Rocky Point is a rural community conveniently located near Wilmington
Rocky Point is an off-beaten-path rural community of about 1,500 spread out among the natural landscape of Pender County. While this area offers seclusion, residents are still less than 20 miles from Wilmington. “The appeal is that it sits on the edge of Wilmington, which is the main attraction in this part of the world,” says Cisco Cardoso of Cardoso & Company, who has been selling real estate for 25 years and has sold several homes in Rocky Point. “It’s a lot more rural, but it’s still convenient. It’s only a 15-minute ride to north Wilmington, and in 20 minutes, you’re right downtown, in the thick of everything.”
Large lots appeal to those seeking more room to roam
Ranch-style homes with plenty of space are common here. “The lots in Rocky Point are a little bigger. The half-acre to one-acre lots, those are the small ones,” Cardoso says. Many of the ranch-style options are concentrated along U.S. Route 117, which runs through the heart of the community. Other pockets of established housing include early 20th-century bungalow-style homes and manufactured homes. A collection of newly built contemporary homes of a variety of sizes can be found in planned developments on the community’s northern edge. The new construction has pushed the median sales price to $400,000. “It used to be more affordable, but not so much anymore,” Cardoso says. “It’s kind of the last frontier. They’re building out there because there’s no land left.” Homeowners are protected from flooding by their inland location, but they are close enough to the coast that they should be aware of wind damage hurricane season. Hot, humid summers are a result of proximity to the coast.
Two Pender County schools are in the community
Pender County Schools earns a B-plus from Niche. Two of the district’s schools, Rocky Point Elementary and Heide Trask Senior High, are located in the community. Both are rated B-minus by Niche. The high school was recently honored for its efforts to help students secure financial aid for college. Nearby Cape Fear Middle School is rated C-plus.
Recreation can be found in several nearby towns and cities
Riverside Park and Northern Regional Park are popular destinations in nearby Castle Hayne, about 10 minutes from the community. Riverside Park provides access to the Cape Fear River, a haven for boaters and anglers. Wilmington's buzzy riverfront attracts outdoors enthusiasts of all kinds. Several parks can be found in nearby Burgaw. The newest, Central Pender Park, will feature multipurpose fields, a playground and a paved walking path among its amenities. It is expected to open in the fall.
Residents can shop, dine without leaving the community
Food Lion anchors a small collection of shopping and dining options conveniently located along Route 117. Burgaw offers a combination of retail stores, boutique shops and popular restaurants. “Burgaw is a historic little town that is more organized around its downtown shops,” Cardoso says. Larger retail centers are prevalent closer to Wilmington, and the city’s historic downtown district is a trendy regional destination for shopping and dining.
Interstate 40 provides commutes to the jobs, amenities of Wilmington
The community is located along the Interstate 40 corridor, which provides convenient access to Wilmington. Many residents who do not work in farming commute to the Wilmington area. General Electric, Corning and the University of North Carolina-Wilmington are some of the city’s “big-box employers,” Cardoso says. Other destinations of note include Wilmington International Airport and New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Burgaw and its amenities are only about a 15-minute drive via Route 117.
The community’s CAP Index Crime Score of 2 is lower than the national average.
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Written By
Matt Pallister
