Moving to New Bern, NC: Pros and Cons?

[REBrueckner]

So after a childhood friend of the "admiral" and her husband bought a waterfront home in Fairfield Harbor (on the Neuse River) we are getting ready to move, likely to the New Bern/Neuse river area. My 48 YF is for sale but in the current market I'll likely end up bringing it down to the Neuse until sold...not that I mind as I have never cruised the area...after that, likely a Whaler will be my "yacht".

Any comments,suggestions, recommendations regarding the area would be appreciated. Likes,dislikes, housing, canal vs river front vs off water,Trent vs Neuse river living, Washington (on the Pamlico) vs the Neuse. Any insights appreciated. Any houseboats there? I do know lots of trawlers winter in New Bern and over the past years all have liked the area much....Anybody selling a home there next year??

Any and all insights appreciated.

 

[labrador]

Welcome to New Bern! I moved here just a year ago, my wife came 3 months before me. We live in Trent Woods which is at the most 10 minutes to the Sheraton where I keep my boat. I'd be more than happy to discuss the area with you, my plant that I moved from N.J. is in Washington so I know a little about that area as well. Suffice it to say I've never been happier than now. Give me a call and when you get into town let us know and we'll have you over for some drinks and discuss the area.
Skip & Giga Smith
office 800 631 2226 ext 112
home 252 633 5324
cell 252 402 9010

 

[Bertramp]

I had long discussions with the "other half" regarding FLA. or NC..
I wanted NC as it is a gorgeous area and prices aren't quite as "painful" as Fla. on the water.
I'm in Fla., so we know who won that one ....
Anyway, the big factor if you are going to do the "snowbird" thing and run away as much as possible PRIOR to retiring is that Fla. is a lot easier to get to for a few days or weekend.
From NY, I could come down to lauderdale or west palm or west coast Fla. for a weekend and travel time was 2 - 3 hours. I found NC to have fewer flights and access to airports to be a lot tougher. If you are doing a retirement thing and not 'bouncing" back and forth ... NC could work.

 

[(Nobody You Know)]

Stunningly beautiful area. Most people fall in love with New Bern in a short time.

House boats do not fare well in coastal waters (thin aluminum, wind prone, low free board, etc.) and generally end up being hardly used.

May want to reconsider keeping the Hatteras. Seems to be a fare number of Hatteras enthusiast in the area. Nor sure why.

 

[DuckWalk]

Stunningly beautiful area. Most people fall in love with New Bern in a short time.

House boats do not fare well in coastal waters (thin aluminum, wind prone, low free board, etc.) and generally end up being hardly used.

May want to reconsider keeping the Hatteras. Seems to be a fare number of Hatteras enthusiast in the area. Nor sure why.

Isnt the SEA RAY factory in NC?? hmmm

 

[Pete]

No Sea Ray factories in NC. Lots of other builders. But we do seem to have more than our fair share of Sea Rays running around in the waters.

Pete

 

[labrador]

Forgot to add, yes I have a friend trying to sell his home in a beautiful part of Trent Woods. Just built a 7000 sq ft house on the Trent river and has to get rid of the old house. Is thinking about remodeling the kitchen as we speak. Price is right as he really needs to get rid of it and you could get the kitchen done to your specs if interested. No the old house is not nearly as big as the new one. Probably around 3000 sq ft colonial. Just ran out the contract on the realtor so you may be able to deal direct. If interested give me a call. Contact info on post above.

 

[Capt.Erich]

Welcome to New Bern! I've been here for about 15 years. It's a nice place to live and great for boating. KEEP the Hatt if you can. This is a great place for cruising. The down side is that dockage is at a premium and the rates seem to be going up. You'll need to call NW Creek Marina or the Sheriton if you don't already have a slip. You may end up on a wait list. Where are you moving from? Let me know if I can be of any assistance.

 

[nyrussell]

Does the house in Fairfield have a slip? I remember a few did when I lived there.

Noel

 

[REBrueckner]

Our friends new home in Fairfield Harbor (off the Neuse River) does have a bulkhead and dock...I inquired about depths but they did not remember..clearly not boaters!!!!!

 

[labrador]

Pete on the forum has a 48LRC there in Fairfield Harbor. I've been thru there in my Hat 40 and the depths are ok for anything up to 55' or so. After that you couldn't get the boat turned around in the canals.

 

[Pete]

Rob, the depths are pretty decent getting into Fairfield. As mentioned, I have a 48 LRC, and have not had any problems. This area has no moon tide, but does have water rise and fall due to wind. At normal water you have around 7 feet from the Neuse to the inner canal system. The center of the canals are in the 7 to 9 foot range. Up against the bulkheads varies from lot to lot. This is a sand bottom and the wind slowly moves things around. Mine was about 4 feet and I had it dredged to 6 plus, the max the state will allow. Since this is a man made waterway, maintenance permits are reasonably easy to get. Anyone buying property on a natural waterway is pretty much SOL when it comes to dredging or bulkheads. Hope this helps.

Pete

 

[Capt.Erich]

Rob,

I've done a lot of under water work on boats in Fairfield and have been boating in this area for more than 15 years. The water depths in the middle of the canals are up to about 7-8 feet. But, dockside depths are usually 3-6 at the most. The thing to consider if you are going to keep a boat of any size in this area is that in the winter we get "wind tides" that will blow most of the water out of the shallows and many boats will end up sitting in the mud for a day or two. This will happen about 2-3 times a year. Your 48 YF probably will not fit behind a house on a canal in Fairfield but there are some homes on the interior lake that might work. Your best bet is to be at NW Creek Marina. It is the marina there in Fairfield. There is plenty of depth there. A buddy of mine captains a 2005 Hatt 75 MY that stays there durring the summer. There is a waiting list to get in last time I checked.