Small Piedmont Towns and Cities In North Carolina
Most of the time when I'm asked about the Best Places to Live in the Carolinas or what's its like living in NC, I'm asked to give the broadest number of options from big city to small town.
Usually, the next question is something like…
“ I was wondering about the best places in NC that have a population of around 30,000 or less.”
Well that information definitely helps me narrow it down.
In fact when the participants of our survey (December 2010) were asked…
"What is the population of YOUR ideal city/town?", the number one response was 16,000 -30,000.
So, for everyone who thinks their best place to live is in a small town or city (what defines a town/city in the Carolinas?), of around 30,000 people or less, somewhere in the great states of North Carolina and South Carolina, in the coming weeks, I'm going to do a series of articles in The Carolina Report (this blog) looking at my favorite best small towns and cities in all the different regions of North Carolina and South Carolina.
The journey is definitely going to be fun so sit back and enjoy the ride and if you have a certain place in mind then definitely shoot me a note and I'll get right on it!
So, let's get goin…
Today we’re going to look at a few best places to live, retire or relocate to in NC found in a stretch of the Piedmont region that runs from Charlotte, NC in the south up to the Raleigh-Durham–Chapel Hill Research Triangle area to the north.
Salisbury, North Carolina
One of my favorite places in the southern Piedmont region is Salisbury, NC, population 27,808.
Salisbury, North Carolina contains all the things I like about the small towns you find in North Carolina’s heartland; history, beauty, culture, agreeable climate and affordable living.
In fact, Salisbury, NC is often referred to as “The Paris of the Piedmont” for its vibrant arts and theater scene and I love the downtown’s impressive 30 square block historical district containing homes and buildings that date back before the Civil War.
I often tell people Salisbury, NC is the kind of place that is small but feels much larger and if you like being close to bigger cities you have the added bonus of being only minutes from places like Charlotte, NC or Winston-Salem, NC.
With a median home price around $120,000 and a mild year round climate, Salisbury, NC is definitely one place to keep an eye on.
Statesville, North Carolina
Heading west from Salisbury, NC you’ll find another of my favorite small towns or cities, Statesville, North Carolina, population 26,414.
Statesville, North Carolina was historically a crossroads town and you’ll notice the same harmonious convergence within the town itself, blending its old Victorian homes and agricultural roots with the technology and manufacturing infrastructure of the modern age.
Statesville, NC is also close to larger cities and quite affordable with a median home price of $95,000.
Lexington, NC
A lot of small towns and cities in North Carolina have something special to boast of and if you love barbecue and beautiful green, rolling hills you need to be in Lexington, NC, population 20, 213.
Just north of Salisbury, NC off of I-85 Lexington, NC is known for not only its famous Barbecue Festival but also its many outdoor recreational opportunities, especially around local High Rock Lake.
Also of note the median home price in Lexington, NC around $90,000.
Asheboro, NC
Asheboro, NC, population, 24,734, is another best place further to the east of Lexington, NC which I love for the warmth of its people, the beauty of the nearby Uwharrie National Forest, and a comfortable year round climate.
Music, crafts and motorsports plus a median home price of $98,000 are all a plus when it comes to Asheboro, NC.
I’m going to round out this weeks best small towns or cities of North Carolina, by looking a little bit farther south to Lincolnton, NC, population 10, 925.
Lincolnton, NC
Lincolnton, NC may sit in the shadow of Charlotte, NC and Gastonia, NC but it is called “North Carolina’s Best Kept Secret” for a good reason.
Combining great civic pride with all manner of cultural activities and a love for the great outdoors, especially nearby Lake Norman, Lincolnton, NC has a median home price around $85,000 and a lot of charm to spare.
We hope you enjoyed this tour of our favorite small towns North Carolina’s Piedmont region and come back next week when we look at even more!
About Bob Bencivenga
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Bob Bencivenga is a professional site locator and location analyst for major corporations and has been researching the growth of NC and SC to find the Best Places to Retire or Relocate that are still affordable. |
| Visit his blog The Carolina Report and sign up for FREE updates by email,his FREE Affordable Best Places To Live Report and, get FREE Expert Advice on how to find Your Best Place to Retire or Relocate to in North Carolina and South Carolina, additional resources, and a lot more.
Bob does not sell real estate. |
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