Thinking about scoping out New Bern for a move. (Jacksonville: crime, cheap house)

[Loneranger84]

I guess a lot of Nicholas Sparks novels peaked my interest in this town but I don't in any way expect a fairy tale. I notice reasonable land and housing prices. I'm from South Florida and moved away to Louisiana for a few years and moved back to SF to regroup. Now that I've been here for 2 years Im ready for another move. I say all that to say I'm looking for a much more quiet environment. Although I'm in my 30's I will trade variety for little to no traffic any day. So for questions.
Is this more a retirement town ?
I plan on working remotely but was wondering what were the leading employment industries there?
How far is the nearest bustling town?
Coming from such diverse areas how diverse is it there? I need to be prepared for culture shock.
Also how safe is it and what near by areas to avoid?
Thanks in advance!

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by Loneranger84

I guess a lot of Nicholas Sparks novels peaked my interest in this town but I don't in any way expect a fairy tale.......Is this more a retirement town ?
I plan on working remotely but was wondering what were the leading employment industries there?
How far is the nearest bustling town?
Coming from such diverse areas how diverse is it there? I need to be prepared for culture shock.
Also how safe is it and what near by areas to avoid?

1. Don't believe the novels or movies.
2. It is a good place to retire, but probably too quiet for a single person.
3. Regarding employment, there are boat building businesses, and the Bosch company manufactures dishwashers. Otherwise, heathcare is probably the next largest.
3. The larger city of Greenville is an hour's drive away. It has college sports, bars with some live music, etc.
4. The diversity numbers are available from the main C-D profile. Roughly it is 54% white, 30% black, 8% Hispanic and a small number of Asians. There have been some tensions, but I doubt you will have culture shock unless you expect Cuban cuisine <G>.
5. The limited unsafe areas are downtown near housing projects. If you see a very cheap house, check the nearby crime rate.

[Loneranger84]

Thanks this was simple and helpful information!

[Vorpal]

New Bern does have a lot of retirees, but I wouldn't label it an exclusive retirement destination. Differing age groups live there. In addition to employers already mentioned, Weyerhauser is a big employer there as well. They make paper products and you can smell the unpleasant odor from the factory on some mornings. Greenville and Jacksonville are the larger cities close by. There is mix of ethnicity, but like most of the south most neighborhoods, churches, and social circles are still segregated for the most part.