Living in Pinehurst
hello!
Pinehurst is right next door to us in Southern Pines, and it never stops feeling a little bit storybook. Winding lanes, white cottages, the Village Green and some of the most famous golf in the world, all within a few minutes of each other. You don't have to play golf to love it here, though it helps to like the sound of golf carts. Whether you're dreaming of a cottage you can walk to dinner from, a home on a fairway or a quiet street near the greenway, here's how I'd describe each part of Pinehurst to a friend.
I'm Lex Fowler, a REALTOR® with The Foundry Group at Compass, and I'd love to show you around the Village.
Inside this guide
The highlights
What People Love About Pinehurst
Find your corner
Pinehurst Neighborhoods
Every home is different, but each part of Pinehurst has its own feel. Here's a quick overview to help you narrow things down before we tour.
Winding, tree-lined lanes around the Village Green, with cottages, classic Pinehurst homes and a few condos close to the shops.
Good fit if: you want to walk or golf-cart to coffee, dinner, the library and the farmers market, and you love a home with history.
Keep in mind: much of this area is in the Village's local historic district, so exterior changes like new siding, fencing or additions need approval first.
Neighborhoods built along the resort's courses, like Pinehurst No. 6 and the gated Fairwoods on 7, a short golf-cart ride from the Village.
Good fit if: you want a fairway view, a club close by and a neighborhood where golf is part of everyday life.
Keep in mind: some homes come with a transferable club membership. We'll confirm what transfers and who pays the fee before you make an offer.
Private clubs with their own courses and amenities, such as the Country Club of North Carolina, Forest Creek and Pinewild Country Club.
Good fit if: you want a gate, a private club and a built-in social calendar.
Keep in mind: membership options, initiation fees, dues and HOA rules vary a lot from club to club, so we'll read the documents together.
Homes and townhomes around Lake Pinehurst, close to the Village and the resort.
Good fit if: you want water views without leaving the middle of everything.
Keep in mind: on waterfront lots, we'll look at flood zones, drainage and any rules about docks or shoreline changes.
Established neighborhoods with mature pines, close to Rassie Wicker Park, Cannon Park and the greenway trails.
Good fit if: you want Pinehurst without a golf course out back, plus room for a garden, a workshop or pets.
Keep in mind: homes range widely in age and updates, so a thorough inspection matters.
Homes along corridors like Midland Road and NC 5 with a Pinehurst mailing address, some inside the Village and some just outside it.
Good fit if: you want an easy drive to Southern Pines, Aberdeen and errands.
Keep in mind: a Pinehurst address doesn't always mean Village limits, which can change taxes, services and zoning. I'll confirm it for every home.
Get outside
Parks & Trails
Rassie Wicker Park & the Village Arboretum. Home to Village Hall, playing fields and the 33-acre Arboretum, with greenway trails winding through. A lovely morning loop.
Cannon Park. A 15-acre park off Highway 211 with the Community Center, ball fields, a walking trail and the Camelot playground.
Tufts Memorial Park. The Village Green itself, with benches, picnic tables, a seasonal weekly farmers market and the annual Christmas tree lighting.
West Pinehurst Community Park. Home to the Village's 18-hole disc golf course.
Pinehurst Harness Track. Leashed dogs can join you for a walk around this historic track. See my Dog-Friendly Moore County guide for more pup-approved spots.
Local traditions
A Year in the Village
- Spring matinee races at the Pinehurst Harness Track
- The Sandhills Dog Fair at the Village Arboretum, usually in April
- Azaleas and dogwoods all through the Village
- Fourth of July concert and fireworks at the Harness Track
- The Independence Day parade through the Village, led off by the pet parade and plenty of decorated golf carts
- Early tee times before the heat sets in
- The Holly Arts & Crafts Festival, usually the third Saturday in October, with hundreds of artisans in the Village Center
- The Christmas tree lighting at Tufts Memorial Park in early December
- The gingerbread village in the lobby of The Carolina Hotel
Know before you buy
Pinehurst Buyer Checklist
A few things that are worth confirming on every home here.
- Inside Village limits or not? A Pinehurst address alone doesn't tell you.
- In the local historic district? Plan for approvals on exterior changes.
- Town water and sewer, or well and septic?
- Flood zone and drainage, especially near lakes and creeks
- HOA dues, rules and any rental restrictions
- Club membership: required, optional or transferable, and the fees for each
- Golf cart, fence, pet and parking rules
- Drive times to work, post and errands at the hours you'll actually drive
- Check the address with Moore County Schools, since assignment follows the address
- Distance to Cannon Park, the library and activities
- Main-floor bedroom options
Tip: Expect U.S. Open years to be busy, with more traffic, crowds and short-term rental demand around championship weeks. If you're thinking about renting your home out during the Open, we'll check the HOA and Village rules before you buy.
Pinehurst FAQ
Your Questions, Answered
What's the difference between Pinehurst and Southern Pines?
They're neighbors, and many people work in one and live in the other. Pinehurst is a historic village built around golf, with a quieter, park-like village center. Southern Pines has a bustling, walkable downtown and horse country. I'm happy to tour both so you can feel the difference.
Do I need to play golf to live in Pinehurst?
Not at all. Plenty of residents never pick up a club. They come for the Village, the parks and greenway, the events and the slower pace. If you do golf, you'll be in good company.
Is Pinehurst walkable?
The historic Village is very walkable, and many nearby neighborhoods are an easy bike or golf-cart ride to the Village Center. Most golf and gated communities are car-dependent beyond their own paths.
What does it mean to buy in the historic district?
Much of the historic Village is a local historic district, so changes to the outside of a home, like new siding, fencing, additions or demolition, need a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Village first. Some materials, like vinyl fencing, aren't allowed. If you're planning updates, we'll look at the guidelines before you make an offer.
Does the home come with a golf membership?
Sometimes. Some homes offer a transferable club membership, and some communities require or encourage membership. We'll confirm what's included, what it costs and who pays any transfer fee as part of your offer.
How far is Pinehurst from Fort Bragg?
A little farther than Southern Pines. Plan on roughly 45 minutes to an hour, depending on where you report on post and the time of day. My PCS to Fort Bragg guide covers the commute in more detail.
Which schools serve a home I'm looking at?
School assignment follows the address, so I always recommend checking any home you're serious about with Moore County Schools directly. I'm happy to help you find the right contacts.
here for you!
Your agent in Pinehurst
Let's find your spot in the Village
Michigan was home first, but college brought me to the Carolinas and I never wanted to leave. When the military brought my husband, Max, and me to Southern Pines, what we thought was a temporary stop became the destination. Every move has taught me the house is only part of the decision. The neighborhood, the commute and the lifestyle matter just as much.
Before real estate, I spent eight years in public health and research, including time with the VA, where accuracy and deadlines were nonnegotiable. I bring that same discipline to every contract and closing, with The Foundry Group and Compass behind you.
Lex Fowler, REALTOR® · The Foundry Group at Compass · @lexfowler_realestate
Next up
Curious about Southern Pines?
Downtown, horse country, golf communities and what to check before you buy.