The waterside town of Davis has ferries to nearby beaches
Once a tiny fishing village, the Down East community of Davis keeps its coastal character even as sportfishing charters and ferries to nearby beaches now outnumber its local anglers. The small waterside town sits on the Core Sound, a thin body of water that separates mainland North Carolina from barrier islands and, from there, the Atlantic Ocean. “There’s a lot of water — different types of water, too,” says Sharon Garner, owner and broker at Bradberry Garner Real Estate. “You’ve got the sound and some canals, and you’re not far from the beaches at Cape Lookout.”
Recreation on the Core Sound and at Cape Lookout
The tide draws in new residents looking for life on the water, while longtime residents are often anchored by its maritime history. Today, boating and fishing are more of a leisure activity, especially for newer residents and tourists. Several fishing charters are located in and around town, and a ferry service runs from Davis to the Cape Lookout National Seashore, which offers cabins and camping along the barrier island beaches. “The ferry takes you over to the north and south shores of the island, and you really can’t get there with anyone else,” says Garner, who grew up in Carteret County and has worked in real estate for over 20 years. “The ferry takes cars. Not all ferries allow that, and I think that’s the only one in the area that does it.” Back on shore, Eastern Park, in the adjacent Smyrna community, has baseball fields, a soccer field, tennis courts, a basketball court and a playground.
Homes near the water, though flooding is a risk
Homes in Davis sit off narrow two-lane roads, often shaded by tall loblolly pines. Most of the area is occupied by untouched coastal forest or farmland, while houses cluster together in small communities near the shoreline. Some have direct access to the Core Sound, while others are located on small canals. Water access is a selling point, but flooding can be a significant concern. Storm surge from hurricanes and tropical storms is not uncommon, with Hurricane Florence in 2018 being the worst in recent memory. Certain homeowners may be required to obtain flood insurance . Ranch- and Colonial-style houses are most common, while newer builds may be elevated for flood mitigation. Depending on size and condition, homes can sell between $170,000 and $360,000.
Education at Carteret County Public Schools
Carteret County Public Schools serve Davis, with the community mainly split between two elementary schools. Some students attend Smyrna Elementary, which receives a B-plus grade from Niche, but most head to Atlantic Elementary, which receives an A-minus. Students at both schools move on to Down East Middle, which receives a B-plus. B-rated East Carteret High School offers several career-focused programs, including boating courses.
Handful of shops in Davis, but more in Beaufort
Residents of Davis have several small shops to frequent, including Davis Shore Provisions, a general store and gift shop. Across the intersection is the Jim Dandy gas station, with a convenience store and deli. Nearby Smyrna has several small restaurants and shops, including George’s Take-Out for pizza, subs and sandwiches. Beaufort offers more shopping and dining, including grocery stores and shopping centers. “You do kind of have to plan when you do go into town to get as much as you can done,” Garner says. “But I do think the people moving from different areas like the fact that there’s not a Walmart and it’s not as commercialized.”
Highway 70 through Down East, plus boating to destinations
Davis sits in the Down East region of North Carolina, which is connected to the rest of Carteret County via U.S. Highway 70. Beaufort, the county seat, is an 18-mile drive. However, residents can also boat to Beaufort and other waterfront destinations. Coastal Carolina Regional Airport, roughly 50 miles away, offers direct flights to Charlotte, Orlando and Hartford. The nearest emergency room is 23 miles west at Carteret Health Care in Morehead City. For those without cars, the Carteret County Area Transportation System is a demand-response service to transport residents throughout the area.
