Wilmington is known for its awe-inspiring sunsets over the Cape Fear River. Homes in the River Road neighborhood rest on the eastern banks and get unobstructed views of this daily show in the sky. Residents can sit on their secluded, private docks and hear waves lapping against the shore as the sky melts from blue to orange. Elisa Roels, the owner of Cape Fear Realty Group, is one of these residents. She bought a house in the neighborhood in 2003. “We’re water people. We have our dock and our boat with a lift in our backyard.” She adds that the outdoorsy lifestyle here is why she and many others set anchor in this community. “People move here for fishing, kayaking, boating and the beach.” But the easy access to the riverfront doesn’t come cheap. The neighborhood includes some of the priciest homes in the area.
Kayakers search for shark teeth at Shark Tooth Island
Outdoor recreation centers surround the Cape Fear River. “Boating is a way of life here,” says Sean Skutnik, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage. “People cruise up the river, dock downtown and go to dinner.” He says the river is known to have a strong current and some big swells. “The river runs into the Intracoastal Waterway, where boating and casual recreation takes place. It connects to the Masonboro Island area, which is an amazing playground for fishing, paddleboarding and kayaking,” Skutnik says. River Road Park is the neighborhood green space featuring a playground shaded by pine trees. The park’s main road leads through the marsh to a kayak launch and fishing pier. Kayakers can paddle to Shark Tooth Island, a small nature preserve known to have shark teeth buried in the sand. Golfers can go for a round at Beau Rivage Golf & Resort. The semi-private course features 18 holes over rolling hills designed by Joe Gessner. The sandy shore of Carolina Beach is about 6 miles away for sunbathing, swimming and entertainment along the boardwalk.
Custom waterfront homes with private docks
Single-family homes rest right on River Road or along secluded private drives made of pavement, gravel or sand. “You have some houses on little islands, and most of those homes have docks. If they’re an interior property, they may share a pier with a waterfront home,” Skutnik says. No two properties look the same, as most are custom-built with luxury in mind. They often have design features inspired by Cape Cod and Charleston-style homes but with a coastal twist, like dormer windows with Bahama shutters. Lawns are highly landscaped with shapely shrubs and manicured garden beds. Some feature saltwater pools or a small strip of sandy riverbank. Skutnik says older custom estates can cost between $700,000 and $800,000, but updated properties start at $1 million and can top $2 million. Two and three-bedroom condos list in the $300,000s, and townhouses are available between $330,000 and $450,000. Potential buyers should note that the neighborhood’s riverside location increases its risk of flooding and that tropical storms can hit Wilmington.
Mom-and-pop shops dot Carolina Beach Road
Residents stop into Seaside Bagels, a locally owned and operated bagel shop, for breakfast or brunch. Its menu features Wilmington-themed bagel sandwiches such as the Carolina Beach, topped with turkey, bacon, Swiss cheese, coleslaw and Thousand Island dressing. Joe’s Oasis is a casual bar and grill serving pub fare, while Za Pie Pizzeria bakes up fresh pizza and stromboli for dine-in and carry-out. More dining options and vibrant nightlife are available in Carolina Beach. Where residents go to shop for groceries depends on their location along the peninsula. Those in the southern half will tend to stock up at the Food Lion and Publix in Carolina Beach. Residents in the northern half of the neighborhood are closer to the Harris Teeter near Monkey Junction, the historic intersection of College and Carolina Beach roads. It features national retailers, including Walmart Supercenter, Lowe’s Home Improvement and Dollar Tree.
Inspiring future marine scientists at Eugene Ashley High
Golf carts mix in with cars in the drop-off line each morning at Carolina Beach Elementary. Less than half a mile from the Atlantic Ocean, the school earns an A-minus from Niche and features an outdoor classroom. Charles P. Murray Middle and Eugene Ashley High share a connected campus hugged by the grassy athletic fields in Veterans Park. Murray Middle gets an A-minus and offers a Science Olympiad team where students participate in an annual cardboard boat regatta each summer after taking on the state tournament in the spring. Ashley High receives a B rating and features a Marine Science Academy in partnership with the University of North Carolina Wilmington. The college-level program includes Oceanography 150 and Biology 170, which students won’t have to repeat if they attend UNCW. Both Island Montessori Charter School, earning a B-plus, and the B-rated Coastal Christian High School are nearby alternatives to the public school track.
The neighborhood’s namesake street
Residents can drive or bike along River Road to reach downtown Wilmington, about 12 miles north. The scenic two-lane street courses straight through the marsh parallel to the Cape Fear River and offers a quiet, less-traveled route to Carolina Beach. While Roels says the road is fun to bike along, Skutnik warns that it can be dangerous despite having marked bike lanes as the speed limit is 45 miles per hour. One of Wilmington’s major thoroughfares, Carolina Beach Road (U.S. Route 421), is nearby for drives into downtown or midtown. Wilmington International Airport is about 15 miles away.
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
Are you familiar with the River Road neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
River Road
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
River Road Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in River Road, Wilmington sell after 89 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in River Road, Wilmington over the last 12 months is $545,000, up 64% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Discover easy coastal living in the Riverfront Community of Grand Bay. This nearly new 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath townhome sits on a premium lot at the end of a quiet dead-end street, offering added privacy with a large open green space behind the home. From the front door, enjoy direct views of the community pool, pool house, and scenic nature path leading to the Cape Fear River. The open-concept main
This beautiful 2+ Acre waterfront property on the Cape Fear River is a rare, majestic site to build your dream home. Mostly cleared and ready to build! You MUST see this lot to appreciate all it has to offer!
Proposed New Construction on a riverfront lot with a 30 slip This is a great opportunity to own a new designer home built by PBC Design & Build. PBC is an award winning firm best known for its luxury homes in the area. This stunning gated water front property offers an exceptional opportunity for a boating enthusiast.
Paul MartinezBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolina Premier Properties
Once you have cross the covered bridge with gated entry, Welcome home to your Island sanctuary. Enjoy the beautiful sunsets and the spectacular views of this very unique lot on the Cape Fear River.The Island is covered in old live oaks & magnolias complementing modern day antebellum homes that surround a central garden to relax in and enjoy the ambiance it offers . A Community dock with each home
Paul MartinezBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolina Premier Properties
Available January 1, 2026This newly purchased (Nov 2023) townhome is a stunning 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath DUVAL model located in the Grand Bay community by DR Horton. The home features a 1-car garage, a private back patio, plantation shutters, full window coverings, and an in-unit washer and dryer.All appliances included: refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, microwave, washer, and
Welcome to this stunning 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom home located in the vibrant city of Wilmington, NC. This property boasts breathtaking water views that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own patio, accessible through a stylish sliding door. The home features a spacious kitchen complete with a convenient island and pantry, perfect for those who love to cook. The community amenities are sure to
Headline: Waterfront Luxury with Pool, Dock & Home OfficeTagline: Experience high-end coastal living in this gated Shipwatch Village retreat with stunning views and resort-style amenities. Experience exceptional coastal living in this luxury waterfront home located in the gated community of Shipwatch Village, just minutes from Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and historic downtown
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