best nc mountain towns to live best nc mountain towns to live

Catering to both the summer crowds who come here to visit the park, and the winter crowds, who are often skiers and boarders who come to enjoy the slopes of nearby Cataloochee Ski Resort, this small town offers everything you need and more. } But, with only 12,920 full time residents, there aren't a lot of people to get the word out. .ai-viewport-1 { display: inherit !important;} Youll find stunning waterfalls and spectacular North Carolina hikes all right outside your doorstep in this small mountain town. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { max-width: calc(100% - 320px); Some small towns are lucky enough to be tucked into the mountains where people can explore on foot, bike and skis all with hardly another person in sight. Each town has its own vibe and many unique outdoorsy things to do. Located between Ashville and Cherokee, this town near the Great Smokey Mountains National Park and the, Blowing Rock is a charming hamlet tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. You can see Table Rock Mountain, one of the most incredible hikes in the area, from downtown Morganton. Some describe the area like a country-club environment within a short drive of other amenities like shopping and dining. bottom: 80px; /* 80px from the bottom of your screen */ Be sure to stop by the scenic Lake Sequoyah and of course, the many natural wonders that surround Highlands. Among the top contenders is the beloved Sliding Rock. For such a small town, the selection and quality of restaurants is impressive. Have you ever seen Bigfoot? Its a setting rich with rocks and minerals, ideal for any geology buffs looking for a scenic retreat. Outdoor lovers can enjoy wonderful hikes and viewpoints in the surrounding Yancey County area, including those on nearby Mt. Black Mountain features quaint shops, impressive restaurants (including Phils Bar-B-Que Pit! If youre feeling adventurous, you can even visit the nearby ghost town of Henry River. Known as a culinary hot spot in the mountains of North Carolina, Banner Elk offers a charming place to simply relax, enjoy the scenery, and indulge in some fine dining. You'll find the Great Smoky Mountains on the Eastern side of Tennessee. You can take a side-trip to the not-mountain town of Charlotte and learn about its history at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. New River Brewing is one of a few great places to grab some food and a beer. Enjoy beautiful vistas at The Switzerland Inn and hike to Grassy Creek Falls while youre there. People dont just come here for that bucket list-worthy accomplishment. Read More: National Parks Sites in North Carolina. This gives the area a hip youthfulness that many find appealing. NC Tripping uses Mediavine to manage all third-party advertising on this Website. Shown below in no particular order are 12 of our favorites. For a flatter road, check out the Catawba River Greenway in Morganton. If you are heading to the coast, you may want to have a read through our article on Deep Sea Fishing in North Carolina. The city is named after pioneer Daniel Boone and has breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Valdese Recreation Department oversees five parks in the area but we think you must visit McGalliard Falls. Youll love Murphy for its fun downtown and the surrounding NC mountains, water, and trails. Cherokee is home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and one of our favorite small mountain towns in NC. Read More: 20+ Amazing Things to Do in Maggie Valley. 1. The city is perfect for a winter getaway, thanks to milder weather, great events like Christmas at Biltmore and more! 2. Tourists travel from all over to soak in the waters. Blowing Rock and Boone are often talked about together because they are so closebut so different! Dont forget Catawba Brewing is based here for a cold refreshing craft pint post-adventure. Valdese was settled by 19th-century Waldensians from Italy, giving it a unique identity apart from its neighbors. This classic mountain town is only 45 minutes from Asheville and is located right along Pisgah National Forest. Joyce Kilmer Forest, the Cherohala Skyway, Nantahala National Forest, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Lake Santeetlah are nearby. The town is home to the Great Smokey Mountains Railroad, a popular sightseeing excursion that has several different routes, the most popular is the Nantahala Gorge return trip. The downtown is chock full of charming shops, restaurants, and Brevard breweries. My husband & I love West Jefferson. All this wonderful scenery might be a reason why many movies, including The Fugitive and Nell, were filmed in the area. Youll also enjoy walking around and stepping into local shops, art studios, and more here. Just off I-40 and not far from Asheville, is Black Mountain, a treat of a small town! Stately homes can be found along the residential streets, a few of which have been converted into romantic B&Bs. It's a hot spot for mountain biking, mountain climbing, hiking, and waterfall chasing. Floating high at 3,700 feet is one of the best NC mountain townsBanner Elk. Cities across North Carolina round out the top 10, including several in the western part of the state: Hickory at No. The iconic flower is an abundant symbol in this region of the state. Read More: 75+ Fun Day Trips from Asheville (Within a 2-Hour Drive). This is also a popular area for trout fishing in North Carolina, particularly in the fall, with the Watauga River presenting a great opportunity for anglers. We enjoyed renting a cabin house with our grandson & children, the young children walking in the New River & my husband & I kayking. Visit Tour Wheels Through Time for a unique display of classic cars and motorcycles. Median household income: $40,875. fbq( 'track', 'PageView', { Blowing Rock offers a beautiful balance between the new and the old. Natasha moved to North Carolina for college years ago (but she's not trying to age herself here). Boone Boone boasts a vibrant and active outdoor adventure scene. height: 100%; Its proximity to many NC ski resorts makes it especially alluring for the winter seasons as well. Highlands attracts those looking for a quaint atmosphere, in this hidden mountain gem. You can tour exciting educational museums and villages and browse many locally hand-made arts and crafts. Pearsons Falls is also nearby. Not to be outshone by the National Park, Bryson City manages to be an experience all its own! Some of North Carolina's mountain towns are highly seasonal, with major attractions open only during the summer months, but a few, particularly those near the ski resorts, lend themselves more towards winter visits. Top 9 Mountain Towns to Live in Tennessee While Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis may grab all the attention, Tennessee has some incredible, more rustic places to live. Hendersonville Main Street, Hendersonville | Photo Copyright: Lana Law Asheville may be the best-known destination in the mountains of North Carolina, but Hendersonville is a wonderful small-town alternative. .inside-footer-widgets a { There is a happening scene of Boone breweries and Boone bistros to indulge in and an overarching focus on sustainability. The annual Rhododendron Festival is what brings many visitors to this town today. There are museums, an arts center, a variety of shops, and over 30 restaurants, all quite impressive for their small stature. Looking Glass Falls and Moore Cove Falls are stunning sites as well. This is one of those very tiny North Carolina mountain towns that packs big personality. One of our absolute favorite North Carolina mountain towns is Maggie Valley, a consistent family vacation spot. Read More: Winter in Boone (20 Great Activities, Snow Tubing, and More!). The median home price in Ayden is 127,400 and the median income is $53,317, giving Ayden a solid ratio of home price to income. Trails are abundant for hiking and mountain biking to take in the scenic landscape. Let us know what piques your interest or just tell us what your dream home looks like in your vision. We mentioned Lake Junaluska earlier and thought you should know that it is only 3 miles away from Waynesville. Lake Glenville is a very popular summer vacation spot with several vacation homes available in Glenville and in the nearby Cashiers and Highlands communities. Lake Louise Park and Main Street Nature Park are beautiful spaces to explore and enjoy the local wilderness here. There is a lot to discover when you live in North Carolina mountain towns. Located in western North Carolina on what is known as the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau in the Nantahala National Forest, Highlands has been called "the Aspen of the East.". .archive .content-area a { } Its reputation for charm precedes it, known mainly as the hometown of Andy Griffith and the inspiration for the idyllic neighborhood his show was set in, Mayberry. The Diamondback (NC-226) is also a popular road for tourists and motorcyclists alike, famed for its incredible views. At the same time, Chattanooga has many urban pleasures, including dining and entertainment options, a wide variety of public. Home to less than 500 people, Bakersville was founded to mine its wealth of mica deposits. 15 Best Small Towns in North Carolina - Great Small Towns to Visit and Live In NC 1 Best Easy, Cheap Dinner Ideas for Your Family 2 42 Best Bedroom Paint Color Ideas for 2023 3 Early Spring Flowers Will Combat the Winter Blues 4 What Our Editors Bought and Loved in February 5 Dad Jokes To Keep the Whole Family Laughing text-decoration: none My name is Ellen Pitts and I am . This famous performance, running each summer since 1952, tells the story of Daniel Boone's adventures in the local area. Include stops in Valdese (more on it later), Connelly Springs, and other great smaller towns. If you are looking for something a bit bigger in a small-town getaway, Boone is a lively university town with a little less than 20,000 people. Boone boasts a vibrant and active outdoor adventure scene. .sidebar a { That last part is why Wilkes County is also home to the first-ever NASCAR track. Its easy to relocate to North Carolina and youll be convinced of that after talking to our. Home of the Davidson College Wildcats, Lake Norman, and great prices on real estate, the #3 best place to live in North Carolina, Davidson, is one of the Tar Heel State's best kept secrets. One contributing factor to the overall safety of Western NC may be the small size of the towns and cities here. For example, here are some facts about Crestline in the San Bernardino Mountains: Population: 10,770. With Pendleton School of Craft nearby, theres also a thriving community for local art and handicrafts here. Thanks for sharing your favorite with us, Jacquelyn! This article may contain affiliate links. Catch some incredible views from Lovers Leap, a 2-mile loop with a gain of 500 feet in elevation. The history of Cashiers showcases the rich heritage of several buildings circa 1800s that have been restored overtime and are still in use today. document,'script','https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); Once a mining hub has now become a top vacation destination as part of the Plateau region of western North Carolina. Brevard has a pleasant feel about it. Down the road from Banner Elk is Sugar Mountain, home to one of our best ski resorts. Morganton is charming town in the foothills surrounded by beautiful scenery and outdoor adventure opportunities. "agent": "woocommerce-7.4.0-3.0.12" Read More: The Best Black Mountains Hikes near Burnsville. Greenville, South Carolina From fine dining and shopping to live music and festivals, downtown Greenville has it all. Cities are fun but sometimes it's nice to swap the busy roads for the peaceful streets of a small mountain town. Don't miss a chance to see spectacular Dry Falls, about 10 minutes from town, where you can walk behind a curtain of water pouring off an overhanging ledge.