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Is Fayetteville, North Carolina a good place to live?

    Fayetteville is most famous for its army establishments, Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base. The two establishments form the backbone of Fayetteville’s economy. The city has a population close to 205,000 making it the sixth, largest city in the state of North Carolina.

    The city’s beauty cannot be understated as it lies on Cape Fear River in the Sandhills. The scenic character of Fayetteville has attracted many people moving to North Carolina. The low real estate prices and incredible security levels should be convincing reasons if you are an expat thinking of living in Fayetteville.

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    Is Fayetteville, North Carolina a good place to live? Everything is close to everything in Fayetteville. You never have to travel far for anything. The people are very friendly and the city is quite secure. Fayetteville’s downtown area used to be a sore part of its reputation but has recently been revitalized to great effect.

    Moving to Fayetteville reveals a very naturally beautiful city. The city has received credit for having some of the best hiking trails in the country. The woodlands are plenty in Fayetteville. The city also contains many historic landmarks and buildings that are adding to the city’s heritage. The downtown area has been revitalized and is now a modern hive of activity. If your agenda is living in North Carolina, then you will appreciate the easy access to lakes, beaches and mountains, all the natural scenery you will ever need. Fayetteville residents also seriously like their high school football.

    Is Fayetteville, North Carolina a good place to live? Prons and Cons.

    Just like most cities, there are certain places that are high in demand than others. Better neighborhoods in a city like Fayetteville are usually the ones with good schools, higher levels of security and cleanliness among others. Fayetteville is particularly prone to flooding so a good neighborhood will have good drainage. The best neighborhoods in Fayetteville include Pinehurst, Whispering, Hope Mills, Southern Pines, Aberdeen, Eastover, Carthage, Erwin, Spring Lake and Sanford. The worst neighborhoods are St. Pauls, Gruber Road, Cedar Creek, Longstreet Road, Lakewood Drive, Falcon, King Road and Ardennes Street.

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    Only a small fraction of cities in the United States have a lower crime rate than Fayetteville. There are only about 50 crimes per 1000 residents all year round. The low crime rate can be mainly attributed to the two military bases in the city and is not typical of living in North Carolina. However, you will find some property crimes in the city like vandalism, theft and burglary. You will also find a low degree of violent crimes like murder and rape in the city. Despite the safety level, insurance is recommended for all your valuable items. It would also be prudent to avoid walking alone at night.

    Cumberland County Schools is responsible for the management of all public schools in the towns and cities in the county. It is the 78th largest school system in the USA. Cumberland County Schools manages 87 schools including 53 elementary schools, 16 middle schools, 15 high schools and 9 Alternative and Specialty schools. Noteworthy schools include Gray’s Creek High School, Cape Fear High School, Terry Sanford High School, Jack Britt High School, Massey Hill Classical High School, Fayetteville Academy, Village Christian Academy and Douglas Byrd High School. There are also several colleges and universities in the cities including Fayetteville Technical Community College, Carolina College of Biblical Studies and Methodist University.

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    Fayetteville has a well-developed infrastructure system. There is access in and out of the city through all the major avenues. From the sky, Fayetteville is served by Fayetteville Regional Airport. There are five regional carriers offering daily passenger flights to major destinations inside the country. The airport also provides general aviation services. Fayetteville is also connected to several major highways. It is served by two freeways: All American Freeway and Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway, two interstate highways: I-95 and I-295, three U.S highways: U.S 301, U.S 401 and U.S 13. There are also several state highways. The city is also serviced by the Amtrak rail system to the north and the south. Mass transit is mostly done by ten bus routes and two shuttle routes managed by the Fayetteville Area System of Transit (FAST).

    As stated earlier, Fayetteville is very well endowed with nature so it no surprise that there are several large parks in the city for biking and hiking. There are museums for art enthusiasts and theatres for movie lovers. The Cross Creek Mall is the main shopping site. There are also several stadiums for Fayetteville’s amateur sports teams.

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    Is Fayetteville, North Carolina a good place to work?

    The unemployment rate in Fayetteville is 5.5% and stands only half a percentage point higher than the average American unemployment rate. The average annual salary for an employee in Fayetteville is $23,000 as compared to the national average annual salary of $30,000. Common jobs in Fayetteville include cashier, sales associate, teacher, a registered nurse and military officer.

    The major industry employing residents of Fayetteville is definitely is the defense industry. However, industries like retail trade, manufacturing and educational services are also prominent industries in the region. As per the Fayetteville 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the largest employers are Fort Bragg, Cape Fear Valley Health System, Cumberland County Public School System, Wal-Mart, Goodyear tire and Rubber Company, Cumberland County Government, Veterans Administration, City of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College and Fayetteville State University respectively.

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    Is Fayetteville a good place to buy a house?

    Homes in Fayetteville are very affordable. The average home price in the city is $128,500. Despite such low prices, the homeownership rate in Fayetteville is only 45% and most homes are still owned by a mortgage. Most people rent their properties and the average monthly rent is $892 and below the national average.

    The best neighborhoods in Fayetteville include Pinehurst, Whispering, Hope Mills, Southern Pines, Aberdeen, Eastover, Carthage, Erwin, Spring Lake and Sanford. The worst neighborhoods are St. Pauls, Gruber Road, Cedar Creek, Longstreet Road, Lakewood Drive, Falcon, King Road and Ardennes Street.

    The mean monthly rent for a home with one bedroom in Fayetteville is $750, for a two-bedroom home is $960, for a three-bedroom home is $1255, for a four-bedroom home is $1530 and for a five-bedroom home is $1880 a month.

    The mean price of a home with one bedroom in Fayetteville is $116,000, of a home with two bedrooms is $134,500, of a home with three bedrooms is $175,600, of a home with four bedrooms is $199,750 and of a home with five bedrooms is $235,100.

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    Is Fayetteville, a good place to retire?

    Fayetteville is a brilliant city in which to retire. For starters, the cost of living in the city is unbelievably low. You can enjoy your pension without worrying about cutting too deep into your retirement fund. Another reason is that the city is very well protected because of its military bases. The city is an especially prime location for military retirees. Fayetteville also has natural beauty where old people can take walks in the park and breathe unpolluted air which is great for health.

    The best neighborhoods in Fayetteville include Pinehurst, Whispering, Hope Mills, Southern Pines, Aberdeen, Eastover, Carthage, Erwin, Spring Lake and Sanford. The worst neighborhoods are St. Pauls, Gruber Road, Cedar Creek, Longstreet Road, Lakewood Drive, Falcon, King Road and Ardennes Street.

    Retirees will be happy to learn that retirement properties are just as cheap as regular homes so the real estate figures above can be used for reference.

    Is Fayetteville, North Carolina a good place to visit?

    Fayetteville is an interesting place especially when it comes to its natural resources. In the parks and woodlands of Fayetteville, there is plenty to see and do. The city also has a rich history so there are numerous landmarks in the city over which to gawk. If you love the history of American warfare, Fayetteville will be especially interesting.

    The must-see places in Fayetteville include: Cape Fear Botanical Garden, Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation, Fantasy Lake Water Park, ZipQuest – Waterfall & Treetop Adventure, J. Bayard Clark Park & Nature Center, Fascinate-U Children’s Museum, Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex, John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Museum and Cape Fear River Trail.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the cost of living in Fayetteville, North Carolina?

    The cost of living in here is low and is about 7% below the national mean. Housing in Fayetteville is especially cheap and is 29% lower than the US mean. All expenses like transport and utilities will cost you less in Fayetteville than in most of the rest of the country.

    Is Fayetteville, North Carolina a good place to invest in property?

    Fayetteville is a good location for real estate investment for several reasons. The real estate prices are low meaning that if their value appreciates, you can make a killing. There are also many renters in the city so you are assured a steady-state of cash flow. The city’s downtown area is also revitalizing itself offering opportunities for real estate investment.

    Is Fayetteville North Carolina a good place to raise a family?

    You can cheaply raise a family in Fayetteville because of the low cost of living. Your family can also enjoy great security while enjoying the natural spaces your kids need to stay active and healthy.