12 Best 55+ Communities in Wilmington, NC

You’ve lived well, so you’re looking for a place to age well. At this point in your life, you seek a potent mix of luxury and comfort–living pleasures that you’d find at Wilmington, NC.

Wilmington is home to popular beaches, bars, and historic downtown. Whether your interest rests from golfing and boating to meditation and churchgoing, what are the 12 best 55+ Communities in Wilmington, NC?

Del Webb Willington and The Village at Motts Landing are close to pristine beaches and nature. Porter Neck Plantation and Landfall are gated communities, while Brookdale Wilmington centers around Alzheimer’s care.

A quick look at the 12 Best 55+ Communities in Wilmington, NC:

  1. Del Webb Wilmington
  2. The Village at Motts Landing
  3. The Courtyards at Scotts Hill Village
  4. Porters Neck Plantation
  5. Bellaport
  6. Cambridge Village
  7. Brunswick Forest
  8. Landfall
  9. River Bluffs
  10. Lake Shore Commons
  11. The Woods at Holly Tree
  12. Brookdale Wilmington

Whether your heart leans toward an intimate residence or you envision an active adult lifestyle, your search for the best place to retire may end at Wilmington, NC. Read on to choose among the 12 best 55+ Communities in Wilmington that we hand-picked just for you.

12 Best 55+ Communities in Wilmington, NC

Wilmington, North Carolina, Riverwalk

We value your distinct preferences during your retirement years, so we highlighted what makes these 55 plus communities in Wilmington stand out based on what may interest you the most.

1. Del Webb Wilmington

Of the over 55 communities in Wilmington, Del Webb is relatively new but part of the RiverLights master-planned community. Looking forward to a total of 547 single-family homes upon completion, Del Webb offers you a social and active lifestyle, given its proximity to the Cape Fear River and North Carolina beaches.

Its central hub for social recreation and physical activity is a 15,000 square foot clubhouse with indoor and outdoor amenities. Choose among the state-of-the-art fitness center, pool, or multi-purpose room if you prefer indoor activities.

Outdoors, there’s an inviting pool with a patio where you could lounge on a sunny day. Del Webb also has a selection of sports courts where you could play pickleball, tennis (view on Amazon), or bocce ball.

This community equally takes pride in its spacious lawn, a venue for more than outdoor events. Take scenic strolls along its walking paths or ride a bike on dedicated trails.

2. The Village at Motts Landing

As one of the active lifestyle 55 communities in Wilmington, you’d be close to the beaches and nature of this 2015-constructed community. Averaging 90 homes after completion, expect to experience a quaint and intimate experience in this neighborhood with many amenities and activities that will keep your retirement years exciting.

It has a fully equipped clubhouse with an exercise room and card tables for games. You can also host events at its numerous meeting rooms, serviced by a full catering kitchen.

If you’re outdoorsy, take a dip in the pool or chat with friends at the patio. The Village at Motts Landing also has a community garden if you have a green thumb. There are walking trails, lakes, and parks if you’re up for some scenic strolling.

3. The Courtyards at Scotts Hill Village

If you’re looking for newly constructed 55 communities in Wilmington, this private residential community is worth checking out. It’s also particularly endearing to people with philanthropic spirits. If you purchase a home in this active lifestyle community, part of the sale amount is donated to the Joe McKee Memorial Fund. This organization supports research and treatment of Alzheimer’s.

Enjoy low-maintenance living in this neighborhood because a dedicated homeowners’ association oversees the community’s landscaping and pool maintenance. More than taking some worries off your hand, this prime location is within easy reach of your daily needs. You’re within distance from retirement living essentials from grocery stores like Target to healthcare providers like NHRMC Orthopedic Hospital.

4. Porters Neck Plantation

Located about 25 minutes from downtown Wilmington, Porters Neck Plantation is among the gated communities in Wilmington that support an active yet low-maintenance lifestyle.

Mingle with residents of 834 single-family and attached homes at the community’s 15,000 square-foot clubhouse. If you opt to purchase a membership to the Porters Neck Country Club, you also get access to other luxury amenities like the state-of-the-art fitness center, restaurant, and bar.

Invite your family and friends for a tee-off with your favorite golf club (view on Amazon) at the 18-hole, par-72 championship golf course designed by architect Tom Fazio. Apart from a junior Olympic-size lap pool and a spacious family-style pool, your grandchildren would enjoy wadding at a youth pool while the rest of the family bonds at an expansive patio with covered seats.

Porters Neck Plantation also features a Sports Center with eight lighted Har-Tru tennis and pickleball courts, in addition to scenic lakes, ponds, and parks that you and your friends and family can explore.

5. Bellaport

Bellaport started its construction in 2017, offering innovative single-family homes with spacious layouts and energy-efficient designs for you to choose from.

Potentially among the best 55 communities in Wilmington, Bellaport offers you a tranquil and natural setting yet near local beaches, historic downtown, and the Cape Fear River.

There’s plenty of outdoor space in this community where you could walk, ride a bike, or run. Living at Bellaport is also low maintenance because your homeowners’ association fee covers landscaping and the upkeep of streets and streetlights.

Bellaport is near Walgreens and New Hanover Reginal Medical Center, so your basic needs like grocery and healthcare are within reach.

There are bars, galleries, and restaurants in downtown Wilmington for your entertainment and dining options. Famous attractions that you can choose from including the Cameron Art Museum and the Cape Fear Museum of Science and History.

Cape Fear River, North Carolina

6. Cambridge Village

If you envision experiencing the luxuries of an upscale seaside resort, Cambridge Village in Wilmington will not disappoint.

As an active lifestyle neighborhood dedicated to independent adults like you, this 55+ community in Wilmington has your health and wellness at heart. You’d only be two miles away from the seashore, soaking up the sun and feeling the ocean breeze. Located at the heart of Port City, Cambridge Village gives you the perks of seaside living coupled with luxurious amenities.

Choose among studio, one, and two-bedroom apartments with granite countertops, walk-in closets, and balconies. It has a full-service Village Restaurant & Pub, an on-site chapel, and a Village Hall with wireless internet and on-site concierge services.

7. Brunswick Forest

At Brunswick Forest, not only will you be within 30 minutes of pristine beaches in North Carolina. It’s a prime location to retire because it’s situated on 4,500 heavily wooded acres of parks, creeks, and nature trails.

From low-maintenance patio homes to upscale estates, this 55+ community in Wilmington offers a chance for you to indulge in an active lifestyle or enjoy tranquility in the eastern part of North Carolina.

8. Landfall

As an established golf and country club among the gated communities in Wilmington, Landfall gives you a selection of townhomes, single-family homes, and condos that are only five minutes away from Wrightsville Beach on the Cape Fear Coast.

This 2,200-acre community gives you a blend of upscale amenities in a tranquil environment. Since it’s located west of Intracoastal Waterway, the convenience of shopping and dining is at your fingertips. If you become an elective member of the Country Club of Landfall, you get access to the 45-hole golf course created by Jack Nicklaus and Pete Dye.

New and resale residences are up for grabs whether you’re moving to the community alone or with your family.

9. River Bluffs

Situated along the Northeast Cape Fear River is one of the gated retirement communities in Wilmington. The picturesque waterfront marina neighborhood River Bluffs is rated one of the Top 10 Small Cities in America by Southern Living Magazine.

Apart from its 188-slip marina, you’d enjoy spending time at its distinctive Porsches Café. River Bluffs has a cardio fitness center, nature trails, and courts to play tennis and pickleball (view on Amazon). Keep your nightlife vibrant by heading to Downtown Wilmington, a mere 10-minute distance, to discover excellent restaurants.

Wilmington, North Carolina

10. Lake Shore Commons

If you’re looking for over 55 communities in Wilmington that feel like an extension of your family, Lake Shore Commons is one caring community. It has pleasant housekeepers, attentive mealtime servers, and maintenance technicians at your beck-and-call.

This independent living community offers fun and stimulating activities like off-site excursions, on top of various classes and programs that promote your comfort and happiness as a valued resident.

11. The Woods at Holly Tree

This is one of the 55 plus communities in Wilmington that feels like a home away from home.

Its varied amenities make your retirement living easier, from the friendly staff to independent-living services. Transitioning into your retirement years becomes interesting as you explore the community’s beauty barbershop and hiking trails, activities made easy by the community’s resident transportation service.

Keep fit in the fitness room or engage in light activities in the billiard lounge and game room. You can also connect to the world via Wi-Fi in the common areas.

12. Brookdale Wilmington

Along Converse Drive is one of the 55 plus communities in Wilmington that focuses on Alzheimer’s care.

It’s a community that provides balance in its residents’ personalities and preferences, creating daily routines that enhance their spirits and sense of purpose. Brookdale Willington associates are training and tools equipped, particularly on key areas like specialized dining, healthcare, and behavioral needs.

A safe environment that promotes wellness, Brookdale is among the top choices among the over 55 communities in Wilmington.

Conclusion: 12 Best 55+ Communities in Wilmington, NC

Here’s a review of the 12 best 55+ Communities in Wilmington, NC:

  1. Del Webb Wilmington
  2. The Village at Motts Landing
  3. The Courtyards at Scotts Hill Village
  4. Porters Neck Plantation
  5. Bellaport
  6. Cambridge Village
  7. Brunswick Forest
  8. Landfall
  9. River Bluffs
  10. Lake Shore Commons
  11. The Woods at Holly Tree
  12. Brookdale Wilmington

If you ever wondered, ‘Is Wilmington, NC a nice place to retire?’ this article gives you 12 reasons why the answer is yes. Apart from having a scenic river and the inviting ocean close to you, choosing to stay in one of the best 55+ communities in Wilmington also means you’d be living at what once was a backdrop to famous movies and television shows like Pirates of the Caribbean and Dawson’s Creek. More importantly, Wilmington spells an active lifestyle, mild climate, and overall quality of living – elements of the perfect place to spend your retirement years.

Kris Peter

A positive individual enjoying the journey, and always searching for adventure. I created Sunlight Living to help my parents (and eventually myself) prepare for retirement. About Kris

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