The United Van Lines Study (see my last post) got me thinking about a Top Ten list I composed for a prospect a while back. I have cut, pasted, updated and generalized it here for Active Rainers everywhere:
#10 (Still) Undervalued properties and a strong market in the face of declining markets in many other traditional retirement areas. Buy ALL of the house for 2/3rds of the price!;
#9 Close to a guarantee that prices will be driven up as the US Army relocates FORSCOM from Georgia to Fayetteville and other base realignment. This assures that Fort Bragg becomes the largest military installation in the world. Personnel in higher pay grades are already looking for the quality of life that Moore County can offer;
#8 Ridiculously low taxes--An Annual tax bill that will look like a couple of month's worth of what you pay in New York, or Florida, or California, or lots of other places (many that also have sleet, snow and freezing rain);
#7 World class health facilities with Moore Regional Hospital http://www.firsthealth.org/About%20FirstHealth/Moore%20Regional/index.htm ;
#6 No direct hurricane hits, so you can actually get home-owners insurance;
#5 A strong tourist economy which provides an array of dining opportunities and recreational amenities that includes a variety of eclectic, charming, and tasty independent chef-owned places with fabulous menus, great food and often, great prices, as well as a broad selection of the Outback/Chilis/Bonefish/Applebees type franchises, and a solid representation of the drive-thru fast food type;
#4 Moore County Airport ( http://www.moorecountyairport.com/), currently handling General Aviation traffic is only 5-10 minutes from your door, anywhere in Pinehurst, a private pilot's dream;
#3 Not just golf, but great golf, golf recognized the world over as great( http://www.homeofgolf.com/golf/topnccourses/index.htm ) and plenty of it, along with a variety of other recreational pursuits--lots of tennis, equestrian activities, cycling, lawn bowling, croquet(seriously!), bocce, and a world-class spa;
#2 Pinehurst #2 (special in so many ways, it is worth mentioning twice-- top ranked course in the state, beloved course of decades of professionals, home to two recent US Opens, and a myriad of other national and international events.);
#2 If tennis is your game, Pinehurst consistently ranks in the tennis magazines as a great destination. The interest in tennis rivals the interest in golf;
#2 Security without gates. Our crime rate is among the lowest in the state, if not the nation.
#2 Keep your cultural sanity--North Carolina Symphony is here 6 times a year, we have live theatre, art, crafts festivals, and a WIDE variety of concerts and musical events from Jazz to Blue-Grass;
#2 Village charm, metropolitan convenience;
#2 A traffic jam equals a 3 minute wait at the traffic circle;
#2 An hour from Raleigh, Durham, Research Triangle, and RDU airport, for all of the opportunities this fast growing area provides (a whole 'nuther list!);
#2 Four airports that can literally connect you to the world: Raleigh-Durham; Greensboro; and Fayetteville, all from 45 minutes to an hour and 15 away;and Charlotte's is about 2 hours.
#2 Two hours from the ocean, three from the mountains, and right in the heart of the beautiful Sandhills;
#2 Mild winters, GLORIOUS, LONG springs and falls and summers that aren't typically hotter than what you are probably used to;
And the # 1 reason:
Moore County is populated by the nicest, friendliest, most outgoing people you would ever want to meet, the Southerners, the Northerners, the 'Tweeners and the Halfbacks!
Comments(6)