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Neighborhoods & Developments |
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Downtown Historic District
New Bern's Downtown Historic District is a very attractive, 56-square-block area that for more than two centuries grew along the point of land jutting into the confluence of the Neuse and Trent rivers and extended west to Queen Street. The district was officially entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. The neighborhood contains the town's oldest and most distinguished homes. Its buildings and landscape elements chronicle New Bern's growth — from its days as the Colonial capital of the Carolinas from 1766 until 1778, to its status as an important mercantile center in the mid-eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, to its time of prosperity fueled by the lumber industry in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The New Bern Preservation Foundation (NBPF), in the years since its organization in 1972, has bought, stabilized and sold more than 60 structures of historical or architectural significance in New Bern's historic downtown. People who purchase from the NBPF must abide by restrictive covenants that protect the architectural integrity of the house. Whenever possible, the foundation provides new owners with documentary evidence of the structure's original architecture and provenance, such as photos, floor plans and old insurance maps. Once a structure is sold, the preservation foundation serves as a source of expert advice to the owners who restore the dwellings. The foundation's work has provided the impetus for many other property owners to follow suit, resulting in the restoration of more than 150 residences. A few of these date from the mid-1700s, built shortly after New Bern was founded in 1710 by Swiss colonists under Baron Christoph von deGraffenried. The focal point of historic downtown is Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens on Pollock Street. The home of William Tryon, North Carolina's colonial royal governor, the palace's gardens and buildings have been beautifully reconstructed and restored. This state historic site draws thousands of visitors each year. (For information on Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens, see our New Bern Attractions chapter.) Professional offices, businesses, and bed and breakfast inns occupy tastefully renovated old homes in the surrounding neighborhood. The city has an astonishing number of landmarks listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and most of these are found in the downtown district. Facing the Neuse River are approximately a dozen square blocks of pedigreed houses dating from the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Most of the elegantly restored homes have two or three stories. Fully restored historic houses are going for $250,000 and can run to more than $600,000. Smaller home restorations away from the river in this neighborhood are available starting in the $150,000 range. As you move farther away from the Neuse, blocks become more transitional and prices drop. The cost of homes throughout the entire downtown
district varies enormously, depending upon location and the degree of
restoration. Sometimes homes along the fringes are offered in the $75,000 to
$90,000 range, but you can bet they require a tremendous amount of work and
TLC. Preservation also has stimulated demand for smaller residential spaces
in New Bern's historic downtown. Townhomes and condominiums in this district
range from $150,000 to $300,000. |
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Riverside Historic District
Riverside, also listed on the National Historic Register, consists of National Avenue and the section east of the avenue to the Neuse River. Development began in the late 1890s in response to the city's flourishing lumber industry. Riverside was originally a mixed-use community of residential buildings and commercial enterprises. People wanted to live where they worked. Regrettably, as lumber ceased to be economically important, Riverside fell into disrepair. The result is a neighborhood where beautifully refurbished homes and rundown buildings stand side by side. But fortunately for New Bernians, Riverside property owners are taking measures to restore this once-handsome community to its original function as home to businesses and private residences. Many of Riverside's larger homes were built
between 1896 and World War II, so there is a pleasant mix of architectural
styles in the neighborhood. On National Avenue, high-peaked, two-story
Victorian structures with wraparound porches and plenty of shade trees are
situated well back from the road. On the cross streets perpendicular to
National Avenue and the Neuse are rows of tidy bungalows. Homes along the
River Drive waterfront are of an entirely different character. You will find
pretty brick ranch dwellings on small lots with plenty of trees and
meticulous landscaping. Real estate values vary widely, with some of the
older bungalows offered in the $70,000 to $95,000 range, and renovated
historic dwellings starting at about $135,000.
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Ghent Historic District
The Ghent neighborhood, which was added to the National Historic Register in 1988, contains private homes dating mostly from 1913 to World War II. The area encompasses Spencer, Rhem and sections of Park avenues. It began as a trolley-car suburb in the days when working folks wanted homes away from the hustle and bustle of downtown New Bern. Today, Spencer Avenue is considered one of the prettiest streets in New Bern, with old-fashioned street lamps along a landscaped median separating two lanes of traffic. Large flowering fruit trees throughout the neighborhood are breathtakingly beautiful in April. Ghent is an energetic, people-oriented neighborhood where residents take to the sidewalks whenever the weather permits, which is often in the mild New Bern climate. This neighborhood has become a highly desirable section for homeowners and has undergone a lot of sprucing up. Bungalows and cottage-style homes with neat lawns and open or screened porches make up a large part of the neighborhood. The neighborhood is close to one of the area's nicest amenities, the Twin Rivers YMCA, which includes an outdoor swimming pool (covered with a "bubble" in the cooler months so the pool can used year-round), an indoor Junior Olympic–size swimming pool, a gymnasium, weight rooms and a racquetball court. The Y also offers day care and exercise classes. Ghent is also fortunate to be situated between Fort Totten Park, which has a playground, lighted baseball field, bleachers and restrooms, and the larger Lawson Creek Park, a popular fishing spot with nature trails, boat launches and picnic tables. Homes in Ghent are larger than in many of the
new housing developments surrounding New Bern, but many still require
remodeling and renovation. Fully restored homes are in the $250,000 range
and can run more than $600,000. Smaller homes away from the river are
available for $150,000. As you move way from the river, prices drop. Newer
homes in the neighborhood's Trolley Run area start at about $150,000.
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DeGraffenried Park
This distinguished neighborhood lies between Trent and
Neuse boulevards directly north of the Ghent Historic District and has
recently been granted on the National Register of Historic Places. Homes
here are generally large and well-placed on spacious, beautifully landscaped
lots. Sidewalks invite neighborhood strolls, and streets carry names such as
Queen Anne Lane and Lucerne Way. Many of the neighborhood's more notable
residences are stately, two-story Colonial Revival dwellings. Brick walls
and wrought-iron fences embellish many of the houses in the district. You
can expect to pay between $150,000 to $300,000 for these homes.
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Trent Woods
This large, mature development lies between New Bern and the Trent River. It has been incorporated to give residents better control over their neighborhoods, and there is virtually no commercial development within its borders. Its winding lanes contain some of the most posh neighborhoods and dwellings in the area. New Bern Golf and Country Club is located in Trent Woods, and national best-selling author Nicholas Sparks is a resident of this upscale community. Trent Woods is composed of several subdivisions, some of which are primarily waterfront property. Most of the residences tend toward conservative rather than contemporary architectural styles and are constructed of wood, brick or stucco. Homes are large, with two and three stories, and usually have attached or separate two-car garages. Lots are spacious, wooded and impeccably landscaped, often with Spanish moss draped in towering trees. If you take a drive through Trent Woods in the spring, you'll be greeted by a stunning display of flowering trees and shrubs. In addition to the country club, the area
boasts other amenities, such as the Eastern Carolina Yacht Club. The average
price range for a non-waterfront home in Trent Woods is $125,000 to
$600,000. Waterfront homes are quite pricey and can go up to $1.6 million.
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Olde Towne Harbour
This is one of the nicest subdivisions in New Bern,
just east of Trent Woods and south of U.S. Highway 70. Though just minutes
from the downtown district and the shopping malls on U.S. Highway 17, Olde
Towne Harbour offers quiet seclusion in a lovely, natural setting. Here, you
can find some of the most lavish, custom-built contemporary homes and
condominiums in New Bern. The largest of these sprawl along the shores of
the Trent River and Olde Towne Lake (actually a river inlet). This is a
strictly residential development. Homesites range from $33,000 to $229,000,
depending upon location, while homes range from $400,000 to $2 million.
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Taberna
Taberna (the name translated means "place of
hospitality"), about 5 miles east of downtown New Bern on U.S. Highway 70
East, combines the best of old-fashioned Southern hospitality with
new-fangled charm. Residences at this 1,100-acre golfing community include
single-family homes, patio homes and townhouses. The focal point is the
championship 18-hole golf course designed by Jim Lipe, a head architect for
Jack Nicklaus. The community includes natural beauty such as rolling hills,
dense foliage, lakes, streams and wetlands, along with man-made amenities
like pedestrian trails, a canoe dock and a canoe trail system, as well as a
country club. Home prices in this lovely subdivision range from $145,000 to
$500,000.
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River Bend
The 1,200-acre town of River Bend lies along a winding inlet on the north shore of the Trent River, about 5 miles east of New Bern. This location allows many of the homesites to have water frontage and private boat slips. The land was originally owned by the Odd Fellows, a fraternal group of black tenant farmers who raised tobacco. During the recession of 1914, they were forced to sell their land to the company store for supplies and debts. During the first half of the century, a wealthy family owned the land and continued to have it farmed for tobacco. In 1965, real estate speculator J. Frank Efird recognized the area's potential as a retirement development for people moving south from the Northeast. He organized The Efird Company to acquire and develop the old Odd Fellows farm. True to Efird's vision, large numbers of retirees now live in River Bend, although a number of young families live there too. The community has its own country club to service its 18-hole golf course. The club includes a well-stocked pro shop, a small sandwich shop, an outdoor swimming pool and four lighted tennis courts. River Bend was incorporated in 1980 in order
to maintain roads and provide other services. The municipal building,
finished in 1986, has a 99-seat meeting hall and is adjacent to a small park
with a children's play area, baseball field and small dock. The development
consists mainly of single-family dwellings, all with attached or detached
one- and two-car garages. In recent years, clusters of townhouses and
duplexes have been added to the community. Prices begin at $90,000 and go
way up.
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Fairfield Harbour
This well-known resort community is across the Neuse River off N.C. Highway 55 and 6 miles down Broad Creek Road. It is a 3,000-acre development that focuses on boating and golf. Homeowners can choose between the beauty of Northwest Creek and Broad Creek, with docks in deep water, or the beauty of rolling lawns near the golf course and country club and marinas off bulk-headed waterfront property. The marinas offer unrestricted ocean access, 18 nautical miles from the Intracoastal Waterway, in sheltered waters. Fairfield Harbour is also a golfer's dream. It has two championship, 18-hole golf courses — the Shoreline and the Harbour Pointe Golf Links — where devotees can play practically all year round (see our New Bern Golf chapter). Fairfield Harbour is a combination of mostly single-family homes, with some condominiums, townhouses and timeshare units added for good measure. The development's large canal system gives many homes water access at their back doors. In general, you can expect homes to start in the $150,000 range to approximately $900,000. There are about 900 single-family homes, 120 condominiums and 200 timeshare units. Condominiums and townhouses at Fairfield Harbour are arranged around small artificial lakes. Winding paths and roads connect all locations, and the combination of layout and landscaping gives a feeling of privacy, even with neighbors only a few feet away. The condos were built at different times in different styles, and they have varying levels of modern amenities. Jacuzzis and Jenn-Aire ranges are common in most, as are balconies, decks and screened porches. Most have two or three bedrooms. Developers have shown careful respect for the trees that were on the lots first. It is not unusual to see decks cut to accommodate a tree. The Harbour's combination of year-round
residents and vacationers requires that a wide variety of activities be
readily available. Established community activities are too numerous to list
but include such interests as men's and women's golf associations, a chorus,
and clubs for quilting, weaving, garden, books, bridge, RV owners, tennis
and yachting. Besides the golf courses, there are three swimming pools (one
is indoor); nine tennis courts, four of which are lighted; and a country
club. Boat rentals and cruises are available year round.
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Brices Creek
The Brices Creek region lies southwest of New Bern and
James City and south of the Trent River. A number of subdivisions exist in
this area, including the Lake Clermont subdivision, Snug Harbor, Oakview,
Deer Run, River Trace, Hunter's Ridge and The Homeplace. Many homes are on
interior lots, but the more elegant residences face the waterfront and are
set well away from the road on large, wooded lots. They tend to be brick or
stucco in contemporary styles. Homes on the waterfront generally sell in the
$200,000 to $400,000 range, depending on their water frontage. Houses away
from the creek sell in the $100,000 to $300,000 range. The Craven County
Airport is just east of Brices Creek.
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Greensprings
Huge, contemporary dwellings on large, wooded
lots grace the western banks of the Neuse River on Green Springs Road just
off U.S. 70 E. between New Bern and Havelock. Waterfront homes start around
$350,000, with lots in the $125,000 range. Farther east along Rivershore
Drive, you can find older frame houses and large cottages tucked into the
river bluffs. Prices vary greatly according to age, size and lot space. Many
new neighborhoods have been developed in this area over the last few years.
Prices of these homes start at about $100,000, but the value is increasing
rapidly.
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Carolina Pines
About 11 miles east of New Bern off U.S. 70
on Carolina Pines Boulevard, Carolina Pines is a large, well-established
residential resort golf community along the Neuse River. It offers a blend
of quiet countryside living combined with country-club flair and
neighborhood charm. Housing varies and includes modest patio homes, ranch
styles and elegant two-story showplaces. Houses in Carolina Pines often sell
in the $120,000 to $180,000 range. Some of the neighborhood amenities
include a challenging 18-hole golf course, a golf pro, a pro shop, tennis
courts, a pool, a clubhouse with a restaurant and lounge and a patio
overlooking freshwater lakes and the links. An added bonus is the adjacent
Croatan National Forest, where residents can enjoy camping, hiking and
horseback riding.
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West New Bern
This area is bounded by Neuse Boulevard on
the northeast, M. L. King Jr. Boulevard on the southeast, U.S. 70 on the
southwest and Glenburnie Road on the northwest. Homes in this attractive
neighborhood are large, brick, ranch houses and two-story dwellings on
generous lots. This part of New Bern is wooded, and there is plenty of
undeveloped pine forest bordering many lots. Most of the homes have numerous
large trees in the yards. Prices here begin at about $90,000 and go up to
$150,000. These homes are convenient to Kidsville and the West New Bern
Recreation Center, which offers tennis courts, baseball fields, a basketball
court and a supervised game room with pool tables.
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Greenbrier is a distinguished 700-acre subdivision right in the middle of New Bern. It is off S. Glenburnie Road and is a neighborhood well-suited for families with young children and for retirees. Lots range from an eighth of an acre to more than a full acre, and excellent architectural planning has effectively blended a variety of home styles into a delightful community. Many homes are of contemporary brick designs. All utilities are underground. Homes on spacious lots range from $160,000 to $600,000. The entire development surrounds an 18-hole championship golf course, The Emerald Golf Club, designed by Rees Jones. The clubhouse at The Emerald Golf Club is often the chosen location for major local charity events. It contains an Olympic-size, Z-shaped pool. Four lighted tennis courts are also available. Golf club members can sharpen their skills on one of the finest new practice complexes in the state. (For more information about the golf club, see our New Bern Golf chapter.) From Greenbrier's front gate, you are within
two minutes of major shopping, five minutes from the local schools and
hospital, and adjacent to the campus of Craven Community College.
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One of eastern North Carolina's newest and most
exciting developments, Somerset, broke ground in December 2005 and is
nestled in the historic, waterfront town of Washington, among the
spectacular waterways, forests and nearby beaches of eastern North Carolina.
Offering a peaceful alternative to bustling city life, Somerset is
conveniently located within easy driving distance of shopping and cultural
meccas Greenville and Raleigh, as well as Raleigh-Durham International
Airport, several regional airports and I-95. Prospective residents will
enjoy the selection of spacious, open floor plans available in townhomes and
single-family patio homes. With the community's unique maintenance-free
living plan, homeowners can leave the mowing, edging and weeding to someone
else, giving more time to explore eastern North Carolina's cultural
heritage, enjoy their favorite hobbies, like boating, golfing, hiking,
traveling or simply taking a quiet stroll down the quaint streets of Little
Washington, enjoying its celebrated Southern hospitality. Cutter Bay The planned gated community of Cutter Bay is designed
to bring together the architecture and landscape true to the water and the
sailor. Featuring its own marina and harbor, Cutter Bay will honor the
history and tradition of this area with planned amenities throughout the
property. Mother Nature provides the backdrop for many of the features
destined to be found here, including open green spaces and parks, nature
trails and tree-lined walking paths. These, combined with a beautiful
clubhouse and swimming amenities, plus vintage architectural features in all
common areas, a beautifully designed entrance and underground utilities,
will make Cutter Bay one of the most welcoming communities on the coast.
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Tax Rates The Craven County property tax rate is 61¢
per $100 of assessed value (Craven County budget for 2007–08). City
property is taxed at both the city and county rates. New Bern's tax rate
is 50.5¢ per $100 valuation, with an additional 18¢ per $100 assessed
valuation in the downtown municipal services district. These rates are
subject to change each fiscal year. City of New Bern
Utilities Electric, water, sewer and garbage disposal
services within New Bern and Trent Woods are provided by the City of New
Bern. You are required to appear in person to establish service and pay
a deposit, and you must bring a picture ID card and your rental lease or
proof of property ownership. Deposits are based on the previous tenants'
average usage, so this figure can vary. Deposits are refunded after a
year if your bill has been paid in full and on time every month during
your first year of service. Deposits can possibly be waived if you
provide a letter of credit from your previous utility provider and pass
a credit check, or if a current customer with a excellent credit rating
agrees to co-sign for you. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8 AM
to 5 PM. For same-day service, you must be in the office no later than 2
PM. The utility office is in the old Fort Totten branch of First
Citizens Bank on the corner of Fort Totten Drive and Broad Street. There
is a First Citizens ATM machine available on site. Other Utility Services If your home has natural gas
cooking and heating appliances, service in New Bern and Craven County is
available through Piedmont Natural Gas, (800) 752-7504. Electrical
service in the areas surrounding New Bern is provided by Progress Energy
Carolinas, Inc. (formerly CP&L), (800) 452-2777. Water and sewer
services outside of New Bern are provided by Craven County Water and
Sewer, 2830 Neuse Boulevard, (252) 636-6615. A list of private companies
providing garbage disposal services in Craven County is available from
the Craven County Solid Waste office, (252) 636-6659. Requirements and
deposits for establishing services vary, so be sure to call for more
information. Embarq Phone service to the New Bern area is
provided by Embarq. Based on your previous record, you may be asked to
pay a deposit to establish phone service. This deposit is normally
refunded after a year. Service connections can take up to four days.
Embarq is also a provider of Internet, wireless and satellite
television.
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