It has been said by many a native that downtown Wilmington is a separate place from the rest of the city and New Hanover County. The tone is absolutely different from any other neighborhood in the region. If you appreciate being at the crossroads of the community, downtown is the place for you. If you are looking for history and charm as well as an energetic and culturally/socially inspirational atmosphere, downtown Wilmington is definitely the place to be. It's lively, warm and relentlessly interesting.

Many of the homes date from the mid- to late 1800s and the first quarter of the twentieth century. There are stunning examples of Victorian, Italianate, Renaissance, Neoclassical and Revivalist architecture. Homes in the area, small cottages and large mansions alike, feature high ceilings, hardwood floors, fascinating detail, front porches and all of the interesting characteristics one would expect of vintage homes.

The population is as eclectic as the architecture. This vibrant downtown community attracts an interesting mix of lifelong Wilmingtonians and newcomers. What the entire neighborhood seems to have in common is a mutual appreciation for the particular amenities of downtown: easy accessibility to cultural arts opportunities, fine dining, friendly shopping, city and county government centers, a beautiful riverfront for strolling, and a strong sense of community identity.

Relatively few homes come on the market in the more established center of the neighborhood, and the ones that do aren't available for long unless they are very large and, therefore, quite expensive. As one local real estate agent put it, there is a range of everything in the way of housing and prices downtown, from larger homes in the district to small cottages, with prices ranging from $130,000 to more than $1 million, depending on the location and condition. Condominiums, often housed in renovated buildings, can range from the low $150,000s and up.

Within the Historic District proper, many homes have been restored, but there are still handyman bargains to be had, especially in the areas outside of the district in the Historic Overlay. It takes a person with vision to redo some of the deteriorated architectural gems in these neighborhoods. The level of downtown neighborhood restoration is most stable at the river and diminishes as you head east toward the ocean at about Eighth Street.

The residential neighborhoods to the north of Market Street are generating high interest at this time and are seeing quality restoration efforts. The North Fourth Street Business District Project, a renewal effort supported in part by the City of Wilmington, business owners and residents along this corridor, promises to open new options to people who want to live downtown. To the south, the natural boundary of the neighborhood is the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. Quality restorative development has taken place on South Second, Queen and Castle streets.

Although every type of housing style is available, the general downtown real estate market consists of single-family homes. There are also a growing number of condominiums and a few duplex developments. Some opportunities to have a rental apartment within one's own home are available.

Rental prices in the downtown area range from $800 to $1,200 a month for one-bedroom rentals. If the notion of living over a storefront or in an urban, loft-type space has appeal, ask a Realtor to show you buildings in the downtown commercial district.

Some solidly rediscovered older neighborhoods beyond downtown are the Mansion District and nearby Carolina Heights and Carolina Place. Both flank Market Street beyond 15th Street. These neighborhoods date from the 1920s, and architectural styles vary. In the Mansion District you can certainly purchase a mansion-style home ranging from $450,000 to $1,000,000, but there are also appealing cottages. Many of the larger homes started out as handyman bargains or fixer-uppers and were returned to their former elegance. Carolina Heights and Carolina Place begin at around 17th Street and continue to 23rd Street.

Carolina Heights is almost exclusively single-family homes with a price range from $250,000 to $550,000. In Carolina Place, the home buyer will find more diversity in architecture and price. Homes start in the $120,000 range and go up into the $300,000s. It is regarded as the new frontier for not only residential investors, but also homeowners, largely thanks to its relatively new status as an Historic Registry District. It also is comfortingly close to venerable Forest Hills.

Forest Hills is, without dispute, a fine address. This large and very stable neighborhood was once a suburb of downtown. Today it is a conveniently located neighborhood of older homes that date from as early as the 1920s. Well-maintained lawns, large setbacks, quietness, alleys for backyard access and trash pickup, and gorgeous live oaks are the hallmarks of this neighborhood. There are ambling canopied lanes and lots of Southern-style shade. Diversity in square footage and architectural style allows for diversity in price, ranging from $300,000 to $450,000 and up. An attractive feature of this neighborhood is its proximity to shopping and services. It is minutes from the largest mall in the region.

Pine Valley, near South College Road around Longleaf Mall, is about three decades old as a development and still enjoying active home sales. It has attracted many Wilmingtonians to its quiet, pine tree–dotted blocks. A nearby golf course and clubhouse are easily accessible to people who want to live in a stable neighborhood that isn't necessarily exclusive in terms of price. Homes range from the $160,000s to $400,000.

Just off River Road, is River Pointe, another high-quality, traditional neighborhood community by the Davy Group (see also Harbour Point in the Carolina Beach section of Neighborhoods). With 45 townhomes situated along the Cape Fear River, each boasting quality construction, a swimming pool with a lovely river view, plenty of boating and beaches nearby, a location that’s a one-minute drive from Ashley High School and Murray Middle School, and convenient proximity to Monkey Junction shopping centers, River Pointe promises to become one of Wilmington’s most sought-after new neighborhoods. There are two designs to choose from, the Cape Fear and the Cape Hatteras; both plans include a wide front porch and back deck, with all of the charm of traditional, Southern architecture.

Sunset South is off Carolina Beach Road adjacent to historic Sunset Park. Close to beaches, restaurants, shopping and golf courses, this community features sidewalks, beautiful landscaping and benches, tree-lined streets, a community park, underground utilities and designer street lighting. These attractive, brand-new, two- or three-bedroom homes start in the affordable $100,000 price range and include kitchen appliances, adequate cabinets and a separate pantry. The homes also come with a one-year builder’s warranty and a 10-year structural warranty. There are also several customizing options, allowing you to create a home that is uniquely your own.

For those that don't want the hassles and extra expense of beach-front property, Wilmington and the surrounding areas offer a unique alternative in Intracoastal Waterway real estate. With plenty of water access and many communities boasting their own marinas, ICW addresses are highly coveted. Most are only a short distance from inlet access to the ocean and many offer amenities like beach clubs so that residents have a home base when enjoying a day on the sand. These areas, many of which continue to be developed, tend to range from $250,000 in some Brunswick County neighborhoods to well over a million for Landfall properties. One major advantage is having a barrier island between you and any approaching storms and avoiding the storm surge that most beach homes must endure during a hurricane. But perhaps the most pleasant aspect is enjoying the sunrise from your dock over a cup of coffee and a newspaper. At any rate, the views and the scenery don't get much better than in these waterfront communities.

Landfall

1816 Mews Dr., Wilmington
(910) 256-6111

Landfall Realty is the exclusive on-site sales office for the fine properties in Landfall, a private gated neighborhood of single-family custom homes, villas, patio homes, townhomes, condominiums and home sites. The community boasts numerous amenities, including two championship golf courses, a Jack Nicklaus 27-hole course and the Pete Dye 18-hole course, and the Landfall Sports Center, designed by tennis legend Cliff Drysdale. Two well-appointed clubhouses overlook Landfall's golf courses: the luxurious Landfall Clubhouse near the Nicklaus course and the Dye Clubhouse on Landfall's Pete Dye course.