Growing Piney Green has greenery to spare
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 the 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.”
Making more room for military and civilians
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.
White Oak High students aim for the future
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.
Driving on Freedom Way
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.
Hanging out along the New River or beaches
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. Emerald Isle Beach is 24 miles away. “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.
Quick access to shops
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.
Getting festive at Jacksonville
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.
The sounds of military training
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.
Photography Contributed By
Andrew Smith
