Linda Maull introduces you to

Pinehurst, Southern Pines,

and Moore County

General Information

Communities and Towns

ABERDEEN – Aberdeen was founded by railroad tycoons and entrepreneurs. The original name, “Blue’s Crossing”, was changed to Aberdeen in 1887. The Aberdeen Historic District encompasses 88 acres and over 100 historic buildings.  The population is currently 3, 600. This vibrant and active community is in southern Moore County.

CAMERON – Cameron was incorporated in 1876 with the center of the town located at the Raleigh & Augusta Airline Railroad. The area was originally settled by Highland Scots. Cameron is known today for its antique shops and quaint main street. The populations is 242

CARTHAGE – Carthage was established as the county seat of Moore County in 1784. The Tyson and Jones Buggy Factory, located in Carthage beginning in 1850, was considered to be the “Cadillac” of the horse drawn buggy industry for many years. Carthage is centrally located in Moore County and has a population of 1,700.

FOXFIRE  - Foxfire Village, located west of Pinehurst is a quiet community with two golf courses and a country club. The population is 423.

PINEHURST – Pinehurst is the most famous city in Moore County. The Village of Pinehurst itself was designed to resemble a New England Village in 1895. James Walker Tufts is credited with planting the famous pine trees of Pinehurst when he transformed the area into a health resort at the beginning of the 20^th century. The area evolved into a golf resort very quickly in the early 1900s. Pinehurst was the site of the 1999 US Men’s Open Golf Tournament. The tournament will be staged again at Pinehurst in 2005. The population is 8,300.

ROBBINS – Robbins is the center of the pottery industry in Moore County. Visiting local pottery shops  surrounding Robbins is a favorite way to spend an afternoon.  The populations is 1,120.

SOUTHERN PINES – Moore County’s largest city, Southern Pines, was founded in 1884 by John Patrick. The town has a beautiful main street lined with huge magnolia trees and many interesting and unique shops. The population is now 10, 000.

SEVEN LAKES – WEST END - This area, with its beautiful lakes and opportunity for recreation, is growing quickly. Located just a five minute drive north of Pinehurst, Seven Lakes features country clubs, golf courses, boating, and horseback riding in a quiet atmosphere with small town conveniences. The population is 2,800.

WHISPERING PINES -  The modern day town of Whispering Pines was founded by A. B. Hardee. Mr. Hardee bought the land in 1959 and wanted to “create the finest private, residential development” as was possible. Ten years later the area was chartered as a village by the state legislature. Whispering Pines is a peaceful place to place golf, enjoy the lake, or listen to the wind “whispering through the pines”. The population is 1, 700.

MOORE COUNTY – Moore County was first settled in 1739. Original settlers were a mixture of English, Irish, and Scots. The county was named for Alfred Moore, a Revolutionary War hero, Attorney General of North Carolina, and Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Moore was also an original trustee of the University of North Carolina.  The dominating economic influences of Moore County have been agriculture during its first 150 years and tourism in its most recent 100 years.

Nine Most Often Asked Questions about

Pinehurst, Southern Pines, and Moore County

When people visit the Pinehurst area for the first time, they are always impressed with the unmistakable charm and natural beauty of the area.  Many who come here for a golf vacation have been so captivated they have returned as permanent residents. What makes this area so special?  Listed below are some of the most frequently asked questions that realtors hear concerning this area.

1.      I know Pinehurst is a well-known golf resort, but will it be affordable for me to play golf frequently?

Pinehurst is indeed considered the “Granddaddy of golf resorts” on the east coast, however, we have over forty wonderful golf courses in the area and compared to many sections of the country, the cost is very reasonable. Most of the courses have comparatively low initiation fees and transfer fees. Also most courses have a variety of options on their monthly fees, based on how frequently you plan to play. Even if you don’t join a specific club, there are many golf packages that will make playing golf very affordable.

2.      In a resort community, won’t real estate prices be really high?

Actually, most people coming here for the first time are astonished at just how affordable the housing is. They simply can’t believe they can purchase a great home at a much lower price than they would expect to pay in their own home town, especially in a resort community like Pinehurst and the surrounding areas!

3.      What about real estate taxes?

Again, this is a very pleasant surprise for most folks considering moving into this area. Our real estate taxes (.56 per thousand of appraised value in the county) are so low compared to other areas of the country that many times they are less than half the amount people are currently paying.

4.      Does the area have good healthcare?

We are truly fortunate to have state-of-the-art healthcare available from FirstHealth of the Carolinas.  Our hospital consistently ranks in the top 100 hospitals in America and offers a roster of first rate physicians in every specialty. The Health and Fitness Center, owned and operated by FirstHealth of the Carolinas, is not only an important amenity to the community, but also a popular gathering place that combines fitness and fun.

5.      What is the weather like?

 Many people move to North Carolina for the year-round temperate climate. Although we do have four distinct and enjoyable seasons, the weather is mild enough, even in the winter months, to play golf or to be outdoors. Actually, Pinehurst was originally founded as a health resort because of the mild climate and low humidity, not a golf resort!

6.      If I don’t play golf, what else is there to do?

This question often comes up, especially from couples where one is not a golfer. There are many activities in the area for everyone to enjoy.  In addition to golfing facilities, there are over 100 tennis courts in Moore County with frequent tournaments that are fun for participants and spectators. This area is also a draw for horse people who bring their horses here for winter training and give us the opportunity for many equestrian events that run the gamut from dressage to Steeplechases.  There’s an active cycling community with official races, the Horticultural Gardens at Sandhills Community College to explore, and over 100 civic clubs and community groups that welcome your participation.  In addition to such well-known groups as Newcomers Club, there are bridge clubs, quilting clubs, dance clubs, garden clubs, arts groups, historical societies, and many others to cover almost any activity.

7.      What about shopping and area restaurants?

We do have great shopping opportunities throughout the county.  Many of our small specialty shops have wonderful selections of local crafts and pottery that this area is famous for. There’s also a great selection of women’s and men’s stores that feature wonderful clothes for any budget- and of course that includes extensive selections golf apparel. If you really want to shop till you drop, it’s an easy hour and a half drive to the major metropolitan areas of Raleigh and Greensboro. As for area restaurants, we have a number of truly outstanding establishments that offer tremendous variety, first class service and fabulous food. From classic French cuisine to down home Southern cooking, you won’t be disappointed in your dining choices in Moore County.

8.      Does the area have good educational facilities?

With more and more younger families moving into the area, the school system is an important consideration. Moore County offers well regarded public and private schools, as well as Sandhills Community College, one of our area’s finest assets. The Community College offers extensive continuing education opportunities for people of all ages on subjects from computers to gardening.

9.      We’ve noticed that there are other communities very close to Pinehurst.  Should we consider those areas when looking for a home?

There are several other communities in Moore County that could very well be great choices for many potential homeowners, depending on what you’re looking for.  Southern Pines is the community closest to Pinehurst.  In fact, many newcomers find it difficult to tell where one town ends and the other one starts.  While the Village of Pinehurst surprises and delights with it’s unexpected look and feel of a small New England town in a Southern setting, the Village of Southern Pines is a vibrant, bustling center for shops and business with  vintage Southern charm.  In Southern Pines, you’ll find a variety of housing choices, from the breathtakingly beautiful farms of Horse Country to pleasant family subdivisions.

The growing area of Seven Lakes has also attracted many new residents in the past few years. Next to Pinehurst, this is the fastest growing community in Moore County.  If you’re a “water person”, this is certainly an area you’ll want to consider.  Seven Lakes consists of three separate gated neighborhoods, two golf courses and many beautiful spring-fed lakes.  The largest of the lakes, Lake Auman, is 1100 acres of pristine water and pure fun for boating, fishing and swimming!

Another community to consider would be Whispering Pines.  This area also offers many beautiful lakes and several golf courses.  The Whispering Pines County Club has just gone through a compete renovation, much to the delight and enjoyment of it’s members!  Although primarily a retirement area, newer and younger subdivisions are springing up on the perimeters of this established Moore County community. 

The pleasure of living in a community such as Pinehurst and the surrounding communities of Southern Pines, Seven Lakes and Whispering Pines are many. The important lifestyle components for many people - affordable housing, low property taxes, a low crime rate and  a wonderful climate - all combine with the natural beauty of the area to make this an irresistible choice for many people now and in the years to come.

For additional information contact Linda Maull

Lindamaull@move2pinehurst.com

Linda can be reached by calling  910-315-5516 

Climate

Moore County’s moderate climate is due in part to the fact that it is sheltered on the east by the Appalachian Mountains. Also the area’s sandy soil warms and cools rapidly, resulting in warm days and cool nights. Average annual rainfall is 47 inches.

Mean Temperature

Healthcare

Moore Regional Hospital, owned by FirstHealth of the Carolinas, was opened on Thanksgiving Day in 1929 with 33 beds and a staff of 27. Today it is an award winning regional facility with over 400 beds. The hospital received three 100 Top Hospital in the Nation ratings in 2000. They include 100 Top Orthopedic Hospitals, 100 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals and 100 Top Stroke Hospitals. In addition, FirstHealth also operates seven health and fitness centers in the surrounding area, and a 24 hour emergency room. Moore County is also home to state of the art private medical facilities in all specialties.

Education

The Moore County School system has 22 schools and approximately 11,000 students. Schools are divided into elementary, middle, and high schools. For more information visit the Moore County School website at www.mcs.k12.nc.us. In addition there are several excellent private schools that also serve grades K – 12 in the area.

Sandhills Community College is a two year, public, post secondary educational institution. It is located between Pinehurst, Southern Pines, and Whispering Pines on a 250 acre campus. Sandhills Community College features extensive technical training courses and adult education and general community enrichment courses. The college serves about 13,000 students annually.

Websites with other useful information about Moore County include:

Moore County – www.co.moore.nc.us

Moore Regional Hospital – www.firsthealth.org

The Pilot Newspaper – www.thepilot.com

Sandhills Area Chamber of Commerce – www.sandhills.net

Convention and Visitors Bureau – www.homeofgolf.com

Moore County Public School System – www.mcs.k12.nc.us

Sandhills Community College – www.sandhills.cc.nc.us

For real estate information visit  Linda Maull’s web site at     www.move2pinehurst.com

Contact   Linda Maull  910-315-5516  mobile direct

Linda Maull

Remax Prime Properties

Pinehurst, NC 28370

910-295-2535