Ideal-Living has released their annual “America’s 100 Best Places to Live” list for 2021. They compile this list from a survey of their readers’ favorite destinations and amenities. Communities are located in multiple regions inside and outside of the United States. So, whether you’re looking for a mountain retreat or a beach getaway, there’s a community with amenities for everyone.
Ten communities in the greater Wilmington area made the list. You can find them below, as well as links to current listings on the market.
1. RiverLights – Wilmington, NC
RiverLights is a master-planned community with single-family homes, townhomes, and a section devoted specifically for residents aged 55 and over. The main community and 55+ sections have their own set of top-notch amenities, including swimming pools, clubhouses, and fitness centers. Parks and walking/biking trails are located throughout the community, and residents can grab a bite to eat at the town square and enjoy gorgeous views over the Cape Fear River on the boardwalk, pier, and day dock.
2. River Bluffs – Castle Hayne, NC
River Bluffs is a master-planned eco-friendly community located along the Cape Fear River. It features a riverwalk, organic farm, general store, cafe, community pool, fitness center, marina, and numerous parks and trails. If you want to live in a community with a Southern small town feel, River Bluffs is it. It currently has opportunities to purchase new and existing homes.
3. The Bluffs on the Cape Fear – Leland, NC
The Bluffs on the Cape Fear is another master-planned community located on the Cape Fear River, but this development is situated on the Leland side. It features a two-acre waterfront park, kayak/canoe launch, fishing pier and stocked lake, clubhouse, Jr. Olympic pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, tennis/pickleball courts, playground, boardwalk, walking trails, and a 50-slip marina. Residents also have access to a private beach club on Oak Island, a feature not many communities offer.
4. Compass Pointe – Leland, NC
Want to enjoy golf beautiful green views or the benefits of being minutes from the course? This community is built around the Compass Pointe Golf Club, an 18-hole course designed by North Carolina native Rick Robbins. The community also has two swimming pools (indoor/outdoor), a lazy river, dog park, clubhouse, wellness center, walking trails, tennis/pickleball courts, and nature preserves. The community has single-family homes and townhomes, as well as opportunities to build new.
5. Brunswick Forest – Leland, NC
Brunswick Forest is another great community built around a championship golf course, the Cape Fear National. It also features three pools, a fitness center, pier, kiddie splash pad, lake, kayak/canoe launch, tennis/pickleball courts, walking/biking trails, and parks. It also has a significant commercial area with dining, shopping, and medical facilities. It’s an all-around great community with features for everyone in the family. It’s why the community has remained popular with our buyers.
6. River Landing – Wallace, NC
If you’re looking for the ultimate golf course community, River Landing is it. The community features two 18-hole golf courses, a golf shop, and golf tournaments. But the amenities don’t stop there. It features a clubhouse, fitness center, tennis courts, a pickleball court, basketball court, river lodge, outdoor pool, playground, and walking/biking trails.
7. Salters Haven – Hampstead, NC
Marina communities are in high demand in our coastal area and Salters Haven has been incredibly popular with buyers. The protected marina has 75 boat slips and 33 waterfront lots (marina front, channel front, and waterway front), 11 of which can have their own boat lifts. The community also has a clubhouse, swimming pool, kayak launch, and outdoor kitchen. It’s also golf-cart-friendly.
Side note: Like Salters Haven? Check out its sister community, Helms Port, in Wilmington.
8. Summerhouse on Everett Bay – Holly Ridge, NC
Want to know what it feels like to live in a tropical resort? Check out Summerhouse on Everett Bay. It features a clubhouse, resort-style swimming pool with a lazy river, nature park with fire pit, fitness center, walking and jogging trails, tennis courts, an open air pavilion, picnic areas, a playground, 6 scenic lakes, onsite boat storage, a boat launch, day docks, and direct access to the Intracoastal Waterway. It’s also located 15 minutes from the beaches of Topsail Island. Currently, there are opportunities to purchase new construction homes and resales.
9. St. James Plantation – Southport, NC
St. James Plantation is a retirement destination. The community features a marina with waterside dining and shopping, 81 holes of championship golf, a wellness center with a pool and sports complex (volleyball courts, bocce ball courts, pickleball courts, etc.), a stocked lake for fishing, dog park, covered pier, parks and nature preserves, biking/walking trails, and a private beach club. There’s so much to enjoy, the community feels like a standalone village.
10. The Sanctuary – Sunset Beach, NC
COMING SOON – This 138-acre development from Bill Clark Homes will be located on NC Highway 904/Seaside Road SW within biking distance of the beach, dining, and shopping. It currently has 363 lots proposed (.17 acres or more). The community will have a clubhouse, cabana, swimming pool, fireplace, fitness center, grilling stations, sidewalks, and walking paths. Homes will have front porches, decorative arbors, coastal colors, metal accents, and open floor plans with optional features. There will be upsizing and downsizing options that will fit a variety of price ranges. This community is still in development and the builder reserves the right to make changes.
If you have questions about any of these communities, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We can help you purchase in neighborhoods across Southeastern North Carolina.
