Silver Lake offers suburban living south of Wilmington
Named after its sparkling central lake, Silver Lake is an established suburb of Wilmington that appeals to those looking for a family-focused community south of the city. “One of the main draws is its location. It’s smack dab between downtown and the beach,” says Kimberly Penrose , a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage who lives nearby. Silver Lake is primarily residential, with an elementary school and a park south of its home-wrapped lake. “A lot of families are drawn to the area for the schools,” says Penrose, who adds that the community is in a part of Wilmington that’s taking off. “There’s so much growth potential here. The whole River Road corridor is developing and changing. It used to just be a country road.” Silver Lake is also about 5 miles away from Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center, a full-service hospital that’s a top employer for the region.
Single-family homes, townhouses and condos close to Monkey Junction
Wide and winding streets connect Silver Lake’s various tree-hugged subdivisions, which primarily feature single-family homes. These properties are diverse in architecture. Cape Cods and ranch-style homes neighbor split-levels to the north, while rows of neotraditional homes fill cul-de-sac-capped streets to the south. The median price for one of these dwellings is around $375,000, below the national median. Most homes fall between $250,000 and $700,000. However, properties at The Village at Motts Landing range from $740,000 to $850,000. The HOA-controlled community also has townhomes that cost between $500,000 and $560,000.
A- and B-rated public and private schools serve Silver Lake
New Hanover County Schools earns an A-minus overall rating from Niche. The district has about 25,000 students spread across more than 40 schools. Each high school has a specialty or a signature program that students can apply to. Two elementary schools serve Silver Lake. Most students can attend the B-plus-rated Mary C. Williams Elementary, which is in the community. Homes on and south of Vallie Lane are zoned for the A-minus-rated Heyward C. Bellamy Elementary. Both schools feed into Myrtle Grove Middle, which receives a B-plus rating, and Eugene Ashley High, which gets a B and offers a Marine Science Academy. Several private schools are nearby, including Myrtle Grove Christian, which Niche does not yet rate, and the B-plus-rated Coastal Christian High. The Port City is home to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, which has a Center for Marine Science a few miles from Silver Lake in Myrtle Grove .
Outdoor recreation from the Cape Fear River to Carolina Beach
Living in a river city close to the beach, Wilmingtonians often lead active, outdoorsy lives centered around the water and the region’s many parks. In Silver Lake, the community’s calm central lake can be used for kayaking and paddle boating, but the water is only accessible to the property owners surrounding it. South of the lake, Arrowhead Park features a disc golf course, pickleball courts and a playground. Outside the community, River Road Park is where kayakers and boaters can launch their vessels into the Cape Fear River. It’s also a quiet fishing spot with a long pier that stretches out over the water. Several golf courses are in the area, such as the public 18-hole course at Beau Rivage Golf & Resort.
Pleasure Island, about 9 miles south of Silver Lake, offers more adventure. Hiking trails weave through pine forests and wetlands at Carolina Beach State Park. “It’s a great spot for sunsets,” Penrose says. You can go out to the park’s marina and watch the sunset over the river— it’s magical.” Carolina Beach , known for its nostalgic boardwalk and lively beach bars, offers miles of sandy shoreline.
Diverse shopping and dining options in Monkey Junction and beyond
Silver Lake residents have close access to Monkey Junction, the commercialized intersection of College and Carolina Beach roads. This corridor, which often serves as a pitstop for tourists heading to Carolina Beach, features national chains such as Walmart Supercenter and Lowes Foods. Penrose says the community is excited about a new retailer coming soon. “We’re waiting for a new Target. It’s going next to the Home Depot. That’s going to be massive and it’s under construction right now.” The area is also home to a variety of local restaurants, such as the Sawmill Restaurant, a no-frills spot known for its Southern-style diner fare, and Celtic Monkey Irish Pub and Grill, a tavern where American and Irish cuisine is often enjoyed with live music.
Several other popular shopping and dining destinations are within reach. The new Riverlights master-planned community is west of Silver Lake and features Marina Village, where locally owned boutiques and restaurants sit below apartments. A movie theater anchors the Pointe at Barclay, one of Wilmington’s newest outdoor malls, around 3 miles from Silver Lake. University Centre and Mayfaire Town Center offer dozens of name-brand stores and high-end boutiques, about 7 and 10 miles away, respectively. Locally owned specialty shops and trendy restaurants fill Historic Downtown Wilmington, roughly 7 miles north of Silver Lake.
The Cameron Art Museum offers culture and community
Silver Lake residents are only a few miles away from the Cameron Art Museum, an institution where creativity, nature and community meet. In addition to rotating exhibitions showcasing the works of contemporary and classic artists, the museum features a sculpture garden and several short nature trails. It also hosts workshops, children’s camps and events throughout the year, including the beloved Jazz at CAM concert series.
Getting around Wilmington by car, bus and bike
U.S. Route 421, also known as Carolina Beach Road, serves as Silver Lake’s eastern boundary. This major Wilmington thoroughfare, dotted with WAVE Transit bus stops, provides a direct route to downtown and Carolina Beach. Traffic can get heavy on Route 421, particularly during the beach season. College Road is close by and takes commuters into Midtown. Wilmington International Airport is about 10 miles away.
Cyclists often use the winding, two-lane River Road for recreational rides with scenic views. They can also ride along Saint Andrews Drive to access the Gary Shell Cross-City Trail, a 15-mile multi-use path linking parks across the city.
Important to know
As a community close to the Atlantic Ocean, Silver Lake can experience hurricanes, tropical storms, high winds and flooding. According to FEMA flood maps, many properties near Mott and Barnards creeks rest in flood hazard areas.
