$612,975Average Value$268Average Price per Sq Ft87Homes For Sale
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.
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 Riverlights neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Riverlights
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Riverlights Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Riverlights, Wilmington sell after 72 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Riverlights, Wilmington over the last 12 months is $534,850, down 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Ask about seller and preferred lender incentives available for qualified buyers! Welcome home to this charming and well-kept 2-bedroom, 2-bath gem tucked away in the quiet, friendly community of Del Webb at Riverlights. This neighborhood is positioned conveniently between Historic downtown Wilmington and Carolina Beach just minutes 15-20 minutes away. Inside, you'll find a bright, open layout
Motivated Seller! Meticulously maintained home in Riverlights, thoughtfully designed for refined comfort and effortless coastal elegance. This 5 bedrooms and 4 full bathrooms offers a seamless open-concept kitchen, living, and dining area, enhanced by expansive sliding glass doors that open to a screened-in porch and fenced backyard--where you can watch the sunsets over the Cape Fear River. Added
This charming one-owner home has been well maintained in the beautiful sought-after Riverlights community. Built by 70 West Builders, the Belle floor plan blends modern style with functional living in the heart of Riverlights. This thoughtfully designed home features 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathrooms and 1,927 square feet of open-concept living space with plenty of upgrades. The welcoming front porch
Discover luxury waterfront living in Wilmington, North Carolina with this stunning RiverLights Marina Village townhouse. Featuring breathtaking Cape Fear River views, this new listing offers an exceptional blend of coastal elegance, modern design, and prime location. With four bedrooms, five bathrooms, and upscale finishes throughout, this home is ideal for buyers seeking space, comfort, and a
Priced to sell and move-in ready! This pristine, low-maintenance townhome offers a highly desirable end-unit configuration, maximizing your privacy and flooding the 1,749 square foot open layout with beautiful natural light. The standout feature is a private in-home elevator providing effortless access to both levels, making multi-story coastal living accessible for everyone. The main floor
Now Under Construction - The Rocky Option II plan by Trusst Builder Group is located on a corner home site across from a community park in the popular Riverlights community. Estimated completion is Dec '26. Riverlights is a vibrant community along a three-mile stretch of the Cape Fear River, offering resort-style amenities including multiple pools, fitness centers, parks, trails, gathering
Lee BryantColdwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage-Leland
*Proposed Construction* Late '26 completion. The Coleman - 4 BR, 3 Bath offers all the standard luxurious features you've come to expect from Trusst Builder Group. Choose from 3 elevations, the Craftsman, the Colonial, or the Coastal. This plan comes with a spacious rocking chair front porch and a large club room with 2nd story deck off the back, offering beautiful nature views and amazing sunset
Lee BryantColdwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage-Leland
The Norway new construction townhome offers a spacious center island kitchen, with adjoining cafe plus a large gathering room second level, perfect for entertaining friends & family. The third floor features the roomy owner's suite plus 2 additional bedrooms. Enjoy a game room on the first floor or choose an optional bed and bath. With its livability – the Nolen is the perfect place to call home.
Our single-story Clay entices homeowners with generously proportioned spaces in 1,603 thoughtfully crafted square feet. This 3 bedroom, 2 full bath design surprises with a spacious open floorplan. Coming home to the Clay is a joy. A generously proportioned open kitchen encourages engagement with friends and family from both the living and dining rooms and guests will appreciate the graciousness
The Hallmark new home floor plan is wonderfully versatile. The flex room off of the cafe can be an office or den. The stunning kitchen, which features a center kitchen island and beautiful designer finishes, opens to a large living area, making this home perfect for entertaining.
Welcome to low-maintenance living at its finest in this stunning, like-new duplex-style townhome in the RiverLights community. Built by Trusst Builder Group, the highly sought-after Linville floor plan offers a thoughtful blend of style, comfort, and functionality. Ideally positioned with an east-west orientation, the home is filled with natural light throughout the day while providing
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
The Cottages at Riverlights is a brand new community! Uniquely designed cottages with modern kitchens, spacious living rooms plus side yards to extend your living space! Visit or call our community today for our current availability.
Proximity Watermark is a new way to experience Wilmington—where modern design meets the natural rhythm of the coast. Thoughtfully crafted apartment homes, inspired amenities, and a setting that invites you to slow down and settle in create a community that feels both elevated and effortless. Here, style and comfort coexist beautifully, giving you space to live well, every single day.
Welcome to Argento at Riverlights, a newly constructed apartment community located at 420 Angler Dr in Wilmington's sought-after 28412 zip code. Designed with contemporary finishes, spacious layouts, and modern functionality, our one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment homes offer elevated living within the Riverlights master-planned neighborhood.With thoughtfully designed interiors and generous
Lovely furnished home in the sought after community or Riverlights. The kitchen features an open concept with 42'' cabinets, 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 appointed great room with a mounted flat screen TV. Just off the kitchen is a half bath.
Lori WilliamsIntracoastal Realty Corporation Rentals
Property Id: 1627436 Beautiful end-unit townhome available for rent in the highly desirable River Lights community. Rent it furnished or unfurnished to fit your lifestyle. The furnished option includes stylish, high-quality furniture and modern finishes, making it move-in ready. The spacious owner’s suite features a private balcony, perfect for enjoying your morning coffee or relaxing
End unit townhome in pristine condition. 3 floors, elevator to each floor. Miele appliances, washer/dryer included. Hardwood floors. 2 car garage. 3.5 bathrooms. Walk to restaurants and shopping. Gorgeous views of the cape fear river. Dogs will be considered.
Lovely home in the sought after community of 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
Lori WilliamsIntracoastal Realty Corporation Rentals
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