More Best Places To Live In The North Carolina Mountains
As I sat down to write, I realized there are 4 best places to live in North Carolina, towns/cities in the Mountains I had forgotten to share with you.
Yep, you guessed it…
A slight u-turn at this point back into the Southern end of the North Carolina Mountains. These areas are really worth the time to take a look at (aren't you glad your not driving?).
Who knows, you just might decide one of them is your best place to live in NC for relocation or retirement.
So, let's head back into the southern part of North Carolina and head westward to hit all the hot spots on the eastern edge of the Great Smoky Mountains.
We have a lot of ground to cover this week so I’ll try to keep introductions brief. However, if you are really interested in living in the mountains of North Carolina I want to encourage you to check out all of the articles and blog posts about the North Carolina Mountain Region we have here at Places of Value.
And now….
Our first stop this week is Waynesville, NC, population 9,877.
A charming little community on the eastern side of the Great Smoky Mountains and one of the more popular destinations for people looking to relocate or retire in North Carolina.
Waynesville definitely has something for just about everyone.
Outdoor lovers can enjoy hiking in the mountains, chilling out at nearby Lake Junuluska or hitting the ski slopes just down the road in Maggie Valley.
Take a leisurely stroll through Waynesville’s classic downtown and soak up the genuine small town atmosphere while checking out the eclectic mix of small shops, art galleries, funky restaurants and boutiques.
If you love culture and the arts, Waynesville, NC is home to the Museum of North Carolina handicrafts, a regionally recognized theater group and a variety of folk and dance festivals.
The affordable median home value in Waynesville, NC is $153,000 and the average rental cost starts at about $452 a month.
Moving south toward the South Carolina border we enter the land of waterfalls but the center of attention is Brevard, NC, population 6,716.
Brevard, NC provides a quaint mountain home with the amenities of a larger town in an amazingly beautiful location.
In addition to over 250 waterfalls, if you love fishing you'll be glad to know that Brevard has some of the best trout streams in the country and the nearby Pisgah National Forest and Gorges State Park provides access to pristine natural beauty.
Cultural opportunities abound from the Brevard Music Center to the Paul Porter Center for the Performing Arts at nearby Brevard College.
The median home value in Brevard is a bit higher than Waynesville but still affordable at only $164,500. For those of you wanting to rent before taking the plunge to buy a house, the average rental cost starts at $411 a month.
Sylva, NC has a population of 2,437 and lies west of Waynesville, NC not far off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Living in Sylva your never far from the picturesque mountains as Sylva, NC sits in the heart of the Pisgah National Forest. There, you'll enjoy not only the mountains but cool clear streams and tumbling waterfalls.
Also known as “Tree City” for the many variety of trees found in the area, Sylva is a Mainstreet Community with a compact little downtown.
Sylva may be compact however it has a lot of civic pride as well as good cultural and educational outlets from its own community college and nearby Western Carolina University.
The median home value in Sylva is a low $125, 600 and the average rental cost is around $426 a month.
If you head further west to the southern edge of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park sits Bryson City, NC, population 13, 512.
Surrounded by amazing natural beauty and straddling the whitewater rapids of the Nantahala River, Bryson City is an easy going place and a natural center for tourism and outdoor recreation.
Bryson City’s charming downtown is home to a variety of shops, galleries and restaurants and a community of local artisans producing everything from musical instruments to jewelry and pottery.
The median home value in Bryson City is $131, 500 and the average rental cost starts at $336 a month.
Our last and final stop in the search for the best small cities/towns in the North Carolina Mountain region is Cashiers, NC.
The quintessential small mountain village has a population of 196. No typo…
Cashiers, NC is a quiet, secluded “one stoplight” town far from the hustle and bustle of city life and surrounded by some of the most beautiful natural forests in the nation.
Cashiers is known as having one of the largest waterfalls in the country but I really love its quaint downtown set around a village green and all types of small shops and restaurants.
If you love quiet and the outdoors then Cashiers is one of best places to relocate or retire to.
The median home value in Cashiers is a little higher at $314,000 and the average rental cost starts at around $575 a month.
Come back next week as we head back into South Carolina and remember if you want more information about any of my Best Small Cities and Towns in North Carolina (and more) we looked at today then check out our NC Best Places section.
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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