Waynesville

This best small town in North Carolina is located to the southwest of Asheville off Interstate 40. We nicknamed Waynesville the ‘spill over town of Asheville’ because it too has intriguing art galleries, delicious restaurants, international festivals and quick access to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The entrance to the Parkway at mile post #445 is less than five miles from the center of town, off US 23-74. Established in the early 1800's, the old brick buildings and brick lined streets in historic Waynesville have been consciously preserved as new commercial development folds into the landscape. On one of end town you will find restaurants, art galleries and one-of-a-kind stores. On the opposite end of town, a new super Wal-mart shopping center with a Best Buy was built expanding the shopping choices in Waynesville NC. 

Lake Junaluska is Waynesville's beautiful mountain lake and home to a nationally known Methodist retreat hosting year round musical events. This scenic lake is beautiful to walk around and take seasonal photographs. The further you drive away from downtown, the more farm land, rolling hills and mountain vistas are revealed. The movie Cold Mountain was filmed in Pisgah National Forest on the southeast side of Waynesville. Cataloochie Valley is where you can observe buggling elk during the fall season. Cataloochee Ski Area has a track record of being the first ski resort open on the east coast of the United States because of its high tech snowblowing equipment. Sylva and Maggie Valley are the next towns over and are a great place to find rustic mountain homes.

If you're searching to retire in a best small town in North Carolina, here's reasons to consider Waynesville real estate:

ARTS AND CULTURE

In addition to the art galleries on Main Street, the Frog Level Art District is located along Richland Creek and is where you'll find more art galleries, coffee shops and antique stores. Art is the common thread weaving through the town of Waynesville. The Haywood County Arts Council is actively involved in coordinating art festivals, concert series and juried art exhibits. The Waynesville Gallery Association provides opportunities for artists to interact with the public, through Art After Dark on the first Friday of every month and walking art gallery tours. Haywood Community College’s new Creative Arts Building is where you’ll find art courses in art and theater appreciation, art history, pottery, wood crafting and digital photography. The Haywood Arts Regional Theater (HART) is an award winning community theater hosting year round plays and musicals in one of two intimate theaters; the 255 seat James Auditorium and the Feichter Studio Theater. The most popular cultural event in Waynesville is the annual Folkmoot Festival, an eleven day international dance and music festival thousands of people travel from far away to attend.

CLIMATE

At an elevation ranging from 2,500 to 3,000 feet, Waynesville average temperature is in the 30’s December through February. The average annual snowfall is 12 inches. May through September, the average temperature is in the high 60‘s. The town of Waynesville near the Blue Ridge Parkway has four distinct seasons and is pet friendly.

LIFELONG LEARNING CENTERS

Haywood Community College is home to the Regional High Technology Center, the first Advanced Technology Center in North Carolina. Students have access to hands on computer numerically controlled machining, 3D modeling for rapid prototyping, solar energy technologies and robotics. The continuing education courses designed for mature adults include courses in the arts, personal enrichment, genealogy, language and writing. The Rufty-Holmes Senior Center in Waynesville also offers computer classes, music, arts and crafts, health and wellness classes and more designed for adults over age 50.

MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE

The Haywood Regional Medical Center is part of the MedWest health care system. The hospital’s specialties include cancer care, heart care, gynecology, imaging, joint replacement and hospice care. In 2001, the 54,000 square foot Haywood Regional Health and Fitness Center was constructed which has an indoor heated olympic size pool, exercise rooms, saunas, steam showers, racquet ball courts and indoor track. Personal trainers and wellness classes are available at this affordable health club facility adjacent to the hospital.

RECREATIONAL SPORTS

The Cataloochee Ski Area is the area’s only ski resort southwest of Asheville and this ski mountain has 16 ski slopes and trails. Mountain biking is a popular sport in Waynesville. The Blue Ridge Breakaway cycling event takes place in August and the ride begins at Lake Junaluska. Waynesville golf courses include Laurel Ridge Country Club, Waynesville Inn Golf Course, Lake Junaluska Golf Course and the Maggie Valley Golf Course. For those who enjoy adventurous hikes from their rustic mountain homes, Graveyard Fields and Devils Courthouse on the Blue Ridge Parkway are quickly accessible hiking trails along with the Highest Point on the Parkway at 6,047 feet. The Looking Glass Creek and Lower Davidson River are the most popular trout fishing streams in the Waynesville area. Life in Waynesville revolves around art, food and outdoor recreational sports.

SHOPPING AND DINING

Big box stores such as Belk, Best Buy, Lowe’s Home Improvement and a super Wal-mart are located in the best mountain town of Waynesville. In the middle of town, the eclectic Hazelwood Village and Frog Level Art District are home to more coffee shops, home decor stores and wellness boutiques. Historic Main Street is where most folks go first to enjoy tasty Waynesville restaurants, explore art galleries and shop at the famous Mast General Store. There are a number of charming Bed & Breakfast’s within walking distance of downtown Waynesville real estate. The Waynesville Tailgate Market is open on Wednesday’s and Saturday’s providing locally grown fruit, flowers and vegetables. On the same day, the Historic Haywood Farmer’s Market sells that and more; homemade breads, jellies, cheeses and meats. 

HOME AFFORDABILITY AND TAXES

Waynesville homes for sale average $150,000. Folks are drawn to Waynesville real estate because its located in a best small town in North Carolina and because of its quick access to Asheville and Knoxville via Interstate 40. The town of Waynesville is located in Haywood County. The Haywood County estimated real estate tax millage rate is .0054 per $100. If you live within the city limits, the additional estimated real estate tax is .0043 per $100. Visit our library to find help and to learn how to calculate property taxes in Haywood County North Carolina.

If you're searching for where to retire in North Carolina, there are a number of North Carolina mountain communities we find of interest or you can find larger land tracts of land on the edges of town to build rustic mountain homes.