, many homes have been restored, but there are still handyman bargains to be had, especially in the areas outside of the district in the Historic Overlay. The level of downtown neighborhood restoration is most evident at the river and diminishes as you head east toward the ocean at about Eighth Street.

Although every type of housing style is available, the general downtown real estate market consists of single-family homes. If the notion of living over a storefront or in an urban, loft-type space has appeal, ask a real estate broker to show you buildings in the downtown commercial district.

Older neighborhoods beyond downtown are the Mansion District, nearby Carolina Heights and Carolina Place. These neighborhoods date from the 1920s, and architectural styles vary. Many of the larger homes started out as handyman bargains or fixer-uppers and were returned to their former elegance. Carolina Heights and Carolina Place begin at around 17th Street and continue to 23rd Street. Carolina Heights is almost exclusively single-family homes. In Carolina Place, the home buyer will find more diversity in architecture and price. It is regarded as the new frontier for not only residential investors, but also homeowners, largely thanks to its relatively new status as an Historic Registry District.

Forest Hills is, without dispute, a fine address. This large and very stable neighborhood was once a suburb of downtown. Today it is a conveniently located neighborhood of older homes that date from the 1920s. Well-maintained lawns, large setbacks and gorgeous live oaks are the hallmarks of this neighborhood. There are ambling canopied lanes and lots of Southern-style shade. Diversity in square footage and architectural style allows for diversity in price. An attractive feature of this neighborhood is its proximity to shopping and services. It is minutes from the largest mall in the region.

Pine Valley, near South College Road around Longleaf Mall, is about three decades old as a development and still enjoying active home sales. It has attracted many Wilmingtonians to its quiet, pine tree–dotted blocks. A nearby golf course and clubhouse are easily accessible to people who want to live in a stable neighborhood that isn't necessarily exclusive in terms of price.

For those that don't want the hassles and extra expense of beach-front property, Wilmington and the surrounding areas offer a unique alternative in Intracoastal Waterway real estate. With plenty of water access and many communities boasting their own marinas, ICW addresses are highly coveted. Most are only a short distance from inlet access to the ocean. These areas, many of which continue to be developed, tend to range from $250,000 to well over a million for a residential lot. One major advantage is having a barrier island between you and any approaching storms and avoiding the storm surge that most beach homes must endure during a hurricane. Perhaps the most pleasant aspect is enjoying the sunrise from your dock over a cup of coffee and a newspaper. At any rate, the views and the scenery don't get much better than in these waterfront communities.

North of Wilmington you'll encounter a variety of neighborhoods from moderate to the very high end. Located on the high bluffs of Howe Creek is Demerest Landing. Private Figure Eight Island boasts celebrity owners and guests. Single homes as well as large neighborhoods abound in the area. There are also many commercial areas which include grocery stores, specialty shops, restaurants and medical facilities, particularly in Ogden and Porter's Neck. Access to Wilmington is along Highway 17 North. Call your real estate agent for information.

The area to the south of Wilmington is currently the fastest growing part of New Hanover county. Along College Road south of Market Street to Shipyard Boulevard, dense commercial growth has been taking place for years; however, with significantly increased residential development farther to the south down to Pleasure Island, commercial development has been following at a rapid pace. This is especially true in the Monkey Junction/Myrtle Grove area at the junction of Carolina Beach Road (U.S. Highway 421) and College Road (N.C. Highway 132), where there is a Lowe's Home Improvement, Home Depot, Wal-Mart Super Center, Staples, Office Depot and numerous other businesses and restaurants.

South of Monkey Junction along Carolina Beach Road, quite a few residential areas have been developed, ranging from moderately priced to upscale gated communities, interspersed with commercial establishments. The four-lane, divided highway allows easy access to any of these businesses, communities and Pleasure Island.