Homes near Kerr Lake or Lake Gaston (Wilmington, Greenville: appointed, low crime)

[Tucker144]

Hi there - my husband is retiring from our local fire dept next jan, we are from Maryland, and considering a move south. It has become way too expensive where we are, for a 2800 sq ft home, the electric runs almost to $400/mo, and with a 1/2 acre our prop tax is almost $4k. We live near the ches. bay, and we love the water, fishing, boating, etc. We have 2 pre teen daughters that we are homeschooling, the schools are not too great where we are. We're looking for a nice neighborhood (who isn't), low crime, good schools, and a house under $330k with an acre or two if possible. I. know its alot to ask for but you never know.

We don't want to be too far from a good town, our kids will need activities etc and if we can get to the water in 15 or 20 min. that would be great!

Any ideas?? Thanks

[Eagle Scout]

Try the Elizabeth City/Camden area of NC.

[Tucker144]

Isn't that near the east coast? Thanks

[Eagle Scout]

Yes it is closer to the coast. It's similar to the Chesapeake Bay area of Maryland.

[Tucker144]

Are these pretty good places to raise kids? We have 2 pre-teen daughters who will need places to go, activities etc. Also, do you know about the crime there? I've read thru alot of the posts and some people have mentioned that elizabeth city has alot of crime......

thanks for your help

[NC man]

330 grand wont get you very much on Gaston or Kerr these days(waterfront). The areas surrounding the lakes are cheap but very rural and to be honest very depressed, Wise, Norlina ect. Towns near the lake in NC are henderson and oxford which are also not very nice. I would so no way to raising the kids up there. Most are retired or people here live other places and drive up to the lake as a second home, like from raleigh its only an hour away or Richmond VA. You might be more interested in Newbern or even Wilmington(more expensive and crowded). You could do alright with that budget in Newbern.

[Tucker144]

Thanks, we've been to New Bern and didn't get a good feel, but the weather was rainy and we only stayed 2 days, we might try it again. Do you know any good developments there?

Also, are you familiar with Ayden, Greenville, Winterville area? I've heard that Greenville has alot of crime.....

thanks

[emelvee]

Originally Posted by Tucker144

Thanks, we've been to New Bern and didn't get a good feel, but the weather was rainy and we only stayed 2 days, we might try it again. Do you know any good developments there?

Also, are you familiar with Ayden, Greenville, Winterville area? I've heard that Greenville has alot of crime.....

thanks

I moved to Greenville (from Oregon) 3 years ago with my wife and now 7 year old daughter. Crime rate is fairly high for being a small city/large town. But it's mostly concentrated in the west side of town - you wouldn't be looking there anyway if you want a decent lot size. We are southeast of town a few miles, and it is very quiet; I feel far safer here than at our home outside of Portland. We have been a bit disappointed in the lack of activities for kids though.

Overall, I like Greenville. I was ready for the slower pace, and we got so much more house here than we could get almost anywhere else we considered. My wife doesn't care for it - they're not overly friendly to outsiders, at least the long time residents aren't as a whole (there are exceptions).

I don't hear too much positive about most of the schools, but our daughter goes to a private school. They periodically redistrict, meaning your assigned school can change every few years (it doesn't for everyone). The redistricting is an attempt to keep a racial balance in each school. They last redistricted in 2005, and might be doing it again soon.

Greenville is near the Tar River, but the Tar isn't a draw at all. For boating, you'll want to go at least to "little" Washington, about 25 minutes east of G-Vegas (a bizarre nickname for Greenville).

[Tucker144]

thanks for the information.....

[MrTeeThyme]

NC Man: What is it about Henderson that makes you think it is not very nice? I have been considering relocating to that area and a local friend has a daughter who lives there. He says it's a great place. I haven't visited the area yet and am just trying to get as much info as possible. I don't want to move and further south than that.