The area to the south of Wilmington is currently the fastest growing part of New Hanover county. Along College Road south of Market Street to Shipyard Boulevard, dense commercial growth has been taking place for years. However, with significantly increased residential development farther to the south down to Pleasure Island, commercial development has been following at a rapid pace. This is especially true in the Monkey Junction/Myrtle Grove area at the junction of Carolina Beach Road (U.S. Highway 421) and College Road (N.C. Highway 132), where there is a Lowe's hardware store and a Wal-Mart Super Center, along with numerous other businesses and restaurants.

South of Monkey Junction along Carolina Beach Road, quite a few residential areas have been developed, ranging from moderately priced to upscale gated communities, interspersed with commercial establishments. The four-lane, divided highway allows easy access to any of these businesses, communities and Pleasure Island.

Just north of the Snow's Cut Bridge on River Road is the growing development of Cypress Island. Developed by Cypress Green Inc., (910) 452-1294, (888) 395-4770, this neighborhood consists of 1,400- to 2,000-square-foot single-family homes and 1,200- to 1,800-square-foot townhomes. Homes and lots are offered as a package deal starting around $170,000 to $300,000 for single-family homes and $145,900 and more for townhomes. The community has a 14-acre nature preserve with a nature trail, three stocked fishing lakes, a clubhouse, a pool and tennis courts. It has a 9-hole, par 3 golf course.