In South Eastern North Carolina, the ultimate status symbol isn't a luxury SUV; it's a customized, lifted, 6-seater golf cart.

For many relocating to New Hanover and Brunswick counties, the dream is to park the car on Friday afternoon and not touch it again until Monday morning. They want a life where the grocery store, the gym, and the pub are all just a short, breezy ride away.

But not all "golf cart communities" are created equal. In some, you can drive to Harris Teeter; in others, you can only drive to the pool. And in 2025, the legal distinction between a Golf Cart and a Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) is the difference between a fun weekend and a traffic ticket.

Here is your guide to the true "Cart Life" in the Cape Fear region.

1. The "True Town" Experience: Brunswick Forest (Leland)

If you want to run actual errands without a car, this is the gold standard.

The Connectivity: Brunswick Forest was designed with a massive network of wide, paved paths that connect the residential neighborhoods directly to The Villages at Brunswick Forest.

What you can reach: You can cart to Lowe’s Foods, CVS, the dentist, the vet, and dining spots like the glorious Pizzetta's or the local brewery.

The Rule: Inside the gates, standard golf carts are generally fine on the paths. However, if you cross into the commercial area (The Villages), you are technically on public roads/parking lots where Street Legal (LSV) requirements are often enforced by local police.

2. The "Private City": St. James Plantation (Southport)

St. James is so large it has its own fire department. Naturally, it has a thriving cart culture.

The Connectivity: With over 81 holes of golf and four clubhouses, the internal cart traffic is heavy. You can cart to Tommy’s Market (a specialized grocery/deli inside the community) and the Marina Village for dinner at Beacon 315.

The Crossing: To get from the main neighborhoods to the SeaSide/Reserve side, you have to cross Hwy 211. The community has built specific tunnels and controlled crossings to make this safe and legal for carts.

The Rule: Standard carts are allowed on internal roads, but they must have lights and be registered with the POA.

3. The "Riverfront" Ride: Riverlights (Wilmington)

This community markets the cart lifestyle heavily, but there are limits.

The Connectivity: The paths around the lake and leading to Marina Village are perfect for carts. You can easily ride to Smoke on the Water for sunset dinner or Magnolia Social Cafe for coffee.

The Limit: Currently, you cannot legally cart to the major grocery stores (Harris Teeter/Publix) because it requires driving on River Road (a 45+ mph highway). You are restricted to the community bubble.

The Rule: Riverlights encourages Street Legal (LSV) carts, especially as they integrate with future commercial phases.

4. The "Legal" Reality: Golf Cart vs. LSV

This is the most important purchase decision you will make after the house.

Standard Golf Cart: Max speed 20 mph. No VIN.

Where you can drive: Only on private roads (gated communities) or public roads with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less if the local municipality has a specific ordinance allowing it (like Southport or Carolina Beach).

Low Speed Vehicle (LSV): Max speed 25 mph. Has a VIN, seatbelts, DOT windshield, wipers, and turn signals. Must be registered with the DMV and have a license plate.

Where you can drive: Any public road with a speed limit of 35 mph or less.

The 2025 Verdict: If you live in Landfall or Carolina Beach, buy an LSV. Police enforcement has tightened significantly. In Landfall specifically, you must have a plated LSV to use the roads legally; standard carts are technically prohibited on the POA streets unless grandfathered or strictly managed.

5. The Beach Towns: Carolina Beach & Southport

Southport: The "Golf Cart Capital." You can drive a standard cart almost everywhere (downtown, waterfront, yacht basin) as long as you pay the annual city permit fee and pass an inspection. It is the primary mode of transport for locals.

Carolina Beach: A massive cart culture, but strict rules. You must have a permit. Parking is premium, but carts often get designated "Cart Only" spots near the beach access, which is a huge perk in July.

The Bottom Line

"Golf Cart Friendly" is a marketing term. "Golf Cart Connective" is a lifestyle.

At Aspyre Realty Group, we know which neighborhoods have the tunnels, the paths, and the grocery access to make the "car-free weekend" a reality.