Coastal location is spurring growth in culturally-rich Navassa
Navassa occupies sought-after real estate in the Wilmington suburbs, about 20 miles from the coast. Beaches and a laid-back lifestyle are making this the next attractive location near the water, according to Cisco Cardoso, broker and owner of Cardoso & Company. He moved to the area 29 years ago for the same reason he believes many people move here: to escape the grind of big-city life. "It's a little bit simpler here," he says. "People see that stuff is just stuff, and their health is a little more valuable. That was a huge sentiment during COVID." Brunswick County has strong ties to Gullah Geechee culture, the descendants of enslaved individuals on the rice, indigo and sea island cotton plantations of the lower Atlantic coast. Today, Navassa is seeing an influx of residential, commercial and infrastructure developments while retaining its culture and history.
Midcentury homes and new construction
Homes include midcentury properties and new construction, with a recent influx of new home communities. Brick ranch and cottage-style homes date back to the 1950s and '60s and may need cosmetic updates. Manufactured homes are also part of the inventory. "Maybe the green 1970s carpet and the wallpaper aren't everybody's taste, but it's what you see a lot of," Cardoso says. "Now you're seeing these brand new, fresh communities wiping out big swaths of land and building $400,000 modern, open-floor-plan homes with two-car garages and decent backyards." The single-family home price is about $365,000, lower than nearby Wilmington.
Beaches, riverfront access and sports fields
The town maintains waterfront amenities, walking trails, sports fields, and playgrounds, with more on the way. Navassa Township District Park is the largest at about 10 acres and a hub for community events and athletic activities. The grounds include a baseball field with dugouts and a concession area, picnic shelters, basketball and tennis courts and play equipment for kids ages 2 to 12. Davis Creek Park is perched on the Cape Fear River, with a kayak launch, motorized boat ramp and boardwalk. At least four park facilities in the works. The future Moze Heritage Park will feature an interactive museum and interpretive trails exploring the area's history. Three island beaches line Wilmington's coast. Carolina Beach is known for its amusement rides and beachy shops and restaurants.
Culture and community at the annual Homecoming and North Carolina Rice Festival
Navassa's annual Homecoming tradition dates back to the 1980s, when out-of-town residents wanted a special occasion to come home and reunite with neighbors. The tradition carries on with several events over Fourth of July weekend, including a kids' block party and parade. The North Carolina Rice Festival celebrates the Gullah Geechee's ancestral roots with music, presentations, and a riverfront processional.
Public schools and collegiate opportunities
Brunswick County Schools serves kindergarten through 12th grade-students in the area. Lincoln Elementary School gets a B from Niche and earns the No. 2 spot on Niche's list of standout elementary schools in the area. Leland Middle School and North Brunswick High School both earn B-minus grades. High schoolers can earn early college credits with Advanced Placement courses in English language, English literature, precalculus, calculus, statistics, world history, U.S. history and U.S. government. Wilmington is also a postsecondary hub as the home of the University of North Carolina Wilmington and Cape Fear Community College.
Shops, restaurants and nightlife in Leland and Wilmington
The community leans on neighboring Leland and Wilmington for the essentials. While mostly suburban, Leland is the county hub for business growth. Grocery stores, chain restaurants and local options line the commercial U.S. Highway 17 corridor. Brunswick Beer and Cider draws busy lunch and dinner crowds with beer flights, pizza and wings. Wilmington's historic riverfront features boutique shopping, antiquing, Southern-style cuisine, seafood and bars. "I'm amazed by our sleepy little town because even our seniors will stay out until 10 or 10:30 p.m. — then you see the changing of the guard when all the college kids come out," Cardoso says.
Improving infrastructure and public transportation
The town is about 5 miles west of Wilmington, and U.S. Highway 17 leads toward the city. Locals benefit from a new Interstate 140 interchange, a large wastewater treatment plant and access to city water and sewer collection lines. "North Carolina is still kind of behind on the infrastructure, but you can see it's been working and working on it," Cardoso says. Commuters can use the new RideMICRO, an on-demand service that travels within the fixed-route service area to Leland, Belville and Wilmington.
From Superfund site to public park
Navassa is pushing ahead in the wake of ecological damage from chemical companies. The town has faced several brownfield sites, and is now the location of the Kerr-McGee Superfund site where the former wood-treating plant operated. Cleanup began in 2024, and Navassa plans to use 27 gifted acres for the Moze Heritage Park when the process is complete.
