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BTW, the closest city the size of Cleveland is Raleigh, and that is 71 miles away. Pick a small city in Clevland (maybe Ashland) 70 miles from Cleveland as a comparison. You will travel through a lot of small towns, rural country and woods going from Pinehurst to Raleigh. However, Raleigh has a health and growing economy.
Pinehurst is a "resort" town like Hilton Head, etc. and while it has quaint shops, everything in the business district is geared to tourists. Really, those who live in the Sandhills area (all the little towns in Moore county) go to all of the different 'villes (Aberdeen, Southern Pines, Pinehurst etc) in the course of their needs for restaurants, shopping etc.
Lots of retirees and things geared towards older folks. Perhaps due to that, the hospital is very good.
You haven't really said what it is you are looking FOR...the area many "gated" areas with a lot of transplanted retirees such as Seven Lakes (my parents used to live there, even though we are from NC) and lots of "Senior communities" all around the area with stepdown from house->apartment->assisted living-> nursing.
Fayetteville is a military town but the Army base, Ft Bragg, is in between you and there, so you wouldn't be likely to pick there anyway because of the commute. Sanford is find, not sure why someone said "avoid at all costs" except that it's kind of a long commute to Pinehurst. Sanford is the largest town in that vicinity, and if someone thinks Sanford is podunk, they're going to be in for a shock at the other places you mention.
Come visit Pinehurst, rent one of the small condos on the golf course near the Resort. weekly rents 4-500 for a one BR condo. Travel around the area heading west on 211 towards Seven lakes, south on US 1 towards Rockingham, travel east on 211 towards Reaford. Tour the main streets of Southern Pines,Pinehurst, check out some of the nice restaurants in Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen.
You can eat Breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday in different places without going into one chain.
Just look around for a week or so to get a lay of the land and then if you like the area start looking for a more permanent place to live. You can find nice golf course homes from 150K to 3-5 Mil.
Lake properties in Pinehurst, Seven Lakes.
Horse property in Southern Pines, Foxfire Village, Seven lakes.
Moore co. has lots to offer if you plan on working in Pinehurst and if you like golf well your in the capital.
Well, it sorta does. My point was that I don't find the Sandhills particularly attractive, although the village of Pinehurst is very well done. The small towns the OP was asking about outside of the Pinehurst area, Cameron and Broadway, etc, are in the midst of less than attractive (to me) sandy, piney woods, so I would NOT recommend the OP to live there. Make it Pinehurst/SouthernPines/Aberdeen.
I have lived in both fayetteville and the sandhills area (which is where i live now) and I can say that I believe you are making the right decision. The southern pines/pinehurst area is much more safe and an overall nicer area. It is less than an hour and a half to Raleigh and a short commute to ft bragg, which is what I assume is why you might be relocating. If you have any other questions about the area feel free to ask. Good Luck with the move.
Well, it sorta does. My point was that I don't find the Sandhills particularly attractive, although the village of Pinehurst is very well done. The small towns the OP was asking about outside of the Pinehurst area, Cameron and Broadway, etc, are in the midst of less than attractive (to me) sandy, piney woods, so I would NOT recommend the OP to live there. Make it Pinehurst/SouthernPines/Aberdeen.
Yeah, to each his own and all that, but I personally find that section of the state to be very unattractive and unappealing: sand, scrawny pine trees, scrub oaks, and unremitting heat and humidity in the summer, with the added feature of the occasional summer tornado to keep things interesting.
My parents used to send me up that way to summer camp every year. I liked the lake and water activities, but camping out, hiking, or pretty much any other outdoors event was miserable.
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or this one is gorgeous in Duke Forest in Durham: 
