Quiet, small-town living in the North Carolina Sandhills
Southern Pines is a small town in central North Carolina’s Sandhills region. Inhabited by Siouan Native Americans until the early 1600s, this swath of Moore County was not settled again until Scottish Highlanders, undeterred by the area’s sandy soil, arrived in the late 1730s. The sand made carriage travel difficult and crop farming nearly impossible except for native lanky longleaf pine trees. Exporting lumber became the town’s top industry with the railroad expansion to Southern Pines in the mid-1800s. The increased accessibility also turned Southern Pines into a popular winter escape for northerners seeking a drier, milder climate than their own. Today, the resort atmosphere remains. “We call it a bubble for a reason. You’re surrounded by golf courses and clubs, so no matter where you go, there’s this very serene, relaxed atmosphere,” says Sven Schaefer, a Greenhem Realtor and decades-long Sandhills local.
Southern Pine residents enjoy serene walks at nearby Resevoir Park.
Golf courses are prevalent in the Southern Pines area.
Railroad expansion to Southern Pines in the mid-1800s brought industry to the area.
Tall pines and sandy soil typify the 'sandhill' environment of Southern Pines.
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Courses galore in the “Home of American Golf”
At the heart of North Carolina's golf country, there are nearly 40 courses within a 15-mile radius. The Talamore Golf Resort, on the north side of town, is internationally famous for its llama caddies, who are stabled between the No. 13 green and No. 14 tee. The world-famous Pinehurst Resort’s No. 2 course, host of the 2024 U.S. Open, is about 6 miles away. But there’s more to do in Southern Pines than golf. Over 30% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, from the 165-acre Reservoir Lake Park to Martin Park, a 50-acre, partially fenced pup play area. Southern Pines puts on seasonal events, like the springtime Easter Egg Hunt to the late-October BooFest kids’ trick-or-treating and Halloween carnival event, at Downtown Park. The Moore County Farmers Market also takes place there on Saturday mornings between March and November. The Morganton Road Sports Complex holds the year-round market on Thursday mornings. Moore County Hounds, the oldest fox hunt organization in North Carolina, is based in Southern Pines, and several nearby farms, like Refugio Farm Equestrian Center, Fox Lake Farm and Nine Oaks Farm, offer riding schools and stable space.
The Pinehurst Resort, near Southern Pines, is renowned for its golf course amenities.
Southern Pine residents enjoy numerous area golf courses.
A short drive from Southern Pines, The Pinehurst Resort brings golfers from all over the world.
Golfing is a way of life for Souther Pines residents.
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New construction boom all over town
“The housing market in this area is great,” Schaefer says, observing that homes here are “relatively affordable” compared to Pinehurst. The median single-family home price in Southern Pines is close to $560,000, well above the state median of $366,900 and slightly above the Pinehurst median of $547,000. But Schaefer observes that the price range in Southern Pines is significantly smaller than in Pinehurst. “Top of the market there is $5 million, whereas in Southern Pines, top of the market is more like $2 million or maybe $3 million.” Typically, homes stay on the market for 51 days before going under contract, about a week longer than the national average. In neighborhoods like Knollwood Village, late 20th-century condos and single-story bungalows are arranged around small golf courses. Large, new-construction Craftsman-inspired and Modern Transitional homes are prevalent, too. “When I moved here 10 years ago, there were 65,000 residents. Now it’s 100,000, and it’s predicted to be 150,000 by 2030. The secret is out, and people are coming here in droves, which you can see with all the new builds,” Schaefer says.
Southern Pines combines rural environments with urban amenities.
Two story homes are found in many Southern Pines neighborhoods.
Tree-lined streets are a common characteristic of Southern Pines neighborhoods.
Southern Pines features a wide range of single story ranch homes.
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Downtown Southern Pines is a lively shopping, dining and arts district
Broad Street, on both sides of the train tracks in historic Downtown Southern Pines, is a walkable stretch of local businesses, from boutiques to eateries. Schaefer describes Southern Pines as more of a shopping city than Pinehurst and Aberdeen, adding that its dining options are “amazing” for a county of only slightly over 100,000 people. “It’s a very serene little downtown and just a really nice place to walk through,” he says. Sunrise Theater, at the north end of downtown, does live performances and classic film screenings. A few blocks away, the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities is home to the Arts Council of Moore County’s galleries. The North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame is based out of the historic Campbell House across the street. National chain retailers are found along the U.S. Route 1/U.S. Route 501 intersection just south of Southern Pines proper.
Southern Pines residents enjoy coffee and conversation at Swank Coffee Shoppe.
Southern Pines' Against The Grain sources nearly all its merchandise within North Carolina.
Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities is a cultural hub for Southern Pines residents.
Big box retailers line the U.S. Route 1 and 501 intersection of Southern Pines.
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Moore County Schools and Sandhills Community College
The Moore County Schools system, which serves all of Southern Pines, earns a B-plus from Niche. While the district does not offer open enrollment/school choice, the A-plus-rated Academy of Moore County is a public, tuition-free charter elementary school available to county students by application. Southern Pines students are zoned to attend either McDeeds Creek Elementary or Southern Pines Elementary, feeder schools for Southern Middle and Pinecrest High. Schaefer says the A-minus-rated Pinecrest is the most highly sought-after of the three high schools in the district. It offers dual enrollment and Career & Technical Education classes in partnership with Sandhills Community College. Sandhills was the first comprehensive community college in North Carolina when it opened in the ‘60s about 5 miles north of Southern Pines proper.
Private school options include the O’Neal School, which receives an A from Niche and serves kids between preschool and 12th grade. “There’s a lot of homeschooling around here as well,” Schaefer says, attributing the reason to a high concentration of military families. One of the largest homeschool curriculum suppliers in the country, Classical Conversations, is based in Southern Pines.
Southern Pines residents attend Sandhills Community College for a higher education.
Southern Pines Elementary serves over 600 students.
The O'Neal School is a private school serving around 500 students.
Football is a popular sport at Pinecrest High School.
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Close to U.S. Route 1 and an Amtrak train station
Southern Pines is about 6 miles east of Pinehurst and slightly over 4 miles north of Aberdeen. U.S. Route 1, called Sandhills Boulevard locally, connects Southern Pines to Aberdeen and U.S. Route 501. And it’s less than 30 miles west of Fort Bragg, a drive that typically takes 40 minutes along two-lane, longleaf pine-lined roads. Raleigh, the next-closest big city, is nearly 70 miles northeast. Depending on Route 1 traffic, it’s about an hour-long drive. Amtrak provides direct train service from Southern Pines Station, off Northwest Broad Street in the middle of downtown, to Raleigh and southwest to Columbia, South Carolina.
Moore County violent crime rate increase, property crime rate decline
Southern Pines crime statistics aren’t readily available; however, the Moore County violent crime rate increased by over 13% between 2022 and 2023, while the county’s property crime rate declined by slightly over 1% during the same period. Moore County’s violent and property crime rates remain lower than the state's.
Written By
Megan Quintin
Photography Contributed By
Kris Bates
Video By
Brandon Flash Craigie
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Southern Pines, NC sell after 62 days on the market compared to the national average of 58 days. The median sale price for homes in Southern Pines, NC over the last 12 months is $480,000, down 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Pristine 2024 Mid-South Club home on an elevated lot with thick woods behind and views of hole #4 in the front. This stunning Clark plan is nearly 3,500 square feet and is priced to sell @ $192 per sq. ft. Additionally, there is a third-floor bonus area (currently unfinished storage) that could be finished to make this home nearly 4,000 sq. ft. Two master suites (one downstairs and one upstairs)
Extensively refreshed and thoughtfully updated, this Southern Pines property offers the charm of established construction paired with the comfort of modern improvements. Refinished hardwood floors bring warmth and character throughout the bedrooms, living room, and dining room, while fresh paint and updated LVP flooring create a bright, cohesive interior.The remodeled kitchen showcases quartz
Set on over an acre just minutes from downtown Southern Pines, this spacious ranch-style property offers a rare combination of flexibility, functionality, and space both inside and out. Conveniently located near local parks, shopping, dining, and everyday amenities, the property includes a 3-bedroom, 3-bath main residence along with a separate 2-bedroom, 1-bath cottage with its own utilities,
Experience the ultimate in Contemporary Living. This FOUR-bedroom home really packs the WOW! -from the polished concrete floors to the soaring ceilings above. With just over 3200 heated square feet, this home is built to enjoy- whether entertaining a large crowd or simply relaxing by the fireplace with a good book inside or out on the patio. The kitchen features a massive center island that you
This is a great opportunity to own a nicely updated townhome for yourself. Well taken care of and updated space with plenty of room to make it your own. Owner's suite is a nice size with a walk-in closet and walk-in shower. Enjoy some quiet time in the enclosed sunroom. Many HOA amenities to enjoy. This location is convenient to golfing, shopping, the Reservoir and Sandhills Community College.
This move-in ready home in Southern Pines is in a prime location, just a few blocks from the new elementary school, medical offices, and plenty of nearby dining options. With fresh interior paint, new LVP flooring, and a new roof, it's perfect for keeping expenses low for first-time buyers or investors. A must-see at this price!
Talamore Villa 2 bdr 2bth Condo!! New HVAC 6/26. Totally furnished and move in ready!! Single level condo with entry level access & a wonderful floor plan. This condo features a split bedroom arrangement, equipped kitchen, laundry room w/stack washer and dryer. Two spacious bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (walk-in in shower in master) Living room, Dining room and Kitchen. Fully furnished! Great for a buyer
Welcome to 340 Clearfield Lane in Southern Pines, a move-in-ready cottage-style home offering 4 bedrooms with potential for a 5th bedroom, 3.5 bathrooms, and 2,778 square feet of flexible living space on a generous 0.54-acre lot. Designed for comfortable family living and effortless entertaining, this home features a highly desirable finished walk-out basement that serves as an ideal guest suite,
Charming brick 3BR/2BA home in the desirable Highland Trails neighborhood of Southern Pines. This well-maintained home features beautiful wood floors, a cozy wood stove, a galley kitchen, a Carolina room, a whole-house generator, and more. Situated on just over half an acre, the property feels privately tucked away among mature trees and lush landscaping. The spacious fenced backyard offers
Beautiful townhome in the desirable Knollwood Village! This 2-bedroom, 2-bath home offers over 2,000 sq ft of single-level living with a bonus flex space that could be converted into a 3rd bedroom or office. Updates include new flooring throughout the main living spaces and a newer roof, providing true move-in readiness. The open floor plan features a brick fireplace, built-ins, and a bright
Located in the Cypress Creek community of Southern Pines, this well-appointed townhome offers stylish, low-maintenance living in a convenient location. The main living area features beautiful hardwood flooring, while the kitchen is equipped with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, tile backsplash, and a wine fridge--perfect for everyday living and entertaining. This 3-bedroom,
Pristine 2024 Mid-South Club home on an elevated lot with thick woods behind and views of hole #4 in the front. This stunning Clark plan is nearly 3,500 square feet and is priced to sell @ $192 per sq. ft. Additionally, there is a third-floor bonus area (currently unfinished storage) that could be finished to make this home nearly 4,000 sq. ft. Two master suites (one downstairs and one upstairs)
Welcome to 185 Bronwyn Street, a beautifully maintained 3 bedroom 2 bath brick home. This inviting property offers the perfect combination of comfort, charm, and convenience, with easy access to local shops, dining, golf courses, and everything the Pinehurst-Southern Pines-Aberdeen area has to offer. Inside, you'll find a bright and welcoming layout with spacious living areas, abundant natural
This charming two-story townhome in Southern Pines features an inviting downstairs with hardwood floors throughout the living and dining areas. The kitchen is equipped with stainless steel appliances and includes a cozy breakfast nook. The master bedroom, located on the main floor, offers a spacious walk-in closet. You will also find a second bedroom on the main floor. Upstairs, you'll find a
This spectacular golf front condo offers beautiful views of the Longleaf golf course! This end unit condo offers privacy and includes a carport. Enter the condo to a bright and airy foyer with vaulted ceilings. The main living area is open with an abundance of windows allowing natural lighting. The open floorplan showcases a beautiful kitchen with a breakfast bar, an eat in area and a spacious
Welcome to Patrick's Pointe, Southern Pines' premier collection of townhomes and apartments where modern comforts meet a warm, southern atmosphere. Our community offers a unique blend of luxurious amenities and inviting living spaces, designed to suit every lifestyle.
This end unit townhome in Cypress Creek has all of the desirable features including granite countertops in the kitchen with a raised granite bar countertops, stainless steel appliances, hardwood flooring all throughout, the 1st level & staircase & 2nd floor hallway - 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms & the master bedroom is on the main floor with access to back deck. The other 2 bedrooms on the 2nd level
Small-town charm meets modern style and convenience at Ascend Morganton Park, our brand-new apartment community in beautiful Southern Pines, NC. Choose from our wide range of one, two, and three bedroom floor plan options to find a home that feels like it was designed just for you. Enjoy cooking your favorite meals in a fully equipped gourmet kitchen, making quick work of your chores with a
Welcome to easy living in Hunter's Ridge! This beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath townhome with a 1-car garage offers a low-maintenance lifestyle in a convenient location. The open-concept main level features granite countertops, quality cabinetry, a gas range, and a cozy gas fireplace, creating an inviting space for everyday living and entertaining. Enjoy outdoor relaxation on the
The Carolina Sandhills are your escape from urban chaos. Comfortably situated in the heart of the Sandhills, Overlook at Morganton Park offers residents a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of inner city life. Our brand-new apartments near Aberdeen and Pinehurst were thoughtfully designed with serenity and contentment in mind, blending contemporary interiors with on-site community
Fantastic all brick home offering Hardwoods in Family Room and 3 of the Bedrooms. Renovated and updated kitchen and bathrooms. Light and Bright floorplan also offers an enclosed room featuring a closet and sliding door (serving as 4th bedroom). Great Deck and fenced backyard. Such a beautiful home close to shopping and the trails at the reservoir. Pictures are from before the current tenant. Must
Enjoy the comfort of this designer apartment when you visit Tanglewood Apartments! Nestled amidst the long-leaf pines of the Sandhills of North Carolina, Tanglewood Apartments offers a quiet community located minutes from Highways 15/501 and US 1 in Southern Pines. We are approximately half an hour from Fayetteville/Fort Bragg, NC and convenient to schools, shopping and the attractions that make
Wonderful single level brick ranch in Downtown Southern Pines. Beautifully updated- FENCED YARD- storage shed. This home is clean and spacious with a much larger feel. Pet friendly with one time 250 fee- Three Bedrooms and 1.5 baths is perfect for a single/couple or small family- Close proximity to all the fun in Downtown, but far enough away to quietly relax and entertain on the back deck. Don't
WELCOME HOMEExperience next-level living when you live in our lavish apartments in idyllic Pinehurst. Our community combines luxurious apartment features and convenient, resort-style amenities to create the perfect place for residents to call home. Indulge in a new kind of apartment living and live the lifestyle you deserve here at Eagle Landing. Come visit Eagle Landing, a winner of Top Online
This adorable ranch style home on a wooded lot sits off of Bethesda Rd with easy access to Downtown Aberdeen, Southern Pines and Fort Bragg. The open floorplan is inviting and includes a spacious living area, eat in kitchen area, beautiful kitchen and 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. The kitchen comes equipped with a large pantry, hardwood flooring and an eat in area. The master suite is roomy
Samantha Cole
La Belle Vie Realty
(910) 776-5561
$1,392 - $2,117 per month
Luxe and Legends at Morganton Park Apartment Homes
Located in the charming town of Southern Pines and just minutes from Pinehurst offering one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes which redefine apartment living. Immerse yourself in a world of superior amenities and resort-inspired services, all while enjoying the tranquility you deserve. You won't have to choose between design and functionality - you can have it all with stunning landscapes,
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