Downtown Historic District of New Bern, North Carolina

New Bern NC offers residents a wonderful chance to be a living part of history. (Click here to read about New Bern's 300 years of history.)

And the cost in historic homes in New Bern NC is a fraction of what you'd pay in Alexandria or Williamsburg, Virginia, or New England. And the weather sure has these locales beat!

New Bern's historic district was fairly recently re-discovered. As we drive through, you'll note the restoration going on.  But there are some absolute jewels waiting to be brought back to life. Living here will involve you in the Tryon Palace social whirl and activities, home tours, tourists will be photographing your house, and neighbors are working and welcoming. You can't help but be involved.  Your home will probably already be richly documented when you purchase it, there are reams of info available on the history of the district.

Several organizations have worked long and hard to protect the New Bern charm and character. They are professionals who love to share their enthusiasm in the homes and streets. Over 200 landmarks are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. You'll find most of them in the downtown historic district.

North of Broad Street, the houses are definitely top drawer. We're talking about a dozen square blocks of elegant mansions, family homes, dated from the 18th to the 20th century.   Since New Bern was captured and occupied early in the Civil War, the town fared better than most, and kept many fine mansions.

The Neuse River is the east boundary and we'll point out the many widow's walks on top of delightful houses. Prices of some of these near the river can reach $800,000, many smaller homes are in the $225,000s range as you get farther from the Neuse.

The redevelopment groups are presently working to garner funds to restore the Victorian train station and the area nearby will certainly be a "good buy" investment. Home prices through the area vary. Remember "location, location, location!"  Add in the condition and historic value, and the "charm factor" to figure its market value.