$531,669Average Value$278Average Price per Sq Ft13Homes For Sale
A walkable, historic neighborhood that’s not stuck in the past
The New Bern Historic District is the thriving city center of New Bern, the second-oldest European town in North Carolina and the former capital of the state. In the historic district, local businesses and recreation are just steps away from home. “The historic district is within walking distance of restaurants, downtown and the waterfront. We’re right on a peninsula, and we have a couple of marinas. The draw has always been that lifestyle of walkability,” says Linda Holland, a broker with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage. “It’s one of our more expensive areas to live because of the proximity to conveniences.” The community straddles the thin line between preservation and development, keeping historic homes up and allowing a few newer builds, such as condominiums, to join the neighborhood. “We are all about controlled growth. There are some communities that are completely shut off to growth or have no restrictions on development, but we’ve elected to choose to grow,” says 40-year-resident Drake Bratton, also a broker with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage. Residents have also elected to keep their streets meticulously beautiful, going out of their way to ensure all homes are ship-shape – including the unoccupied ones. “There are houses that sit empty, but they have a fresh coat of paint, and the lawns are mowed,” says Holland, who has lived in the historic district since the 1990s. “Because that’s the rules. You would never know they’re empty.”
New Bern Historic District
New Bern Historic District
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New Bern residents love local businesses
Residents of the New Bern Historic District are within walking distance of a plethora of locally owned shops and eateries. “All the restaurants are great. We have so many, you could eat out every night of the week, but you’d be broke,” Holland says. The Chelsea restaurant is a long-time staple, at one point used by New Bern resident Caleb Bradham, inventor of Pepsi. But for Bratton and Holland, The Chelsea’s main attraction today isn’t soft drinks, but seafood dishes like shrimp and grits. Persimmons is the only riverfront restaurant in town, serving up New American cuisine and providing a dock for boating patrons. And even when a restaurant or business must close its doors, a new one is sure to take its place soon. “When a business owner retires, the business is typically only empty for less than 30 days,” Holland says. Food Lion, Walmart, Lowe’s Home Improvement and other big box stores are west down Dr. M.L.K. Jr. Boulevard.
New Bern Historic District
New Bern Historic District
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An array of historic homes dating back to Colonial times
Much of the housing stock of the neighborhood predates the 1900s, some builds going back to the 18th century. The architectural styles present in the neighborhood reflect the dynamic history of New Bern, the earliest homes following the Georgian and Federal styles that were popular during America’s infancy, before giving way to the ornate Victorian, Italianate and Queen Anne builds of the 1800s. And current homeowners carry the torch. “You are a steward of that house. It’s going to be there after you’re gone, and you have a window of time to maintain it. It’s literally living in history,” Bratton says. But Holland cautions buyers to be prepared for the work that goes into keeping New Bern’s historic homes ship-shape. “A lot of young people didn’t take into account how much work owning a historic house is,” she says, speaking of the crowd who has chosen to settle in New Bern post-COVID 19. “There’s wood rot, windows in need of repair and sometimes bats! When you buy an old house, it’s a lifestyle, and you’re making it better for the next person. You don’t really own the house: The house owns you.” Detached homes can range from $200,000 to $900,000, depending on square footage and condition. But all things considered, Holland thinks buyers are getting a pretty good deal. Holland: “If we were in Annapolis or Wilmington, our home prices would be three times what they are.” Condominium units overlook the Trent River and go from roughly $250,000 to $450,000.
New Bern Historic District
New Bern Historic District
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MumFest is a colorful annual event
MumFest isn’t just a celebration of its namesake chrysanthemum flower: It’s about friends, family and entertainment, attracting visitors from across Craven County. “MumFest in October is our biggest moneymaker,” Holland says. “It’s a street fair where you can eat everything that’s deep-fried in the world.” The event also features amusement park rides, a beer garden and musical performances.
History, boats and recreation
Tryon Palace is a faithful replica of the mansion that served as the governor’s residence prior to American independence. Visitors can go on guided tours of the mansion, stroll the gardens at their leisure and watch demonstrations by colonial reenactors. “In addition to the palace, there’s now a historical education center with rotating exhibits,” Bratton says, speaking of the North Carolina History Center. “They’re right on the water and hold functions, as well.” For instance, presentations and musical performances take place at the center’s Cullman Performance Hall. Boaters can launch into the water or store their vessels at New Bern Grand Marina and enjoy the community’s acclaimed river. “We’ve got the best water in the state. You can be in fresh water or salt water in 30 minutes. The estuary is fantastic, and the Neuse River was voted ‘2022 River of the Year’ by American Rivers,” Bratton says. The ocean’s sandy shores are about 37 miles south, enjoyed in towns such as Atlantic Beach.
New Bern Historic District
New Bern Historic District
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Grade schools with athletic prowess and a community college
Brinson Memorial Elementary receives a B rating from Niche, while Grover C. Fields Middle is B-plus-rated. B-minus-rated New Bern High is known for its athletic success, the football team winning three state championships over the last 20 years. Craven Community College is 4 miles west on the other side of town.
New Bern High School
Brinson Memorial Elementary
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Easy access to the highway and a small commercial airport
Homes are about a mile and a half from US Highway 70, which runs south to Morehead City and the Coastal Carolina Regional Airport. “It has American Airlines, which only flies direct to Charlotte, and now we have Breeze Airlines, which started doing direct flights to Orlando, Florida and Hartford, Connecticut. The airport’s growing, and they’ve added a whole new wing. They wouldn’t do that if they weren’t planning for the future,” Holland says. North Carolina Highway 55 takes commuters across the Neuse River into Bridgeton. Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, a Marine Corps airfield, is about 19 miles to the south.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Union Point Park
New Bern River Walk
Karen Rand Water Park
Transit
Airport
Coastal Carolina Regional
12 min drive
Bus
New Bern Amtrak
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
New Bern Historic District
US
Homicide
6
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in New Bern Historic District, New Bern sell after 56 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in New Bern Historic District, New Bern over the last 12 months is $463,327, down 1% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Discover the charm of this well-maintained 2,140 square foot duplex built in 1900 and nestled in the heart of the historic district. Great opportunity to live in one floor and rent out the other apartment.Great for multiple generations. Good for those ready to downsize and enjoy walking to shops, restaurants, marinas, and church. The property has low-maintenance features such as vinyl siding and
214 King Street | The Benjamin S. Guion House, ca. 1900Experience the perfect blend of historic charm and modern elegance in the heart of New Bern's Historic District. This meticulously maintained 4-bedroom, 4-bath home features original wood floors, high ceilings, crown molding, chair rail, and Carolina shutters. A spacious front porch welcomes you inside to a gracious foyer, arched entryways,
Step into timeless elegance with this beautifully renovated historic home, perfectly situated behind a classic white picket fence in the heart of everything Downtown New Bern has to offer. Combining vintage charm with modern comforts, this one-of-a-kind residence offers the best of both worlds. From the moment you arrive, you'll be captivated by the home's stunning curb appeal--lush landscaping,
This cozy space comes move-in ready with everything you need, including furniture, kitchen essentials, and linens. The studio features a comfortable sleeping area and a well-equipped kitchenette.All utilities are included in the rent--electricity, water, trash, Wi-Fi--making for easy, stress-free living. Located in the heart of historic downtown New Bern within walking distance to restaurants,
Welcome to 706 C East Front Street, a stunning upstairs apartment in New Bern, NC with a captivating water view. This one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment is perfect for those seeking a comfortable and stylish living space. Step inside and be greeted by luxury upgrades throughout, including new paint and vinyl plank flooring that adds a touch of elegance to the entire apartment. The open floor
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
TEAM VARY,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has Equal Renters and Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,322
Median Age
54
Population under 18
16%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
32.5%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$37,229
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$99,497
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
91.7%
College Graduates
53.9%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
28.3%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
55.4%
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
79/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
81/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
