Taberna is more attractive as the trees fill out and the elegant plantings mature. The community  encompasses 1,100-acres, and offers a championship golf course, canoe trails, tennis etc. Approximately 700-800 homes in Taberna. Elegant one-story duplexes/townhouses available.    Homes begin around $325,000.

Fairfield Harbour

New Bern's only gated boating and golf resort community has almost everything.  It is a 15-minute drive from New Bern, located across the Neuse River off Highway 55 and 6 miles down Broad Creek Road. Comprising 3,000 acres, it is a resort development featuring a canal system that allows homeowners to dock behind their houses or in one of their three marinas.  It has time-shares that brought many New Bernians here for the first time. Two golf courses,  with several dining spots, a store, tennis and outdoor activities, it's a very popular vacation spot.   The spectacular new Neuse River bridge and the widening of US 55--so long awaited--has opened up that community and the Pamlico County corridor.  In Pamlico, waterfront property is available.  Homes can start at $150,000 and go up to $900,000.  The separate Fairfield Resorts timeshare and resort section has its own web site:  www.fairfieldresorts.com.

River Bend

River Bend is a town on the southern border of New Bern.   About 1200 homes wind among lakes and canals. Many of the homesites have water frontage and private boat slips on the Trent River and it's lnlets. Interestingly enough the land was originally owned by the Odd Fellows, a fraternal group of black tenant farmers raising tobacco.  During the recession of 1914, they lost the land. In 1965, a real estate speculator recognized the area’s potential as a retirement development.  It was the first big development in New Bern and opened the potential of this beautiful area.  Lots of retirees  live in River Bend; with an equal number of young families. Homes are both aging and brand new.  You can often find a great fixer-upper in River Bend.  River Bend Golf Course continues to improve, and two years ago was rated by Golf Digest as a 3 star. Tennis, swimming, a municipal building, baseball field, docks and playground makes it desirable for all  families. Townhomes, condos, and single family homes available. Prices range is between $90,000 and -----way up,  for the newest waterfront homes. Check out River Bend's own web site for a close-up.

Trent Woods

Trent Woods is mature; New Bern's most diverse neighborhood, simultaneously both modest and elegant.  It has it's own  tax rate. Bordered by the Trent River on the east, and New Bern everywhere else, it spreads out from the centrally located and venerable New Bern Golf and Country Club. This club has the most active social schedule in town, with a nice golf course, tennis courts, weight room and excellent dining room.  Elegant.  Restricted.    

Trent Woods homes on the Trent River are some of the most elegant anywhere.  Check out the Old Town neighborhood within Trent Woods.   Wilson Creek,  another venerable old New Bern neighborhood address is  water based--- albeit creekside--that is very popular. 

Winding, azalea-lined streets lead you to some of the poshest homes in Craven County on the Trent River.  But also, you can find many, many ranch style family  homes. The township ensures that there is no commercial development within the borders.  Kids and dogs abound. The  town park is a picture-taking spot.  New elegant townhomes have been added to the mix.  Prices start at $130,000 up to a knockout on the River for  $4,000,000. 

Downtown Historic District 

Here's a wonderful chance to be a living part of history . And the cost in New Bern is a fraction of what you'd pay in Alexandria or Boston. New Bern's historic district was fairly recently re-discovered. Everywhere you look, the restoration going on.  But there are some absolute jewels waiting to be brought back to life. Living here will involve you in the Tryon Palace social whirl and activities, home tours, tourists will be photographing your house, and neighbors are working and welcoming. You can't help but be involved.  Your home will probably already be richly documented when you purchase it, there are reams of info available on the history of the district.

Several organizations have worked long and hard to protect the New Bern charm and character. They are professionals who love to share their enthusiasm in the homes and streets. Over 200 landmarks are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. You'll find most of them in the downtown historic district.

North of Broad Street, the houses are definitely top drawer. We're talking about a dozen square blocks of elegant mansions, family homes, dated from the 18th to the 20th century.   Since New Bern was captured and occupied early in the Civil War, the town fared better than most, and kept many fine mansions. The Neuse River is the east boundary and we'll point out the many widow's walks on top of delightful houses. Prices of some of these near the river can reach $800,000, many smaller homes are in the $225,000s range as you get farther from the Neuse.

The Redevelopment groups are presently working to garner funds to restore the Victorian train station and the area nearby will certainly be a "good buy" investment. Home prices through the area vary. Remember "location, location, location!"  Add in the condition and historic value.

Ghent Historic District

Ghent is the newest New Bern historic district. Homes here date from about 1913, up to World War II. Ghent was once the final trolley car stop on the line for the family man who wanted a home away from the bustle of downtown New Bern.  It is now extremely popular because it is almost in the downtown historic district, and on the edge of the mall/restaurant/shopping explosion happening on US 17 S. It includes the area encompassing Spencer, Rhem and parts of Park avenues.   Spencer Avenue is one of the spots that all realtors drive newcomers through on their first look at New Bern. At Christmas the center street median has all the crepe myrtles covered with tiny lights. Ghent is an utterly charming piece of American nostalgia, bungalows are a force to be reckoned with here.  Craftsman styling is at it's best in Ghent.

The busy YMCA is here, with full athletic facilities--the 2 huge swimming pools, one inside, the other enclosed for the winter!   Fort Totten Park, itself a Civil War historic site, has ball fields and bleachers; on the other side of Ghent is Lawson Creek Park. Fishing, jogging, picnicking in Lawson Creek on weekends is a family activity.  The soccer teams love the Lawson fields.  There are many large homes in Ghent, some still in need of restoration and remodeling. It is a very popular family address. Prices start at $150,000.

Riverside Historic District

Once an elegant area with very large houses,  this section is now a historic district, and restored and newly researched homes homes are quickly being added to the National Register.  

Riverside is a very mixed neighborhood where some homes in desperate need of repair stand next to an already restored gem.

National Avenue is the main street bordering the section listed in the National Register. The area includes National Avenue and the section east of it extending to the Neuse River. It was home to the lumber barons in late 1800's.

In the neighborhood is the National Cemetery with gravesites dating to the Indian Wars.

It has organized with a vibrant preservation group and working hard to begin restoration on a major scale.  The Christmas Tour of Homes is a new addition. 

The transition area between the Downtown Historic and this area is undergoing rehab --as we speak.  Huge fertilizer factory on the Neuse River is coming down to make way for an upscale community.

Prices range considerably less than the downtown historic areas. Smaller bungalows can go for $90,000's. Restored historic properties start at about $400,000.

 DeGraffenried Park Community

Directly north of Ghent Historic district is DeGraffenreid Park, named for the Swiss baron Christophe DeGraffenreid, who brought the first settlers to New Bern in 1710. Located between Trent and Neuse boulevards, homes here are generally large with generous lots, and the spring landscape with so many dogwoods and magnolias, are well worth driving through.

Many two-story distinguished homes with rare iron fences show you another wonderful era of New Bern history. These homes are mostly the pride of "more recent"  New Bernians of the pre-World War II era; those who owned the department stores, the judges, the generals, the doctors. You'll like the stately feel and Federal ambience.

BRICE’S CREEK AREA 

Named for one of the earliest settlers to the area who ran a tavern on this creek, this is a diverse and widely spread section of our territory on the rivers. Located across the Trent River from downtown New Bern with US 70 it's main access; southeast of New Bern, south of James City and east of the Trent River. 

 LAKE CLERMONT

You'll love Lake Clermont, a gorgeous, new fresh water lake community. One can see clear to the bottom due to the white sand quarry which was filled to make this stunning lake. Only local residents' non-motorized boats are allowed, so you see many kayakers and canoers and a few private paddleboats enjoying the placid waters, while everyone enjoys the stunning sunsets. Features new homes, many on the lake itself, built to take advantage of these views.

 Other Brices Creek communities include:
Hunter's Ridge, Snug Harbor, Deer Run, River Trace, and Oakview.

More elegant homes are going in fast. Some riverfront homes are historic in character, most are circa 1940-70. This area features more two-story homes than ranch homes, giving a lot of home for the square footage.

The Craven County Airport, served by USAir and Delta, is being enlarged and is a wonderful facility ---with rocking chairs in the waiting area---a favorite New Bern "down-home" touch.  This area of neighborhoods is on the east border of Brice’s Creek...in the much-vaunted Brinson School District, as well as the newest elementary school in Carolina Colours, and is bisected by the "back road" to Jacksonville and Camp LeJeune.

Neuse Harbour

Beautiful Neuse Harbour is located 10 miles from New Bern down Highway 70 East, convenient to Cherry Point MCAS, only 5 miles away.  Named for the Neuse River which borders it on the north, this neighborhood features with large wooded lots.  Many of New Bern's top builders have built there, giving home buyers a wide selection of  floor plans and styles from which to choose. Prices of waterfront or water view homes on the river can reach $1Million or more, but many homes are in the $325,000 to $500,000 range.

The Home Place

Originally another Weyerhaeuser community like Greenbrier and then Taberna, The Home Place features the same high building qualities as those two communities but with the difference of no golf course. What it does offer are elegant, luxury homes with very large wooded lots from 1 to 4 acres for the utmost in privacy and elegance. Located only one mile past Brices Creek and adjacent to the Croatan National Forest, The Home Place offers country living and convenience to both Cherry Point Marine Air Station or downtown New Bern NC. Real estate prices start around $400,000 and up. 
 

Gables Run  

This is a brand new equestrian centered community off US 70E; close to Carolina Colours off Thurman Rd.  This high-dollar community boasts 5 acre lots, almost all sold, and allows personal stables on your land as well as providing a central stable and playground.  Heavily wooded and gorgeous, this is way too popular to be the only one developed, but it was the first!

Other areas and communities around New Bern NC that feature many waterfront or water view homes include:

• River Bluffs - New community featuring large homes on high bluffs overlooking the Neuse River.  
• River Ridge - Also new homes overlooking the river.
   
• James City - Historically rich, this really isn't a neighborhood, but is an area along Highway 70. Features many old and new homes along the Neuse River.
   
• Old Cherry Point Road area- All along Old Cherry Point Road continuing toward Havelock past James City can be found both long-time older homes and increasingly, larger new or beautifully renovated waterfront homes overlooking the Neuse River.

Bridgeton, NC is the town right across the Neuse River from downtown New Bern. It is becoming very hot now that the huge Jupiter development, Bridgeton Harbor, will be built there. A new marina is planned for 2008, with construction starting soon after on residences. Waterfront areas of Bridgeton enjoy incomparable views across the Neuse River of historic New Bern NC and the downtown waterfront.

JONES COUNTY WATERFRONT

Jones County, adjacent to New Bern, is just being discovered for its rural charm and still reasonable prices. Waterfront lots and homes are available- and surprisingly affordable- there. The Trent River passes through the historic town of Pollocksville, the most charming town in Jones County. 

PAMLICO COUNTY WATERFRONT

Pamlico County and the nearby towns of Merritt Creek and Oriental, NC, also offer many waterfront homes and lots. Across US 17N over the Neuse River bridge and then down NC Highway 55 from New Bern, Pamlico County offers many unspoiled views and large lots.

Like Fairfield Harbour in New Bern, Oriental is particularly popular with the sailing set, as well as with kayakers and canoe enthusiasts. This is borne out by the fact that there are three times as many boat slips as there are residents in Oriental

BUDGET COMMUNITIES OF NEW BERN NC:

Airport Road Neighborhoods: Creekside Village,  Sellhorn Heights, Berne Glade 

These new neighborhoods, all off Airport Rd, ( that bisects Taberna),  close to the amenities of that community,  are springing up very quickly.  Our picture tour just gives a preview of the style of home in these developments.  Without any tree canopy they look bare but that will soon be taken care of by mother Nature.  Smallish lots, quick access to 70, almost next door to the big new public park, and in a fantastic school district these homes are very appealing.

Colony Estates A mature New Bern development, oldest homes are about 25 years old. Youngest 10. Mostly one story brick and wood styles. Great location off Glenburnie Rd. next to US 17. Close to everything. Can only get more desirable. Huge mature trees give it a special look. Good neighbors, good neighborhood.  Prices from the low $100's none as high as $400,000.

Derby Park 1,2,3 Behind Colony Estates is the newer Derby Park developments. Very attractive, very similar, you'd better know your house number! Mostly one story w/attached garages, (or no garage), vinyl siding, with brick and some wood.  Homes have 4 different floor plans. Popular, well maintained neighborhood. Small yards, prices start at $150,000.  Growing by leaps and bounds, with lots of investors aboard. 

Elizabeth Downs  is a newer area just being built out on that corridor behind Colony Estates, off Glenburnie and onto US 70 in a New Bern minute!! Investors are snapping them up for $120,000-140,000.   Almost cookie-cutter; most with wooden fenced yards extremely affordable, located close to everything.

Forest Park.  Small, similar homes, a step up from Derby Park in a single access community. All vinyl siding; slab construction;  attached  garage. Very neat with curving streets that give nice eye appeal.  Prices start around $150,000 for a 3 bedroom house.  Best starters around.  This area is the center of small, neat starter homes for newlyweds and retirees.   Immediately off Trent Road and close to everything.

Jimmies Creek.  This neighborhood is one of the most convenient to the main shopping area, and with value- priced homes makes it ideal for budget buyers. Prices range from $140,000 to $250,000.

Village Woods.  A self-contained, beautifully kept neighborhood with access from Glenburnie Road on one side and MLK Blvd on the other, Village Woods can't be more convenient. Featuring a circle around itsown open park area, this neighborhood is extremely popular. Homes go very quickly in this neighborhood and start at around $160,000.