North Carolina county map with Moore County and Carthage marked in green

Why More Homebuyers Are Choosing Moore County, NC

Living in Moore County, NC: Southern Pines, Aberdeen, Carthage, Vass & More

When people begin searching for a new home in Central North Carolina, they often start with one simple question:

Where should I live?

For many homebuyers, the answer leads to Moore County, North Carolina.

Located in the heart of the Sandhills, Moore County is known for its charming downtowns, world-renowned golf, beautiful longleaf pine forests, outdoor recreation, healthcare, and relaxed pace of life. Communities like Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Aberdeen, Carthage, and Vass each offer something a little different—giving homebuyers plenty of options when deciding where to put down roots.

Whether you're relocating to North Carolina for work, PCSing to Fort Bragg, planning for retirement, searching for more space, or simply looking for a community that offers a different pace of life, Moore County has become an increasingly popular place to call home.

What Is It Like to Live in Moore County, NC?

One of the things that makes living in Moore County unique is the balance between growth and small-town character.

While the area continues to attract new residents, much of what makes the Sandhills special remains part of everyday life. Historic downtown districts, locally owned businesses, community events, parks, golf courses, and natural areas are woven throughout the county.

Residents can enjoy:
  • Historic and walkable downtown districts 
  • Locally owned restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, and boutiques 
  • Championship golf courses 
  • Scenic parks and nature preserves 
  • Community events and festivals throughout the year 
  • Convenient access to healthcare 
  • Outdoor recreation 
  • Convenient commuting throughout the Sandhills and Central North Carolina 
  • Access to Fort Bragg and surrounding employment centers 

The result is a region where homebuyers can enjoy many of the conveniences they want without necessarily giving up the space, natural surroundings, and community atmosphere they're looking for.

Where Are the Best Places to Live in Moore County?

There isn't one community that's right for everyone—and that's one of Moore County's strengths.

Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Aberdeen, Carthage, and Vass are all within relatively close proximity, yet each offers its own personality and lifestyle.

Here's a closer look at some of the areas homebuyers may want to consider.

Southern Pines: Downtown Energy Meets Sandhills Charm

For homebuyers who enjoy being close to restaurants, shopping, community events, and outdoor recreation, Southern Pines, NC is often one of the first places to explore.

Downtown Southern Pines is known for its locally owned boutiques, restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, and community events. The surrounding area also offers easy access to everyday shopping and recreation.

Outdoor destinations like Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve and Reservoir Park provide opportunities to walk, hike, explore, and enjoy the landscape that makes the Sandhills so distinctive.

Southern Pines continues to appeal to a wide range of residents, including professionals, families, retirees, military households, and people relocating to North Carolina.


Aberdeen: Historic Character and Everyday Convenience

Located just minutes from Southern Pines, Aberdeen, NC combines historic character with convenient access to many of Moore County's most popular destinations.

Downtown Aberdeen features locally owned restaurants, shops, breweries, and community gathering places, while nearby parks provide additional opportunities to spend time outdoors.

Aberdeen's location near US-1, NC-211, and US-15-501 also makes it convenient for residents traveling throughout Moore County and the surrounding Sandhills.

For buyers who want convenient access to Southern Pines and Pinehurst while enjoying Aberdeen's own small-town identity, it's an area worth exploring.


Carthage: More Space and a Quieter Setting

As the county seat of Moore County, Carthage, NC offers a quieter setting while keeping homeowners within convenient reach of Southern Pines, Pinehurst, shopping, dining, healthcare, and recreation.

Carthage can be particularly appealing to buyers searching for more space, larger homesites, and affordable living while still wanting access to the amenities available throughout Moore County.

Its small-town atmosphere, natural surroundings, and convenient location have made Carthage an increasingly popular option for buyers exploring new construction homes in the Sandhills.

Ascot Homes currently offers new home opportunities in the Carthage area, providing buyers with options at different stages of homeownership.


Vass: Small-Town Living With Convenient Access

Situated along the US-1 corridor, Vass, NC combines a quieter, small-town, and affordable atmosphere with convenient access to Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Sanford, and Fort Bragg.

That location can make Vass particularly appealing to homebuyers who want to enjoy the Sandhills lifestyle while remaining connected to nearby employment centers and everyday conveniences.

Residents can also enjoy nearby golf, restaurants, local businesses, parks, and outdoor recreation.

For buyers comparing places to live near Southern Pines or Fort Bragg, Vass offers another option worth considering.


Outdoor Recreation Is Part of the Moore County Lifestyle

One of the biggest reasons people enjoy living in Moore County is the opportunity to spend more time outside.

Longleaf pine forests and green spaces are part of the landscape throughout the Sandhills, while parks, trails, lakes, and golf courses provide plenty of ways to enjoy them.

  • Popular outdoor destinations and activities throughout the area include:
  • Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve 
  • Reservoir Park 
  • Aberdeen Lake Park 
  • Southern Pines Downtown Park 
  • Walking and biking trails 
  • Golf courses throughout Moore County 
  • Community parks and playgrounds 

Whether it's hiking through longleaf pine forests, spending an afternoon on the golf course, taking the kids to a local park, or heading downtown for a community festival, outdoor recreation is an easy part of everyday life in Moore County.

Golf in Moore County and the Home of American Golf

It's difficult to talk about Moore County without talking about golf.

The Pinehurst, Southern Pines, and Aberdeen area has earned an international reputation as one of the country's premier golf destinations. Courses are woven throughout the Sandhills landscape, making golf part of both the history and culture of the region.

Pinehurst Resort is perhaps the area's most recognizable destination, but golfers will find courses and clubs throughout Moore County.

Even for residents who never pick up a golf club, the industry contributes to the area's identity, tourism, restaurants, events, and overall lifestyle.

More Than the Home—It's the Lifestyle

Choosing where to live isn't only about square footage, bedroom count, or a floor plan.
It's about what life looks like outside your front door.
Where you'll grab coffee on Saturday morning.
Where you'll meet friends for dinner.
Where you'll walk the dog after work.
Where your family will spend weekends.
And where everyday moments eventually become memories.

That's one reason Moore County continues to attract homebuyers. Southern Pines, Aberdeen, Carthage, Vass, Pinehurst, and the surrounding Sandhills offer different ways to experience the area while remaining connected to one another.

Living in Moore County Near Fort Bragg

For military households relocating to the Fort Bragg area, Moore County is one of several regions worth considering during a home search.

Communities throughout the county provide access to Fort Bragg while offering buyers the opportunity to live in the Sandhills and remain close to Southern Pines, Pinehurst, healthcare, shopping, restaurants, and recreation.

The right location will depend on where you'll be commuting, the lifestyle you're looking for, your homebuying priorities, and how much space you'd like.

If you're PCSing or relocating to the area, we've created a separate guide that compares several communities and areas around Fort Bragg.


Convenient to Everything That Matters

Although Moore County is known for its peaceful surroundings and relaxed pace, residents remain connected to many of the Sandhills' major destinations and everyday necessities.

Throughout the area you'll find convenient access to:
  • Pinehurst Resort 
  • Downtown Southern Pines 
  • Downtown Aberdeen 
  • FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital 
  • Fort Bragg 
  • US-1 
  • Shopping and everyday necessities 
  • Restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, and entertainment 
  • Parks, trails, and outdoor recreation 
And for residents who occasionally need to travel farther into Central North Carolina, major roadways connect Moore County with surrounding communities and regions.


Is Moore County, NC Right for You?

Every homebuyer has different priorities, but Moore County may be worth exploring if you're looking for a combination of:
  • Small-town charm
  • Outdoor recreation
  • Championship golf
  • Convenient healthcare
  • Locally owned restaurants and businesses
  • Access to Fort Bragg
  • Distinct communities and downtowns
  • Beautiful natural surroundings
  • More space in select areas
  • A relaxed lifestyle without giving up everyday conveniences

Ultimately, deciding where to live in Moore County comes down to finding the community that best fits your lifestyle.

That's why exploring Southern Pines, Aberdeen, Carthage, Vass, Pinehurst, and the surrounding areas can be helpful before narrowing your home search.

New Construction Homes in Moore County, NC
As Moore County continues to grow, buyers searching for a home in the area can find a variety of new construction opportunities throughout the Sandhills.

At Ascot Homes, we're proud to build thoughtfully designed new homes throughout Moore County, including communities in and around Southern Pines, Carthage, Aberdeen, and Vass.

Our communities offer options for different stages of life—from first-time homebuyers and military households to growing families, move-up buyers, retirees, and people relocating to North Carolina.

Because we believe where you build matters just as much as what you build.


Why Ascot Homes Loves Building in Moore County

Ascot Homes is a locally owned North Carolina homebuilder, and Moore County has played an important role in our story.

As we've grown, we've had the opportunity to build homes and communities throughout the Sandhills while watching the region continue to welcome new residents from across North Carolina and beyond.

But our approach isn't simply about building more homes.

We believe in creating thoughtfully designed homes in places where people can put down roots, connect with their communities, and enjoy the everyday moments that turn a house into home.

It's why we're proud to continue building throughout Moore County and Central North Carolina.


Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Moore County, NC

Is Moore County, NC a good place to live?
Moore County appeals to homebuyers looking for a combination of small-town communities, outdoor recreation, golf, healthcare, locally owned businesses, and convenient access to destinations throughout the Sandhills. Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Aberdeen, Carthage, and Vass each offer a different lifestyle, allowing buyers to choose an area based on their individual priorities.

What are the best places to live in Moore County, NC?
Some of the most popular communities in Moore County include Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Aberdeen, Carthage, and Vass. The best fit depends on the lifestyle you're looking for. Southern Pines offers a vibrant downtown; Aberdeen combines historic character with convenient access to major roads; Carthage can appeal to buyers looking for more space and a quieter setting; and Vass offers small-town living with convenient access to US-1 and Fort Bragg.

What towns are located in Moore County?
Moore County includes communities such as Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Aberdeen, Carthage, Vass, Whispering Pines, Robbins, Seven Lakes, and several other towns and communities throughout North Carolina's Sandhills region.

Is Moore County convenient to Fort Bragg?
Several communities in Moore County provide access to Fort Bragg, making the county one of the areas military households may consider when relocating to the region. Commute times vary considerably depending on the community, neighborhood, installation gate, and traffic, so buyers should compare locations based on their individual commute.

Why are people moving to Moore County, NC?
Homebuyers are drawn to Moore County for many reasons, including its small-town communities, golf, outdoor recreation, healthcare, restaurants and local businesses, natural surroundings, and location within Central North Carolina. The variety of communities also gives buyers options ranging from more active downtown environments to quieter areas with additional space.

Is Moore County close to Southern Pines and Pinehurst?
Southern Pines and Pinehurst are both located within Moore County. Aberdeen, Carthage, Vass, and other nearby communities provide additional options for people who want convenient access to the Southern Pines and Pinehurst area.

Are there new construction homes in Moore County, NC?
Yes. New construction homes are available throughout parts of Moore County, including communities in and around Southern Pines, Carthage, Aberdeen, and Vass. Ascot Homes offers new construction opportunities in several Moore County locations.

Is Moore County part of the Sandhills?
Yes. Moore County is located within North Carolina's Sandhills region and includes well-known communities such as Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Aberdeen, Carthage, and Vass.

Ready to Explore Moore County?
Whether you're just beginning your home search, relocating to Central North Carolina, PCSing to Fort Bragg, or narrowing down the right community, Moore County offers a variety of places and lifestyles to explore.

Discover Ascot Homes communities throughout Moore County and the Southern Pines area, explore available new construction homes, and find the place that feels right for your next chapter.

Explore New Homes in Moore County


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