But if you’re willing to … Glistening in all their powder-covered glory, mountain towns seem to get all the love in colder months, when skiers (and après skiers) invade and conquer their snowy peaks.But here's a secret: visiting in the summer might very well be your ticket to vacation utopia. Nothing gives you that sense of “away” like a trip to the mountains. 10 Best Mountain Towns for Sportsmen. … Asheville is the most expensive of the five North Carolina metro areas on the Best Places to Live list, with residents spending 24.15% of the median annual household income on housing. These $19k SUVs Will Make You Trade in Your Car, The Highest Paying Cash Back Card Has Hit The Market, 16 Highly Unnecessary Things People Waste Money On (You’re Guilty Of Many). Asheville, North Carolina. Saluda may be a tiny town, but what it’s lacking in size, it makes up for in charm. The population was 90,209 in 2019, up 6.8% from 2018. Asheville has plenty of mountain loveliness to keep visitors and locals occupied, but a number of charming mountain towns have blossomed within an hour or so from Asheville that warrant exploring too. When retirement calls, the mountains answer. The statue, which is carved from Italian marble, was mentioned in Thomas Wolfe’s first novel, “Look Homeward, Angel.”. That’s thanks to the welcoming atmosphere that seems to be everywhere in town, as well as the many concerts, antiques stores, eateries, and walkable neighborhoods that you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy in Lewisburg. The western part of the state of North Carolina is full of beautiful and quaint mountain towns, thanks to the two majestic mountain ranges found there – the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains. Pigeon Forge, one of Tennessee’s favorite towns, is a longtime favorite spot for vacationers, but it’s also a great spot to retire. The largest city in Western NC is Asheville, which sits right in the middle of Buncombe County. But those of us who have called the Treasure State home for awhile know that, while those places are beautiful, they aren’t exactly affordable for the average Montanan. In between the sea and the … Great place to visit and a wonderful place to live. Whether it's the Easterner's awe at hearing an elk bugle for the first time or a lowlander's wide-eyes at the steep peaks and oak benches of Appalachia, there's something about the mountains that call out to every hunter. Homeowners with a mortgage pay a median of $1,635 per month to live … Asheville may be the best-known destination in the mountains of North Carolina, but Hendersonville is... 2. Don’t miss Staunton’s Main Street, which has countless opportunities for shopping, dining, and browsing. Whether you’re looking to fly fish or see a show, take up a new hobby or develop an old one, the close-knit communities in these mountain towns have plenty of opportunities for you to get involved, meet someone new, and make a fresh home in a beautiful place. Here Are The 8 Best Mountain Towns In Montana You Can Actually Afford To Live In Many people visit Montana and fall in love, dreaming of moving to a charming city like Whitefish or Bozeman. The state’s inhabitants have built cities, towns and villages to match the beauty that the land already provides. Expansive starry skies, crisp mountain air, and ever-changing views are just a few of the perks of mountain living. Banner Elk. 2020 Best Places to Live in the Asheville Area About this List Explore the best places to live in the U.S. based on crime, public schools, cost of living, job opportunities, and local amenities. Nags Head is the largest town in the Outer Banks and also one of the best known beach towns. Sound fun? A popular vacation spot, Highlands is a small North Carolina town near the Appalachian Mountains. Tennessee heads up the western border of North Carolina, while Virginia takes the north. Look out for our newsletters in your inbox soon. These Southern spots are real jewels in the landscape, and it’s high time you started exploring one or two (or all of them!). Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article. By Jill Gleeson. 50 Best Small Mountain Towns in the U.S. Small towns and wide-open landscapes are the places to be in 2020. It's located close to Glacier National Park, a breathtaking wilderness reserve full of glacier peaks, valleys, and lakes. Topics: mountain towns mountains Places To Live travel. This Western North Carolina town is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. Downtown Asheville, NC has something around every corner. Perhaps best known for Taos Pueblo, the only living Native American community to be declared both a National Historic Landmark (1965) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1992), Taos is a desert town at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Range. With its charming atmosphere, breathtaking views, fantastic foodie scene, and fun outdoor activities, Asheville, North Carolina has everything you’d want from a bustling mountain town. This quaint town has a population of only 500, making it one of the best kept secrets in NC. The median household income in Winterville comes in at $72,584 and the median home value is $159,400 for 2020. On main street you'll find cute coffee shops, mom n' pop restaurants, and a shop or two. North Carolina claims the most reader favorites, but Tennessee took the top spot for the South's Best mountain towns. The Mountain-Town Charm: If you're looking for a resort town smack dab in the middle of the Rocky Mountains, check out Whitefish, Montana. Along some of the other downtown streets, you’ll find grand historic homes that date all the way back to the 1800’s, many of which have been turned into bed and breakfasts. These places make visitors wish they were residents. So whether you’re looking for a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life or a thrilling outdoor adventure, these Blue Ridge Mountain Towns in GA and NC are sure to bring a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart. Here, galleries, museums and landmark sites are not difficult to come by—but neither are legendary hikes and unforgettable mountain … With year-round access to scenic natural beauty, world-renowned fly fishing, outdoor recreation activities, and proximity to the majestic Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Pisgah Forest, it’s no wonder that various travel publications have consistently ranked Asheville, NC, as one of the best places to live. A popular vacation spot, Highlands is a small North Carolina town near the Appalachian Mountains. Asheville, NC # 3 in Best Places to Live in North Carolina . Many people think of states like Colorado and Montana when they consider visiting mountain towns on vacation. It’s not easy to name the best places to retire in North Carolina. 6 Most Beautiful Mountain Towns in North Carolina Asheville. Its low crime rates mean it’s safe option, even for older folks who may not be in close proximity to their families. Also located in the Great Smoky Mountains, Maggie Valley is one of the best small mountain towns in NC... Murphy. There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy in the area, and there’s a distinctly artsy scene that can be traced to the artists, makers, and galleries downtown, as well as the stunning Victorian buildings still standing in the historic district. One other piece of local beauty that you’ll want to make sure to see is the angel statue that is located just outside of downtown Hendersonville. This great town in Virginia’s idyllic Shenandoah Valley is surrounded by beautiful scenery. Read on for 9 of this country's best. Like us on Facebook to see similar stories, Amid 'vaccine tourism' concerns, Florida to require proof of residency, Overnight Defense: Biden inaugurated as 46th president | Norquist sworn in as acting Pentagon chief | Senate confirms Biden's Intel chief. Wild streams and hill-walking await intrepid explorers, whilst the Tuckasegee River is a playground for enthusiasts of white-water rafting. Set your sights on this mountain town and take in the wide-open spaces from the Gatlinburg Skybridge and Anakeesta, then settle in for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at a whole host of delicious, down-home restaurants. In the east, there’s the windswept, sun bleached Atlantic coast, whereas the west’s heavily forested Appalachian Mountains provide view after amazing view. The 15 Best Small Towns in North Carolina. Population: 157. This picturesque, vacation-favorite village is nestled in North Carolina’s Nantahala National Forest. Check them out below: 1. Hiram’s Resort in Florida. Whether you want the stunning backdrop of a Canadian mountain range, the liveliness of a city center, or the charm of Small Town, USA—the destinations on our list are sure to please. With Dollywood just next door, you’ll never be at a loss for entertainment. Some right on the coast and others high up in the mountains. Located between the popular skiing destinations of Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain, the small town of Banner Elk is a destination all on its own. Best known as a summer retreat for retirees with oversized nest eggs, Highlands is a town whose very name—like Aspen or Martha’s Vineyard—signals the good life. Glistening in all their powder-covered glory, mountain towns seem to get all the love in colder months, when skiers (and après skiers) invade and conquer their snowy peaks.But here's a secret: visiting in the summer might very well be your ticket to vacation utopia. Lake Junaluska is located near the mountain town Waynesville in Haywood County, about a forty-five minute drive from Asheville. Cabins, hiking, and lots of great landscapes—with gorgeous foliage in the fall—make it a wonderful place to settle down. Get our latest advice & deals in your inbox! Charlotte is a region that's equal parts old-fashioned southern charm and high-energy cosmopolitan bustle. Stretching nearly 500 miles long, moving to North Carolina is an adventurer’s dream. Here, you’ll find a General Store from 1899 and a grill & deli that’s been in business since 1892, as well as some more modern establishments like The Purple Onion and Newman’s Restaurant. Elevation-wise, it’s also one of the highest towns east of the Mississippi River, so there’s nowhere to go but up in this charming small town. It’s a popular vacation spot with a low-key atmosphere. Hendersonville. Credit: Facebook/North Carolina Mountain Towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, and Sylva. What are the best places to live in North Carolina? The Tarheel State is a land of many features: to the east, the stunning beaches of the Outer Banks; to the west, spectacular mountain ranges including the Great Smokies and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Whether you’re on the hunt for waterfalls, great shopping, or romance, these 10 mountain towns make for the best day trips from Asheville. 10 Best Mountain Towns for Sportsmen May 01, 2015 By David Draper Whether it's the Easterner's awe at hearing an elk bugle for the first time or a lowlander's wide-eyes at the steep peaks and oak benches of Appalachia, there's something about the mountains that call out to every hunter. Between the blasts of crisp alpine air and the breathtaking scenery—dense forests, towering peaks, and postcard-perfect main streets—a mountain escape promises a true recharge. Ranking based on data from the U.S. Census, FBI, BLS, CDC, and other sources. There’s so much to do in and around Gatlinburg, which means it’s easy to keep the retirement blues at bay. Updated on 12/4/2020 at 4:48 PM. At 5,506 feet in elevation, it is the highest town in the Eastern U.S. and is the perfect spot for skiing and snowboarding in the winter and hiking and mountain biking in the summer. Our quest to have our readers select the happiest towns in the mountains began with a set of criteria applied to just under 100 cities and towns in our coverage area (the mountain regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia and South Carolina). Stunning mountain vistas are all around, as are waterfalls, picnic spots, and parks. Our research is editorially independent but we may earn a commission for purchases made through our links. The school’s campus also features many historic buildings that were built with stone native to the area. If you're looking at the cost of living numbers in North Carolina, this is an accurate list of the most affordable places to live in North Carolina for 2021. You'll score serious lodging deals, avoid the crowds, and make the best of some equally enticing outdoor activities … … But with the weather warming up and adventure calling – it’s time to plan a trip to these beautiful ‘river towns.’ Moving east along I-40, Black Mountain is arguably one of the best small towns to live in NC. All of these towns are nice, but I like living in Penrose best. Blue Ridge is a popular choice for those looking to retire in North Georgia. This is an amazing place throughout the year and of course, Blowing Rock is included among our favorite winter getaways in North … By subscribing I agree to the terms and privacy policy. The Mountain-Town Charm: Aspen is the ultimate mountain resort town, offering up world-class shopping, delicious dining, and, as we mentioned, gorgeous scenery. Amongst the beautiful mountain backdrops, you’ll also find a selection of wineries and craft breweries, an art gallery and a lush one mile greenway that extends from Flat Top Brewing Company to the campus of Lees-McRae College. We'll send you our newsletter with travel destinations, deals, and more! Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the town of Lake Lure is more than just a lake – although that is the biggest draw for visitors from across the country. Established in … Saluda {pop. and privacy policy. 2020 Best Places to Live in North Carolina About this List Explore the best places to live in the U.S. based on crime, public schools, cost of living, job opportunities, and local amenities. Here are some of the best places to live in North … Beech Mountain. It’s conveniently located close to Pearson’s Falls and the Green River Gorge and provides a perfect place to unwind after a long day of hiking. 5. Known for its beautiful setting in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville, North Carolina, is a charming metropolis for those seeking a mid-sized city to call home. The corner gas station knows you by name and everyone is very welcoming. Georgia and South Carolina lie at the south. There’s also the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, which runs antique trains to other neighboring mountain towns. This is a … Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the eclectic city of Asheville prides itself on being just a little “weird.” In fact, you’ll find quite a few souvenirs around town that proclaim “Keep Asheville Weird.” But they mean weird in the best way possible – the city is unique and varied with its many restaurants from a range of different nationalities, its many art galleries and shops, craft breweries and wineries, and of course, the infamous drum circle that takes place downtown every Friday night. You'll still hear "y'all" … more Asheville is a vibrant, truly beautiful city, and attracts artisans, naturalists, and discerning professionals and visitors of all stripes to it. 1. Please fill out highlighted fields and click "Compare Prices" to continue. Charlotte, NC # 1 in Best Places to Live in North Carolina . Home to Duke University, Durham is part of the Research Triangle and known to many as the “City of Medicine.” This is a place with a thriving music scene and one that’s fond … If the beautiful lake landscapes of Lake Lure look familiar to you, that’s because they were the backdrop for the popular 80’s movie, Dirty Dancing. Newton is a small town nestled between Charlotte, Statesville, and Black Mountain in North Carolina. 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. With rising costs of living here in Colorado becoming a daily topic of conversation, I decided to find the best mountain bike towns with the lowest cost of living in the United States. Living out the golden years here means spending weekends at … Finding your ideal mountain community means you’ll spend your days doing what you love most - … See: Whiteside Mountain, Shadow of the Bear, Village Green, Silver Run Falls, Lake Glenville, Nantahala National Forest, Panthertown Valley, Highland Hiker. Lake Junaluska is also home to a popular Methodist retreat and conference center. Outdoor activities abound, and there are plenty of nearby trails where you can take a hike (or climb, or bike, or cave, depending on your taste). It gets its name from the naturally heated springs in the area, which you can find in Hot Springs National Park and also Bathhouse Row, which is home to bathhouses that date back centuries. Western North Carolina, or “WNC,” consists of the mountainous areas west of Charlotte, NC all the way west to the Tennessee state line, as far north as the border with Virginia, and as far south as the South Carolina state line. Check out our picks for the 10 most beautiful towns in North Carolina. With plenty of things happening at the town’s art center, community theater, breweries, and restaurants, there’s lots to enjoy in town. Get your hiking boots ready, the small town of Bryson City – county seat of Swain County in western North Carolina – is the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Durham. Whether you enjoy spending your free time exploring nature’s mountains and beaches or you prefer more of an urban lifestyle, North Carolina’s cities offer something for everyone. Although it’s only a little over six and a half square miles in total size, the town of Beech Mountain is loaded with personality and character. North America is chock-full of beautiful lake towns—some of the best in the world, if you ask us—each boasting its own unique attributes and dazzling beauty. Hailed as "The Land of the Sky," Asheville, North Carolina, is often considered by outsiders to be a delightfully strange place. Check out our picks for the 10 most beautiful towns in North Carolina. Some of us were made to live in the mountains. I quickly learned this project wouldn’t be as easy as it first sounded. To narrow the field, we applied the following minimum happiness-based standards (eliminating 35 … 10-Day Guided Tour of Italy & Sicily | 10% Off, Get Back to Travel w/ a Clean & Affordable Rental, 5-Days for 2 at a Luxury Riviera Maya Cancun Resort, Up to $3,000 Savings on 2021 U.S. River Cruises, 11-Day Small-Group Croatia Tour - 10% Off, 8-Day Tulip Time Cruise from Holland to Belgium, 5-Day Christmastime Cruise through Germany, Nuevo Vallarta Luxury Resort | 5-Day Vacation for 2. We are close to two state forests, Pisgah Forest and DuPont. It has a little bit of something to offer everyone– three breweries, 30 restaurants, a history museum, an art center, dozens of shops selling everything from quilts to locally-made furniture. Mountain town retirement. Oct 2, 2017 Getty Images. About 30 minutes outside of Asheville, is another beautiful small town – Hendersonville. This friendly town is a picturesque vacation spot, and you’ll want to move in as soon as you arrive. Let’s take a look at some of the best places to live in North Carolina. 8-Day Bourbon, Bridles & Bluegrass Tour of the Southern U.S. 8-Day Active & Discovery River Cruise on the Rhine. While it's very popular for skiing and snowboarding each winter, they have an impressive trail system for hiking and mountain biking in the … Blue Ridge is one of the most well-known towns in the North Georgia Mountains. Those that live among them are the lucky ones, for all that country lies outside … 713} Located on a plateau in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Cashiers is a traditional mountain town full of quiet lakes, scenic peaks, and calming waterfalls. Stretching nearly 500 miles long, moving to North Carolina is an adventurer’s dream. The Best Mountain Towns to Visit in America Time to embrace the high life. If you’re looking for a unique place to stay, check out the top Airbnb rentals in the area. These great spots are surrounded by incredible views, great hiking trails, gorgeous fall foliage, and more restaurants, art galleries, museums, music venues, and parks than you’ll know what to do with. This list will help to ensure that the city you … Highlands, North Carolina An exclusive address with mass appeal Best known as a summer retreat for retirees with oversized nest eggs, Highlands is a town whose very name—like Aspen or … Consider retirement in these affordable mountain towns. Asheville, North Carolina Artists, writers and musicians have long been inspired by this North Carolina mountain town. A getaway in the mountains can clear your head and get you in touch with the great outdoors, all while answering the call for adventure. 3,845} Asheville, North Carolina Artists, writers and musicians have long been inspired by this North Carolina mountain town. May 01, 2015 By David Draper. Franklin {pop. To begin, we had to create a definition of what it means to be a “mountain bike town.” We settled on these criteria: … What are the best places to live in North Carolina? It’s also home to a lively arts scene, with lots of live music and plenty of parks, museums, galleries, and restaurants in town too. Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, and neighbor Boone are a few of the best mountain towns and all within a short drive of each other.We love visiting Blowing Rock for its downtown and the amazing scenery (including hikes and waterfalls) that surrounds it.. By subscribing I agree to the terms "A stunning mountain town, very close to two national forests and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so the outdoor hiking and exploring opportunities are endless. The gateway to Snowbasin, Powder Mountain and Nordic Valley, this hidden gem, just 35 minutes north of Salt Lake City, sits at 4,280 feet and is adjacent to 170,000 acres of national forest. The state’s inhabitants have built cities, towns and villages to match the beauty that the land already provides. In the east, there’s the windswept, sun bleached Atlantic coast, whereas the west’s heavily forested Appalachian Mountains provide view after amazing view. 25 Most Stunning Mountain Towns in America Lindsay ... A dreamland set in the North Georgia Mountains, Dahlonega wows with its breathtaking scenery … Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains, this fun town is full of hiking and boating opportunities, as well as plenty of relaxing spas where you can pamper yourself after your outdoor adventures. A former railroad outpost that straddles Polk and Henderson counties, Saluda features a quaint and... 2. Small Town, Big Adventure: Explore the Smokies in Bryson City, N.C. Plan the Ultimate Adventure Getaway Without the Crowds in Bryson City, N.C. Eat, Drink and Be Merry This Holiday Season at Capt. When it’s time to pack up your things and start a new adventure, try one of the South’s mountain towns on for size. Everywhere you look, you’ll see beautiful backdrops of the mountains that look like they came off a postcard, not to mention the beauty you’ll find at Asheville’s biggest attraction – Biltmore Estate. READ MORE: The Top 10 North Georgia State Parks . The Tar Heel State has so much … It has a charming downtown area, and the the Nantahala National Forest stretches out in all directions, which means that Highlands offers the best of all worlds. 10 Charming River Towns in North Carolina To Visit This Summer. With the second largest downtown area in Western North Carolina, there are more than 100 shops and 25 restaurants to explore. Nags Head is the largest town in the Outer Banks and also one of the best known beach towns. Still, Americans consider Asheville an ideal place to live, placing it 16th for desirability on the overall Best Places to Live list, based on a series of SurveyMonkey surveys asking U.S. residents … Whether as large as Asheville or as small as Saluda, each of these towns is overflowing with character, charm and a host of things to see and do. It's one of the best places in the U.S. for backcountry hiking and backpacking trips. 13 Top-Rated Mountain Towns in North Carolina 1. Similar lists have been published by other websites, including this one that also includes Boone, Brevard, and Morganton. This northwest Arkansas town is nestled in the Ozark Mountains and is a welcoming spot to decamp to during retirement. But the best lake towns aren’t … Listed above are North Carolina cities with the best employment and job opportunities with a population over 5,000. By Kastalia Medrano, and Jay Gentile. Whatever your preference may be, some of the best places in North Carolina to visit are also the best places to live. A north Georgia mountain town with an old soul, Blue Ridge is a fun town for retirees. 2020 Best Places to Live in North Carolina About this List Explore the best places to live in the U.S. based on crime, public schools, cost of living, job opportunities, and local amenities. These cities have a mix of low unemployment rates as well as high median income and income per capita. The Process. See what spots our readers voted the best mountain towns in the South 2020. Ranking based on data from the U.S. Census, FBI, BLS, CDC, and other sources. 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. Located between San Antonio and Austin, this Texas Hill Country town provides convenient access to both larger cities. While it might be named Bryson City, by most people’s standards this one of the small quaint towns in North... Maggie Valley. Here Are The 7 Best Mountain Towns In Tennessee You Can Actually Afford To Live In. More News. Ranking based on data from the U.S. Census, FBI, BLS, CDC, and other sources. Best Places to Retire in North Carolina . Towns Near Bryson City NC Bryson City. With only 700 residents, Saluda is the epitome of a small town and you can feel the welcoming spirit when you stroll down its picturesque Main Street. 50 Best Small Mountain Towns in the U.S. Small towns and wide-open landscapes are the places to be in 2020. But they mean weird in the best way possible – the city is unique and varied with its many restaurants from a... Hendersonville. Right outside of town are a vast expanse of mountains, waterfalls, and hiking trails to explore. The Poconos mountain range is home to six ski areas, several woodfire cabins and cottages, and tons of resorts where you can get your spa and … Adventure abounds in Boone, which is filled with cozy cabins, hiking trails, galleries, museums, and parks. Trip to attend the annual jazz festival employment and job opportunities with a low-key atmosphere countless opportunities shopping... Miles off the Trail, serves as a... 3 Banks and also of. 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