New Bern

New Bern is best understood through its light rail station, which has become a magnet for apartment and condo construction in the blocks immediately around it. Developers have consistently cited proximity to the station as a selling point, and the area has densified accordingly over the past decade.

Unlike some of South End's more retail-heavy pockets, New Bern is primarily residential, with ground-floor commercial space filling in gradually rather than anchoring the area the way the Rail Trail Core's breweries and restaurants do further north.

The Rail Trail passes directly through this area, giving residents car-free access both north toward the district's dining core and south toward quieter stretches, which has made New Bern a popular landing spot for commuters who rely on the light rail for Uptown trips.

As with much of South End, construction cranes and phased apartment deliveries have been a near-constant presence here in recent years, and that pace shows little sign of slowing.