Down East

Down East communities themselves make up the neighborhoods. The communities string along U.S. 70 and the waterfronts and revolve around the churches or the volunteer fire/rescue departments. You should keep in mind that Down East living isn't for everyone. The conveniences of town living are quite a few miles away, but there are certainly many of life's simple pleasures here.

Many of the county's traditional fishermen and boat builders live Down East, an area along U.S. 70 that merges into N.C. 12 and extends from Bettie to Cedar Island. As you cross the many Down East bridges, it is not unusual to see clammers hip-deep in the water. Boat sheds are more common than garages, and the whir of saws and smell of wood chips are sure signs of boat builders. Fishing and shrimp boats ply the waters year round, and egrets, herons, ospreys and other shorebirds live in the marshes and wetlands along the highway.

As more people move to Carteret County, its eastern sector has seen the development of a few subdivisions outside the small communities. Homes and acreage are becoming increasingly available and, although prices vary widely, they are going up — especially properties situated on the many creeks, inlets, bays, marshes and rivers that are the beauty of Down East. But if you want to get away from it all, for now this is the place to do it.

None of the Down East area is zoned, and therefore the area falls under Carteret County jurisdiction. Because of current regulations and coastal development requirements, land suitable for development is sparse in the Down East portion of Carteret County. This is a treasured area that many people seek to call home so land is in great demand. Land prices vary greatly depending upon location, view, elevation and amenities. Most Down East residents, both natives and newcomers to the beautiful area, do not want new high-density development approved. Concentrated development would change the quiet way of life and harm the area's fragile environment, and some citizen groups continue to work to have the Down East areas protected.

Still, there are a number of neighborhoods and subdivisions in the Down East area. Harbor Point in Straits was established several years ago. With home sites on a secluded peninsula, the development offers a park area and boat ramp and is completely sold out. Resales are infrequent and when a property is available the range could be $200,000 to $750,000.

Midden's Creek is a waterfront community about 15 minutes east of Beaufort in the Down East town of Smyrna. Waterfront lots are about $200,000 and offer direct boat access to Cape Lookout and Drum Inlet by way of Core Sound. These lots are in excess of an acre and each has a septic permit.

Ward's Creek Plantation and Tranquility Estates are both in Otway and offer houses in the range of $175,000 to $300,000. Ward's Creek offers waterfront, water-view and water-access lots. Tranquility Estates offers waterfront lots on Ward's Creek and all interior lots have water access to Ward's Creek. Jade Point is a developing waterfront community located off Crow Hill Road in Otway.

There are a few developments on Harkers Island, including Harkers Point and Harkers Village. These two areas are sold out, and if a lot resale does open up it goes quickly. Prices in these two developments could range from $750,000 to $1 million. West Bay is a new development on the north side of Harkers Island with lots ranging from $150,000 to $450,000.