Retirement Living in Southeastern North Carolina
Southeastern North Carolina consistently ranks among the most popular retirement destinations in the country. Brunswick County in particular has become one of the fastest-growing counties in the state, fueled by retirees relocating from the Northeast, Midwest, and other parts of the South.
The appeal is easy to understand: mild winters, a lower cost of living than many coastal markets, beaches and golf, and a growing Wilmington healthcare system. North Carolina does not tax Social Security benefits, and property taxes in many coastal counties compare favorably with those in the Northeast.
Retirement here can look many ways — an active-adult community with a full social calendar, a low-maintenance villa near the golf course, a cottage in a walkable small town like Southport, or a home near family in Wilmington. We help retirees weigh healthcare access, single-level living, HOA services, and long-term flexibility.
Popular Places to Retire
Southport & St. James
Brunswick CountyHistoric small-town charm in Southport, plus St. James's golf, marina, and clubs next door. Dosher Memorial Hospital is right in town.
Leland (Brunswick Forest, Compass Pointe & more)
Brunswick CountyLarge master-planned communities with fitness centers, pools, clubs, and trails — about 10 to 20 minutes to Wilmington's hospitals, shopping, and airport.
Ocean Isle, Sunset Beach & Calabash
Brunswick CountyQuiet beach towns and golf communities in southern Brunswick County, close to the beaches and to North Myrtle Beach shopping and healthcare.
Wilmington
New Hanover CountyCity living with the region's largest hospital system, UNCW's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, arts, dining, and the airport — ideal for retirees who want everything close by.
Wilmington community guide →Carolina Beach & Kure Beach
New Hanover CountyBeach-town living with year-round neighbors, walking paths, fishing piers, and a short drive to Wilmington.
Hampstead
Pender CountyA growing coastal community with golf, waterfront neighborhoods, and access to Topsail Island and Wilmington.
Hampstead community guide →Brunswick County Neighborhoods for Retirement Living
Specific Brunswick County communities that fit this lifestyle, with golf courses, builders and amenities at a glance.
Golf Course Communities
St. James Plantation
Custom homes & lotsOne of the largest gated golf communities on the North Carolina coast, between Southport and Oak Island along the Intracoastal Waterway. Single-family, attached and condo homes, with custom new construction still underway.
Four courses: The Reserve Club (Jack Nicklaus), The Founders Club (P.B. Dye), The Members Club (Hale Irwin) and The Players Club (Tim Cate)
- 24-hour gated entrance
- Full-service marina
- Beach club on Oak Island
- Pools & fitness
- Tennis & pickleball
- Golf membership optional
Winding River Plantation
Custom homes & lotsGated golf and river community on the Lockwood Folly River with its own day marina and a beach club on Holden Beach. Custom builders continue to build on remaining lots.
Carolina National Golf Club: 27 holes designed by Fred Couples (membership optional)
- Gated entrance
- River House & day marina
- Boat launch with ICW access
- Holden Beach oceanfront beach club
- Clubhouse, pool & fitness
- Tennis & bocce
Sea Trail Plantation
Builders selling nowMaster-planned golf and beach community on the mainland side of Sunset Beach, minutes from the island. New construction homes, villas, condos and buildable lots alongside established neighborhoods.
Three 18-hole championship courses: Rees Jones, Dan Maples and Willard Byrd
- Three golf courses
- Clubhouse & dining
- Pools
- Minutes to Sunset Beach
- Condos, villas & single-family
Ocean Ridge Plantation
Custom homes & lotsGated community off US 17 built around the "Big Cats" golf courses, with a private oceanfront beach club for residents on Sunset Beach.
The Big Cats: Tiger's Eye, Leopard's Chase, Lion's Paw and Panther's Run (four 18-hole courses)
- Gated entrance
- Private oceanfront beach club
- Two community centers
- Pools
- Tennis & pickleball
- Walking trails & fishing pond
Brunswick Plantation
Builders selling nowLarge gated golf community in Calabash with several neighborhoods and active new construction, a short drive to Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle and North Myrtle Beach.
27-hole championship golf course
Builders: Lennar, D.R. Horton (Rich Square)
- Gated with 24-hour security
- 11,000 sq. ft. clubhouse
- Multiple pools
- Tennis courts
- On-site restaurant
Brunswick Forest
Builders selling nowRoughly 4,500-acre master-planned community in Leland, about 15 minutes from downtown Wilmington, with multiple builders and neighborhoods still under construction.
Cape Fear National: 18-hole championship course with a ~7,000 sq. ft. clubhouse
Builders: Multiple builders, including Stanley Martin (Trestle Ridge)
- Fitness center
- Indoor & outdoor pools
- 40+ miles of trails
- River Club with kayak access
- Restaurant & community garden
Compass Pointe
Builders selling nowGated, resort-style community in Leland known for its amenity center and lazy river, with a golf course built through the community.
The Pointe: 18-hole course designed by Rick Robbins (separate membership)
- Gated entrance
- Indoor & outdoor pools with lazy river
- Fitness & wellness center
- Tennis & pickleball
- Dog park & events lawn
- Walking & biking trails
Magnolia Greens
Mostly resaleEstablished golf community in Leland close to shopping on US 17, popular with buyers who want golf and value without the newest-construction price tag.
27-hole golf course open to the public
- Golf
- Community pool & clubhouse
- Tennis
- Close to Leland shopping
Crow Creek
Builders selling nowGolf community anchored by the Crow Creek course, with new single-family homes and condos near Calabash and Sunset Beach.
Crow Creek Golf Club
- Golf course
- Community pool
- Single-family homes & condos
Thistle Golf Club
Custom homes & lotsCustom homes and homesites within the private Thistle Golf Club, a well-regarded course near the South Carolina line.
Thistle Golf Club (private)
- Private golf club
- Custom home sites
Carolina Shores
Mostly resaleEstablished town built around an 18-hole golf course and clubhouse, with single-family homes, patio homes and villas at approachable prices.
18-hole golf course & clubhouse
- Golf
- Patio homes & villas
- Close to Calabash dining
New Home Communities
Del Webb Wilmington at Mallory Creek
Builders selling now55+ active adult community from Del Webb on about 300 acres near River Road, planned for roughly 760 homes.
Builders: Del Webb
- ~20,000 sq. ft. clubhouse
- Indoor & outdoor pools
- Fitness & yoga
- Pickleball & bocce
- Lifestyle director, clubs & activities
- Trails, dog park & community garden
East Lake
Builders selling nowActive adult new home community in Leland from Ryan Homes.
Builders: Ryan Homes
- Active adult community
- Low-maintenance living
Courtyards by Carrell
Builders selling nowA 66-home patio home neighborhood geared toward buyers 55 and older, with low-maintenance living near the beach.
- Patio homes
- Pickleball court
- Low-maintenance living
Coastal Club of the Carolinas
Builders selling nowChesapeake Homes community with a resort-style amenity package and a design gallery for personalizing homes.
Builders: Chesapeake Homes
- Resort-style pool
- Pickleball
- Fitness center
- Dog park & trails
- Fire pits & community garden
Updated October 2026. Builders, phases, amenities and availability change often. Contact us for current pricing and inventory, and bring your own agent to your first builder visit.
Retirement Life on the Cape Fear Coast
Stay active
Golf, pickleball, walking trails, beach walks, boating, and fitness centers are part of daily life in most retiree-friendly communities.
Keep learning and connecting
Lifelong learning programs at UNCW, volunteer opportunities, churches, and community clubs make it easy to build a new circle of friends.
Healthcare access
Wilmington is the region's medical hub, with additional hospitals in Bolivia, Southport, Burgaw, Jacksonville, and Whiteville and a growing network of specialists and outpatient centers.
Family visits made easy
Wilmington International Airport (ILM) offers direct flights to several major hubs, and the beach makes your home the place the grandkids want to visit.
What Retirees Should Consider
Single-level living and aging in place
Look for a first-floor primary suite, few steps at entry, wide doorways, and walk-in showers. Raised beach homes on pilings may need an elevator to be practical long-term.
HOA services and fees
Some communities include lawn care, exterior maintenance, and amenities in their dues. Compare what is included, not just the monthly cost.
Age-restricted vs. all-ages
True 55+ communities offer a peer group and quieter streets; all-ages communities may suit retirees who want families nearby. Know which you prefer.
Property tax relief for seniors
North Carolina offers a homestead property tax exclusion for qualifying residents age 65 or older (or totally and permanently disabled) who meet income limits. Check eligibility with the county tax office.
Hurricanes and insurance
Coastal living means planning for storm season. Factor insurance costs, flood zones, and evacuation plans into your decision.
Retirement Living: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southeastern North Carolina a good place to retire?
Many retirees think so. The region offers mild weather, beaches, golf, a lower cost of living than many coastal areas, a growing healthcare system in Wilmington, and no state income tax on Social Security benefits.
Does North Carolina tax retirement income?
North Carolina does not tax Social Security benefits. Most other retirement income, such as pensions and IRA withdrawals, is subject to the state's flat income tax, with some exceptions for certain government and military retirees. Consult a tax professional for your situation.
What are the best 55+ communities near Wilmington, NC?
Options include age-restricted neighborhoods and active-adult sections within larger master-planned communities in Leland, Wilmington, Southport, and Hampstead. Inventory and amenities change frequently, so contact us for a current comparison.
Where is the best healthcare for retirees in Southeastern NC?
Wilmington is the regional medical center, with the largest hospital and most specialists. Retirees in Brunswick, Pender, and Onslow counties also have local hospitals and can typically reach Wilmington within about 30 to 60 minutes.