Downtown Historic District

Ghent Historic District

This is the newest of New Bern's 3 historic district; 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

.Today Spencer Avenue is considered one of the prettiest streets in New Bern, with old fashion street lamps along a landscaped median separating two lanes of traffic. Large flowering fruit trees are breathtakingly beautiful in April.

Ghent is an energetic, people-oriented neighborhood where residents take to the sidewalks when ever the weather permits, Which is often in the New Bern climate. In recent years, it has become a highly desirable section for homeowners and has undergone a lot of sprucing up. Bungalow and cottage style homes with neat lawns make up a large part of the neighborhood. Some residences feature antebellum column fronts, and many have open or screened porches for those warm summer evenings.

The neighborhood is close to one of the area's nicest amenities, the new YMCA, which includes a Jr. Olympic-size swimming pool a gymnasium, weight rooms and a racquetball court. The "Y" also offers day care and exercise classes. Ghents is also fortunate to be situated between Fort Totten Park, which has a baseball field with bleachers, and the larger Lawson Creek Park, a popular fishing spot with nature trails, boat launches and picnic tables. Homes are larger here then in many new housing developments surrounded New Bern. Prices range from $65,000 to $120,000.

Riverside Historic District

Riverside is also on the national register of Historic places. It comprises of National Avenue and the section east of the avenue to the Neuse River. Development began in the late 1890's in response to the lumber industry,

which flourished along the Neuse River. 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 in to 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 Preservation Foundation have taken measures to restore this once-handsome community to its original function as home to a number of businesses and private residences.

Many of Riverside's larger homes where 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 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. Here, 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 in the $30,000 to $50,000 range. Renovated historic dwellings here start at about $125,000, with ranch style houses along the shore selling for a bit more.

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. Over the years Trent Woods has spread out from the central New Bern Golf and Country Club. Now its winding lanes contain some of the ritziest neighborhoods and pushes dwellings in the area.

Trent Woods is composed of several subdivisions, some of which are primarily waterfront property. 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 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. Prices for homes in Trent Woods starts around $100,000 and waterfront houses begin in the $400,000 range    .

River Bend

The 1,200-acre town of River Bend lies along a winding inlet on the north shore of the Trent River, also about 5 miles east of New Bern. This location allows many of the home sites to have water frontage and private boat slips. 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.

A large number of retirees now live in River Bend although a number of young families live there too. 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 have been added to the community. Houses here begin a little below $100,000 for a non-waterfront location. Townhouse prices depend on the subdivision, but the range is between $60,000 and $150,000.

Fairfield Harbour

This expansive gated country club community is across the Neuse River off Highway 55 and 6 miles down Broad Creek Road. It is a 3,000-acre resort development featuring a large canal system that gives many homes water access at their back

doors. Northwest Creek also flows into this community allowing for the option of a home or home site on a natural waterway versus a canal. Many Sailor's and Motor Boater's love this neighborhood because of it's easy access to the Neuse River, which leads to the Intercostals 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, you can expect homes to start in the $80,000 range and continue on up to $350,000, 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, $20,000 for a golf course lot, and from $44,000 to more than $100,000 for waterfront lots. 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 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. Prices start in the $60,000 range for these maintenance-free homes.

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 and garden, drama, book, bridge, RV, tennis and yacht clubs. The community features two 18-hole golf courses, 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   .

Greenbrier

Taberna

Old Town Harbour

Brices Creek

Brice's Creek lies southwest of New Bern and James City and south of the Trent River. This area is bordered by the Croatan National Forest. In fact, Brice's Creek winds into the forest, where you might see wild animals and exotic birds.

A number of subdivisions exist in this area, including the Lake Clermont subdivision, Snug Harbor, Oakview, Deer Run, River Trace, and Hunter's Ridge. Most of these are nearly built up, while others are in the beginning stages. 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. Homes on the waterfront generally sell in the $200,000 to $500,000 range depending on their water frontage. There are a handful of waterfront lots available, but they're going fast! Brice's Creek has very deep water in most places, so big boats are no problem. Lots range from $96,000 to $228,000. Houses away from the water sell in the $100,000 to $250,000 range. This area is growing rapidly because of it's quick commute to downtown New Bern and easy access to Highway 70E. Also this neighborhood is located in desirable Brinson School District  .

DeGraffenried Park