Thoughts on New Bern NC? (Charlotte, Raleigh: low income, condo, crime rates)

[silty1]

I have spent a lot of time in New Bern in the past couple of years and have never felt uneasy walking the streets at night. Everything closes early, so the streets are mostly empty after 10, but we have always stayed at the Sheraton and never felt threatened walking downtown. Yes, the "inner city" is right next to the historic district, but that is the case in a lot of southern towns. We have subscribed to the NB paper for 6 months, and if they have a booming crime rate, the paper sure isn't telling anyone.

[silty1]

You're comparing apples and oranges.New Bern certainly has no wish to mimic southern Florida, they are two totally different enviornments, and there is no comparison. You obviously like south Fla, I find that entire area scary, day and night... See? Apples and Oranges....

[janpanc]

Brinson Memorial and HJ McDonald are both good schools. New Bern High is fine - not much choice there. Just down the road in Havelock is Tucker Creek Middle which is year round. You may be able to place your child there if the year round program suits you.

[Tomgirl]

Wow, my husband and I have visited New Bern several times and loved it. We bought a lot in Fairfield Harbour last year and can't wait to move there. I am surprised that someone would think that a beautiful town like this is scary and crime ridden. We find the people to be the friendliest and the small town wonderful. I think that you will love living there. Remember to wave at every car that passes you on the road. This is a common occurrence there.

[poodlecamper]

Yes---waving is a "Southern thing"---and nice.
The crime seems to be the kind where the people involved know each other----personal disputes, etc., rather than random muggings, break ins, for the most part. JMHO.
Yes--maybe we'll meet in Fairfield Harbour! Although we're no spring chickens ourselves, I do hope younger families will also be moving there. I think it's nice to have a variety of ages in a neighborhood.

[Beffrey2]

I have spent many, many of nights in downtown New Bern in my life. There is very little crime. When I was in middle school one of my friends lived in one of those older neighborhoods downtown in the said to be "crime areas"

On the weekends, we walked the streets after midnight. Never felt unsafe...of course, I was only 13 though. Once in high school, I had a freind who lived downtown in the historic district. We too walked the streets leaving clubs at 2am. Never had a single problem.

This was all 10 years ago, nothing has changed there.

Are there areas in New Bern not to walk in late at night....or the day time for that matter? YES!!!

But you will never see the areas any way. There will never be a need to go there. (Craven Terrace)

I never saw any crime in my 16 years living there....nothing happend to me or my family anyway.

[Cattknap]

Beffrey - you may wish to think that there is little crime but you need to look up the crime statistics - there is a lot of crime in New Bern.

[Beffrey2]

Originally Posted by Cattknap

Beffrey - you may wish to think that there is little crime but you need to look up the crime statistics - there is a lot of crime in New Bern.

Those statistics mean anything. They do not tell the entire story. All the crime is coming from the projects, and staying for the most part in the projects (Craven terrace, Trent Court, Duffy field), also stats for Craven County include Havelock.....where there is lots of crime.

[Tomgirl]

Neither are we. Between us we have 5 other adult children and grandchildren. Just one high school age. Good luck with your move Poodlecamper.

[Cattknap]

Originally Posted by Beffrey2

Those statistics mean anything. They do not tell the entire story. All the crime is coming from the projects, and staying for the most part in the projects (Craven terrace, Trent Court, Duffy field), also stats for Craven County include Havelock.....where there is lots of crime.

Then why is that when we were in New Bern a few years ago the police were parking their off-duty police cars on the streets of Taberna in order to deter crime? Because there is no crime in Taberna??

When you have rich/middle class and poor all combined in an area, where do you think the poor are going to go to steal cars, burglarize houses, break into businesses, mug people??