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
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Reach out to
David Wray,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
River Road Park
River Road Park
Transit
Airport
Wilmington International
39 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
River Road
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in River Road, Sea Breeze sell after 50 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in River Road, Sea Breeze over the last 12 months is $635,850, up 25% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This stunning luxury DUPLEX in Wilmington, North Carolina, offers unobstructed, panoramic views of the Cape Fear River, where breathtaking sunsets paint the sky every evening--an ideal backdrop for this exceptional property. Whether sold together or separately, each unit features spacious, open concept living areas with modern finishes. This property presents an ideal Airbnb investment, offering
Welcome to a remarkable custom built home on a .599 acre cul-de-sac lot with a 25' boat slip. This family and boat friendly retreat includes 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. It's located in a dreamy WATERFRONT community called East Bank Landing. From Wilmington, owners navigate easily through Snows Cut to reach Carolina Beach and embrace a long desired coastal lifestyle--a quiet way to feel the
Welcome to 100 Turtle Cay Drive--where low-maintenance living meets unbeatable sunsets! This updated 3-bedroom, 2-bath condo is move-in ready and full of charm. Located on the second floor, it features a spacious screened-in porch that's perfect for unwinding as the sun sets. Nestled between Downtown Wilmington and Carolina Beach, it's the ideal spot for a relaxing getaway or comfortable
Idyllic Private Cape Fear Riverfront Community. Located only 15 minutes from The Boardwalk on beautiful Carolina Beach. Enjoy your own large backyard oasis including a heated saltwater pool perfect for outdoor entertainment and fun! Gorgeous, manicured landscaping front and back. Bright and sunny rooms with custom Anderson patio doors and windows. All patio doors have plantation blinds. Nice high
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
David Wray,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
642
Median Age
47
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
20.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.1%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$61,200
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$90,340
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.2%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
36.5%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
14.1%
% Population in Labor Force
63.5%
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®
44/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
1/ 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.
