Ten plus years ago when my husband told me our official first duty station assignment was Fort Bragg, North Carolina, I thought, “What? The SOUTH?? I don’t want to live in the South! I don’t know anyone from the South.” All I knew is that it was hot and humid and there was a lot of bugs.
Of course, I really didn’t know the first thing about the south because I had never lived there. I was basing my opinions on false assumptions and stereotypes.
But really, I could have ended up miserable. I’ve met plenty of people are! But after a total of six years living at Fort Bragg, I genuinely love it here and will be sad when we have to move. This list is my encouragement to anyone who is scheduled to move here, that they can love it too!
My top twenty favorite things about living in Fort Bragg, North Carolina:
- Sunshine!
We get sunshine almost all year round! Believe me, after growing up in the Northwest, there is nothing as wonderful as getting to be outside in the energizing, vitamin-D-producing rays of sun. I love that my wardrobe has become mostly shorts, t shirts, sundresses, and swimsuits.
- Really deep thunder
Often, we will get a summer downpour, and it starts with a heart gripping, breath stopping, shiver-deep-down-in-your-gut, thunderclap. Its one of those thrills that is terrible but oh-so-memorable.
- Visiting the blue ridge mountains
As wonderful as the sunshine is, during the heat of the summer the humidity can get a little overwhelming. That’s when you know it’s time to drive a few hours west and you will escape to breezy cool mountains.
- Nearby ocean beaches
If mountains are not your thing, you can also drive a couple hours to the beach, where you can also enjoy a reprieve from the dog days of summer.
- Ocean water that’s warm enough to swim in (says the girl from the Northwest!)
I grew up in Oregon, and the Pacific Ocean current flows down from the frigid arctic. Just standing ankle deep will soon turn your feet blue and achy. The first time I stepped into the Atlantic Ocean, I was shocked at how warm it was! Unlike the Pacific, it flows up from the Gulf of Mexico. So, you can count on hours of swimming and boogie boarding fun. It probably has been our #1 favorite thing about living in North Carolina!
- The whole concept of southern charm, hospitality, and politeness
If you are out and about, people will smile, chat, and in general be polite to you. Honestly, I think this attitude should be adopted nation-wide. Life is too short to be aloof, grouchy, or rude.
- Cheery red cardinals
Something that has given me and my children much pleasure with minimal effort is the birds that have been visiting the feeder we hung up outside our dining room window; specifically, the bright red cardinals that have stopped by. You really can’t help loving these cheery red birds. Over the winter we had a male and female visiting our feeder and by early summer I noticed three young cardinals that were showing up as well- the whole family still comes to our feeder daily. It’s been fun to see them grow and develop and guess which ones will turn bright red (males) and which ones will stay a duller brown (the females).
- Swimming pools in almost every neighborhood
During the height of the summer, the only comfortable way to be outside is to be in the water. Naturally, almost every neighborhood will have a swimming pool available (and if not, there are public swimming pools, lakes, and the ocean to swim in). Within one year of moving here, we went from only our eldest child swimming to all three of our oldest becoming strong swimmers and youngest confidently swimming underneath the water where he can touch. I am so grateful for all the swimming the kids have been able to do this summer. It’s a great skill and really nothing helps them exert their bodies and get some energy out like swimming for a few hours.
- The food scene at Southern Pines
One thing I was sad about leaving the Northwest was the fantastic food scene. I still think nothing compares, but if you are in the Fort Bragg area and craving the hottest trends in dining, head over to Southern Pines. Honestly, if we didn’t already have friends in our current community, I would have loved to buy a house there. Every single restaurant we have visited in Southern Pines has had delicious food and its own unique vibe, and afterwards there are lots of charming (edging on preppy) areas to stroll around. Everything you want in southern charm with plenty of energy.
- Shrimp and grits
Speaking of food, if Fort Bragg is your first time living in the south, you must try shrimp and grits. And FYI, if you are imagining grits to be a runny gruel, you are mistaken. Let’s just say that there is cream, cheese and butter involved.
- Chicken and waffles
Another food unique to the south is chicken and waffles. As in, you take a piece of fried chicken, place it on a hot waffle and drizzle maple syrup over it. It’s not healthy, but its amazing.
- Finding muscadine grapes and wild persimmons in the forest
One day, withing the first month of moving to North Carolina, my children ran to me shouting that there were wild grapes behind our house. They didn’t exactly look like any grapes I had seen before but they were growing on grape vines. I took a quick snapshot and posted it on Facebook to ask if anyone knew what they were. My friend from North Carolina quickly commented, “They’re scuppernongs!” Oh, of course, why didn’t I…wait, what?? A quick search told me it was a wild grape native to North Carolina, called scuppernongs by the locals. The skin is tough, but they are very sweet inside. It was a fun discovery. But not as exotic as the next wild fruit we found: wild persimmons. We came across them while on a bike ride. The discovery certainly piqued my curiosity with this humid habitat we had moved to, and made me want to try my hand at persimmon pie.
- Fossil hunting
Apparently, finding fossils in North Carlina is common. I didn’t realize how common until my boys were kicking around in some gravel on a field trip and found a handful of shark teeth! They felt like Indiana Jones. We haven’t even taken the opportunity to visit any real fossil sights—yet! It’s on the bucket list.
- Subtropical Florida beaches just a day’s drive away
It would be an understatement to say I love going to Hawaii. An upcoming trip makes me feel about as giddy as a child at Christmas. So, I was pleasantly surprised when we drove down to Florida last year to attend a wedding on the beach (not really having “tropical vacation” on my radar) and found myself on silky soft sandy beaches and swimming in crystal clear ocean water surrounded by small jellyfish (yes, they do have a slight sting, but it hardly competed with the dreamy experience). I DEFINITLY want to head back before we move again.
- Early American history
There is so much history withing a few hours’ drive of Fort Bragg. To list a few: Kitty Hawk, The USS North Carolina Battleship in Wilmington, Williamsburg, York, Jamestown, multiple Civil War battle sights, and don’t forget our nation’s capital Washington DC!
- Watermelon
Never have I ever…. had a North Carolina watermelon that I didn’t like. I’m not joking. Every single watermelon I have bought here, whether it be from Walmart or from a farmer selling them out of the back of his truck, is amazingly sweet and crisp. I buy one weekly during the summer months. So, make sure to add it to your grocery list!
- Gardening
If you are from the north, this may be the first time you will be able to grow subtropical plants outdoors year-round. I’m used to growing lavender, daisies and hostas but I finally stopped fighting the growing zone of North Carolina and planted canna lilies, hibiscus, and elephant ears that thrive in heat and humidity. My flower bed is lush and vibrant and I’m barely doing any work. It’s been a fun project to try my hand at more tropical plants that I probably won’t be able to grow again if we move back to a northern location.
- Driving past cotton fields
You know you are in the south when you find yourself driving through endless fields of strikingly dark brown plants topped by fluffy white seed pods baking in the sun.
- The vast array of interesting creatures
The kids love all the insects, lizards, frogs, turtles, and snakes that they keep capturing and bringing (gulp) inside! We try to get a picture every time they find something new. It’s been part of the adventure of living in North Carolina.
- The friendships I’ve made that will last a lifetime
Friendships can be the difference between love, hate or tolerating the place where you live. So no matter where you move, go out and make friends!
Kim C says
I love this list that you have compiled- you helped me see some special qualities of the southern location. there are so many things to be thankful for Here!