Battleboro offers small-town living near Rocky Mount
In Battleboro, two-lane roads stretch for miles, local businesses welcome longtime customers and residents look forward to annual parades. Just outside Rocky Mount, this rural community offers a lower cost of living than the city and residential options that range from new construction on quiet cul-de-sacs to large, undeveloped tracts of land. Battleboro spans parts of Edgecombe and Nash counties, but access to Interstate 95 and other regional routes makes trips to downtown Rocky Mount and throughout eastern North Carolina convenient.
Battleboro’s single-family home options
Battleboro's housing choices suit all kinds of buyers. “It’s a mix of new construction—one- and two-story houses, some modern farmhouses, but mostly New Traditional styles—and previously existing homes, which are mostly brick ranch-styles,” says resident and Realtor with Key Realty Solutions Takyla Hill, who was drawn to the community for its multi-acre lots. “In some areas, we have some modular and double-wides, but this is spread across all of Battleboro, which is very large.” Battleboro is quiet, with space between most properties. “Your neighbor across the street could be a cow,” Hill jokes.
What it costs to live in Battleboro
Houses usually dot the countryside, but a few established subdivisions cluster near public water systems. Most of Battleboro relies on septic tanks, which require more land. Here’s further housing and cost-of-living information:
- Belmont Lake Preserve, a master-planned retirement community with a lake and an 18-hole golf course, offers homes priced from the mid-$200,000s to the low $300,000s.
- Magnolia Estates, with cul-de-sacs and open floor plans, has a family-oriented feel and homes ranging from the low $300,000s to the low $400,000s.
- Outside subdivisions, fixer-uppers under 1,000 square feet cost about $100,000, while newer homes with land can reach into the low $800,000s.
- Undeveloped lots can range from the mid-$20,000s for half an acre to about $2 million for over 200 acres.
Housing is typically less expensive in Edgecombe, while Nash often offers slightly higher prices, higher incomes and lower county tax rates. But day-to-day living costs are essentially the same in both subdivisions.
Things to do in Battleboro
Longtime local spots give Battleboro its authentic country feel. W.B. Ennis Memorial Park is a hub for organized sports and laid-back family time, with baseball and soccer fields, basketball and tennis courts, a playground with climbing structures, slides and swings, and a walking trail that loops around the park. Just across the street, Faulkner’s Store may look like a simple gas station, but it’s been a post-park stop for generations of Battleboro residents. “They have the best hand-dipped ice cream,” Hill says, noting she’s bought snacks at the store since she was a kid. Nearby Smith’s Red & White, a family-owned grocery store just outside Battleboro, is another local favorite. Its on-site restaurant serves barbecue, country ham and sausage, all made in-house. Three community centers and outreach organizations serve communities across Battleboro, and throughout the year, residents gather for annual events, from 5Ks to fireworks and other holiday celebrations. “The Christmas parade is the most popular,” Hill says.
Students attend school in Nash or Edgecombe counties
Edgecombe County Public Schools serve most of Battleboro, with western areas zoned to Nash County Public Schools. Transferring districts requires approval from both districts, and school choice is application-based and limited. Edgecombe County offers some specialty and early-college options, while Nash County allows intra-district transfer requests between schools.
Attractions and amenities in nearby Rocky Mount
For most shopping, dining and entertainment, Hill says folks drive 10 miles to Rocky Mount. “The city has movies, bowling, things to do for kids and grocery shopping,” she explains. Rocky Mount also features:
- Rocky Mount Mills, a historic mill converted into a trendy area with breweries, coffee shops and events, like the Bluegrass at The Mills music festival
- Rocky Mount Sports Complex, a large youth sports hub built in the city for its location between New York and Florida on I-95
- Golden East Crossing, an indoor mall with Belk, American Eagle and JCPenney
- ECU Health Nash Hospital, offering a range of inpatient and outpatient care, emergency services and specialty treatments
Despite its name, Rocky Mount’s recreation is more river- than mountain-based. The Rocky Mountain Greenway follows the Tar River for 7 miles, connecting several parks and providing scenic views. It’s paved, with bridges and boardwalks in some sections, so it’s popular for daily walks and bike rides. The Tar River Paddle Trail runs for 55 miles, offering calm waters and mild rapids. It has several public access points, with one just outside Battleboro.
Easy access to I-95
You need a car to get around, but I-95 and U.S. routes 64 and 301 are easily accessible. Downtown Rocky Mount is a roughly 15- to 30-minute drive. “There’s a train station and a Greyhound bus station in Rocky Mount; the closest airport is in Raleigh,” Hill says, referencing Raleigh-Durham International Airport, just over an hour away.
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Adreanna DeMarino
