Call us at (910) 408-5731 to learn more about active adult communities in Wilmington
Wilmington, NC 55+ active adult communities & homes for sale
Living in Wilmington
Located in Coastal North Carolina, Wilmington is a midsize city on the Atlantic Ocean. Pleasant weather all year, combined with its proximity to the ocean, make this a popular…
Located in Coastal North Carolina, Wilmington is a midsize city on the Atlantic Ocean. Pleasant weather all year, combined with its proximity to the ocean, make this a popular destination for active adults looking to retire on the water. Besides this, retirees enjoy the strong sense of community with local amenities like boutique shops, craft breweries, and community festivals.
Wilmington Climate & Geography
Wilmington is located on a peninsula on the eastern coast of North Carolina. Its eastern edge is Hewletts Creek, and its western edge is Cape Fear River. Both bodies of water lead to the Atlantic Ocean.
Recreation, Culture & Entertainment in Wilmington
A largely historic city, Wilmington places a strong emphasis on community and history. The Cape Fear Museum, Wilmington Railroad Museum, and Cameron Art Museum are popular for history buffs, as well as the hundreds of historic homes throughout the city.
Residents seeking outdoor recreation have several choices. The Airlie Gardens, Halyburton Park, Bluethenthal Wildflower Preserve, Greenfield Park, and Hugh MacRae Park all offer trails, self guided tours, and natural areas for picnicking. The Whiteface, Lookout, and Esther Mountains, as well as the Catamount Mountain Trail all have a variety of hiking trails. Golfers can enjoy the holes at Beau Rivage Golf and Resort, Porters Neck Country Club, and Wilmington Municipal Golf Course.
In addition to outdoor recreation, residents can shop the local boutiques of the Riverwalk and Downtown Wilmington, both located on Cape Fear River on the western side of town. The downtown area also hosts community events like art walks, holiday festivals, and a Saturday farmers market. There are also several breweries and wineries, including the Wrightsville Beach Brewery and Noni Bacca Winery.
Wilmington Cost of Living & Taxes
Wilmington’s cost of living is nearly the same as the national average. This is mainly because housing is more costly than the rest of the state, while groceries, utilities, and transportation are all lower than average. Health care tends to hover above the national average.
North Carolina taxes all forms of income at a flat rate of 5.5 percent except for Social Security. The state’s property taxes are low, and Wilmington’s 7 percent sales tax is average. Unlike many states, North Carolina taxes groceries, but at a lower rate.
Health Care in Wilmington
According to Gallup’s Well-Being Index, North Carolina’s highest ranking is in the community index, indicating that residents feel safe and have a sense of pride in their community.
The only general hospital in Wilmington, New Hanover Regional Medical Center, is rated by U.S. News as high performing and is the No. 10 hospital in North Carolina. J. Arthur Dosher Memorial Hospital and Pender Memorial Hospital are also within 25 miles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of the 5 55+ communities in Wilmington, 5 are for sale and none are rentals. By size, there are 1 large community with over 1000 homes, 2 medium communities with 500-1000 homes, and 2 small communities with less than 500 homes.
The smallest 55+ communities in Wilmington has 38 homes, the largest has 3000 homes, and the average communities consists of 966 homes.
Yes, there are new 55+ homes available in Wilmington. The most recent communities started in Wilmington include Bellaport, Del Webb Wilmington, Riverlights. There are also 5 communities in Wilmington that offer new construction homes, including The Village at Motts Landing, Riverlights, Bellaport.
Yes, there is gated 55+ communities in Wilmington. Approximately 20.0% of 55+ communities in the area are gated. For instance, Porters Neck Plantation is a gated communities with 834 homes.
On average, listings in 55+ communities in Wilmington stay on the market for around 380 days. The average price of homes for sale in these communities is approximately $629,441, though prices can range widely based on the size, location, and amenities of the communities. For example, homes in Porters Neck Plantation average around $863,250, while homes in Riverlights average around $586,772.
14 communities near Wilmington
463 homes near Wilmington
Relevance
3 beds
|2 baths
|3,231 sq ft
|House
3 beds
|3 baths
|2,668 sq ft
|House
3 beds
|4 baths
|4,075 sq ft
|House
3 beds
|3 baths
|2,450 sq ft
|House
2 beds
|2 baths
|1,365 sq ft
|House
3 beds
|3 baths
|2,186 sq ft
|House
3 beds
|2 baths
|1,397 sq ft
|Townhouse
3 beds
|2 baths
|1,397 sq ft
|Townhouse
3 beds
|2 baths
|1,397 sq ft
|Townhouse
3 beds
|2 baths
|1,397 sq ft
|Townhouse
3 beds
|2 baths
|1,397 sq ft
|Townhouse
4 beds
|3 baths
|2,035 sq ft
|House
3 beds
|2 baths
|1,667 sq ft
|House
2 beds
|2 baths
|1,345 sq ft
|House
4 beds
|3 baths
|2,966 sq ft
|House
4 beds
|4 baths
|2,779 sq ft
|House
4 beds
|4 baths
|4,081 sq ft
|House
4 beds
|3 baths
|2,841 sq ft
|House
3 beds
|3 baths
|3,282 sq ft
|House
3 beds
|4 baths
|3,681 sq ft
|House
3 beds
|2 baths
|1,882 sq ft
|House
3 beds
|6 baths
|3,497 sq ft
|House
3 beds
|3 baths
|3,053 sq ft
|House
3 beds
|3 baths
|2,641 sq ft
|House
4 beds
|2 baths
|2,032 sq ft
|House
3 beds
|2 baths
|2,053 sq ft
|House
4 beds
|3 baths
|2,644 sq ft
|House
3 beds
|2 baths
|1,852 sq ft
|House
4 beds
|4 baths
|2,522 sq ft
|House
4 beds
|3 baths
|2,082 sq ft
|House
Frequently Asked Questions
Of the 5 55+ communities in Wilmington, 5 are for sale and none are rentals. By size, there are 1 large community with over 1000 homes, 2 medium communities with 500-1000 homes, and 2 small communities with less than 500 homes.
The smallest 55+ communities in Wilmington has 38 homes, the largest has 3000 homes, and the average communities consists of 966 homes.
Yes, there are new 55+ homes available in Wilmington. The most recent communities started in Wilmington include Bellaport, Del Webb Wilmington, Riverlights. There are also 5 communities in Wilmington that offer new construction homes, including The Village at Motts Landing, Riverlights, Bellaport.
Yes, there is gated 55+ communities in Wilmington. Approximately 20.0% of 55+ communities in the area are gated. For instance, Porters Neck Plantation is a gated communities with 834 homes.
On average, listings in 55+ communities in Wilmington stay on the market for around 380 days. The average price of homes for sale in these communities is approximately $629,441, though prices can range widely based on the size, location, and amenities of the communities. For example, homes in Porters Neck Plantation average around $863,250, while homes in Riverlights average around $586,772.
Want more information about active adult communities around Wilmington?
Want to learn more about 55+ communities in Wilmington?
The listings data displayed on this medium comes in part from the Real Estate Information Network Inc. (REIN) and has been authorized by participating listing Broker Members of REIN for display. REIN's listings are based upon Data submitted by its Broker Members, and REIN therefore makes no representation or warranty regarding the accuracy of the Data. All users of REIN's listings database should confirm the accuracy of the listing information directly with the listing agent.
© 2026 REIN. REIN's listings Data and information is protected under federal copyright laws. Federal law prohibits, among other acts, the unauthorized copying or alteration of, or preparation of derivative works from, all or any part of copyrighted materials, including certain compilations of Data and information. COPYRIGHT VIOLATORS MAY BE SUBJECT TO SEVERE FINES AND PENALTIES UNDER FEDERAL LAW.
REIN updates its listings on a daily basis. Data last updated: Nov 15, 2026.
This application does not include information on all of the properties available for sale at this time.
