Have you ever heard of Fayetteville, North Carolina?
Are you interested in relocating to this part of the country?
If so, it’s essential to know the pros and cons of living in Fayetteville.
This city is near an active military base with some benefits and challenges.
Keep reading and learn about this city in North Carolina regarding the pros and cons.
Contents
Pros of Living in Fayetteville, NC
1. Affordable Housing Market
Real estate and housing are quite affordable in Fayetteville, NC.
This part of the country is a great place to be if you want to own a home in North Carolina.
This is why the housing market in Fayetteville ranks high among the most affordable in the US.
In the areas near Fort Bragg, houses tend to cost less than in other parts of Fayetteville.
This means you might end up paying as little as $90000 in this area compared to $129 400 in the city.
But homes near the military base tend to be older, meaning you have to pay for upgrades.
2. Beautiful Natural Attractions
Are you a fan of the great outdoors?
Do you want to live in a place with numerous natural attractions?
Fayetteville offers locals and visitors a chance to escape a chaotic city environment.
The good news is the city has trails, gardens, and parks where you can spend time in nature.
Cape Fear Botanical Garden is one of the best outdoor attractions in Fayetteville.
This 80-acre attraction has easy-to-follow dirt trails where you can enjoy the ambiance.
The garden is full of plants and flowers and is open in winter.
3. Racial Diversity
Racial diversity is one of the biggest flexes of Fayetteville.
This city is close to an active military base with diverse military officers.
As a result, the city of Fayetteville is home to diverse races, adding to its vibrancy.
42.68% are Whites (non-Hispanic), 42.60% are African American, 3.07% are Asians, and 0.94% are Native Americans.
4. Access to Mountains and Beaches
Imagine living in a city not too far from the mountains or the beaches.
In Fayetteville, you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
Head to the mountains not too far away after spending time at the beaches near Fayetteville.
It takes about an hour and a half to get to the beach from Fayetteville.
On the other hand, you need to drive three hours and forty-five minutes to get to the mountains.
Many families make these trips each weekend and holiday as a way to unwind and also enjoy life outside Fayetteville.
You can head to Wrightsville Beach, Holden Beach, or Oak Island from Fayetteville.
Mountain-lovers can head to Pisgah National Forest, which is home to Sugar Mountain.
Many folks who love skiing and winter sports head to Sugar Mountain winter wonderland each year.
5. Low Cost of Living
Living in Fayetteville has numerous advantages.
Another reason many people love this city is the low cost of living.
In fact, the cost of living in Fayetteville is below the national average by 20%.
Grocery prices are 4%, and utility prices are 5% below the national average.
Fayetteville is one of the most affordable places to live in North Carolina and the US.
Adding low housing prices, this city continues to attract many folks moving there permanently.
The city has good amenities, including public transport and reliable bus routes.
6. Community-Oriented City
Many residents living in Fayetteville have a connection to Fort Bragg.
As a result, theirs is a community feels in the city that many people love.
Plenty of activities, events, and festivals bring people together all year.
Diverse demographics also contribute to the community’s feel in the city.
Most cultural events and festivals help create better relationships among diverse people.
There are also community activities aimed at giving back organized each year.
7. Good Restaurant Scene
Get ready to enjoy many international and traditional cuisines in Fayetteville, NC.
This is largely due to the diverse demographic in this part of North Carolina.
Fort Bragg has made Fayetteville home to diverse cultures.
The growing city now has a thriving restaurant scene that locals and tourists enjoy.
Good food and fine establishments continue to make the Fayetteville nightlife a hit, topped up with bars and clubs.
Cuisines range from local delicacies to Italian menus at different restaurants across the city.
Also, fast food places and trucks cater to locals, visitors, and many college students.
8. Growing Craft Beer Scene
Have you ever wanted to visit a brewery and sample some new drinks?
Well, you’re in luck.
Fayetteville is slowly growing to become a favorite of many who love brewery tours and craft beers.
Apart from restaurants and the great outdoors, plan to visit the different breweries in the city.
These places also serve food and offer a relaxing atmosphere to visitors.
Cons of Living in Fayetteville, NC
1. High Temperatures and Humidity
Fayetteville, NC, has its pros, but summers can be a nightmare.
This is because the city gets hotter and muggy as the summer months advance.
If you have to walk the streets on such days, there’s no way to escape sweat and sheer agony.
The south is well known for its high humidity levels.
Because of the unforgiving heat, it’s better to spend the day in an air-conditioned space.
2. High Crime Rate
Unfortunately, Fayetteville has a high crime rate.
In 2020, the city had a higher crime rate than the national average.
Violent crimes were at 39.1, while the national average was 22.7.
It’s important to note the safe areas to live in Fayetteville before relocating to the city.
Areas near Fort Bragg are safer than other parts of the city.
3. Sluggish Job Market
Fayetteville tends to have a sluggish job market.
In fact, the city ranks as one of the worst places to try and find employment in the US.
There’s a lack of diversity in industries that hurts the job market.
This city largely depends on Fort Bragg.
There are also the automotive and manufacturing industries that offer employment.
4. Fayetteville is near Fort Bragg
Fayetteville is a city that has a large community who are avid patriots.
But living near a military base isn’t as rosy as it sounds.
The base is always a hive of activities and exercises.
Since there’s no way to mask the sounds, residents of Fayetteville have no choice but to contend with the noise.
There are no prior warnings to military drills and exercises, including explosions and jets.
All this noise can happen at any time, night or day.
5. Traffic, Traffic, Traffic
City life is about contending with congestion as people move from point A to B.
This also means there’s lots of traffic as commuters drive from place to place.
Be ready to have your patience tested in Fayetteville, especially during rush hour.
Traffic continues to affect this city, especially as the population grows and more people own cars.
6. Challenging Business Environment
Starting a business in Fayetteville, NC isn’t a walk in the park.
It can be quite challenging setting up a business in North Carolina.
This is because the state has numerous requirements, and there’s limited funding available from financial institutions.
Expenses increase since you need a business license to operate in Fayetteville, NC.
7. College Kids
Be ready to come across many college kids living and working in Fayetteville.
On top of being a military area, this is also home to many college students.
As a result, many youngsters hang out in the parks, entertainment spots, and other areas in Fayetteville.
8. Parking Costs
Fayetteville is one of the places in North Carolina where you have to pay for parking.
A good example is the Dickson Street area.
You must pay $5 for parking in this area during the day.
At night, you can pay $1.
There’s no free parking in this part of Fayetteville.
Pros and Cons of Living in Fayetteville, NC – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Fayetteville, NC | Cons of Living in Fayetteville, NC |
|---|---|
| 1. Affordable Housing Market | 1. High Temperatures and Humidity |
| 2. Beautiful Natural Attractions | 2. High Crime Rate |
| 3. Racial Diversity | 3. Sluggish Job Market |
| 4. Access to Mountains and Beaches | 4. Fayetteville is near Fort Bragg |
| 5. Low Cost of Living | 5. Traffic, Traffic, Traffic |
| 6. Community-Oriented City | 6. Challenging Business Environment |
| 7. Good Restaurant Scene | 7. College Kids |
| 8. Growing Craft Beer Scene | 8. Parking Costs |
Fayetteville Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Fayetteville Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: HIGH
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fayetteville, NC, famous for?
Fayetteville is famous due to the military base adjacent city.
It’s near Fort Bragg, one of the biggest military installations in the country.
The city is in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and has a population of 352,000.
What is it like living in Fayetteville, NC?
Fayetteville, NC, is a vibrant city with over 352,000 residents calling this place home.
A suburban culture thrives in Fayetteville, with many residents loving the parks, coffee shops, and bar scenes.
Many young people live and rent in Fayetteville, contributing to its vibrancy.
Is there an airport in Fayetteville, NC?
Yes, Fayetteville, NC, is home to the FRA (Fayetteville Regional Airport).
The public use airport is also known as Grannis Field.
It’s located in Cumberland County and is owned by the City of Fayetteville.
What is the minimum wage in Fayetteville, NC?
The minimum wage in Fayetteville, NC, is $7.25 per hour.
All employers in North Carolina must pay employees $7.25 per hour or over.
How far is Fayetteville from the beach?
One of the most popular beaches is Ocean Isle Beach.
Fayetteville is 84.07 miles away.
Folks must drive an hour and a half in the southeast to get to the beach.
While there, you can find vacation rentals, hotels, and motels offering accommodation.
Does Fayetteville get hit by hurricanes?
North Carolina isn’t a stranger to hurricanes.
In fact, the state has experienced over 400 known hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons.
Places like Fayetteville, not too far from the ocean, tend to feel the full effects of these weather phenomena each year.
This leads to flooding and destruction, especially on Bretton Woods Drive.
