Jacksonville

Piney Green lives up to its name, with thick clusters of tall pine trees surrounding the neighborhoods and local schools. This large residential area sits just outside Jacksonville’s city limit, and residents here are 3 miles from the Piney Green gate to the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and 7 miles from Jacksonville Mall. More homes continue to pop up, replacing some of the greenery with brand-new Craftsman homes for military members and civilians alike. “We see a lot of people moving here from the north and south, from Pennsylvania to California,” says Jose Maldonado, a Realtor and team leader with RE/MAX Elite Realty Group who has over seven years of experience. “This area is well-known for its community vibe. I know they do annual events, but people walk around the sidewalks and stop to talk.”  <br> <br>Everything from manufactured homes to Craftsman houses built in 2024 make up Piney Green. “There’s a lot of new construction and brand-new subdivisions. It’s been going on for the last five or six years,” says Wesley Hart, a Century 21 Coastal Advantage real estate broker who has lived in Onslow County since 1982. Ranch-style homes are most common, with attached garages and sprawling yards, all for around $175,000 to $300,000. Brand-new units in the growing Onslow Bay subdivision land range from $300,000 to $500,000, while duplexes and townhouses sell for $140,000 to $150,000 in Indian Wells at Hunters Creek. The White Oak Estates neighborhood has sidewalks running along the front yards, but other areas like Onslow Bay, Argona Village and Hunter’s Creek have more yard space and wider streets without sidewalks. Regardless of the neighborhood, homes in Piney Green have breathing room between their neighbors and enough yard space for active dogs or a new playset.  <br> <br>Hunters Creek Elementary serves all of Piney Green and earns a B-minus. The B-rated Hunters Creek Middle is the natural next step before attending White Oak High School, which also gets a B. White Oak High was named a School of Excellence by the American College Campaign in 2023 for its dedication to helping students of all backgrounds navigate the college application process.  <br> <br>Without public buses in the neighborhood, residents drive to Camp Lejeune or to shop in downtown Jacksonville. Piney Green Road is the main thoroughfare that takes drives south to Freedom Way or north to Highway 17. Getting to Camp Lejeune’s Piney Green Gate takes no time with Piney Green Road.  <br> <br>Every May, the Jacksonville Commons Recreation Center comes alive with Jacksonville Jamboree events. Local bands play while crowds of people eat at food trucks, watch softball tournaments and browse vendor wares. The fun picks up again in December at Jacksonville Winterfest. After taking a picture with Santa, visitors get into the holiday spirit with an artisan market, ice skating and train rides.  <br> <br>Piney Green Soccer Club athletes practice on the fields behind Hunters Creek Middle School. Across the New River, Northeast Creek Park features a boat ramp where locals fish for speckled trout or rent a kayak and glide onto the water. Onslow Beach welcomes those who have access to Camp Lejeune. Civilians can drive 24 miles to Emerald Isle Beach for some sandy fun. “Emerald Isle is big, and Bear Island is very nice. You have to take a ferry to get out to the island,” Maldonado says. Centerview Baptist Church and the Sanctuary of Jacksonville are two of the six places of worship in Piney Green. <br> <br>Food Lion in the Piney Green Shopping Center sells fresh produce and other essential groceries. One of Mi Cabaña Mexican Restaurant’s many locations rests in the same center and sees hungry guests for date nights and family dinners. Hokkaido Restaurant picks up around lunchtime as orders roll in for sushi rolls, ramen and noodle bowls. For a quick dinner option, Abruzzo's Pizza crafts large specialty and made-to-order pies. One Dollar General sits off Piney Green Road with last-minute essentials in stock, while the other recently built location rests off Rocky Run Road. Most looking to shop head 5 miles to the Jacksonville Mall, Target or Walmart Supercenter. Yesterday's Galleria buys and sells antiques, furniture and unique collectibles.  <br> <br>Living so close to Camp Lejeune means occasionally hearing planes, helicopters and explosions from demolition training. Military members receive a schedule in advance for events that could cause noise, and civilians can get the same noise advisories from the base’s website.

Although Pumpkin Center has no pumpkin patches, the neighborhood does feature wide open yards, towering pine trees and quick access to nearby shopping with U.S. Route 17. “It’s Jacksonville, so 25% to 30% of people are civilians, and the rest are in the military,” says Joe Powers, the broker/owner of Joe Powers Realty and Jacksonville resident for over 50 years. “The big selling points for Pumpkin Center are having no city taxes and being 10 minutes away from Camp Lejeune.” Living on the city’s edge has its perks, as major retailers like Target and Walmart are 4 miles away. The Jacksonville Mall is even closer. Pumpkin Center may be tucked away behind forested areas, but residents are never far from city life.      Long paved driveways lead up to ranch homes with Spanish Revival and modern traditional designs set on large lots. Without sidewalks, residents get more usable yard space and wider streets. Pumpkin Center’s lack of HOAs allows home gardeners and creative minds more freedom when it comes to landscaping. “It’s hard to find anything for under $200,000, so I would say the average price is $200,000 to $300,000. There’s no new construction at all, and the homes were built in the 60s and 70s. There’s a good mix of rehabbed homes and ones that need work.” Homes that do sell for less than $200,000 are often sold as is and pose opportunities for total renovations.       Camp Lejeune maintains a full calendar of events for military members and their registered guests like family movie nights at the Harriotte B. Smith Library and ice cream bowls at the Bonnyman Bowling Center. Civilians living around base can often hear the sound of explosions and planes during base trainings, but Powers says the sound isn’t overwhelming in Pumpkin Center. The base releases a schedule of potential noise-generating events a few weeks in advance and posts the information on its website. Jacksonville Commons Elementary and Jacksonville Commons Middle, both earn B ratings from Niche. Northside High School receives a B-plus and neighbors the middle school. The Marine Aircraft Group 26 partnered with Northside High through Onslow County’s Adopt-a-School program in 2023. Students can connect with Marines who volunteer for school events and mentorship opportunities. Pumpkin Center is also near Coastal Carolina Community College.       Jacksonville Country Club is the only private club in Onslow County, and it’s welcomed golfers, tennis players and swimmers since 1954. Military members can get discounted rates on Mondays and first responders on Thursdays. Those who prefer to spend their time in nature can take a short trip to Northeast Creek Park to fish in the New River or kayak along the water. After school lets out, families head next door to the Jacksonville Commons Recreation Complex. The park, also known as The Commons, is the site for the Jacksonville Jamboree in May and the Jacksonville Winterfest in December. Both events unite the community with food trucks, artisan markets and train rides.       Helen’s Kitchen, off U.S. Route 17, offers old-fashioned breakfast sandwichs and plates of scrambled eggs and sausages. Those who want to make their own meals can drive 4 miles to the Walmart Supercenter for groceries. Shopping centers along Western Boulevard include Target, Hobby Lobby and Sam’s Club. Jacksonville Mall is 3 miles away and has nearly 70 stores to peruse. The family-operated April Showers Florist arranges full bouquets of fresh flowers, but it also stays stocked with Simply Southern apparel, novelty gifts and trinkets.       Wolf Swamp Road splits the neighborhood and connects to U.S. Route 17 in the north and Piney Green Road in the south. Piney Green Road guides military members 8 miles to the main gate and 9 miles to the Piney Green gate. Those with base access can visit Onslow Beach, but civilians head north to Emerald Isle for a day on the sand.