Rural living in the small Brunswick County town of Bolivia
Bolivia is a small, rural town with spacious lots and peaceful streets. “Bolivia is the governmental hub of Brunswick County,” says Jesse McCrery, a local real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Sloane Realty. The seat of Brunswick County, the area has a small selection of businesses and easy access to large area employers, with the Brunswick County courthouse, social services, board of education and board of elections offices just a mile away. While the town has a secluded atmosphere, residents are within a 15-minute drive of both Oak Island and Southport. “The area has grown a lot in terms of the government industry in recent years, plus you’ll find lower house prices here compared to nearby communities like Shallotte,” McCrery says.”
Spacious properties and a growing market
Most of the Cape Cods, ranch-style homes and manufactured houses in the area were built between the early 1900s and the 1990s, with 2020s single-story homes in the new Somerset subdivision. Homes houses sit on large properties ranging from half an acre to over 8 acres, allowing space for horses, livestock and workshops. Homes range from $240,000 to $326,000, with prices increasing with square footage and lot size. “While there aren’t many businesses in the area, Bolivia is seeing a lot of growth in the housing market,” says McCrery. “New subdivisions are in development and the population has been steadily increasing in recent years.”
Career and technical education courses at South Brunswick High
Each of Bolivia’s designated public schools earns a B overall grade from Niche, starting with Bolivia Elementary School in the center of town. South Brunswick Middle School allows eighth-grade students to take high-school level math and environmental science courses for high school credit. Students at South Brunswick High School have a variety of career and technical education course offerings to consider, from marketing and health science to drafting and agriculture. The high school partners with Brunswick Community College for its dual enrollment courses.
Nearby restaurants and amenities
There are a few businesses along Old Ocean Highway, which runs through the center of town, including a gas station, Dollar General and a law firm. The community also has its own post office and fire department. The small community of Boiling Spring Lakes is around 10 minutes from Bolivia and has a handful of businesses. The Bald Head Coffee and Tea House serves breakfast burritos, baked goods and specialty lattes. Between Bolivia and Oak Island, Midway Grill is a popular spot offering house-made soups, grilled sandwiches and seafood. Lowes Foods is the closest spot for groceries.
Nearby recreation and a short drive to Oak Island
The Lakes Spring Golf Club is nearby in Boiling Spring Lakes and is the oldest golf course in Brunswick County with 18 greens and fairways lined with mature trees and peaceful ponds. Spring Lake Park has picnic shelters, a boat launch and a sandy beach. In the summer, the park hosts free concerts on Friday evenings. Around 10 miles south of Bolivia, Oak Island has over 10 miles of sandy shoreline, oceanfront restaurants and a fishing pier.
Commute to Wilmington along the Ocean Highway
United States Route 17, locally known as the Ocean Highway, lies just north of Bolivia and can take drivers roughly 22 miles to downtown Wilmington and the Wilmington International Airport. Myrtle Beach is around 55 miles south.
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Written By
Jillian Pillow
