For buyers in Wilmington, the dream is often simple: a home where you can smell the salt air and drop a kayak in the water after work.

But if you look at Wrightsville Beach or Landfall, that dream often comes with a $2 million price tag.

Enter Ogden and Middle Sound.

Located just north of the “college corridor,” this peninsula of land between Market Street and the Intracoastal Waterway has quietly become the most strategic buy in New Hanover County. In late 2025, it offers a rare combination of A-rated schools, water access, and a median price point that is actually attainable.

Here is why savvy buyers are bypassing the beach towns to drop anchor in Ogden.

1. The “Private Water” Lifestyle

In Wrightsville Beach, you pay for public beach access. In Middle Sound, you pay for private water access.

The Marina Communities: Neighborhoods like Anchors Bend and Middle Point offer something nearly impossible to find elsewhere: a dedicated community marina.
The Perk: You can own a 30-foot boat slip steps from your door for a fraction of the price of public marina slips.
The Kayak Culture: Pages Creek and Howe Creek offer a paddler’s paradise. Many HOAs include private kayak launches, giving residents a sunset marsh route without fighting for public parking.
The Ramp Reality: Large public ramps aren’t inside Ogden, but backyard docks and community piers make daily coastal living frictionless.

2. The 2025 Market Sweet Spot

The Price: As of late 2025, the median home price in Ogden sits around $655,000.
The Comparison: Roughly one-third the cost of the average home on Wrightsville Beach.
The Velocity: Homes often go under contract in under 10 days. It’s the “move-up” zone for families leaving Leland who want to be on the Wilmington side of the bridge.
Luxury Without the Label: Middle Sound Loop waterfront estates trade for $2M+—homes that would be $5M+ three miles south. This is quiet wealth, not flashy wealth.

3. The “Ogden Park” Corridor

The Hub: Ogden Park functions as the second backyard for most residents: skate park, off-leash dog park, tennis and pickleball courts, and constant weekend activity.
The Schools: Ogden Elementary holds a consistent “A” rating in 2025, feeding into Noble Middle and Laney High. This stable academic track protects long-term property values.

4. Convenience: The “Mayfaire” Buffer

The Geography: You’re 5–10 minutes from Mayfaire Town Center and Porters Neck medical services, without living in the traffic of either.
The Commute: Use I-140 to leave town instantly, or take back roads like Torchwood/Middle Sound to reach Cast Iron Kitchen or K38 without touching Market Street.

The Bottom Line

Ogden and Middle Sound deliver the “Waterman’s Lifestyle” on a residential budget. You trade the ocean view for a creek view, and in exchange, you get a larger lot, a newer home, and a boat slip you can actually afford.

At Aspyre Realty Group, we specialize in the hidden water-access neighborhoods—where the slip waitlists matter as much as the square footage.