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Historic Downtown New Bern
Real estate with Real charm

The Blades mansion is located on
Johnson Street in downtown New Bern.
This elaborate
Queen Anne House was designed by renowned architect Herbert
Simpson for lumber magnate William B. Blades. It combines
elements of Queen Anne and Greek Revival, making it one of
the most elegant mansions in New Bern.
Downtown New Bern is one of the finest
historic districts in the nation. Comprised of beautiful historic homes
dating back to the late 1700s and early 1800s, some are
incredible to say the least. There are the large and palatial ones with beautiful
garden areas; then there are the neat bungalows, perfectly manicured as well
as historic condos and town homes. Some areas of downtown are
multi-zoned, allowing for residential and commercial uses.
In several locations historic homes have been converted to small
shops on ground floors with living quarters on the second and third
floors. Other sections are strictly residential.
Downtown is "happening," with quaint shops and restaurants,
Tryon Palace, antiques, crafts and clothing shops, art studios, piano and oyster bar
"Captain Ratty's", gourmet coffee shops, an excellent civic
theatre, and more. And all are within walking distance! The
Neuse and Trent Rivers converge downtown, creating a picturesque
environment. Stroll along the river walk and admire some of the
beautiful Hatteras Yachts which are made right here in New Bern, NC.

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Ghent
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A Classic
New Bern Neighborhood |
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From stylish bungalows |
To stately mansions |
This is the
newest of New Bern's three historic districts. Admission to the National
Register occurred in 1983. Ghent contains private homes dating from
1913 to World War II. The area encompasses Spencer, Rhem, and parts
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. Having grown up in Ghent, I know the real estate
in this area quite well.
Today, Spencer Avenue, the main street in Ghent, is considered one of the prettiest streets in
New Bern, with old-fashioned street lamps positioned along a landscaped median
separating two lanes of traffic. In the 1920s and 1930s, a trolley
car ran where the median is now located, taking passengers
from one end of town to the other. Wouldn't it be great to see the
trolley be brought back to life. Large flowering fruit trees are
breathtakingly beautiful in April.
Ghent is an
energetic, people-oriented neighborhood where residents take to the
sidewalks whenever weather permits, which is quite often in New
Bern. For some years as folks moved to the suburbs, many homes in
Ghent fell into disrepair. In recent years however, Ghent has become a highly desirable
section for homeowners and has undergone a lot of upgrading.
Bungalow and cottage-style homes with neat lawns make up a large
part of the neighborhood. Some homes feature antebellum column
fronts, and many have open or screened porches for inviting warm summer
evenings.
The neighborhood
is close to one of the area's nicest amenities, the new YMCA, which
includes a Jr. Olympic-sized swimming pool, a gymnasium, weight rooms
and a racquetball court. The "Y" also offers day care and exercise
classes. Gent is also fortunate to be situated between Fort Totten
Park, which has a baseball field with bleachers, swings and other
park equipment for children, and the larger
Lawson Creek Park, a popular fishing spot with nature trails, boat
launches, several soccer fields, and picnic tables. Both parks are within walking distance.
We always end up on my sisters front porch on Halloween. Talk about
fun. I think half the folks in New Bern take their kids trick or
treating at Ghent as the
wide sidewalks and high porches make trick or treating fun again.
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DeGraffenried
Homes of Distinction
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This
distinguished neighborhood lies directly north of the Ghent
Historical District .
Homes here are generally large and well-placed
on spacious, beautifully landscaped lots. This neighborhood was once
New Bern's most prestigious place to live and a quick drive through
will explain why. Gorgeous dogwoods and
azaleas abound throughout the area and create a spectacular
fireworks of flora in the springtime. Sidewalks invite
neighborhood walks, and streets carry names such as Queen Ann Lane
and Lucerne Way. Many of the more notable residences are stately two-story brick dwellings with dignified Federal features. Brick
walls and wrought-iron fences embellish many of the houses. Expect
to pay between $200,000 and $400,000 for
homes in this classy neighborhood.
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Riverside

An old-style
neighborhood
with Timeless Appeal.
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Riverside is also on the national register of historic places. It is comprised of National Avenue and the areas east of the avenue to the Neuse River. Development began in the late 1890s in response to the lumber industry, which flourished along the Neuse River in the Riverside area. 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
as economically important
to the New Bern area, Riverside fell in disrepair. The result was a neighborhood where beautifully refurbished homes and rundown buildings stood side-by-side. But fortunately for New Bernians, both the city and the Preservation Foundation took measures to restore this oncehandsome community to its original function, as home to a number of 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 wrap-around porches and plenty of shade trees are situated away from the road.
On the cross streets, perpendicular
to National Avenue and the Neuse River, are rows of tidy bungalows
such as the homes on the left and below.
Homes along the River Drive waterfront are of an entirely different
character. Here you will find pretty brick ranch dwellings on small
lots with plenty of trees and meticulous landscaping. Real estate
prices vary widely, with some of the older bungalows in the $150,000
up to the $300,000 range.
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Trent Woods
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Location-Location-Location
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This large, mature development lies between New Bern and the Trent
River. One of New Bern's most desirable locations, it is only a few
minutes away from shopping and most of the amenities offered in
the area. Trent Wood's was incorporated to give residents better control
over their neighborhoods, and there is virtually no commercial
development within its borders. Although only a few miles from
historic downtown New Bern, not so many years ago the area now known
as Trent Woods was once considered to be out in the country. Now its
winding lanes contain some of the ritziest neighborhoods and most
expensive real estate in New Bern.
Trent Wood's is
comprised of several subdivisions, some of which include prime waterfront properties. Manning Park, Holly Hills, Chelsea, Trent
Shores and Ward Point are on the Trent River. Others, such Creeks
Ends and Edgewood, are along Wilson's Creek. Lakeview Estates and
Cypress Shores are on Cypress Lake, and the three Haywood
subdivisions line the banks of Haywood's Creek. 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 towering trees draped in Spanish moss. If you
drive through Trent Woods in the spring, you'll find a stunning display of flowering trees and shrubs. In addition to the
golf course and country club, see my links
of interest, the area boasts other amenities such as the Eastern
Carolina Yacht Club. Real estate prices in Trent Woods start around
$200,000. Waterfront houses range from $550,000 for creek-front
properties to in excess of $1
million for waterfront.
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A neighborhood with
everything! |
The 1,200-acre town of River Bend lies along a
winding inlet on the north shore of the Trent River, also about five
miles from New Bern. This location allows many home sites
to have water frontage and private boat slips. The community has its
own country club to service its 18-hole golf course. See my
links
of interest for more information on the golf course. The club
includes a well-stocked pro shop, a restaurant, an outdoor
swimming pool and four lighted tennis courts.
A large number of
retirees now live in River Bend as well as a number of young families. 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,
most with attached or detached one- and two-car garages. In recent
years, clusters of townhouses and duplexes were added to the
community. Prices range from about $100,000 for a non-waterfront
townhouse to $600,000 for a home on the
Trent River. For more information on Riverbend click below.
Riverbend
This
expansive, gated country club community is across the Neuse
River off Broad Creek Road. It is about 15 minutes from
downtown New Bern. Fairfield Harbour is a 3,000-acre resort
development featuring a large canal system that gives many homes access
to water at their back
doors. Northwest Creek also flows into this community
allowing for the option of having a home or home site on a natural
waterway versus a canal. Many sailors and motor boaters
love this neighborhood because of its easy access to the
Neuse River, which leads to the Intracoastal Waterway. The
development is unusual in that it is a combination of mostly
single-family homes, with some condominiums, townhouses and
timeshare condos added for good measure. In general, real estate
prices start in the $150,000 range and rise to about $550,000,
depending upon proximity to the water. Lots may be wooded, fronting
one of two 18-hole golf courses, or on a canal where a private boat
can be docked. Several lots are available, with prices ranging from
approximately $8,000 for an interior lot, $65,000 for a golf course
lot, and
$200,000 for a waterfront lot.
Condominiums and townhouses at Fairfield Harbour are
arranged around small man-made 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.
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, quilting, weaving,
swimnastics, gardening, drama, book, bridge, RV, tennis and
yacht clubs. The community features two 18-hole golf
courses. See my links of
interest for more information on the golf course, one indoor and two outdoor pools, nine tennis
courts, four of which are lighted, a country club with a
restaurant, two pro shops and two marinas on the premises.
Boat rentals and cruises are available year round.
For more information click the link below
Fairfield Harbour
info
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Greenbriar
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Golf-Tennis-Convenient to everything
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Greenbriar
is a distinguished 700 home subdivision located in the
middle of New Bern. Conveniently located off South Glenburnie
Road, Greenbriar is a
neighborhood well suited for families with young children and
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, and all utilities
are underground. Expect real estate prices to start around $250,000
and top out at $600,000.The
entire development surrounds an 18-hole championship golf course,
see links of interest,
designed by renowned course architect Rees Jones. The
Emerald Golf Club at Greenbriar is often the chosen location for
major local charity events, such as the annual Curtis Strange Shrine
Tournament. In September 2000, Tiger Woods and Justin Leonard played
alongside Curtis Strange in this annual tournament! The club
includes an Olympic-sized, Z-shaped pool and four lighted tennis
courts. Golf club members can sharpen their skills on one of the
finest new practice complexes in the state. From Greenbrier's front
gate, you are within two minutes of major shopping, five minutes
from
local schools and a hospital, and adjacent to the campus of Craven
Community College. Come visit New Bern and I will show you why Greenbriar is one of the area's most desirable
locations. Click below for more info on Greenbriar.
Greenbriar POA
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Taberna

New Bern's newest upscale community
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Taberna is one of the newer communities in the area. Developed by Weyerhaeuser, this community is about five miles east of
downtown New Bern on US 70 east. Taberna means "place of
hospitality" and was actually the original name of Bern,
Switzerland, New Bern's sister city. Residences at the 1,100-acre golfing community include single family homes, patio homes
and townhouses, with golf villas scattered throughout.
The golf course is considered one of the best in the area. See
my links of interest for more info on the golf course. Taberna
has a full-service clubhouse with pro shop, restaurant, and lounge.
Features of the community include rolling hills, dense foliage,
lakes, streams and wetlands, along with pedestrian trails, a canoe
dock and a canoe trail system. Real estate prices range from $250000
to $650,000.
For history buffs, there is a Civil War battlefield located
within Taberna. See my history links of interest for more in
on the Battle of New Bern.
Neuse Harbour
Located about half way between New Bern and Havelock, Neuse Harbour
has large spacious lots and both traditional and contemporary homes.
The homes on the river offer incredible panoramic views of the Neuse
River. Neuse Harbour was started in the early 1990's and is
mostly built out but there are still has a
few lots available for those that prefer to build a new home.
Existing home prices start around $250,000. Some of the larger homes
on the River go for over $1 million.
This is one of the nicest subdivisions in New Bern, just east of
Trent Woods and south of Highway 70. Just minutes from the
downtown district and the shopping malls on Highway 17, Olde Towne
Harbour offers quiet seclusion in a lovely, natural setting. Here,
you can find some of the most lavish, custom-built homes and
condominiums in New Bern.
This is a strictly residential, built-in development, and it
appears no expense has been spared by those who have recently
purchased and built on choice waterfront lots.
Lake Clermont
This delightfully
convenient subdivision is located just
minutes from downtown New Bern. Lake
Clermont is a large 55 acre lake with around
65 homes carefully woven around and on the
lake. Located close to both New Bern and
Havelock it a good choice for both retirees
and working families. Much sought after
Brinson elementary School is in the district
and located close by are the Croatan
National Forrest and Brice's Creek. Interior
home prices start around $250,000.00 and
lakefront homes start around $400,000.00 |
The Brice's Creek
area lies on the south side of the Trent River. The area is bordered by the
150,000 acre Croatan National Forest (see link on the right side of
page for more info ), and the enchanting Brices Creek on the east
side. Brices Creek is a long, deep, creek that starts in the Croatan
Forrest and flows through Carolina Colors and Taberna before making
its way into the Trent River about 1.5 miles from downtown New Bern.
Over the past 25 years this area has been one of the most popular
areas for younger families. Larger lots, excellent elementary
school, reasonable home prices, and accessible water are just some
of the reason why. The hub of this area is Merchant's store, a local
country store that carries just about everything under the sun. Here
you can catch up on all the local gossip. A number of
subdivisions exist in Brices Creek, including, Snug Harbor, Oakview,
Deer Run, River Trace, Rock Creek, and Hunter's Ridge. This area is growing rapidly because of its quick
commute to downtown New Bern and easy access to Highway 70 E. You
can't go wrong buying a home in this area.
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The Home Place
Large
lots and Beautiful homes |
The Home Place is one of the last subdivisions in
the area to offer large spacious lots, one to four acres, and large
elegant homes, many of which are over 2500 heated square feet.
Located
about one mile past Brices Creek, it is a relatively quick commute
to Cherry Point Marine Air Station or to downtown New Bern
yet at
the same time it is far enough away from the hustle and bustle to get the
feel for living in the country. Deer, squirrel, and other wildlife
are abundant in this area as it is adjacent to the Croatan National
Forest and Island Creek nature walk. Located outside of any
municipalities all you pay are county taxes which
currently .61 per hundred of valuation. County water is available to
the Home Place but you must have a septic tank as public sewer is
not available. This subdivision is also located in the desirable Brinson
Memorial elementary school district which makes it attractive to
couples with elementary school age children.

What ever your motivation, whether you just want a
large lot with plenty of space between you and your neighbor, or if
you are just a country person at heart, the Home Place has a home
for you. Real estate prices start around $250000.00 and will go up
to $450000.00. I have always felt you get a lot of home for your
money in this subdivision.
If you have any questions about the processes of buying or selling a home, or
if you need assistance in any way, I can easily be contacted by pressing the
Contact Steve button
anywhere on the site.
1-888-675-9595 Toll Free or
252-514-9157 Cell
Tyson@Century21.com
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1904-C S. Glenburnie
New Bern, NC 28562
C: 252-514-9157
W: 252-633-5720
F: 252-639-9897
Email
Steve Tyson
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