Marina Village is a popular dining, shopping and relaxation destination for Riverlight locals.
Riverside living in between downtown Wilmington and Carolina Beach
A typical evening in Riverlights centers around the sunset. Neighbors step along the tree-shaded boardwalk to view the Cape Fear River as the blue sky slowly melts into pink and orange hues. The spectacular sunsets are the talk of this master-planned enclave in Wilmington, but the nightly show is just one of a long list of amenities in this neighborhood that was only a pine forest 10 years ago. “You feel like you're in a private community when you're not,” says Sarah Hinson, owner of Kasa Mercantile, a boutique store in Marina Village, Riverlights’ commercial district. “It’s a peaceful and fun community. People are involved. They organize neighborhood events,” adds Hinson, one of the first residents of Riverlights. Outdoorsy is the lifestyle here. Spread out over 1,400 acres and still in development, the community features a freshwater lake, a dock on the river and eight public parks. “I walk the boardwalk all the time. People ride up in golf carts and have dinner. There are great trails and plenty of sidewalks,” Hinson explains. Elisa Roels, owner of Cape Fear Realty Group, says the location is a bonus. “You’re close to downtown, Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. You're away from all the hustle and bustle near the University of North Carolina At Wilmington, but close enough to get your shopping done at University Centre.”
New Hanover High School serves over 1400 students in the Wilmington, NC area.
Athletics and pop culture at New Hanover High
The New Hanover County School district earns an overall A-minus rating from Niche. Mary C. Williams Elementary School earns a B rating and is located right outside of Riverlights. Myrtle Grove Middle School and New Hanover High School both have B-plus ratings. Open since 1922, New Hanover High has been featured in several TV shows and movies. Its gymnasium was used for a scene in an episode of “One Tree Hill,” a drama series primarily shot in Wilmington in the early 2000s. Along with its pop culture past, the school has a highly competitive athletics department, winning over two dozen state championships in various sports, from football and basketball to golf and tennis. Riverlights is also near several private schools, including Innovative Academy, Myrtle Grove Christian and Coastal Christian High School.
The hammocks in Live Oak Commons are a relaxing treat for Riverlight residents.
Relax on a hammock in Live Oak Commons
Live Oak Commons is a mini oasis of towering oak and pine trees with a stretch of lawn in the middle. Residents can unwind in the shade on a hammock as a cool breeze from the Cape Fear River flows through the trees. The summer song of cicadas dampens the sound of cars whizzing by on River Road. Ember Park is a community gathering space featuring brick firepits regularly lit up in the fall for s’mores under the stars. It’s connected to the riverside boardwalk that leads to a pier and dock for fishing, boating and paddle boarding. Over at the 38-acre Riverlights Lake, the turquoise water is surrounded by wild grasses. A gravel path crunches under residents' feet as they take morning walks and jogs. A natural wildlife habitat, the lake cannot be used for fishing, but residents can paddle around in kayaks and canoes, hoping to spot turtles and blue herons. The Lake House features an outdoor pool with a twisting water slide, a fitness center and an indoor gathering space.
Patio dining is a popular past time at Riverlights's Smoke On The Water.
Eat, shop and play in Marina Village
Marina Village is the community’s quaint shopping and dining district, featuring small businesses, some owned by Riverlights residents. “We are so lucky to have great restaurants. Smoke On the Water and Girls with Dough are very popular. The food at Getaway Café is so good,” gushes Tera McCrary, a Wilmington native and Riverlights resident since March of 2022. Smoke On the Water pairs elevated seafood fare with views of the Cape Fear River, while pizza and pasta are on the menu at Girls with Dough. The Getaway Café and Provisions is the buzzing brunch spot for made-to-order sandwiches, bowls and salads. Shops like Kasa Mercantile feature unique clothing and décor. Southern Shores Craft Beer & Wine has coveted brews and several taps for on-site pours. In the evenings, Club Golf Indoor offers drinks and virtual rounds of golf with three full-swing simulators. A new Harris Teeter on nearby Independence Boulevard offers more than the traditional grocery store experience: “They have a little bar inside, and they serve beer, and they have live entertainment as well,” Roels explains. Further down Independence is The Pointe, a shopping plaza anchored by a movie theater, chain restaurants and national fitness brands.
Homes in Riverlights come in a wide range of architectural styles.
Luxury townhouses, Craftsman cottages and custom builds
Properties in Riverlights are organized around the neighborhood’s center lake. Picture-perfect rows of coastal-colored Craftsman and New Traditional homes rest on neatly landscaped lawns lined with sidewalks. Single-family home prices start in the $400,000s. “There’s a little bit of everything: townhouses and cottages, and then you’ve got the million-dollar homes on the water,” says Roels, who has lived in the area since 2014. She notes that the only drawbacks are yard size and the wait time for a home to hit the market. Derek Criscitiello, an agent with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage, agrees. “Homes hardly ever become available. There’s a five-month wait time, and they’re selling sight unseen,” explains Criscitiello, who lives in downtown Wilmington. Riverlights has an age-restricted subdivision, Del Webb, a 55-plus retirement community. Rentals are also available, from detached cottages to lofts in the quaint Marina Village and luxury apartments at the Oasis at Riverlights. Properties here come with a homeowner’s association, with monthly fees varying from $135 to $602. Buyers should note that properties close to the Cape Fear River have a risk of flooding and strong winds, especially during the June-November storm season.
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Bike along River Road
River Road is the main thoroughfare in Riverlights. The softly curving boulevard is adorned with pines, magnolias and flower beds. With marked bike lanes and a speed limit of 25 miles per hour, the street is considered a “road biking mecca” by the local cycling community, according to Brad Paluso, the shop mechanic and manager at Shore Break Bikes in Marina Village. The walkability is also a draw, says Roel: “People are drawn to neighborhoods where they can feel safe walking around, walking the dogs and taking a bike ride and not having to drive there to get it.” Riverlights is about 7 miles south of downtown Wilmington and 10 miles north of Carolina Beach, with U.S. Route 421 (Carolina Beach Road) nearby.
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This beautifully maintained 3 bed, 2 bath home sits on a lushly landscaped corner lot in the sought-after Riverlights community! Complete with blueberry bushes and a classic rocking chair front porch, this home is an absolute stunner with unparalleled curb appeal. Inside, enjoy an open and airy layout with engineered hardwoods, plantation shutters, crown molding, and craftsman-style finishes.The
If you are looking for an active, coastal lifestyle where amenities are right at your fingertips and proximity to shopping, dining, boating and the beach is all within a short reach? Welcome to 3006 Laughing Gull tucked back into the Del Webb, 55+ community within Riverlights. This stunning, like new home features 2 designated bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, an additional room for home office, reading,
Stunning 3BR/2BA Home in the Highly Sought-After Del Webb at Riverlights 55+ Community!This beautifully upgraded Martin Ray floor plan offers the perfect blend of style, comfort, and functionality. The welcoming interior features crown molding, chair rail detailing, and gorgeous flooring throughout. French doors open to a spacious flex room with ceiling fan--ideal for an office, den, or extra
Welcome to this exquisite former model home in the desirable 55+ Del Webb community of Riverlights, showcasing the rare Sonoma Cove floor plan with three bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and over 2,750 square feet of beautifully designed living space. One bedroom is currently being used as an office, offering flexibility for your lifestyle.From the moment you arrive, the mature landscaping and welcoming
This is it! Different from other lots in the area. What a difference a large lot brings with fenced side yard and the last home on alley with rear privacy! . Welcome to 729 Wharton Avenue, a distinguished property located in the vibrant community of River Lights. This exceptional home offers a harmonious blend of modern design and timeless elegance, boasting 2,104 square feet of meticulously
Welcome to Riverlights and the stunning Wells Home Plan by Legacy Homes by Bill Clark! The Wells in the Traditional elevation boasts 2646 sq. ft. with 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, a study and a 2nd floor recreation room with a covered porch. Structural options and upgrades abound with an optional owners bath graced with an oversized, zero entry shower, a large mudroom with storage bench, a powder room,
Oasis at Riverlights is a new 250-unit, Wilmington apartment community, where we blend modern luxuries with Southern charm, high-end interiors with serene outdoor spaces, and tech integrations with luxe finishes. Our one, two, and three-bedroom apartments in Wilmington are located within the master-planned Riverlights Coastal Community along the Cape Fear River. These are apartments designed for
Lovely home in the sought after community or Riverlights. The kitchen features an open concept with a kitchen island, quartz countertops, tiled backsplash, stainless steel appliances, gas range and pantry. The kitchen is flanked on either end by a spacious dining area and comfortable great room. Just off the kitchen is a half bath. The upstairs features all 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths. The
Here, youll find the pinnacle of luxury apartment living in Wilmington, NC, with our spacious floor plans and bountiful line of apartment and community amenities. Located near US Route 421, you're only a short drive from popular destinations. Whether you want to spend the day cozy inside your apartment or spend the day around the neighborhood, the home youre looking for is waiting! You will find
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
3,224
Median Age
48
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
17.7%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
26.2%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$59,320
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$86,815
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
100%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
46%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
12.5%
% Population in Labor Force
69.6%
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®
22/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
1/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
0/ 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.
