Thoughts on Neighborhoods in New Bern and Morehead City (Trinity: cul-de-sac, renters)

[starrsealife]

I am moving to the area shortly and will be renting a home before I purchase. I'd like to get some inside info on these streets/neighborhoods to figure out if they may suit my needs.

Tebo Road, New Bern
Peregrine Ridge Dr
Cona Ct, New Bern
Trinity Dr, New Bern
Tesie Trail, New Bern
Sailview Court, Beaufort

Here are some questions:

Is the neighborhood mature with trees and landscaping filled in or is it a new/recent development with little foliage?
Is the street/neighborhood quiet and tranquil or loud and busy?
Is there privacy on lots and in backyards?
How close is it to a busy street where road noise would carry?
Is it near local conveniences like a good grocery store?
Is the neighborhood a transient one with mostly rentals or second homes or more owners living year round?

I think this is all for now. If you live nearby and can comment that would be great.
Other thoughts for what to consider about these specific neighborhoods is appreciated too.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by starrsealife

I am moving to the area shortly and will be renting a home before I purchase. I'd like to get some inside info on these streets/neighborhoods to figure out if they may suit my needs.

Tebo Road, New Bern


Here are some questions:

Is the neighborhood mature with trees and landscaping filled in or is it a new/recent development with little foliage?

I can answer in general from living in a new neighborhood. Developers typically cut down all the existing trees, as they are usually long-leaf pines which do not have much landscaping value. Low-budget developers do not often replant, although higher-budget developers can do nice landscaping.

You can easily check most of these developments yourself with Google street view. I just checked Tebo Road as an example. It is new with very few trees left: http://goo.gl/maps/a0Qt6 Peregrine Ridge, Cona Court, Tesie Trail and Sailview Court are the same-- brand new with no trees. They are all fairly well filled in, and offer very little privacy, as far as I could tell. Many are close to 70, which will give you conveniences as well as street noise-- take your pick.

Trinity Drive has numerous mature trees. You might expect mature trees if the house is at least 20-30 years old, but not otherwise. However the house for rent there has trees in the back yard. Since it is on a cul-de-sac, I think it might have the most privacy of the houses you mentioned.

As far as transiency rates go, if they advertised that it is close to Cherry Point (as Peregrine Ridge was), you can expect many military families will be renters there. They move every two or three years but are usually good neighbors, and I would not consider them a negative. I would not expect there to be any second home owners there, as you are not at the beach.

The other issue you might ask the rental agent, is how much noise do you get from the Cherry Point Air Station. The do fly jets from there including the new F-35, and call it the sounds of freedom: http://www.militarynewcomers.com/CHERRYPOINT/Guide.html

[LLN]

REcommend you go to google maps, then street view to scope out the areas.

Why don't you consider either Riverside or Ghent Historic Areas in New Bern. Mature trees are everywhere, to a pain in the arse if you need to trim them. Ghent a little closer to shopping than Riverside.

[starrsealife]

I have not considered Riverside or Ghent as I am interested in being in the Riverdale area for access to the marinas on the river along with a little bit closer proximity to Atlantic Beach. I love sailing and the beach equally and it's hard to get both in most areas. I thought being outside of either city would also offer the ability to eventually purchase a home on .5 acres or more at a reasonable cost.

I've mentioned the roads I did because there are rentals there that seem nice. I would not necessarily (not likely) buy in those neighborhoods, but still would like to rent in an area that offers a good deal of what I am looking for.

I've seen and heard some debate on the differences between the two cities and would like to hear from those that live there more about the pros and cons. I wonder if you could weigh in or direct me to info about taxes, utilities, sense of community, economic viability and the like. Not looking to open up any pandora's boxes but am truly interested in knowing more so I can make an educated decision about where to settle.

I've toured around both cities a few times and will be making several more trips before I decide. I really do think either city will work for me so that makes it hard to decide too!

[Hamish Forbes]

Originally Posted by LLN

Mature trees are everywhere, to a pain in the arse if you need to trim them.

They are also a pain when a hurricane plops one down on your house.

[Hamish Forbes]

OP - Morehead and New Bern are very different kinds of places. If you can, you should visit before deciding which you like better.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by starrsealife

I've seen and heard some debate on the differences between the two cities and would like to hear from those that live there more about the pros and cons.

Are you retiring? Do you need a job? Do you need an active night-life? Are you interested in a city with a lot of history?

I would prefer to direct my comments after I knew more about what you were looking for. For example, if you were in your twenties, I think you would prefer Morehead City. If you were in you 60's and loved historic places, then I think you would prefer New Bern.

[starrsealife]

I run my business from home so can live pretty much anywhere. I intend to build my life around water activities, thus the dilemma between sailing on the river and hanging at the beach. I don't care for golf and while a trip to a museum once in a while is fun, it's not something I'd do on a regular basis.

My interests are volunteering for animal rescue groups, of which I know there are plenty in either place, and living a holistic lifestyle....so access to good organic choices, farmers markets and holistic health practitioners, etc is important. I'd also hope for a nearby yoga studio and health food market. I think I saw that there is at least one of each in MHC. I'd have to believe the same about NB but haven't had time to look them up just yet.

I don't hang out at bars but a concert in the park, a fun run or dog walk fund raiser now and again are fun. I do like festivals, open air markets and local artisan markets.

I like dining out quite a bit, although oddly for me, I'm not a fan of low country cuisine. I realize that makes it a little tough for me now that I am in the south, but I can usually find something of interest and I've found chefs in good restaurants can be fairly accomodating for my dietary needs. Also some ethnic restaurants have easier choices, like thai, japanese, mexican and the like.

New Bern feels like a mini Annapolis to me, without the big city traffic and congestion issues. Morehead City feels like a small town I used to live in up north, but cleaner and friendlier. I could be wrong about both as those are just first impressions based on a very limited amount of time spent in each city.

I enjoy shopping in locally owned and unique boutiques and New Bern seems to have more of those. At least from what I noticed on my last two visits.

Ultimately, my intention is to buy a home on the water with a deep water slip that has easy access to the Neuse. I've seen quite a few that look nice and are currently pretty affordable. Until I can do that, I'd like to enjoy renting a nice house in a safe and quiet neighborhood for a year or two until I get a feel for where I would like to buy.....which triggers another whole set of questions for another day.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by starrsealife

I run my business from home so can live pretty much anywhere.....
New Bern feels like a mini Annapolis to me, without the big city traffic and congestion issues.

I like New Bern, and I understand the comparison to Annapolis. We looked seriously at living in Trent Woods or River Bend, but never found a house with the space we wanted at a price we could afford. I think NB has fewer wealthy people and is less sophisticated than Annapolis. The property tax rate within the city limits is a bit higher than the surrounding county.

I don't know Morehead City well enough to comment, although friends live the ad like it.

[LLN]

I have lived in both, live in New Bern now, and I think NB to Annapolis is a s t r e t c h. Both are on water, and ..ah..let's see..ah..well that is about it. Not bashing New Bern, but it ain't Annapolis.