It has been said by many a native that downtown Wilmington is a separate place from the rest of the city and New Hanover County. The tone is absolutely different from any other neighborhood in the region. If you appreciate being at the crossroads of the community, downtown is the place for you. If you are looking for history and charm as well as an energetic and culturally/socially inspirational atmosphere, downtown Wilmington is definitely the place to be. It's lively, warm and relentlessly interesting.

Many of the homes date from the mid- to late 1800s and the first quarter of the 20th century. There are stunning examples of Victorian, Italianate, Renaissance, Neoclassical and Revivalist architecture. Homes in the area, small cottages and large mansions alike, feature high ceilings, hardwood floors, fascinating detail, front porches and all of the interesting characteristics one would expect of vintage homes.

Relatively few homes come on the market in the more established center of the neighborhood, and the ones that do aren't available for long unless they are very large and, therefore, quite expensive. As one local real estate agent put it, there is a range of everything in the way of housing and prices downtown, from larger homes in the district to small cottages with prices ranging from $120,000 to more than $1 million, depending on the location and condition.

Within the Historic District proper, many homes have been restored, but there are still handyman bargains to be had, especially in the areas outside of the district in the Historic Overlay. It takes a person with vision to redo some of the deteriorated architectural gems in these neighborhoods. The level of downtown neighborhood restoration is most stable at the river and diminishes as you head east toward the ocean at about Eighth Street.

Although every type of housing style is available, the general downtown real estate market consists of single-family homes. There are also a growing number of condominiums and a few duplex developments. Some opportunities to have a rental apartment within one's own home are available.

See Historic District Real Estate

Some solidly rediscovered older neighborhoods beyond downtown are the Mansion District and nearby Carolina Heights and Carolina Place. Both flank Market Street beyond 15th Street. These neighborhoods date from the 1920s, and architectural styles vary. In the Mansion District you can certainly purchase a mansion-style home ranging from $400,000 to $1,000,000, but there are also appealing cottages. Many of the larger homes started out as handyman bargains or fixer-uppers and were returned to their former elegance.

See Mansion District Real Estate

Carolina Heights and Carolina Place begin at around 17th Street and continue to 23rd Street. Carolina Heights is almost exclusively single-family homes with a price range from $160,000. In Carolina Place, the home buyer will find more diversity in architecture and price. Homes start in the $115,000 range and go up into the high $160,000s. It is regarded as the new frontier for not only residential investors, but also homeowners, largely thanks to its relatively new status as an Historic Registry District. It also is comfortingly close to venerable Forest Hills.

See Carolina Heights/Place Real Estate

Forest Hills is, without dispute, a fine address. This large and very stable neighborhood was once a suburb of downtown. Today it is a conveniently located neighborhood of older homes that date from as early as the 1920s. Well-maintained lawns, large setbacks, quietness, alleys for backyard access and trash pickup, and gorgeous live oaks are the hallmarks of this neighborhood. There are ambling canopied lanes and lots of Southern-style shade. Diversity in square footage and architectural style allows for diversity in price, ranging from $230,000. An attractive feature of this neighborhood is its proximity to shopping and services. It is minutes from the largest mall in the region.

See Forest Hills Real Estate

Pine Valley, near South College Road around Longleaf Mall, is about three decades old as a development and still enjoying active home sales. It has attracted many Wilmingtonians to its quiet, pine tree–dotted blocks. A nearby golf course and clubhouse are easily accessible to people who want to live in a stable neighborhood that isn't necessarily exclusive in terms of price. Homes range from the $160,000s.

See Pine Valley Real Estate