River Oaks
Neighborhood in Sea Breeze, North Carolina
New Hanover County 28412
Classic and modern farmhouses, plus coastal-style homes
Unmarked roads gently wind through pine forests in the neighborhood's west end. A mix of Cape Cod-style farmhouses and custom estates from the late 1980s through the early 2000s sit on spacious grassy lots of half an acre or more. Yards are landscaped to personal taste, often adorned with small shrubs, red maples and short palm trees. Tall pines provide ample shade. These properties, usually featuring backyard pools, cost between $550,000 and $800,000, with custom estates reaching up to $1 million. To the east, midcentury ranch-style homes between $300,000 and $400,000 stretch across sandy lots minimally landscaped. The neighborhood’s newest properties are modern farmhouses with luxury interiors and Charleston-style homes with views of the Cape Fear River. These homes rest on lots about 1/3 of an acre and cost between $500,000 and $900,000. “People love that it’s not a clear-cut neighborhood. There are still a lot of mature trees, even with the newer homes. The builders did a good job preserving what they could,” says Skutnik, who’s lived in Wilmington since the 1990s. Potential buyers should note that tropical storms can hit the city. According to FEMA Flood Risk Maps, the neighborhood has a low risk of flooding.Kayakers and anglers visit River Road Park
A tree-lined parkway leads into Veterans Park. This over 200-acre green space features a patchwork of baseball fields, soccer fields and tennis courts connected by walking paths. Moran says a Saturday morning here is bustling with young athletes and their families. Those who want to get out on the Cape Fear River can use the kayak launch at River Road Park to paddle across the water to Shark Tooth Island, a small nature preserve. The park also has a long fishing pier for anglers looking to real in bass, crappie and catfish. Boat ramps, marinas and yacht clubs dot the Intracoastal Waterway in Carolina Beach for relaxing cruises or offshore fishing trips. The beach town’s sandy shore and vibrant boardwalk make it a popular destination for residents of all ages. A quieter vibe is found along the winding nature trails in Carolina Beach State Park, where residents can book a basic campsite to stay in the woods overnight.A connected school campus used for movies
Edwin A. Anderson Elementary, Charles P. Murray Middle and Eugene Ashley High sit in a row next to the expansive Veterans Park. Anderson Elementary receives an A-minus and is supported by a very active PTA that holds events throughout the year, including a teacher and staff appreciation week. Murray Middle earns an A-minus and has been used for movies and TV shows. While filming “The Marc Pease Experience,” actor Ben Stiller stayed in a trailer in the back parking lot when he wasn’t on set. The school’s car pick-up route was adjusted as crews filmed “Halloween Kills” with Jaime Lee Curtis. The B-rated Ashley High has also been used for film and TV. The building can be seen in episodes of “One Tree Hill” and “Eastbound & Down.” Gifted children can apply to Wilmington Academy of Arts and Sciences, a nearby private middle school. Students can move on to Ashley High or continue private education at schools such as Coastal Christian High.Two ways to get to Carolina Beach
Most people drive to get around Wilmington. Residents can easily access Carolina Beach Road (U.S. Route 421), a major thoroughfare in the city, to reach downtown about 13 miles north. They can take River Road, a scenic two-lane route through the marshland along the Cape Fear River, to reach Carolina Beach, about 4 and 1/2 miles south. “You can get there without going onto Carolina Beach Road, and that’s a selling point for the area,” Skutnik says. “You can avoid the traffic, and it’s a nice little drive, especially if it’s evening. There’s a beautiful sunset that you can get glimpses of.” River Road is also a popular cyclist route, with signs encouraging drivers to share the road. As for public transportation, there are no Wave Transit bus stops in the area, but residents can use its RideMICRO point-to-point service to order a ride on demand. Wilmington International Airport is about 16 miles away.National retailers and local eateries in Monkey Junction
River Oaks residents have a choice when shopping for essentials: Head north towards Monkey Junction, the commercialized intersection of Carolina Beach and College roads, or go south over the Snow’s Cut bridge into Carolina Beach. The busy retail centers around Monkey Junction feature a bounty of national brands, including Walmart Supercenter, The Home Depot and Lowes Foods. Restaurants and coffee shops are primarily chains, such as Buffalo Wild Wings, Cook Out and Starbucks, but a few local eateries are sprinkled in between. Residents grab a seat at Celtic Monkey Irish Pub and Grill to watch soccer and enjoy a pint of beer, or they get a table at El Cerro Grande Mexican Restaurant for tacos and margaritas. Carolina Beach features a Publix and Food Lion. The island hosts a long list of local restaurants, from Shuckin’ Shack, a casual oyster bar, to Lake Park Steakhouse, a rustic spot for date night.
Written By
DeeVa Payne
Photography Contributed By
Marc Smith
Video By
Kevin Carter
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Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Martha Gentry
Martha Gentry
Re/Max Prime Properties
(910) 725-4528
878 Total Sales
1 in River Oaks
$355,000 Price
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Rob Warwick
Rob Warwick
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage
(910) 807-7356
395 Total Sales
1 in River Oaks
$345,000 Price
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Butch Saunders
Butch Saunders
RE/MAX Essential
(910) 537-3271
177 Total Sales
1 in River Oaks
$345,000 Price
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Team Thirty 4 North
Team Thirty 4 North
Responds QuicklyColdwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage
(910) 679-9760
527 Total Sales
2 in River Oaks
$42,500 Price Range
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John Blackmon
John Blackmon
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Treasure III
(984) 789-5177
24 Total Sales
1 in River Oaks
$220,000 Price
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Sean Skutnik
Sean Skutnik
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage-Leland
(910) 765-8727
55 Total Sales
1 in River Oaks
$530,000 Price
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- K to 5th
- Public
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Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | River Oaks | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 1 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 1 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 1 | 4 |
| Robbery | 1 | 4 |
| Burglary | 1 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1 | 4 |
| Larceny | 1 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 1 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
River Oaks Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in River Oaks, Sea Breeze sell after 38 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in River Oaks, Sea Breeze over the last 12 months is $422,500, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$491,000
Median Sale Price
$422,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$470,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
26
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
1%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$244
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
534
Number of Homes for Sale
9
Median Year Built
2006
Months of Supply
4.20
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,225
Above the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,094
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,072
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
15,245
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,725
Median Age
44
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$61,928
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$81,224
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.3%
College Graduates
33.3%
Advanced Degrees
5.7%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
59.9%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
64''
Average Winter Low Temperature
34°F
Average Summer High Temperature
89°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
37
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
1
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Lords Creek
Family-oriented neighborhood less than 3 miles from Snow’s Cut
River Road
Custom luxury estates with unobstructed views of the Cape Fear River
Arrondale
A relatively quiet subdivision close to parks, shopping and Carolina Beach
The Cape
Semi-private gated community centered around shuttered Masonboro Country Club
Beau Rivage
Where backyards are fairways and golf carts park beside cars
Intracoastal Waterway
Boater’s enclave offering easy access to its namesake: the Intracoastal Waterway
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