Neighborhoods and Developments

Southport's geographical location on the Cape Fear River near the Atlantic Ocean provides some lovely coastal scenery. But the town's location also made it an ideal location for riverboat captains who settled there and incorporated it in 1805. It is largely a charming town — quaint, quiet and historic, the streets lined with ancient live oaks. Bald Head Island lies just off Southport to the east. Oak Island serves as a barrier to the ocean on the south side. On a clear day you will have an excellent view of Old Baldy, the historic lighthouse on Bald Head Island as well as the Oak Island Lighthouse.

Southport's Victorian homes date from the late 1800s and offer mostly restored, single-family residences. Houses on the waterfront are larger, and a 2,600-square-foot home may run over $1,000,000. Newer homes may cost more. Along River Drive, one can spend more than $150 million. Naturally, the farther back from the water, the lower the price. A nice finished house in Southport will start at $254,000 for 2,300 square feet. Condos average $185,000.

Subdivision areas are growing rapidly in and near Southport whose population is 3,625. These include Indigo Plantation, Arbor Creek, The Landing at Southport, Harbor Oaks, Carolina Place, Cades Cove, Marsh Creek, The Cottages at Price's Creek, Mariner's Pointe, Dutchman Village, Rivermist, Smithville Woods, River Run Plantation, The Cottages at Southport, Southport Way, Turtlewood and St. James Plantation, which is a gated community. These neighborhoods offer a broad range of new homes in attractive settings with some very pleasant amenities.

Oak Island has two beach communities: Caswell Beach and the Town of Oak Island. Both of these communities have many resort rentals, but they are overwhelmingly occupied by permanent residents with the population in Caswell Beach being more than 500 and that of the Town of Oak Island being nearly 9,000. And why not? Many people who have been vacationing here for the fishing, swimming, water sports and the natural beauty of the area end up retiring to this family-oriented island. Caswell Beach, which is named for Fort Caswell (c. 1826), is a quiet family town where magnificent views of both the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway can be had from the second floor of homes on the east end of the island. It is also home to the U.S, Coast Guard Station and the Oak Island Lighthouse, which has the second brightest light in the world. Housing developments here include the Arboretum and Ocean Greens.

The Town of Oak Island is the largest geographical area on the island. It has recently annexed territory on the mainland side of the mile-long high-rise bridge which connects the two. Included in this territory is South Harbour Village, a PUD. A second bridge to the island has been built and the town has also annexed mainland where this bridge meets NC 211. You will find restaurants, nightlife, shopping at small boutiques, miniature golf, a recreation center and other attractions on the island. In fact it has the largest commercial district of all the Brunswick County islands. The miles of south-facing beaches afford opportunities for recreational activities, including swimming, surfing, volleyball, dolphin-watching, surf-fishing and more. There are 65 beach accesses and two fishing piers located here, and fishing tournaments abound.

The few small developments on the island include Oceanside at Oak Island, East Beach and Turtle Creek by the Sea. Condominiums include Southern Shore Villas, Savannah Crossing, Long Bay Commons and Yaupon Dunes. At the center of the island, you can expect to pay from $155,000 to over $700,000 for a home depending on the style of the house. Oceanside properties from $550,000 to over $1 million, and Intracoastal Waterway properties from $350,000 to $800,000. Condos and townhomes on the island and mainland may range from $160,000 to $800,000 and lots from $60,000 to $700,000, again depending on location.

Bald Head Island is a beautiful bit of land where there are no high-rises, no shopping malls, no crowds and no cars. Everyone either walks or travels by electric golf cart or bicycle. To get there you will need your own powerboat in order to cross the mouth of the Cape Fear River. Failing that, you can enjoy the exhilarating, 20-minute ride in one of the passenger ferries that depart from the ferry landing at Deep Point Marina in Southport.

In addition to 14 miles of beautiful beaches and 12,000 acres of salt marshes, maritime forest and tidal creeks, you will find Old Baldy, the historic lighthouse, as well as the Smith Island Museum and the Bald Head Island Conservancy. Opportunities for fine and casual dining range from the elegant Bald Head Island Club, with its pool, a George Cobb–designed golf course, swimming complex, fitness facility and croquet greensward, to the deli at the Maritime Market. There are some interesting shops and a marina where you may dock your boat. A resort atmosphere prevails, and the year-round residential population count is quite low, about 264.

Bald Head Island is largely a vacation spot where most of the homes are available for weekly rental. Single-family homes, villas and townhouses dot the island and are connected by paved golf-cart paths. Developments include Keeper's Landing at Cape Fear Station, Harbour Village and The Hammocks. Home sites range from $50,000 to $2,000,000. Home sales begin at $300,000 for an older home and climb upward to above $3 million. Condos and stand-alone town homes range from $225,000 to more than $300,000, while timeshares/partial or fractional ownership can be purchased anywhere from $60,000 to over $325,000.