The Haven at RiverLights is a distinctive neighborhood set within the larger RiverLights master-planned community — a collection of single-family homes by Pulte Homes along the Cape Fear River in southern New Hanover County. It is a low-maintenance enclave designed for buyers who want a refined home and an engaged community without the upkeep of a larger lot, and it serves as one of the more accessible ways into a waterfront community most people only get to visit.

That positioning is what we point buyers toward first. As part of RiverLights, Haven residents enjoy full access to the community’s extensive amenities: the freshwater lake, riverwalk, kayak launches, resort pool, fitness center, parks, and the growing Marina Village commercial area. The Haven layers in its own neighborhood-scale gathering spaces and a quieter, more intimate feel within the broader community — you get the energy and infrastructure of RiverLights, but on a street that knows its neighbors.

Homes in The Haven are built by Pulte Homes, one of the nation’s most established homebuilders, and the construction reflects it. The collection features thoughtfully designed single-family homes with open floor plans, modern kitchens, and energy-efficient construction. Pulte’s consumer-focused approach shows up in the details that matter day to day — built-in organization systems and flexible living spaces that adapt as your needs change. For buyers prioritizing a lock-and-leave lifestyle, that combination of solid construction and sensible design carries real weight.

As of early 2026, the median home price in The Haven at RiverLights is approximately $460K. Prices range from the low $400K range to homes exceeding $510K, which makes this one of the more accessible new-construction options within the RiverLights community. For context, that entry point buys you into a waterfront master-plan that typically commands more — a big part of the value story here.

The inventory is single-family homes from Pulte, so what separates one price from another comes down to floor plan, square footage, lot position, and finish level rather than radically different product types. Buyers weighing a specific plan or a premium lot should expect to land toward the upper end of that range, while the more efficient layouts open the door at the lower end.

Social connections in The Haven come naturally — through the broader RiverLights calendar of community events and the neighborhood’s own gatherings. It draws people who value waterfront living and genuine community engagement, and that shared outlook is a large part of what makes the day-to-day feel here so easy to settle into.

A few of the local spots that define everyday life in and around The Haven at RiverLights:

• Smoke on the Water — barbecue and Southern comfort food right in the RiverLights community village, an easy walk-or-roll from home
• Farmhouse Kitchen at RiverLights — the village gathering spot for coffee, a quick bite, and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere
• Waterman’s Brewing Company — craft brewery with rotating seasonal beers and a family-friendly patio nearby
• Tidal Creek Co-op — organic grocery and deli with fresh prepared foods and locally sourced goods
• Casey’s Buffet & Catering — a generous Southern buffet with fried chicken, seafood, and the classic sides, on Carolina Beach Road

The through-line is convenience: most of what fills a week sits inside the community or a short drive down Carolina Beach Road, which suits the low-maintenance rhythm a lot of Haven buyers are after.

The Haven at RiverLights is served by New Hanover County Schools. Even for buyers without children at home, school assignments shape resale demand, so they’re worth knowing. The key schools for the area are:

• Myrtle Grove Elementary School — Niche grade B-plus, approximately 540 students, with a supportive learning environment
• Myrtle Grove Middle School — Niche grade A-minus, approximately 780 students, with strong academic programs
• Ashley High School — Niche grade B, approximately 1,899 students, with diverse extracurricular offerings

Private and charter school options are available throughout the greater Wilmington area for families who want to weigh alternatives.

The Haven at RiverLights sits in southern New Hanover County along River Road (NC-133). Downtown Wilmington is approximately 15 minutes north, and Carolina Beach is roughly 10 minutes south — the kind of split that lets you choose between a riverfront dinner downtown and toes in the sand without committing your whole day to either.

ILM airport is approximately 20 minutes away, which is a real convenience for residents who travel or host visiting family. The community shares the broader RiverLights development’s well-placed location — between downtown and the beaches, with easy access to US-421 and the wider road network. It’s a setup that keeps daily errands short and longer trips simple.