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Mason H. living

Is New Bern a good place to live?

Hey folks, I grew up here but left for a while. The median home value here is around $211,500, which is actually reasonable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
10 upvotes

5 Replies

Emma M.
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Alexa
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to New York it's average.
17 upvotes
Andrew James
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Serenity J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a pharmacist, 50, moved here 6 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Property taxes are high
3. The job market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Denver, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.

**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
13 upvotes
Jace Roberts
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
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