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.

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.

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.

Riverbend Boating  Golf          Tennis

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

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

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 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