Relocating to Fort Bragg - Need Feedback on Family Friendly Areas (Raleigh: for sale, 2009)

[DSAHM]

My husband is due to PCS to Fort Bragg - June 2009... It seems like a long way to go but it's not the case when you have 4 kiddos, in which 1 is a special needs baby.

We were looking at Hope Mills, which seems to have nice developments like "Fox Meadows." However, my main concern is good schools & safety. I have a child entering 8th grade and another entering 2nd grade during that time next year. I heard Aberdeen, Pine Hurst, and Southern Pines are the way to go but I want to make sure that I research all my options before making any decisions.

Any suggestions would be truly appreciated.

[tarheelcoach]

Hope Mills is a good choice, but I would avoid Hope Mills Middle. Southview or John Griffin are both much better middle schools.

[faabala]

Southview is nice my son went to all four years of high school there. Fox Meadows is a nice subdivision too.

My wife and I are realtors in Hope Mills.

[GA/NC]

I would reccomend the Southern Pines area. Schools are really good in this area.
Southern Middle school (Aberdeen), is all IB program, so it has a lot to offer. In 8th grade, your child will have the chance to take classes that will be count for High School credits.
Pinecrest High School have an IB program too.
Elementary is downtown Southern Pines. I have never heard anything bad about it.
We did chose to come to live here (we are military), because of schools.
And the place is simply beautiful. You should visit.
It has a New England look.
Good luck.

[faabala]

Southview High School also has the IB program.

Governed Choice

[JackRabbitSlim]

Don't live in Bragg. You can live outside and commute the same amount of time that it will take you to get in from Hope Mills in the morning. It's like living in housing, everyone military.

[joanchris2000]

Hope Mills is a good choice, as is the Stoney Point area of Fayetteville (have to drive through Hope Mills to get there). My special needs daughter received an excellent education and pretty good serviced in Cumberland County, much to my surprise. (moved to Union County, and not such a great experience). Good luck

[al_roethlisberger]

We've got a lot of military folks in Sanford, and I really think Sanford has a lot of opportunities for families that make it advantageous.

We are nearly equidistant from Greensboro, Raleigh/Durham/Cary, and Fayetteville, and have seen a great deal of investment over the last few years that is really improving the city. I feel like we are close enough to the major cities to take advantage of them, while just being far enough away to maintain "smart growth" versus sprawl and retain that small town feel.

The drive is about 30 minutes, but coming from many metro areas, that is a very reasonable commute for many people. Your own experience and opinion may vary of course though

If you get a chance, check out Sanford and see what you think. As I mentioned, a lot of folks from Ft. Bragg have chosen this area, many in my neighborhood.

Cheers, and good luck!
Al

[commandingspirit]

Hi there,

Good for you for doing your research early! It will really help when you start to house hunt.

Southern Pines is gorgeous. We looked there before we moved. My husband is in a position that he needs to be close to work, and while SP is really lovely, it would have been a hike to his office.

We decided on the Hunters Ridge neighborhood in far northern Cumberland County - affordable, gorgeous homes with huge yards and no city tax. The homes are spread out, it's quiet and well kept. Pine Valley is also a neighborhood we considered. Both Raleigh Road and Long Hill are good schools.

We also looked at Hope Mills, and saw some very nice homes there. But the traffic was killer and the whole area seemed so congested. We're happy in a more rural, quiet setting. It's so peaceful

Good luck!

[cac1778]

Sanford area....off of Buffalo Lake Road. Gorgeous homes. Great prices. I actually have a home for sale there. . It may help you get a feel. I really love this neighborhood. We have lived here 2 1/2 years. Very kid friendly. Plus there is a lake and golf course just min away. It is quiet and not congested @ all. From the sounds of it, you would really love this area. Check out peachtree Crossing subdivsion on the MLS search engines.