About
If you’re looking to escape to a quiet refuge with a slow pace, you’ll love Moore County. To the west of Fort Bragg’s training areas lies the “Home of American Golf” and the adorable communities of Southern Pines, Pinehurst and Aberdeen. Forests of longleaf pine trees, horse stables, world-class golf courses, and picturesque main street shopping provide the backdrop to this family-friendly locale. Most people consider the commute when living out here to be significant, but it’s a reasonable trade-off for some. There are plenty of local shops and restaurants to fulfill your shopping, dining and day-to-day needs. The reputable schools, lower crime rates, and small town feel are very attractive to a lot of people.
When we say “slow,” we definitely don’t mean asleep. The independently owned restaurants and shops are amazing. Out-of-towners often make the drive into Moore County for a special night out or just to get away, and Pinehurst Resort is a popular venue for military balls. The craft brewery scene is growing and there are coffee shops, old fashioned ice cream parlors, bakeries, yoga studios, farmer’s markets, and even food truck festivals in the area.
If you are into country living, Vass and Cameron are two other areas of Moore County that are worth a look! Cameron is best known for its antique district and the town is even listed on the National Registry for Historic Sites. Twice a year it hosts a popular antique festival that draws vendors from around the country. There are some areas of new, affordable construction closer to base in both Vass and Cameron, but these towns are primarily residential and don’t have many amenities.
Neighbors
This area has a variety of residents including families, retirees, and a very healthy mix of military. Its close proximity to Camp MacKall is a draw for those working with Special Forces selection and training, so you’ll see strong SF representation. However, soldiers working on Fort Bragg’s main post will drive upwards of 45 minutes to get to work. For this reason, along with SF’s proclivity for beards and civilian clothes, the area isn’t particularly overrun with uniforms.
Neighborhood Feel
Moore County offers traditional subdivisions, historic downtown districts, and resort communities to choose from in a range of prices. Whispering Pines is a small community with beautiful lakefront homes. Southern Pines, or “SoPi” if you want to sound cool, is known for its quaint bungalows and stately victorians just blocks off the main street. Pinehurst is a golf community and the neighborhoods are aligned with each of the 9 courses, the famed Pinehurst # 2 being the most prominent. Aberdeen is slightly more modern with great shopping options and more traditional subdivisions where you can find affordable new construction mixed in with older homes. All of the areas are home to very tight-knit communities with active community watch programs. It’s said the police know the residents by name, and can pair them with the vehicles they drive! It’s seriously like taking a step back in time.
