Neighborhoods

Pine Knoll Shores is truly a planned community, and the original developers deserve credit for their farsightedness. Built in a maritime forest, the town has done an admirable job of trying to lessen the impact on the natural environment. Drive through town and you will see what we mean. Trees are everywhere. Restrictive covenants require a complete survey on each lot of all trees larger than a 3-inch circumference. Before you can get a permit to build, you have to prove you will save as many trees as possible and disturb the land as little as possible. The process can be tedious, but the result is worth it, as most all residents will agree.

Pine Knoll Shores is nearly 90 percent developed, but both large and small homes come on the market fairly regularly. Home sites and homes vary in price, depending on proximity to the ocean, the sound, the many canals or the 18-hole golf course located in town. Within the central portion of the town, many homes are built on canals, with the option of private docks. Homes on the ocean or sound can be very pricey. While new development in Pine Knoll Shores is rare, here are a few of the largest, established communities. This is merely a sampling, and a drive down N.C. 58 will offer the best look at the real estate Pine Knoll Shores and other beach communities has to offer.

Bogue Shores Club and Beachwalk at Pine Knoll Shores are townhouse and condominium developments between MM 6 and 7 on N.C. 58. All are on the ocean and in nice maritime forest settings. Design features include courtyards, sun porches, gourmet kitchens, private balconies and other upscale luxuries. 

The McGinnis Point subdivision is a Bogue Sound community, with homes on, near or removed from the water. As with all property on Bogue Banks, prices for single-family homes vary widely, depending on location. 

Beacon's Reach, MP 8 through 9, is a large village-type development in a maritime forest on land once owned by the Roosevelt family. It includes both multi-family and single-family dwellings. Each village is carefully planned, and residents have access to lighted tennis courts, swimming pools, a marina and parks on the ocean and the sound. Meticulously landscaped, the villages include Ocean Grove, with three- and four-bedroom units; Westport, with one-, two- and three-bedroom units and both sound-front and freshwater lagoon-front units; the Breakers, with oceanfront condominiums; Fiddlers' Walk with sound-side condominium units; and Maritime West, with oceanfront units.

Many of the longtime residents in these two small communities are descended from fishermen, and some still make their living on the water. You'll find a variety of homes here. Some homes are low, rambling structures, nestled under windswept live oaks bent from prevailing winds. Others are mobile homes, while others are large, new homes. Hurricane Ophelia in the fall of 2005 damaged many homes and businesses in these two communities.

The town of Indian Beach has seen the development of an upscale residential community: Sea Isle Plantation. Sea Isle is probably one of the priciest areas on the island. At MP 10, Sea Isle offers home sites and custom-built residences on both sides of Salter Path Road, and on Bogue Sound and the ocean. 

The Summerwinds condominium complex is a large, oceanfront complex offering spacious living quarters. Recreational facilities include an indoor, heated swimming pool, a whirlpool, saunas, exercise rooms, a spa and racquetball courts. Outside are three oceanfront pools with sun decks and a boardwalk. 

Kiawa (kee-wah) is another Indian Beach sound-front community, off N.C. 58 between the towns of Atlantic Beach and Emerald Isle. Water-view and sound-front building lots are being offered at a starting price of $48,000. Individual sound-front docks are available. Sea Ridge Townhomes in Indian Beach offers oceanfront and ocean-view two-bedroom townhouses.

Indian Beach's newest development is The Ocean Club. Billed as a luxury family resort and conference center, The Ocean Club offers condominium homes in a beautifully landscaped environment. Each mid-rise building has 12 condominium homes with elevator service. The site has an oceanfront pool, picnic areas, an exercise room, spa and more amenities.

The western end of Emerald Isle is family-oriented with a growing number of permanent year-round residents. Originally, the only access to the western end of the island was by boat and, later, ferry. It wasn't until the 1970s that the B. Cameron Langston high-rise bridge opened the area to tourists and newcomers. Emerald Isle is now one of the fastest-growing areas of the county. Sections along Coast Guard Road, off N.C. 58, have seen an astounding amount of development in recent years.

You'll find many of the town's recently built residences quite impressive. Homes and cottages come in all styles, but most are multi-storied with wide porches and decks, so residents can take advantage of the beach view and sea breezes. Although some developers have bulldozed dunes and cleared much of the natural vegetation, others have left stands of maritime forest. There are a number of condominium and town-home developments as well, such as Pebble Beach, Queen’s Court and Sound of the Sea.

Lands End is an exclusive gated residential community on Coast Guard Road off N.C. 58 near the Point in Emerald Isle. Ownership includes use of a spacious clubhouse, a pool, four lighted tennis courts, stocked freshwater lakes and a lighted boardwalk to the beach. All roads are private, and utilities are underground. 

Emerald Plantation is a sound-side subdivision that extends from N.C. 58 to Bogue Sound. A mixed-use development with single-family homes, townhouses and patio homes, amenities include a clubhouse, a pool, a boat ramp, tennis courts and a security gate. The Wyndtree subdivision is a large tract near Emerald Isle Point that has restrictive covenants for house sizes but offers a wide diversity of sites from oceanfront to ocean view. 

The Point on Coast Guard Road off N.C. 58 at the westward tip of the island is one of the most established areas and has a wonderfully wide beach. 

Deerhorn Dunes, Sea Dunes and Ocean Oaks are three well-planned subdivisions that are almost indistinguishable from one another. On Coast Guard Road off N.C. 58, all are relatively new and were built around the same time. They are made up primarily of single-family homes, nicely landscaped on spacious lots. 

Cape Emerald off N.C. 58 on the soundside of Coast Guard Road is a subdivision of primarily permanent residents. Amenities include a clubhouse, a heated pool and spa and two tennis courts. It has a security entrance and a community sewage system. Emerald Landing, Royall Oaks, Dolphin Ridge and Pointe Bogue are beautifully landscaped developments that offer peace and privacy in a verdant, spacious, wooded setting. Lots vary from 75-feet wide to 30-feet wide on ocean- and road-fronts. Interior lots also vary in size due to efforts to preserve the area's wetlands. Emerald Landing, Pointe Bogue and Royall Oaks have soundfront sites, and Dolphin Ridge has oceanfront building sites. 

Also off Coast Guard Road is Spinnaker's Reach, an area described as a "sound to sea community." This development is tucked into the maritime forest and features a community pool, guarded entrance and a sound-side pier and nature trail. Single-family dwellings and oceanfront duplexes are being constructed. 

Everything in Beaufort revolves around this historic district or the water -- sometimes both! The town's geographic design lends itself to small residential areas built around roads and water. The older and more established neighborhoods and developments are in the historic area. Most new development is east of Beaufort along U.S. Highway 70 or north along N.C. Highway 101. This small port town is a haven for boaters and is a hub of activity during the summer months. Many of its historic homes have been restored as residences or bed and breakfast inns. Its lovely waterfront is a natural setting for music and socializing at outdoor cafes. The town's many shops, restaurants and tourist attractions give Front Street a festive air. Runners, strollers, walkers and bike riders flow constantly along the main Front Street thoroughfare, and the Historic District can easily be covered on foot.

As of spring 2006, Beaufort is currently under a moratorium on new construction, whether a new structure or an addition. This is based on a special order from the state that prohibits any new sewer connections until the town has repaired and replaced sewer lines.

Beaufort's Historic District is the oldest residential area in town, covering about 15 square blocks. Homes here date back to the 1700s, and exterior characteristics are governed by guidelines of the Beaufort Historic Preservation Commission. Charged with assuring the integrity of the area, the commission reviews all proposals for exterior changes such as paint color, siding, window treatments, redesign and other building changes.

Businesses and signage in the historic district are also regulated. The historic commission was not formed until the 1980s, so you will see a few things that would not meet their standards today but were "grandfathered" in. Property prices vary greatly in the historic district, depending on distance from the water, size and age of the house or building and its condition. 

Beaufort homes outside the historic district also carry a variety of price tags, again depending on the distance from the water as well as size, age and condition. Deerfield Shores, Gibb's Landing, Howland Rock and Sea Gate are examples of water access subdivisions north of the downtown area. The Oaks at Beaufort and Taylor's Creek are newer developments on the east end of the Beaufort waterfront, and Graystone Landing is a build-to-suit development along N.C. 101. An 11-house development off Taylor's Creek called 1612 Front Street is designed in the "Old Beaufort Style" with sidewalks, deep front porches, 10-foot ceilings and heart-pine floors. Turner's Creek Plantation, on Steep Point Road off U.S. 70, is within the city limits of Beaufort.

Deerfield Shores, north of Beaufort off N.C. 101, is an attractive area on the Newport River and Intracoastal Waterway. Central to the development is the Carolina Marlin Club, a private boating (sail and motor) club complete with a 73-slip marina, a clubhouse and a swimming pool. Slip owners own the marina and clubhouse, which is also used by the Morehead-Beaufort Yacht Club. While a handful of lots are still on the market, re-sale homes in Deerfield are just beginning to pop up.

Gibb's Landing is a small subdivision on North River, reached by following U.S. 70 east of downtown Beaufort and turning right on Steep Point Road. Subdivision amenities include a community dock, pool and gazebo. 

Howland Rock is a small subdivision that offers residents such amenities as a boat ramp, docks, recreational area and a homeowners association. The entrance road is on U.S. 70, just across from the Food Lion grocery store. Most of the homes were custom-built with attention to detail. 

Jones Village is in the Beaufort town limits and is one of the area's oldest subdivisions. There are several entrances from Live Oak Street (U.S. 70) to the subdivision, which wraps around behind Jones Village Shopping Center. The development is a quiet, well-settled area that seems to attract a pleasant mix of people. 

Tiffany Woods is a newer development about 4 miles east of Beaufort on U.S. 70. Several cul-de-sacs extend from the lighted main road, giving the neighborhood a feeling of privacy. This is one of the nicer new neighborhoods in the area. Sea Gate is a waterside resort community 7 miles from Beaufort on N.C. 101 at Core Creek. The development is on the Intracoastal Waterway with a deep-water marina, a ships' store, gas and diesel fuel, a clubhouse, a playground, a swimming pool, tennis courts, a boat ramp and a security entrance.

Construction of The Oaks at Beaufort began in 1997. This development on Lennoxville Road offers a real community feeling and seeks to replicate the look and feel of old Beaufort, particularly the front porches and alley-accessed garages. Although it's not in the historic district, a short footpath provides homeowners quick access to Front Street and then an easy mile and a half walk to downtown Beaufort. The 42-lot, single-family subdivision offers eight basic home styles, each with many interior and exterior variations. 

At the east end of Lennoxville Road is the pricey new development of Taylor's Creek. This waterfront community consists of only a few homes, and residents also have use of a pool and boat docks.

Graystone Landing is located about 3 miles up N.C. 101 from Beaufort. This neighborhood offers about 60 building lots. A few waterfront lots are available, although the majority are wooded interior lots in quiet surroundings. The houses in Graystone are custom-built and vary in style and price. 

Other relatively new neighborhoods are Old Beaufort Village, Palmetto Place and The Courtyard East. The Village and Palmetto Place offer single-family homes and Courtyard East offers garden-style condos. The development fills Professional Drive, off of U.S. 70 East on the outskirts of Beaufort. Residents can easily walk to stores and the post office. 

North Harbor and Heron Woods are located off U.S. 70 about three miles east of Beaufort. North Harbor offers mostly cleared lots, while Heron Woods features partially wooded lots. Phase I of Heron Woods has only a few lots remaining, and Phase II is now open. 

Beaufort town commissioners have given the green light to the developers of the North River Club, a development that will be built over the next 20 years on a 629-acre tract between Highway 70 and Highway 101 north of Beaufort. Over that period of time, about 1,500 residential units will be constructed. Phase I will start this year and will include approximately 200 units on the southern most end of the tract. A 200-acre golf course will be included in the project.

Eastman Creek Landing is one of the area's newest developments and it is still under construction north of Beaufort between N.C. 101 and the Intracoastal Waterway. This neighborhood offers a clubhouse, pool, docks and boat slips.

Stanton Landing is a gated waterfront community on the Intracoastal Waterway. Located north of Beaufort on Highway 101, the subdivision offers two-thirds-acre lots, some with deep-water docks, and all owners can enjoy the clubhouse, pool and docks. 

Morehead City is the area's largest city, and it has the most neighborhoods. Most early communities began at the water's edge because that's where the work was. Today people continue to live by the water, but not so much for the work as for the beauty of the views and the breeze. The city's earliest inhabitants lived near what is now the N.C. State Port, bounded by Bogue Sound, the Newport River and Calico Creek. As the area filled up, homes were built farther west.

Morehead City's downtown is seeing many improvements and an active Revitalization Committee is hard at work. Between Arendell Street and Bogue Sound, from about Ninth to 14th streets, is a neighborhood of small, wood-sided homes known as the Promise Land. Some of these houses were moved to the mainland on sailing skiffs at the turn of the last century when severe storms almost destroyed the once-flourishing fishing village of Diamond City on Shackleford Banks. Homes were dragged out of the water and rolled on logs to their new foundation. As the story goes, one spectator commented on the sight, "It looks like the Children of Israel coming to the Promise Land." The name stuck. There is now a promise of good appreciation in real estate as this area is very desirable for second-home buyers who love its location and charm.

Several condominium projects are on the drawing boards for the Downtown Morehead City area. One project is planned at the east end of Bridges Street, at the edge of the marina. Another project, a proposed nine-story condominium building, is being planned for the 900 block of Shepard Street.

More and more developments are popping up along the outskirts of town, many in the direction of Crab Point via N. 20th Street, Country Club Road and Barbour Road. Once an isolated farm community, Crab Point is one of Morehead City's oldest subdivisions and also the site of many newer developments, so prices vary greatly. Clustered within each development are houses with a broad range of prices, mainly because of the high prices demanded by houses on the water.

Joslyn Trace is a peaceful subdivision on N. 20th Street at the junction of Country Club Road. Homes here are both one and two stories. Creek Pointe and Mandy Farms are two neighborhoods just off Country Club Road. 

South Shores is an established waterfront community off Country Club Road on the Newport River. It offers members of its homeowners association lighted streets, curbs and gutters, a swimming pool and tennis courts. Across Country Club Road is Brookewoods subdivision, a neighborhood with lots of friendly families.

Country Club Road is a main thoroughfare along the north side of Morehead City. West Carteret High School is at the western end, and the Morehead City Country Club is toward the eastern end. In between are mostly long-settled neighborhoods, although a few new developments have gone up in recent years. In most areas the lovely old trees have been left in place, and most homes are suitable for retirees or young families. An equal number are huge and obviously expensive. 

Country Club East is a development across from and fronting the golf course. Two- and three-story homes are the norm. Prices vary, depending on the size, features and distance from the golf course. 

River Heights lies to the east of the country club and is one of the older suburbs. Homes here are rarely on the market, and when they are, they are sold relatively quickly at affordable prices.

Hedrick Estates on the west side of Country Club Road features nice one-and two-story homes with well-landscaped yards. Adjacent to Hedrick Estates is Westhaven Village, made up of one- and two-story homes on large wooded lots. 

West-Car Meadows off Country Club Boulevard is a well-established, affordable development, backed by Swinson Park and close to Morehead City Primary School, the high school and shopping areas. This is a good location for young families with children. Northwoods is a nice development off Country Club Road, with single-family and two-story dwellings on large tree-covered lots.

Justin's Corner is an attractive community of starter or retirement homes on Mandy Lane, just off 35th Street, south of the Sports Center. These houses are 1,200 to 1,700 square feet, with attached garages, fully equipped kitchens and no interior steps to climb. All Justin's Corner homes have three bedrooms and two bathrooms and several different exterior styles from which to choose. Every yard is graded, seeded and landscaped with shrubs, and lots are smaller than average size for less maintenance. 

Blair Point is a waterfront development located at the eastern end of Country Club Road. This subdivision has building lots situated on an artificial pond, Dill's Creek, and on the Newport River. The development has sidewalks, pedestrian bridges, lighted-curbed streets and private docks. A wide price range is found here, depending on proximity to water and water depth, which for some lots is 5 to 6 feet at low tide. 

In the same area is Olde Farm Island, a very unique small island connected to the mainland by a bridge through scenic wetlands.

Just west of Blair Pointe is Blair Farm. This large development is tucked away by Blair Pointe off of Country Club Road. Blair Farm offers something for everyone in unique neighborhoods -- single family homes, patio homes and large homes -- depending on what Blair Farm neighborhood you choose. A few building sites are still available, with one last section yet to be offered. Amenities include a clubhouse, a community swimming pool, a playground and tennis courts. More new areas are being developed. 

Greengate is a nicely developed residential neighborhood in Morehead contiguous to Mayberry Loop Road. Greengate offers eight floor plans and two-, three- and four-bedroom, energy-efficient homes. 

Bonham Heights, Mansfield Park and Mitchell Village are older, spacious, well-established neighborhoods along Bogue Sound off U.S. 70. Homes vary from modest bungalows to two-and three-story residences. Most residents have lived in these areas for a number of years; however, homes do occasionally go on the market. Many waterfront homes have water access at their back doors. It's worth a drive through these areas to see what is available.

The Landings at Mitchell Village is a townhome project offerings two and three bedroom units, each with a garage. Single-story and two-floor models are featured.