Family of 5 relocating from Hagerstown, MD to Jacksonville (New Bern, Piney Green: rentals, loan)

[chipmunk226]

Hubby just got offered a promotion and looks like we have a pretty good chance of moving to Jacksonville. He will be working at Camp Lejeune.

We have 3 boys, about to be 10, 4 and 3 and I am a stay at home mom. I am looking for areas that are close to the base, close to shopping and is also in a good school district. I would also prefer not to be too close to the coast.

We would have to rent to start because we currently own two properties in MD and no way could we get approved for another loan. We have only been in our current home a year. And the market here is dismal We would have to rent this home because it just won't sell right now.

How is the housing down there? Where we are now, you can get a newer built 4br 3ba home for about 280 to 350. We currently have a 5 br (w/ a possible 6th) 3.5 bath home that has a finished basement. I noticed that NC doesn't have basements LOL, so we are prepared for the loss of some living (running) space. So to compensate, we would like a home that has a nice size yard. About what would that run us in a good area?

Thanks in advance!

[Steven McCurdy]

You would probably be looking at the Richlands area, newer schools, plenty of new 4brm homes under 250k or less..

The drive is only about 20-30 mins from Lejeune and all highway...

I can help with rentals or sales...

[chipmunk226]

Thanks Steven!

When looking at rentals they all looked so small, even the 4 bedroom ones. Are 5 bed rooms rare there? Our above grade is about 2600 sqft now and looking to have something comparable with at least one 'extra' room.

We are very interested in Richlands, but saw there weren't many rentals.

[XNYgirl]

I'd live one base if your military.

To me this area is not so great! Carteret County has nice homes and schools along with Richlands.

[chipmunk226]

Originally Posted by XNYgirl

I'd live one base if your military.

To me this area is not so great! Carteret County has nice homes and schools along with Richlands.

No, not military. My husband is a government contractor

[skc0651]

Check out the Hubert area. Nice and a short drive, and too far from Swansboro/Emerald Isle.

[raleighkc]

You might like New Bern. Some of the newer developments have people who have been unable to sell their homes and so are now renting them.

[chipmunk226]

what are the roads like to jacksonville / camp lejeune from new bern? one lane? two lane? stop lights? speed limits?

[raleighkc]

My sister commutes from New Bern to Camp Lejeune each day. She says it's an hour drive, but [SIZE=2]an easy drive though - country roads and no gridlock like MD or DC[/SIZE]

[Steven McCurdy]

HWY 17 deadliest hwy in eastern nc....probably....

Easiest commute to Lejeune is either from Richlands, SW Onslow, Hubert Swansboro....Piney Green road is slated to turn 4 lane...So from Carteret county 25 mins, Richlands 25 mins, Swansboro/ Huibert 15 mins