If St. James Plantation is on your list, you are looking at the flagship. This gated, master-planned community just outside Southport is the largest and most amenity-rich address in Brunswick County, and it draws buyers searching for St. James Plantation homes for sale from all over the country. We show buyers around here regularly, so this is the complete, honest guide: what it costs, what you get, and who it truly fits.
| The Short VersionWhat it is: A gated, roughly 6,000-acre master-planned community on the Intracoastal Waterway near Southport, built around 81 holes of golf, a marina, and a private oceanfront beach club.Who it is for: Active adults and retirees who want resort-style amenities, water access, and a busy social calendar, and who don't mind a premium price.What you will pay: Roughly $350,000 for condos and townhomes, up to well past $1.5 million for custom waterfront estates, with an average around $730,000. |
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Location | On the Intracoastal Waterway just outside Southport; about 10 to 15 minutes to Oak Island beaches and 35 to 45 minutes to Wilmington |
| Type | Gated, all ages (very popular with 55+), established in 1991 |
| Size | Roughly 6,000 acres across multiple neighborhoods, planned for thousands of homes |
| Golf | 81 holes across four championship clubs |
| Signature amenities | Private oceanfront beach club, 475-slip marina, Signature Wellness Center, four clubhouses, 100+ clubs |
| Typical home prices | About $350,000 to $1.5 million and up (average near $730,000) |
| Best for | Buyers who want the deepest amenities and real water access in one gated community |
St. James stretches along the Intracoastal Waterway just outside historic Southport, near the mouth of the Cape Fear River. It is big: roughly 6,000 acres of live oaks, longleaf pines, and preserved wetlands, laced with more than 30 miles of walking and biking trails. Despite the scale, it feels private and secure, with gated entrances and a true “destination neighborhood” atmosphere where you rarely need to leave for recreation. You are about 10 to 15 minutes from the beaches of Oak Island and 35 to 45 minutes from Wilmington. For a feel of the town at its doorstep, see our guide to what it is really like to live in Southport.
One of the reasons St. James stays on so many shortlists is range. It offers everything from low-maintenance condos to grand custom estates, so the entry point is more approachable than its luxury reputation suggests. Here is the general lay of the land:
| Home type | Typical price | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Condos and townhomes | From about $350,000 | Lock-and-leave, low maintenance, marina or golf views |
| Single-family homes | From about $600,000 | Full-time living with a yard, golf or wooded lots |
| Custom and waterfront estates | $1 million to $1.5 million and up | Buyers wanting marina, waterway, or premium golf frontage |
| Homesites (build your own) | From about $200,000 | Building a custom home on golf, pond, or wooded lots |
New construction is still very much available here, with several award-winning builders active in the community. If you are weighing a brand-new build against an existing home, our guide to new construction vs. resale in Coastal NC walks through the trade-offs.
Golf is the beating heart of St. James, and few communities anywhere can match it. There are 81 holes spread across four championship clubs: the Founders Club (a P.B. Dye design), the Members Club (a 27-hole Hale Irwin layout), the Players Club (Tim Cate), and the Reserve Club (a Nicklaus Design course). Each has its own clubhouse, and the courses regularly land St. James among North Carolina's top golf communities. Memberships are offered through the clubs and are separate from your property owners association dues, so you only pay for golf if you play. St. James also appears at the very top of our 8 best golf course communities in Brunswick County.
Even setting golf aside, St. James is stacked. The community has invested more than $100 million in amenities, and it shows:
Life at St. James tends to revolve around the water, the courses, and the clubs. A typical week might mix a round of golf, a workout at the wellness center, a boat trip from the marina, an afternoon at the Oak Island beach club, and dinner with a club you have joined. Historic Southport, with its waterfront restaurants and shops, is minutes away, and Wilmington's larger shopping, culture, and airport are a manageable drive north. It is a lifestyle that many residents describe as feeling like a permanent vacation.
No community is a fit for everyone. A few things to weigh before you buy:
| Best for: Active adults who want the widest range of amenities, real boating and beach access, and a packed social calendar, all inside one secure, gated community, and who are comfortable with a premium price and a bit of ongoing construction. |
How much do homes cost in St. James Plantation?
Prices generally run from about $350,000 for condos and townhomes to well past $1.5 million for custom waterfront estates, with an average around $730,000. Homesites for building your own start around $200,000. Prices vary by neighborhood and view, so confirm current listings for what you want.
Is St. James Plantation a 55+ community?
No, it is an all-ages community, but it is extremely popular with active adults and retirees. There is no age restriction to buy or live there.
How many golf courses does St. James have?
St. James has 81 holes across four championship clubs: the Founders Club, the Members Club, the Players Club, and the Reserve Club. Golf memberships are separate from your property owners association dues, so you only pay if you play.
Does St. James Plantation have beach access?
Yes. Residents have a private oceanfront beach club with a pool on nearby Oak Island, about 10 to 15 minutes away, in addition to the community's 475-slip marina on the Intracoastal Waterway.
How far is St. James from Wilmington and the beaches?
St. James is about 10 to 15 minutes from the beaches of Oak Island and roughly 35 to 45 minutes from Wilmington, which has larger shopping, healthcare, culture, and the regional airport. Historic Southport is just minutes away.
What are the HOA or POA fees at St. James?
Property owners association fees vary by neighborhood and home type, and golf and some club memberships are billed separately. Because the structure has a few layers, the best move is to get the current fee sheet for the specific home you are considering. We are happy to pull that for you.
| Thinking About St. James? Let's Tour It Together.The best way to know if St. James fits is to walk the neighborhoods, see the amenities, and compare a few homes side by side. We tour it regularly and can give you the honest local take, arrange visits, and pull current listings and fee sheets. Browse our full 55+ Communities guide at retire2nc.com/55-communities, or reach out and we'll help you decide. |
Explore every neighborhood on our 55+ Communities page, grab our free Coastal Guide Book, or meet the team who will guide your search from first tour to closing day.
