I need any info on Cherry Point. We might be moving there soon. How is the school system? I heard it is year around. Should we try to live on base? What is there to do on the weekends? 

School system is both year round & traditional. There are 2 elementary schools that are districted for base housing. One is year round and your child can walk to the school, depending on where you live on base. The 2nd school is just outside the back gate and you'll have to drive your child. Walking is not an option for that school from base.

Arthur W Edwards is the year-round school and W Jesse Gurganus is the traditional school.

There's also a third elementary school that is districted for base housing (Slocum housing) that is not actually part of the base and is on a traditional calendar(the housing, not the school). This school is Graham A Barden.
Civilians also attend these schools.
There are no DOD schools at Cherry Point.


If you decide to live off base, stay away from any homes served by City of New Bern electric - the rates are way higher than the other 2 electric companies.
Stay away from any housing near Webb Blvd, Shipman Rd & Brown Blvd. The area is pretty run down and prone to flooding during heavy rains.

Communities that are within a 10 - 20 minute commute are McDonald Downs, Tucker Creek, Carolina Pines, Stately Pines, Cherry Branch & Southern Terrace.

For a little further commute there are the towns of Newport & Morehead City. Both of these communities are served by Carteret County schools.
Again, you'll need to check the area of housing.

I would recommend homes where your child would go to either Arthur Edwards or Gurganus, which would leave out the communities of Cherry Branch, Southern Terrace & Slocum base housing.

There's lots to do if you're into history and all things related to beaches/water.

Shopping is seriously lacking. There are 3 different supermarket chains and plenty of restaurants.

For things to do, there's the beach, NC Aquarium, Ft Macon state park, Tryon Palace, Maritime museum in Beaufort, Ocracoke Island, Cedar Island, the Outer Banks, various water parks/mini golf(in season), Mac Daddy's(combo bowling alley/arcade), go karts, boat & jet ski rentals and fishing(both on & off base). 

You'll also be about 1 hr away from Wilmington (lots of shopping and things to do) and about 2 hrs away from Raleigh(again, lots of shopping and things to do!). Myrtle Beach is about 2 1/2 hrs away, to the south.

There is also an outlet mall in Smithfield (about 1 1/2hrs away, on the way to Raleigh.)

There are other communities to rent a home, but I didn't mention them because they are served by City of New Bern electric.

Stay away from Century 21 Town & Country for renting. I've heard nothing good about renting from them. 

we were at cherry point for almost 10 years..... feel free to ask me anything!!! we lived in havelock, newport, and new bern and if we would ever get back that way we would live in newport or morehead city. the schools are excellent, great community feel, housing prices(rent and purchase)are good, and they have built up morehead city alot in the last few years. 

Thank you so much for all the information. It will really help us in our decision-making process! You can't find this kind of info on a website! 

We just PCSed here 2 weeks ago and so far I LOVE IT!! I live in base housing thats OFF base Called Slocom! BAH here is only 1100 depending on rank.. where I live theres an elementary school right towards the back of housing! If you have any ?'s Pm me! 

There are also 3 additional subdivisions I forgot about this morning - Wolf Creek, Westbrooke and Stonebridge Landing.

I wouldn't recommend the elementary school by Slocum housing (the off base, base housing)- that's Graham A Barden.

The top 2 elementary schools in Havelock (the city surrounding Cherry Point) are Arthur Edwards (yr round) and W Jesse Gurganus (traditional).

There are a total of 5 elementary schools in Havelock- Havelock Elementary, Roger Bell, Graham A Barden, Arthur Edwards and W Jesse Gurganus. 

*Shizzle....
I will be moving to Cherry point as well in July my husband and I decided to buy a house. I was looking at houses in Havelock. Do you have any advice or opinions on buying a house there? Also I have three little ones I want my daughter going to Gurganus. How are the daycares out there for my other 2 kids they are 3 and 2 years old. It's the first time I am ever leaving California and I'm very nervous and overwhelmed. TIA 

if you are going to buy a home i would buy in newport. the schools are amazing and resale on properties is excellent. you will also have a community feel. havelock has A LOT of not so great areas. 

If you want your child to go to Gurganus, you'll need to buy a home in Tucker Creek, Carolina Pines, Stately Pines, Stonebridge Landing or Wolf Creek to be guaranteed your child will go to Gurganus. Wolf Creek is a little on the run down side IMO. Carolina Pines is a golf course community with a clubhouse, pool and a boat ramp. There's a mix of new and older homes, plus townhomes & duplexes. Tucker Creek has a boat ramp. Neither ramp is for putting a big "big" boat in the water. Tucker creek has town homes at the very beginning of the community.

McDonald Downs is a mix of modular & stick built homes. I think they're districted for Arthur Edwards. 

As far as daycares go, try to get your children in the CDC on base.
Trinity Church offers a good daycare program on a full time basis and First United Methodist (FUM) has a good part time program.

Stay FAR AWAY From ANY of the Childcare Network day care centers.