Elroy makes off-base living convenient
When Air Force members are transferred to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, they might want to live off base but close enough to have a short commute. Elroy offers just that: Off-base living in Seymour Johnson AFB's backyard, where homes have large yards and breathing room between neighbors. “I’m from there, and I still live there,” says Kyle Merritt, a real estate agent with The Firm NC who has worked in the Goldsboro area for over 10 years. “It’s not that bad of a drive to town, where all your amenities are. We’re an hour and a half from the beach, and the cost of living is substantially lower. It’s a nice area.”
Residents hear jets soaring overhead when pilots train, but that’s a part of life here. Trips to the grocery store and nearby restaurants are brief, and driving into downtown Goldsboro takes less than 20 minutes. Elroy gives residents convenient access to Goldsboro with U.S. Route 70, while also creating an off-base experience for people who want to feel some distance between work and home.
Ranch-style, National and manufactured homes for $300,000 and under
Airmen might request a permanent change of station or be given orders to relocate. “PCS season is in April and August to October,” Merritt says. “We see a little more traffic then.” Elroy has rental options, but there are also ranch-style homes that sell for $200,000 to $230,000. National-style and split-level homes range from $230,000 to nearly $300,000. Manufactured homes and properties that need some renovations have sold for $190,000 or less. Many properties run on septic tank systems because Elroy is outside Goldsboro city limits, but there is municipal water. The yards are large, usually with shade trees, and long paved driveways lead to garages or wide slabs of concrete where residents park their cars.
Route 70 makes it easy to commute to base or downtown
Anyone who has to report to base has less than a 10-minute drive to Seymour Johnson AFB’s main gate when driving down U.S. Route 70. Downtown Goldsboro is farther down the highway, about 6 miles from Elroy. Drivers will be on the road for a little over an hour when driving 60 miles to Raleigh or about 67 miles to Fayetteville. Raleigh has the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, while Fayetteville has the Fayetteville Regional Airport. Service members can visit the clinic on base, but UNC Health Wayne is the nearest hospital with primary care offices across the street.
Learning in Wayne County public schools
Elroy residents are zoned for the Wayne County Public Schools district, which gets a B-minus from Niche. Meadow Lane Elementary offers prekindergarten through fourth-grade and earns a B-plus. Greenwood Middle School has a B-minus and is just across the street from Meadow Lane. Spring Creek High School receives a C-plus. In 2024, the boys’ cross-country team qualified for the state championship for the first time in Spring Creek High’s history.
Getting North Carolina-style barbecue in Elroy
There are fast-food chains in Elroy, like McDonald's, but locally owned restaurants like McCall’s Bar-B-Que & Seafood are the most popular. Since 1989, McCall’s has served barbecue smoked in an open pit, side dishes like homemade macaroni and cheese and Calabash-style seafood coated in a light batter. Wilber’s Barbecue has been roasting and selling pork since 1962, and the restaurant’s menu has sandwiches, combo plates and other Southern comfort food as side dishes.
Residents might pick up groceries at the Walmart Neighborhood Market or the Food Lion down the road. “The city has changed so much in the past few years,” Merritt says. “There’s a good selection of restaurants.” Route 70 leads to a plethora of major fast-food and retail chains, from Longhorn Steakhouse and Starbucks to Target and Sam’s Club. Berkeley Mall is small and often quiet, but it has major stores like Ulta and Bath & Body Works.
Exploring Berkeley Park or hanging out at Bryan Multi-Sports Complex
The Air Force base has parks, but Berkeley Park is a public green space where anyone can hang out on the playground, play a round on the sand volleyball courts or aim for a new record on the 18-hole disc golf course. The Bryan Multi-Sports Complex was built on 63 acres of land owned by the Seymour Johnson AFB, but the Goldsboro Parks and Recreation Department manages the complex. Anyone can visit to see the F-4E Phantom fighter jet on display, explore the playground or follow the walking trail around the fields. The splash pad usually opens in the summer.
Celebrating military members and first responders at NC Freedom Fest
The parks department organizes youth leagues and annual events, from Easter egg hunts to daddy-daughter dances before Valentine’s Day. The NC Freedom Fest in downtown Goldsboro is one of the more popular festivals. The September event celebrates military personnel, first responders and their families. Center Street closes to make room for a stage, vendors, a car show and art displays. The main event everyone waits for is the jet flyover in honor of all service members, past and present. There are a few churches in Elroy, primarily found along Highway 111 South. The Hydrant Church hosts a food pantry on the third Saturday of every month.
