Fayetteville

If Downtown Fayetteville could be summarized in three words, they would be patriotic, historic and flourishing. Hay Street, downtown’s main commercial scene, wasn’t always known as a family-friendly place like it is today. The city turned things around in the 1980s, and the social scene really came back to life when the Segra Stadium was built for the Woodpecker’s baseball team in 2019. Today, downtown is known for its many events, local businesses and historic buildings. <br><br>There’s a respect for the past in the city’s architecture and historical markers, but business owners and residents have a growth mindset to push Downtown Fayetteville toward a brighter future. Victorian homes that once held families now have law practices and doctors' offices. The Cool Spring Downtown District is a nonprofit group that organizes events throughout the year to bring visitors downtown and support businesses. <br><br>Downtown Fayetteville is 11 miles from the Fort Liberty Army base, and the community proudly supports its service members. Tony de la Vega and Kate Murphy are brokers and team leads at TIER One Real Estate. They each settled in Fayetteville because of the Army, and both fell in love with the area’s growth and social scene. “Fayetteville is the most patriotic and diverse city,” Vega says. “Even people who aren’t involved in the military are proud of it.” <br><br>Boutiques, coffee shops, restaurants and galleries line Hay Street, downtown’s main commercial road. Pan is a popular restaurant that serves paninis, sandwiches and salads named after notable Fayetteville icons, such as the Lafayette and the Dogwood. Rude Awakening Coffee has been serving hot coffee and fresh pastries since 1999. The neon sign and bright purple door make the restaurant stand out among the more toned-down buildings. Down the street, Blue Moon Cafe has been a Hay Street staple for over 15 years, serving brunch, lunch and cocktails. Vega recommends Antinella’s Italian Ristorante, a dinner spot on Hay Street that serves authentic dishes. <br><br>Back-A-Round Records is on the Market House traffic circle and keeps a full inventory of vintage records and CDs. A Bit of Carolina sells North Carolina-themed goods and locally sourced products like honey for visitors and new residents to pick up a piece of state pride. There’s a Food Lion on Grove Street, and the Cross Creek Mall is 5 miles from downtown. Multiple shopping centers surround the mall, giving residents a wide range of national chains, like Target and Lidl. <br><br>Murphy says there’s always something going on downtown. The Cool Springs Downtown District organizes events for residents and to draw business to stores. “We didn’t have a social district for a long time, but it’s been a big thing in the last three years. The Segra Stadium really caused growth downtown. People go to see a game or just meet up with friends and socialize.” The Dogwood Festival is the city’s largest event. For three days every April, Hay Street and Festival Park fill with vendors, musicians and visitors. Hay Street United Methodist Church was built in 1908 and was the first Methodist church built in Fayetteville. Today, the church connects to the city with its Fall Festival activities in October and A Dickens of a Christmas performances in November. “Fayetteville celebrates everyone and everything,” Wynn says. “Downtown does a lot of parades, like for Veteran’s Day, Fourth of July and Christmas.” <br><br>Properties in Downtown Fayetteville are mainly single-family homes, townhouses and condos. There are a few apartment buildings, as more than 50% of residents are renters rather than homeowners. “The Prince Charles Hotel is a 100-year-old building that was turned into an apartment building,” Vega says. Another way the city has blended history with modern-day living. Condos range between $235,000 to over $400,000, while townhouses often sell for $225,000 to $300,000. Bungalows and ranch-style homes are most common, with moderate yard space, paved driveways for parking and no sidewalks out front. Most sell for $135,000 to $200,000, and anything less than $100,000 needs renovations. Haymont is another historic district in downtown’s west side with slightly larger homes built in the early 1900s and the occasional new build from around 2020. The overall price range is broad, but many three-bedroom homes sell between $200,000 and $375,000. <br><br>Fort Liberty is the largest army base in the country and the world. Being so close to such a monumental base means hearing helicopters, plane noise and explosions from training exercises. The Army alerts civilians through social media of artillery training that will cause significant noise. Downtown Fayetteville is west of the Cape Fear River, and the area had flooded roads and parks caused by hurricanes in 2016, 2018 and 2024. Otherwise, the weather is usually average with humid summers and mild winters. <br><br>History is ingrained in Downtown Fayetteville, which shows in nearby museums open to the public for free. The Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation details the history of the U.S. Army Airborne and Special Operations Forces from 1940 to the present day. A paved pathway leads across the street to the North Carolina Veterans Park. This outdoor space has multiple art installations in honor of the Army, like bronze casts of soldiers’ right hands, the same hands they raised to take an oath of service. The Fayetteville History Museum building was the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley Railroad Depot in the 1890s, but now it’s filled with displays and hosts a farmers market every weekend. New residents looking to learn about their home can join a downtown walking tour that meets at the museum and goes around the Downtown Historic District to spots like the Market House or Cross Creek Cemetery. Art Park is a small circular playground under the Maiden Lane bridge, and Cross Creek Linear Park is a popular spot to walk around the fountain and see the Lafayette statue. Rowan Park, tucked behind the Lions Civic Center, has the most space with a skate park, playground, pickleball court and a small parking lot. <br><br>Wide sidewalks line Hay Street, making it easy for visitors to walk to shops and restaurants. The more residential areas surrounding the commercial downtown don’t feature sidewalks, so residents rely on cars or bicycles to get around. Train tracks cut across downtown's western side, so drivers keep an eye out when going over the tracks. Parking areas in the heart of downtown have a $5 maximum per day, regardless of whether drivers park on the side of the street or in a parking lot. <br><br>Multiple FAST bus routes flow from downtown to the Cross Creek Mall, Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and the Crown Coliseum. Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway and Highway 24 connect to Interstate 95, which leads north to New York and south to Georgia. Drivers can use I-95 to travel 64 miles, about an hour, north to Raleigh. The Fayetteville Regional Airport is 6 miles south and offers flights to Charlotte and Atlanta. The Fayetteville AMTRAK station depot was built in 1911 when it was used by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. Passengers wait on shaded benches near this historic depot before traveling to cities along the East Coast. <br><br>Downtown Fayetteville has a 7 out of 10 crime score with a 9 out of 10 for violent crimes, higher than the national average of 4. The Fayetteville Police Department works to connect with residents positively through community watch program resources. The Fayetteville Business & Residential Sharing Camera Program allows anyone with a security camera to register it with the police, giving officers quicker access to footage when investigating crimes. The city also allocated $100,000 to give as micro-grants throughout the 2024-25 fiscal year. Community watch groups, businesses and individuals can receive these micro-grants for video doorbells and dusk-to-dawn lightbulbs. <br><br>North of Fayetteville State University, Ferguson-Easley Elementary gets a C from Niche. Luther Nick Jeralds Middle School also receives a C and feeds into E. E. Smith High School, which also earns a C-plus. E. E. Smith High offers two choice programs students can apply to: the Cumberland County Schools Fire Academy and the Cumberland County Schools STEAM Academy. The Cumberland County Commissioners plan to build a new E. E. Smith High School, but the location hasn’t been chosen as of October 2024. The best ranking schools near Downtown Fayetteville are Reid Ross Classical School, rated B, and Cross Creek Early College High, rated A. Both are total choice schools, requiring students to apply for enrollment.

Pine Forest is a tree-covered neighborhood within the Cumberland School District, defined by its proximity to Fort Bragg, Fayetteville and the Carvers Creek State Park. The Sandhill Access Point entrance to the park is a big draw for hikers, bikers, equestrians and even fishermen. Students here participate in prestigious academic programs, and while this military town has a few locally owned restaurants, it’s only a short drive south to downtown Fayetteville and west to Spring Lake with even more options. Members of the Pine Forest community are often temporary, but not always. “People in the area tend to be contractors, traveling nurses and military, of course,” says Marshall Jones, property manager of local Patriot Park Apartments. “But there are plenty who come back and retire here because it’s so quiet.” Places like Patriot Park Apartments offer pleasantly furnished units and conveniently short leases for temporary residents looking to rent. For smaller families, Cape Cods and ranch-style homes with three or fewer bedrooms cost between $175,000 and $250,000. New contemporary-style constructions are priced between $350,000 and $475,000, while a few older custom brick homes with four or more bedrooms can cost over $600,000. Pine Forest is home to Carvers Creek State Park, where locals can enter via the Sandhill Access Point and hike, bike, ride horses and even fish. Though camping isn’t allowed in Carvers Creek, Department of Defense ID cardholders and their guests can stay in cabins and RVs at the Smith Lake Recreation Area. Open to the public during the day, locals can kayak on Smith Lake, swim at the beach, play 18 holes of disc golf or run the five-kilometer trail. Fishermen can float on Smith Lake in motorless watercraft and reel in bluegill, bass and sunfish. A few miles outside Pine Forest are the King’s Grant Golf & Country Club, open to the public and club members, and the ZipQuest Waterfall & Treetop Adventure, a zipline attraction for all ages that travels past Carvers Falls. Pine Forest is just a tiny part of the Fayetteville Cumberland County School District, where students can first attend Howard Hall Elementary and then Pine Forest Middle, both of which earn a B rating from Niche. Pine Forest High, rated B-plus, offers the Academies of Information Technology and Emergency Medical Science. These programs prepare students for specialties like nursing or computer software professions. Pine Forest High School also partners with other schools for firefighter programs and with Fayetteville Technical Community College for students looking to take college courses. Peaden's Seafood & Catering restaurant serves flounder, oysters, hush puppies, and shrimp, stating they are “Bringing Calabash to Fayetteville.” On Highway 24 is Compare Foods grocery and Navariah’s Kitchen, which serves Caribbean cuisine. Drive south down Ramsey Street to find plenty of supermarket chains and fast food, such as Domino’s, Aldi, and Walmart all within about four miles. Pine Forest is a short drive from downtown Fayetteville on Interstate 295. Here, locals can visit the Cape Fear Botanical Garden, the Airborne & Special Operations Museum and the Cape Fear Regional Theatre. The Fayetteville Regional Airport is also a 16-mile drive away down the All American Freeway. One of the most unique places in Pine Forest is The Carolina Barn, a wedding and party venue booked over a year in advance because of its beautiful scenery and remote location. The Carolina Barn hosts many weddings, proms and the annual military ball for Fort Bragg. But with Fort Bragg nearby, both Pope Army Airfield and Simmons Army Airfield are within ten miles of most homes and may be loud neighbors for some residents. Artillery and training exercises may be heard as well.

Rockfish is a large, evergreen neighborhood less than 30 minutes from Fayetteville. This community is where suburban residences meet rural charm on vast green swathes of farmland. “It has a quainter atmosphere and country setting, and it’s very convenient to Fayetteville and Raeford,” says Amanda Smith, a Broker with Atlas Real Estate Partners. And indeed, Rockfish is where newcomers go to escape the busy city activity while still enjoying the perks of keeping the urban center nearby. The neighborhood market consists of single-family houses ranging in price in the $200,000s and $300,000s. The properties include traditional homes to ranch-style houses that sit close together in cul-de-sacs or larger grassy lots, depending on your location. It’s a particularly attractive area for military service members, thanks to its proximity to Fort Bragg, only 20 minutes away. Rockfish is also part of the Hoke County Schools district, and its schools proudly serve the children of these Fort Bragg military families. Rockfish Hoke Elementary School is right along Rockfish Road in the neighborhood, so students and their parents can walk or bike to class. Sandy Grove Middle School prides itself on its eco-friendly campus and is described by the LEED U.S. Green Building Council as a “nationwide model” for sustainability in schools. Hoke County High School offers riding graduates a wealth of scholarships and unique student-led clubs, from the welding club to the RPG club. After school and work, you won’t have to travel far to reach the nearest shopping and dining destinations. Just drive north up Gillis Hill Road to find Westside Village Shopping Center, which boasts Walmart Supercenter, ALDI, Lowe’s and Food Lion. Take a shopping break at popular chain restaurants or one of Raeford Road’s local establishments, like Fuller’s Old Fashioned BBQ for mouthwatering slow-cooked eats or Yang Garden for authentic Chinese dishes. On top of all that, Raeford Road houses auto repair shops, fitness centers, banks and supply shops, so all your needs are in one convenient hub north of the neighborhood. While Rockfish may be out in the country, residents find plenty of sights and recreational destinations to unwind after work and school. Gillis Hill Farm is a local favorite. Located just north of Rockfish, this 9th- generation farm offers locals fun agritourism activities that celebrate the area’s farming traditions and sweet treats at their very own ice cream shop. One of the community’s most distinct spots is Rockfish Speedway, the centrally located track where locals flock to witness heart-pounding weekly races. If you want the right place to host your own social events or get to know fellow residents, Rockfish Community Building is the central community hub that includes a playground and athletic fields for basketball and baseball. Due to its closeness to Downtown Fayetteville, Rockfish residents can enjoy a weekend getaway to the city anytime and see its many attractions and events. One of the most popular gatherings is the Dogwood Festival, a three-day event where vendors sell their culinary and artisan wares and attendees enjoy eclectic musical acts. Attend the annual When Pigs Fly Festival for some savory Southern barbecue, catch a live performance at Festival Park or see a Fayetteville Woodpeckers minor league baseball game at Segra Stadium. Rockfish is a sprawling residence that gives residents a piece of the beautiful North Carolina countryside.

One of the largest neighborhoods in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Terry Sanford sits in the northern section of the city and is adjacent to downtown. With its flat green landscape shadowed by trees, it’s an attractive community for those who want easy access to the rest of the town. The neighborhood's single-family and multifamily homes range from $125,000 for a small ranch-style or townhouse up to over $1 million for a midcentury modern home, so there’s no shortage of budget and style options for newcomers. The community is particularly popular with military families, as it borders the All American Freeway that leads to Fort Bragg less than 10 miles away. “In this market, things sell quickly because of the military clientele,” says Shawn Groover, a broker with RE/MAX Choice. “It’s very middle of the road, between the base and downtown, which makes it a convenient residence.” Cumberland County Schools district oversees schools in this neighborhood. Terry Sanford High School, with a B rating from Niche, is the common choice for older students and the only school in the Cumberland County district with an AP Capstone program for preparing students for university. Alma O. Easom Elementary School, with its B ranking and Margaret Willis Elementary, with a C, are both known for their CCS Art Education programs, and are only a mile apart from each other across Bragg Boulevard. Last, but not least, R. Max Abbot Middle School, rated a B, is a great option for students who are looking to blend arts and sports in their education. For higher education students, the Fayetteville Technical Community College and Fayetteville State University campuses are right by the neighborhood. At the center of the neighborhood is Honeycutt Park, home of the Kiwanis Recreation Center where kids can participate in after-school sports programs and families can enjoy its walking track, fitness room, and gym. Less than five minutes across Bragg Boulevard, Mazarick Park hosts fishing, sports arenas, and picnic spaces on its nearly 80 acres. Up Bragg Boulevard is a stretch of boutiques, beauty parlors, and even a comic bookstore that hosts card game nights past Fayetteville Technical College. Students at the college, and locals, can walk right next door to B & B Bowling Lanes and Fit4Life Health Clubs. Drive north up the boulevard, and you can pick up your groceries at Circle K, Dollar Tree, and Food Lion. If you need a break from shopping, catch a film at Omni Cinemas 8 showing the latest blockbusters down Sycamore Dairy Road off Highway 24. Raeford Road is where residents go to find the most food options, with many chain favorites like Wendy’s, Chick-fil-a, Chipotle and Panera Bread. Or you can stop for essentials at Harris Teeter, Walgreens and Publix Super Market at the Tallywood Shopping Center. You can also find plenty of local establishments like Paddy’s Irish Pub House, popular for its karaoke and live music. The neighborhood is also close to Cross Creek Mall down Sycamore Dairy Road, the largest mall in Fayetteville which contains over 150 stores. An expansive suburb with plenty of educational and recreational destinations, Terry Sanford is right at the intersection of some of Fayetteville’s signature areas.

Roughly 7 miles west of Downtown Fayetteville, the suburb of Westover is bordered to the north by Fort Liberty, one of the largest military installations in the world, making it an attractive place for military members and their families to call home. “A lot of military members with different job duties live in the area, whether they are active duty or are retired and decided to stay here,” says area resident Ashley Schaus, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty and the wife of a retired Army veteran. “Most people living in the area are very familiar with the military lifestyle — there’s always some kind of affiliation with someone you know. No matter where you turn, somebody has served in some capacity." <br><br>The neighborhood’s low housing prices and cost of living also attracts first-time buyers, and the abundance of shopping and dining options appeal to those who want to live a suburban lifestyle while still having access to convenient amenities right in the community, all while being a short drive from downtown. “The area near the mall especially is definitely growing and they’ve added a lot of new restaurants,” Schaus says. Every time I drive past there, I’m always like, ‘well that wasn’t there a few weeks ago.’” <br><br>Shoppers can find grocery chains like The Fresh Market, Sprout’s Farmers Market and LIDL on U.S. 401 (known locally as Skibo Road), as well as a concentration of popular retailers like T.J. Maxx, Kohls and Lowe’s; Cross Creek Mall is also located here with over 150 stores and anchored by Macy’s, JCPenney and Belk. Popular national restaurant chains like LongHorn Steakhouse, Texas Roadhouse and Golden Corral Buffet and Grill surround the mall, as well as local favorites like Luigi’s Italian Chophouse and Bar with hearty Italian fare and an extensive wine list, and Mac’s Speed Shop with classic North Carolina barbeque and comfort sides. Additional chain restaurants and retailers like Target, Best Buy and Marshalls can be found further down Skibo Road within a mile including Target, Best Buy and Marshalls, while Walmart and Sam’s Club are just east of All American Freeway. Just south of Yadkin Road, residents can buy fresh seafood from Ponderosa Fish Market and Restaurant to cook in a meal at home or enjoy fried on-site and pick up Asian grocery essentials and ready-to-eat meals at Sun Asian Supermarket less than a half mile away. There are over 20 Asian restaurants within just a few miles, including Umami for ramen and fresh Japanese sushi rolls or Grilled Ginger for Vietnamese favorites like pho.<br><br>“The draw for the area is a lower price point, so it’s a great place to start out,” says Heather Fuhrman, a Realtor with Bell Manley Real Estate, who also adds that older, midcentury homes in need of renovation are attractive to those looking for investment properties. While most Westover abodes have a sale price of less than $300,000, brand-new ranch-style and two-story builds in developing subdivisions, as well as well-mid-to-late 20th-century homes with ample square footage and acre-sized lots, can go for over $400,000. <br><br>The community is also spotted with apartment-style condominiums throughout, and many can be found for as low as $60,000, while row-style townhouses with private entrances start at around $100,000. Condos, townhouses and detached single-family homes located directly on the neighborhood’s small private lakes, McFayden Lake and Lommond Lake, tend to have a higher price tag than comparably sized ones not on the waterfront.<br><br>Westover is zoned for Cumberland County School District, where students can attend Morganton Road Elementary, which receives a B-minus from Niche, before moving on to Westover Middle and Westover High, each earning a C. Students at Westover High can enroll in the rigorous Academy of Engineering Technologies or Academy of Health Sciences academies, which allow students to get hands-on career experience and gain college credit, internship opportunities and more.<br><br>The neighborhood’s two recreation centers, Westover and Cliffdale, host various youth and adult fitness programs and classes. Each rec center also has its own playground and a large gymnasium for basketball and volleyball; visitors to Westover Recreation Center can enjoy a dip in the outdoor swimming pool and those with furry friends can bring them along to burn off some energy at the dog park.<br><br>Located within 10 miles of all that downtown Fayetteville has to offer, residents in Westover are a short drive away from some of the city’s most popular museums, art galleries and annual community events. At the Museum of the Cape Fear, visitors can explore the exhibits at the restored Victorian 1897 Poe House to learn about the region’s history from Native American inhabitancy through the Civil War and explore the ruins of a former Confederate arsenal, while the exhibits at the sprawling Airborne and Special Operations Museum recount the experiences of the U.S. Army’s Airborne and Special Operations Forces from 1940 through present day. At the Fascinate-U Children’s Museum, kids can learn and play through hands-on interactive exhibits and on Saturday mornings, locals can head to the Fayetteville History Museum to shop fresh local produce, flowers, and handcrafted goods at the farmers market. <br><br>Downtown’s Festival Park hosts several of the community’s beloved annual events, including the 3-day Fayetteville Dogwood Festival in April with live music on the main stage, midway rides and carnival games, food trucks and a downtown street fair with craft vendors and more, as well as the International Folk Festival in September, which celebrates diverse cultures from around the world and within the community through the Parade of Nations, music and dance performances, international cuisine, art displays and more.<br><br>All American Freeway forms Westover’s eastern boundary, serving as the area’s main north-south thoroughfare and providing direct access to and from the base, while Interstate 295 wraps around the neighborhood to the west and north. “Interstate 295 will eventually connect to 95 South when they finish it, which will make it easier to get to South Carolina, Georgia and Florida," Schaus says.<br><br>The Fayetallteville Area System of Transit (FAST) bus stops throughout Westover make it not an entirely car-dependent neighborhood and connect residents with downtown Fayetteville. When opting for air travel, Fayetteville Regional Airport is located 10 miles southeast and provides daily service to Charlotte, Atlanta and Dallas/Fort Worth; each of which can serve as a destination itself or connect travelers with hundreds of domestic and international destinations around the world. For more direct flight options, Raleigh-Durham International Airport is roughly 70 miles north.