North Carolina Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Fayetteville, North Carolina

Population: 203,074

Located in Cumberland County

Fayetteville, North Carolina, designated as an "All America City," is just that. With it's annual Dogwood Festival, Holiday Fair, International Day, and ideal climate with the seasonal changes making it possible to play golf ten months of the year, all ages enjoy this well-educated, culture-aware pleasing community atmosphere. With the distinction of being North Carolina's 4th largest metropolitan area, Fayetteville has a large military presence being the neighbor of Fort Bragg, one of the world's largest military bases, and Pope Air Force Base, plus Fayetteville boasts many nationally and internationally known businesses.
 
Because the military is up-sizing rather than downsizing during the
recession, Fayetteville has the added bonus of a better-performing economy
during the economic downturn. Annually, Fort Bragg has an impact of more
than $9.3 billion on the surrounding 11 counties from more than $2.72
billion in active duty pay.
 
Additionally, the economic team in Fayetteville has reported openings by
companies such as Boeing who are now considering the area because of BRAC
2005 mandated move of the United States Forces Command and United States
Army Reserve Command. These two commands spend more than $30 billion a year
on services for soldiers all over the world- and national defense
contractors are taking note. Furthermore, several major industries make
their home in an Industrial Park just outside the city limits.
 
Downtown Fayetteville offers visitors and residents many reasons to come
visit, including an arts movie theater and a high tech gaming center; coffee
shops and plenty of restaurants, jazz clubs and antique shops and even a
Brew House. The downtown area has been undergoing a renovation for the past
few years and has become a hub of energy and activity that many residents
are excited about.
 
According to national Web site zillow.com, while the rest of the nation
collectively lost a staggering $1.4 trillion dollars in home value in the
fourth quarter of 2008, Zillow reports home values in Fayetteville actually
saw an increase in value of 6.9%, the largest gain of any market surveyed.
 
Fayetteville also has a generous offering of excellent schools, colleges,
universities and vocational schools.  The city¹s school district serves
approximately 54,000 students, and is the 4th largest district in North
Carolina and the 79th largest district in the U.S. Nestled in the Sandhills
of Eastern North Carolina, the district is a mix of urban, suburban, and
rural schools that serve one of the most diverse populations in the country.
One important aspect is that it is able to provide the resources of a large
school district, while maintaining the personal approach to education that
is traditionally found in smaller districts.
 
In addition, the school district has tremendous opportunities for
employment. With more than 200 National Board Certified Teachers and 45
Visiting International Faculty, only the best candidates fill the 3,500
teaching positions. The community also has a local community college and two
major universities in Fayetteville: State University and Methodist College.
 
The Cape Fear Botanical Garden offers spectacular views of native and
selected ornamental plants on 85 acres. The garden is a few blocks from
downtown Fayetteville and features forest trails, formal gardens, a natural
amphitheater a camellia garden, a large pond, a daylily garden and a gazebo.
A wide array of lakes for swimming and fishing are located in and around the
Cape Fear region.
 
Nominated a Bicyle Town USA by Bicycling Magazine in 2007, Fayetteville is
almost complete with a huge community garden that will be maintained by its
owners. It is revitalizing a blighted area of the community.
 
Award-winning festivals such as the International Folks Festival and Dogwood
festivals are mainstays here. Fayetteville also has a nature trail that is a
10-foot wide paved path for walkers, joggers, bicyclists, and others
utilizing non-motorized transportation. It winds for nearly four miles
through a beautiful blend of trees, plants and wildlife with spectacular
views of the river. The terrain can be flat or slightly hilly. In addition
to the wooden bridges, including one covered bridge, there is a 700-foot
boardwalk through the marsh and wetlands near Clark Park.
 
Along the trail are interpretive signs explaining the wildlife and plant
life found in the area. There are more than 700 species of plants and trees,
and 150 species of birds. The River Trail area is also home to an unusual
combination and diversity of hardwood trees. Frogs, lizards and turtles are
common sights, with an occasional deer.
 
The trail is designated as part of the East Coast Greenway. The Greenway is
a series of urban trails and greenways that will eventually connect from
Maine to Key West, Florida, similar to the Appalachian Trail. Fayetteville
also has a number of parks for all types of recreation, including boating,
kayaking, swimming, dog parks etc.