A Wilmington neighborhood with views of Greenfield Lake
Wrapping around the woodsy northeastern edge of Greenfield Lake, Lake Forest is one of the few Wilmington neighborhoods with a massive park as its backyard. “It’s like you have your own park in front of your house that’s taken care of by the city,” says Jan Brewington, the owner of Dram Tree Realty. Still, nature isn’t the only thing attracting residents to this community. The trendy So-Fro District is less than 2 miles away, and New Hanover County’s largest employer, New Hanover Regional Medical Center, is even closer. A drawback for buyers is availability. The neighborhood only has about 50 single-family homes, as much of this community is a sprawling network of rentable duplexes.
Ranch-style homes, cottages and split-levels surrounded by trees
The dense tree cover around the single-family homes in Lake Forest provides ample shade and a sense of seclusion. Houses rest on narrow, curving streets that bend around small hills. Driveways, paved or gravel, can be just as winding. Midcentury brick ranch-style homes are the most common, spreading across lots just under a half-acre. Buyers will also find cottage-style homes and larger split-level builds. Without a homeowners association, lawns are landscaped to individual taste. Most properties fall between $325,000 and $450,000. “The homes there very rarely become available. You never see a for sale sign over there,” says Brewington. Only four properties were sold over the last year. Potential buyers should note that hurricanes can hit Wilmington, and while there’s a risk of flooding due to the lake, it’s minimal. Homeowners may occasionally hear a passing ambulance with the hospital just outside the neighborhood.
Homes in Lake Forest come in a wide range of architectural styles.
Smaller homes comprise the majority of Lake Forest residences.
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A fun night out in the So-Fro District
Lake Forest residents are a short drive or bike ride to the vibrant So-Fro District. “It’s just really hip. I feel old when I go there because the restaurants draw a lot of younger people,” says Celeste Salzberg, owner of Momentum Companies. Benny's Big Time Pizzeria is known for its tasty pies and warm, inviting atmosphere, while True Blue Butcher and Barrel is the contemporary spot for a nice steak or burger. Residents meet up for drinks and live music at Satellite Bar and Lounge. Beauty and Bloom is a hair salon and a florist. “That’s a trend around here. People can’t choose what business they want to open up,” says Salzberg, who’s lived in Wilmington since 2017. Food Lion is the closest grocery store, about a mile and a half away. Harris Teeter, Lidl and Whole Foods are near Independence Mall.
The South Front Tavern opened its doors to Lake Forest residents in 2024.
Lake Forest residents can enjoy outdoor dining in the SoFro District.
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A rare habitat outside Alderman Elementary
Edwin A. Alderman Elementary earns a B rating from Niche and neighbors the Piney Ridge Nature Preserve. It’s home to the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden, where students can see Venus fly traps in their natural habitat. Williston Middle School gets a B-plus and offers a career and leadership development academy, where students can explore various industries through field trips. New Hanover High School receives a B-plus and has a competitive athletics program, most recently winning state championships in soccer, baseball and tennis. The neighborhood is also home to Lake Forest Academy, New Hanover County’s alternative school for kindergarten through eighth-grade students who are at-risk or have mental health disabilities. Cape Fear Academy and Saint Mary’s Catholic School are nearby private options. The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the city’s largest university, is about 4 miles away.
Edwin A Alderman Elementary serves the kids in the region.
The AP participation rate at New Hanover High School is 48%.
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Beware the alligators at Greenfield Park
The expansive Greenfield Park is the largest green space in the downtown Wilmington area. Residents from across the city visit to take serene walks and bike rides around its sparkling lake. Signs warn of alligators, but that doesn’t stop people from kayaking, fishing and paddle boating. Throughout the year, the seats at the Greenfield Lake Amphitheater fill up for concerts and live performances, including the free Shakespeare in the Park summer series. Fans in the stands at Buck Hardee Field at Legion Stadium hear the crack of baseball bats as the Wilmington Sharks take on other collegiate summer league teams. For $4, residents can swim in the public Legion Stadium pool. Several golf courses are a short drive from the neighborhood, including the private Cape Fear Country Club and the public Wilmington Municipal Golf Course. Both feature 18-hole layouts designed by famed course architect Donald Ross.
A bikeable neighborhood along three bus routes
Cyclists in Lake Forest can pedal around the serene Greenfield Lake. Nearby bike-friendly streets make for safe rides into downtown Wilmington, about 2 ½ miles away. Residents who work at New Hanover Medical Center have short commutes. The teaching hospital, with over 7,000 workers, a Level II trauma center, and three 24-hour emergency departments, is less than a mile away. Oleander Drive (U.S. Highway 17) is nearby for trips to Wrightsville Beach, a popular destination about 10 miles east. Wilmington International Airport is about 5 miles away. Public transportation is an option: Wave Transit operates three routes along South 17th Street.
Community outreach at Lake Forest Baptist Church
The white chapel of Lake Forest Baptist Church stands tall in the middle of the neighborhood’s expansive apartment complex. “It was originally a military chapel. It was moved from Holly Ridge to here,” says Brenda Russ, who’s worked in the church office for 20 years. First organized in the late 1940s, the church is intrinsically tied to the neighborhood. “It’s a quaint little church, and people are very friendly. It’s been mainly the older generation, but we have some new families coming in,” says Russ. She adds that a nonprofit, Vigilant Hope, partners with the church and operates out of its education building. The organization supports those experiencing homelessness and poverty by providing showers and hygiene supplies and hosting family meals.
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
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Parks in this Area
Greenfield Park
Transit
Airport
Wilmington International
20 min drive
Bus
16th St Sb & Hospital Plaza Dr
Bus
16th St Sb & Greenfield St (Dhhs)
Bus
16th St Sb & Little John Cir
Bus
16th St Sb & Parmele Dr
Bus
Greenfield St Eb & 13th St
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Lake Forest
US
Homicide
7
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
6
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Lake Forest, Wilmington sell after 13 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Lake Forest, Wilmington over the last 12 months is $431,000, up 41% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Love where you live at The Life at Lakeside Villas, located in Wilmington, NC! Our community offers an inviting lifestyle, providing both a perfect balance between comfort and convenience.We offer spacious one, two, and three-bedroom floor plans for you to choose from. Residents enjoy an array of sought-after amenities, including our game room, business center, and close proximity to shopping,
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Linwood Stalls, Jr.,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
2,215
Median Age
44
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
26%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$37,074
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$48,478
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
84.8%
College Graduates
11.2%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
2.9%
% Population in Labor Force
52.4%
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
Bikeable
Bike Score®
68/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
16/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
34/ 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.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
