So Many Neighborhoods

A quarter of a century ago, the nature of our neighborhoods was vastly different from that of today. In fact, it’s probably safe to say more new neighborhoods have developed since 1983 than were in existence 25 years ago.

Natural growth, of course, accounts for some of this evolution, but the Wilmington area’s emergence and prominence nationally as a highly desirable and premier location for retirees, corporate location and expansion, entrepreneurs and those seeking a better quality of life probably accounts for most of our growth.

It’s easy to see why our neighborhoods have burgeoned as the 2008 New Hanover county population approaches 200,000, nearly double that of 25 years ago. In fact, long-term local residents who wander off the beaten paths can easily become lost in the profusion of new neighborhoods.

Back in 1983, the trip from Wilmington to Pleasure Island was mostly through undeveloped areas, and except for Monkey Junction, few lights were seen during a nighttime trip. River Road, along the Cape Fear River between Wilmington and Pleasure Island, was virtually desolate - in stark contrast to many current upscale developments on the river and thousands of homes on the other side of River Road either in existence or planned. On Pleasure Island, the building boom was just beginning; the small town of Carolina Beach issued 950 permits for dwelling units in 1983.

To the east of Wilmington, development in the now rapidly expanding area between the city and Wrightsville Beach did not exist for the most part. Landfall had not been developed and the very upscale neighborhoods along the sounds between the barrier islands and the mainland were in their infancy. Development wise, the Wilmington area was a sleeping giant soon to be awakened.

Across the Cape Fear River to the west, Brunswick County and Southport were quaint locations more than ripe for development. Except for the Brunswick barrier islands - Holden Beach, Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Oak Island, Caswell Beach and Bald Head Island - the mainland of Brunswick County was predominantly an undeveloped coastal plain with very few towns. Southport itself, a quiet, historical fishing village nestled in the mouth of the Cape Fear River, was a trip back in time with very little modern development.

North of Wilmington along U.S. Highway 17 most of the development was to the east along the sound. Porters Neck was well under way and Belvedere Plantation and Olde Point were already established in the Hampstead area in Pender County. Further north in southern Onslow County, building was practically non-existent. Twenty-five years later, development of all types is taking place on both sides of U.S. Highway 17 as this corridor becomes one of the most popular locales for both reasonably priced and very upscale homes.

Bargains Everywhere

In Wrightsville Beach, condos at the upscale Lookout Harbor were starting at $133,500, while down on Pleasure Island bargains were still available, especially on oceanfront condos.

On Topsail Island, the vast majority of homes in 1983 were beach cottages. Oceanfront lots were selling for $25,000 and up, oceanfront homes started at $55,000 and oceanfront condos could be had for $44,900. There were real estate bargains aplenty back in the good old days of 1983.