Vanceboro offers a small town feel with easy commutes
Spanning less than 2 miles and home to about 940 people, Vanceboro is a little enclave in Craven County. The town is almost equidistant from the larger cities of Greenville and New Bern—both less than 30 miles away—and seemingly a world away from bustling Raleigh. “We joke that in Raleigh, there are stoplights and here, there are stop signs, but they’re just suggestions,” says Daniel Hill, a Realtor with Keller Williams Inner Banks who lives nearby and sells throughout the area. Hill says Vanceboro’s location is a draw for many. “If you have a couple where one person works in Greenville and the other works in New Bern, they can commute easily and live in Vanceboro, where the houses are a little less expensive and you get that small town feel,” he says.
From midcentury ranch-style homes to modern cottages
Vanceboro’s homes are an eclectic mix. Midcentury-era ranch-style and Minimal Traditional houses are most common, but among them are Arts and Crafts and farmhouse-style builds from the 1920s and modern cottages from the 2020s. Hill, who also works with the builder Monarca Development Group, says these newly built homes are popular. “We’ve built five new homes in Vanceboro in the last 12 months, which is a lot for a small town.” Lots are often large, with spacious yards dotted with tall, mature trees. Prices typically range from around $150,000 to around $250,000 for smaller, three-bedroom homes. A small selection of larger three- and four-bedroom homes are priced in the $400,000s and sit on multiple acres.
Kids attend schools within the Craven County School District
The schools that serve the town are Vanceboro-Farm Life Elementary, which has a B-minus on Niche; West Craven Middle, which has a C-plus; and West Craven High, which has a B-minus. West Craven High offers two clubs: Future Farmers of America and National Honor Society. The schools are part of the Craven County School District, which has a B-plus.
Bowers Park and West Craven Park provide family-friendly spaces
Bowers Park is a small green space next to Vanceboro Town Hall that offers a playground, a picnic shelter and a basketball court. West Craven Park is less than 7 miles away and offers the same amenities, plus baseball and softball fields, a football field, beach volleyball, outdoor fitness equipment and a walking trail. Vanceboro is about 30 miles from popular Goose Creek State Park, which has a beach, boat ramps and hiking trails. “I take my dog out there a few times a week,” Hill says.
Main Street is a shopping and dining destination
Residents pick up groceries at Kite’s Supermarket, a family-owned spot that has been serving the community since 1961 and is known for its custom cuts of meat and produce. Kite’s also sells hardware, animal feed and a drive-thru grocery pick-up service. For everything else, Food Lion and Family Dollar are on the town’s west side. Vanceboro Pharmacy is on Farmlife Road near Main Street and is another local spot where locals pick up prescriptions and other essentials. Main Street also offers services and a few locally owned shops. Residents dine out at local spots like Vera’s Diner, which serves classic American dishes, and Jerry’s Family Restaurant, a go-to for pizza and subs. The closest hospital is CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern.
Spring is sweet at the annual Vanceboro Strawberry Festival
Each spring, locals gather for the Vanceboro Strawberry Festival, which offers live music, barbecue, a parade, and vendors selling a variety of strawberry-themed food and craft items.
Residents get around the area on Main Street; Pitt-Greenville Airport is nearby
There is no public transportation in town, and residents get around by car. Main Street connects to Greenville and New Bern. Route 118 is nearby and connects to Interstate 587, which leads to Raleigh, about 120 miles away. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is a bit farther, about 130 miles away. Residents can catch flights to Charlotte from Pitt-Greenville Airport, which is closer.
Flooding is infrequent but possible
Due to its proximity to Swift Creek and within the state, Vanceboro has a moderate risk of flooding, though it happens infrequently. The last flood was during Hurricane Florence in 2018. Craven County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program.
