Vass attracts military families and new growth while remaining small
Vass has small-town charm and a longstanding community in the Sandhills of North Carolina, 12 miles northeast of Pinehurst and 22 miles northwest of Fort Bragg Army base. “It’s one of those towns where you have multiple generations of families that have lived there, which is hard to find nowadays,” Says Diana Birlean, broker/owner of Olive & Co. Property Management in Vass and also a Vass resident. “Every time you go somewhere, it’s like a family reunion.” The area attracts active and retired military personnel thanks to its proximity to the Army base. As a result, this quiet town continues to see new investments and development. “There is growth popping up everywhere, but you still have the big farms. The locals are trying to preserve that,” Birlean says.
Diverse homebuying options include secluded properties and new builds
Vass’s housing stock is diverse. Homebuyers can find homes sitting on acres of land on the outskirts of town, cottages and ranch-style houses in older subdivisions, and newly constructed Craftsman-style homes and townhouses. Much of Vass feels rural, with quiet roads winding through the farmland and wooded areas that surround residential pockets. Houses typically sell for between $275,000 and $475,000.
Local shops and businesses in Vass, with more to come
Businesses in Vass’s small downtown area include Crossroads Coffee Co., a rustic cafe serving sandwiches and specialty coffees, and ARTworks Vass, a shop selling handmade wares from local artists. The downtown area is also undergoing a revitalization. “We have some new restaurants in the middle of being built. I love that they’re taking old buildings and fixing them, not tearing them down,” adds Birlean, who says residents are excited to see new businesses come to the area. “Any time there's something new for food in Vass, there’s going to be a lot of interest,” she says. For errands, Vass has a Piggly Wiggly and Dollar General. Downtown Southern Pines is about 9 miles from Vass and has more shops, restaurants and bars. Southern Pines also hosts its monthly First Friday events between May and November. The community brings their lawn chairs and picnic blankets to listen to live music and drink locally brewed beer.
Upgrades to Vass’s town park, plus golfing and more in Pinehurst
Sandy Ramey Keith Park is right next to downtown Vass and has a baseball field, a playground and athletic courts. In 2024, the NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund granted Vass $225,000 to expand and renovate the park. The planned upgrades include a parking lot, new walking trail, new tennis and basketball courts and updated playground equipment. Nearby Pinehurst, dubbed the "Cradle of American Golf,” has dozens of golf courses in and around the town. Cannon Park, home to several athletic fields and Camelot Playground, is also in Pinehurst. This wooden, medieval-themed playground “has all these little hidey-holes. The kids just love it. It’s always packed,” Birlean says.
Moore County Public Schools and a charter option
Students may begin at Vass-Lakeview Elementary School, which has a B-plus grade from Niche. Crain’s Creek Middle School and Union Pines High School both earn B grades. In addition to traditional coursework, Union Pines offers Career and Technical Education programs, including marketing, health science, architecture & construction, and business management & administration. Alternatively, students may attend STARS Charter School, a kindergarten through 12th-grade institution in Vass that earns an A-minus grade from Niche.
Getting to Fort Bragg, downtown Fayetteville and Raleigh
Fort Bragg is the largest Army base in the U.S. and is a major area employer. “If you run into 10 people, nine are military,” Birlean says. U.S. Route 1 goes through Vass, connecting drivers 60 miles northeast to Raleigh and across the Eastern Seaboard. Downtown Fayetteville is about 30 miles southeast, and Fayetteville Regional Airport is 40 miles southeast. This small airport provides daily flights to Atlanta and Charlotte. Raleigh-Durham International Airport has more flights about 60 miles north.
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Written By
Faith Wakefield
