Cove City is a quiet farm town west of New Bern
Cove City is a quiet Craven County farm town located a little over 15 miles west of New Bern. Like most communities in the area, it was first settled by farmers in the early 18th century. While the town got its start as an agricultural community, these days, residents are just as likely to commute to New Bern for work. “It’s about as quiet as you can get out there,” says local Realtor Denis Vary of Team Vary Real Estate Group. “It’s great if you like a small-town community vibe. It does mean you have to drive a bit for shopping and groceries, though.”
Ranch-style homes and cottages are common
The area’s housing stock is mostly made up of midcentury ranch-style homes, but a few early-1900s builds and modern homes can also be found scattered around. Many properties come with a bit of acreage attached, sometimes even with working farms. Most homes sell for between $150,000 and $300,000, but modern construction and properties with significant acreage can go for more.
Locals usually do their shopping in New Bern
Shopping in Cove City is limited to the Dollar General on Old US Highway 70, the community’s major thoroughfare. Lucy’s Boyz, located just down the road, is a longstanding local restaurant known for its authentic country-style cooking. For groceries and general shopping — from hardware supplies to clothes — residents typically drive to Trenton or New Bern. The Piggly Wiggly in Trenton, roughly 10 miles south of Cove City, is the nearest supermarket, while modern shopping centers and a small but vibrant dining and nightlife scene can be found in New Bern.
A small local park and a large local forest
Cove City Park features a playground, baseball field and walking track. Less than 10 miles south, 79,000-acre Hoffman Forest is popular with both hikers and, seasonally, hunters, offering miles of wooded trails. The nearby Trent River draws fishing and boating enthusiasts — both popular sports in the area. The Cove City-Craven County Library, located in the center of town, runs a regular Books & Babies program along with other events aimed at young readers.
Craven County Schools
The area is part of the Craven County Public Schools district, which has a B-plus on Niche. James W. Smith Elementary has a B rating, while West Craven Middle School has a C-plus. West Craven High School has a B-minus and offers dual credit courses through a partnership with Craven Community College.
Mumfest and other events in nearby New Bern
Apart from programming at the local library, there isn’t much of an event calendar to speak of in Cove City. Locals generally head to New Bern for everything from farmers markets to seasonal celebrations to the annual Craven County Fair. New Bern’s best-known to-do is the annual Mumfest celebration in October, which sees the town decked out in chrysanthemums.
U.S. Route 70 connects to nearby towns
U.S. Route 70 and North Carolina Highway 55 are the main routes in the Cove City area, connecting residents to retailers and employers in New Bern. It’s between a 15- and 20-mile drive for most residents, and traffic is generally light to nonexistent. Public transportation in the area is extremely limited, and most people consider car ownership a necessity. “You can definitely expect to use your car,” says Vary. “It’s pretty easy to get around the area; it’s not like there’s traffic, but there aren't many places you can get to by walking.” New Bern is home to the nearest hospital and airport. The Coastal Carolina Regional Airport offers direct flights to Orlando, Charlotte and Hartford.
