Peaceful, waterfront living in Vandemere
Vandemere means “village by the sea,” but this tiny Pamlico County town actually sits surrounded by the Bay River. It’s almost entirely residential, save for a few churches, the volunteer fire department and the local bait and tackle shop, and most of its roughly 250 residents have lived there for generations. “It has that Americana village, walk-everywhere feel to it,” says Beth Frazer, a broker and the owner of Beth Frazer and Associates, who sells throughout Pamlico County. “There’s a sweetness and a kindness to the people who live there that I find refreshing.”
A variety of home styles that don’t often go on the market
Homes in Vandemere are concentrated mostly in the town’s center, close to the river. Waterfront homes are often spacious Cape Cods or New Traditional style. Ranch-style, Minimal Traditional and manufactured homes sit more inland, especially throughout the rest of the town. Lot sizes run large, often spanning multiple acres. Only a few homes and waterfront lots have sold in the last 12 months. “You don’t get a lot of turnover because people who live there have been there for a while,” she says. When homes do go on the market, they sell for a median price of $275,000.
Vandemere Waterfront Park gives residents access to the river
Boaters have easy access to the river via Vandemere Waterfront Park, which offers dual ramps and a kayak launch. Once on the water, anglers catch red drum, sea trout, blue crab and oysters. The river also connects to the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway about 3 miles away.
Bayboro and Granstboro offer shopping, dining and medical care
Sqidders Bait & Tackle is a go-to for fishing supplies and tips for reeling in that day’s catch. The shop also offers convenience items like ice, soda, beer and snacks. The closest national retailers are in Grantsboro, including Food Lion, Walmart and Dollar General. Restaurants are a little closer; Bayboro has a small selection of locally owned spots like Mayo’s Seafood, loved for its down-home cooking and laid-back vibe. Coastal Carolina Health Care (CCHC) is the closest medical office, also in Bayboro. The nearest hospital is in New Bern.
The town gathers regularly to celebrate the holidays
Residents celebrate the Fourth of July with the Squidder Festival, which includes line dancing, food trucks and fireworks when the sun goes down. Other annual events include Trunk or Treat on Halloween and a Christmas celebration in early December.
Pamlico County Schools serve the town
Children attend Pamlico County Primary from kindergarten to third grade; the school has a B-plus rating on Niche. From there, they head to B-rated Fred A. Anderson Elementary, B-rated Pamlico County Middle and B-minus-rated Pamlico County High. The middle school has been plagued with flooding issues in the past, so in 2024, county officials broke ground on a new middle and high school that will be built at a higher elevation and is set to open in 2026.
Nearby NC-304 and Route 17 connect to the rest of the county
North Carolina Highway 304 is not far from town and travels through north Pamlico County. It also connects to U.S. Route 17 and New Bern. The closest airport is Coastal Carolina Regional in New Bern, which has multiple daily flights to Charlotte.
Vandemere's hurricane and flooding risks
Due to its proximity to the coast, Vandemere is vulnerable to hurricanes and flooding. The county offers an emergency alert system that residents can sign up for, keeping them updated during severe weather.
