Once an important inland port on the Cape Fear River, Fayetteville houses two large military installations, Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base. The two facilities provide the city’s main economic base. The clean, attractive and walkable downtown contains numerous historic buildings and favorably reflects the results of an extensive revitalization program.

Median home prices represent a good value, and there are appealing developments of homes and golf courses as the area becomes more desirable as a retirement destination. The city is well planned for the most part and sprawl is under control. There are some local arts and culture amenities, but overall the town is quiet. Particularly for those who don’t mind a strong military presence, Fayetteville may be a pleasant surprise.

The area at the edge of the Coastal Plain begins to rise into the Carolina Piedmont Plateau. Surrounding terrain is level to gently rolling with agricultural land and mixed forests of pine and hardwood. The climate is mainly humid subtropical with occasional periods of continental influence. Tropical air brings heat and humidity during most of the summer. Afternoon temperatures frequently reach the 90’s, with frequent afternoon thundershowers.

Coastal storms produce rain year-round. The area is sheltered from extreme cold by mountains to the northwest and the warming effects of the Atlantic. Low temperatures are seldom below 20 degrees. There may be some snow and sleet, but most winter precipitation is rain.