Top 10 Reasons to Retire in Western North Carolina

ARTS, CULTURE AND MUSIC

There are hundreds of artists who live near the America's Happiest City and they don’t mind welcoming you into their art studios. For example, in downtown Asheville NC along the French Broad River is where you will find the River Arts District, home to 165 year round working artist studios. You can observe famous artists such as Jonas Gerard painting colorful masterpieces, Constance Williams molding pottery and more artists creating hand blown glass and art sculptures.

Thirty minutes to the north in Burnsville NC, the Toe River Studio Tour takes place twice a year where you’ll find 100 more local artists opening their studio doors to the public. Have you visited the Appalachian Folk Art Center located on the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile post 382, only five minutes from downtown Asheville NC? This is a fantastic place to find one of a kind Appalachian art made from natural elements such as stone, animal artifacts, fabric and find breath taking photographs of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

To us, one of the classic examples of observing Ashevillian culture is by attending the weekly Friday night Drum Circle held in downtown Asheville NC. Locals come out of the woodwork to bang their drums in harmony while others dance to the music. Or scoot over to Pack Square and watch couples in love dancing impromptu to music echoing from a boom box. People are very friendly in Western North Carolina and their culture is refreshing. You will find life in Western North Carolina revolves around art, music and spending as much time as possible outdoors when you own Asheville real estate.

BEST COLLEGE TOWNS MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE A KID AGAIN

A lady said to us recently, “if you don’t stay young living in this place, it’s your own darn fault!” Science has proven a stimulated mind and body improves the quality of our life, especially as we age. We consider Asheville to be ahead of the curve by recognizing how desirable this region has become to retirees and delivering community forums geared towards mature adults. For example, the University of North Carolina Asheville founded the North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement. The NCCCR offers an impressive list of lifelong learning courses for mature adults and cultural entertainment on campus.

In the North Carolina High Country, Boone is one of the best college towns on the east coast, especially if you love a snow skiing on the east coast and collegiate sports. The Appalachian State University Mountaineers have collected championship football trophies for decades and the college offers thought provoking courses in art, music, literature and world events. To the south, Western Carolina University in Cullowhee is home to the Catmounts. For over 100 years, this college has molded some of the finest entrepreneurs graduating from their business school. Brevard College, Blue Ridge Community College and Montreat College are more excellent colleges within 30 miles of downtown Asheville NC.

You might be surprised to discover that Haywood Community College in Waynesville NC is carving a high tech image for itself as its new RHTC campus teaches 3D imaging, solar energy technologies and robotics courses. No matter where you to choose to live in Western North Carolina, you will find affordable college courses to enjoy and campuses offering you part-time teaching opportunities.

EASIEST WAY TO SAVE TAX DOLLARS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

Do you know by living beyond the city limits of Asheville NC, you can save $665 per $100,000 of your home’s value in real estate taxes per year. On a $300k home, you will save about $2,000 per year or $166 per month. The lowest property tax counties in Western North Carolina are: Jackson County in Sylva NC at .0028 cents per $100 Watauga County in the High Country at .00313 cents per $100 Avery County in the High Country at .0037 cents per $100 Transylvania County in the Cashiers NC area at .0039 cents per $100 The highest property tax rate in Western North Carolina is found living in the city limits of Asheville with Buncombe County's tax rate at .0094 per $100.

If you are concerned about real estate tax increases, move to a county whose infrastructure is in place and is up to date. Study the hospitals, public school system and roadways in addition to evaluating North Carolina mountain communities. Study the county’s annual budget and future capital improvements. If a county needs to build and expand social services, it would be reasonable to expect property tax increases.

We're happy to see that after all that road construction on Highway 321 leading into Blowing Rock NC, it did not severely impact Watauga County’s property tax rate. Will Transylvania County and Jackson County be forced to improve Highway 64 and NC 107 too? Jackson County and Watauga County are looking pretty sweet when comparing property tax rates in North Carolina. Property taxes are lower in Western North Carolina then in Florida and South Carolina.

QUICK ACCESS TO METRO CITIES

Getting in and out of Western North Carolina to see your family and friends is quick, easy and is becoming less expensive. Asheville Regional Airport ( AVL ) currently offers the following non-stop flights from these major cities:

• Atlanta - Delta
• Charlotte - U S Airways
• Chicago - United
• Detroit - Delta
• Houston - Continental
• Newark - Continental
• Orlando - Allegiant
• Philadelphia - U S Airways

Greenville Spartanburg International Airport is about an hour south of Asheville and is the new east coast hub for Southwest Airlines. Charlotte International Airport is about 2 hours east of Asheville NC and is U S Airway’s east coast hub. Major highway access can be found traveling in all directions via Interstate 26 or Interstate 40. For those of us in no rush, scenic U.S. Route 64 travels from Western North Carolina to the Outer Banks beaches or you can travel north or south on America’s Favorite Scenic Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway.

FARMERS MARKETS, ORGANIC FOOD AND VEGAN VENUES 

From the farm to the dinner table, if eating healthy food is important to you, there is no better place to live than in Western North Carolina. How we wish we had more time to shop at all the Saturday Green Markets and organic health food stores in the area. The city of Asheville appeals to the most demanding taste buds and health conscious obsessions. Ashevillian’s pride themselves on fresh grown mountain produce. Apples, herbs, homemade cheeses, breads, grass fed beef and free range poultry are just a few of the items you can find at the 88 tail gate markets in the Appalachian Mountain range. Whole Foods and Earth Fare clearly dominate the grocery store market in Asheville North Carolina. Beyond the city limits, you will find 30 more weekly farmer’s markets to explore or you can grow your own organic garden.

MOST POPULAR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA FESTIVALS 

• Asheville NC - Bele Chere Festival

This is the largest free outdoor street festival on the east coast held each year in July. The City of Asheville blocks off the downtown city streets for three days as 200,000 people enjoy live music, fantastic food and art exhibits.

• Asheville NC - Big Band Swing and Dance Weekend

Held in January at the legendary Grove Park Inn, this annual festival brings in world class Big Bands playing jazz music from the Swing Era as dancers perform the Tango, the Charleston and popular 1920‘s swing dances.

• Asheville NC - Comedy Classic Weekend

Held in March at the Grove Park Inn, this two day annual event brings in the funniest and best known comedians from across the country.

• Asheville NC - Festival of Flowers

Held during the month of April, this well known North Carolina festival is held at The Biltmore Estate attracting gardening hobbyist and photographers alike.

• Asheville NC - Winter Warmer Beer Festival

Named the Best BeerCity USA three years in a row, this annual January beer festival is held at the Asheville Civic Center.

• Black Mountain NC - Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF)

Held in May and October, this is the closest to a mini Woodstock festival I’ve ever seen. Attendees camp out overnight for three days around the lake listening to the fabulous blues and jazz artists.

• Brevard NC - White Squirrel Festival

Held Memorial Day Weekend, this annual festival includes live entertainment, an old fashioned box car derby and everything you can image relating to a fluffy white squirrel.

• Hendersonville NC - North Carolina Apple Festival

Held Labor Day weekend, this is four day festival is the largest Apple Festival in North Carolina. Celebrating the sweetness of apples, you can find just about anything apple at this tasty festival. Be sure not to miss the King Apple Parade.

• Waynesville NC - Folkmoot USA

Held in July, Folkmoot USA is the State International Festival of North Carolina. Up to 350 performers from 10 countries dance in the streets during this mountain festival. The Folkmoot Parade kicks off this two day North Carolina festival celebration.

THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY AND 1 MILLION ACRES OF NATIONAL FOREST 

From the Virginia state line at mile post 216.9 south to mile post 469.1 bordering Tennessee and Western North Carolina, this 253 mile stretch is among the most scenic roadways in America overlooking more than 1,000,000 acres of protected national forest. The Blue Ridge Parkway passes through the Pisgah National Forest, Nantahala National Forest and leads to the gateway of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Blue Ridge Parkway is easily accessible from Asheville, Waynesville and the North Carolina High Country. Hiking trails, waterfalls, picnic areas and breath taking scenic outlooks are fantastic places to spend the afternoon along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Living near the Blue Ridge Parkway is truly special.

MASTER PLANNED COMMUNITIES

Dating back to 1565, the first master planned community in the US was established in St. Augustine Florida. Master planned communities are carefully planned and usually designed around a theme such as golf, tennis, equestrian or beach activities. In Western North Carolina, we’ve heard there are more than 200 North Carolina mountain communities giving you plenty of choices. We're not so sure this is true after living there. What we do know is that we've written reviews about 24 of them. As the Asheville real estate market continues to adjust, you now have the opportunity to live in these communities without being required to become a club member paying high monthly dues and initiation fees. Although joining these club's at least at a social level is a smart move, to get you quickly connected. We feel the close sense of community is one of master planned community’s strongest attribute as most traditional neighborhoods today hardly socialize with each other and people need the social connection, especially at retirement. We can quickly compare for you based on your interests, master planned communities in Western North Carolina worth taking a look.

TOP MEDICAL CARE

Mission Hospital Asheville NC - Ranked a Top 100 Heart Hospital

As bizarre as it sounds, your chance of dying in Mission Hospital Asheville are 21% less than a typical hospital according to Dr. Ronald A. Paulus, president and CEO of Mission Health. The Asheville Mission Hospital Health system is ranked among the Top 15 Health Care Systems in the country by Thomson Reuters, a measurement of excellence. Asheville Mission Hospital’s comprehensive geriatric specialties serve the community by providing preventive care and inpatient care in the heart of Western North Carolina.

VAMC Hospital is Asheville North Carolina’s Veterans Hospital.

Established in 1922, this hospital continues to provide a long list medical specialties to over 100,000 veterans in Western North Carolina. From surgery to diagnostics, fitness to rehabilitation, the VAMC is committed to diligently caring for America’s heroes. 
Beyond the city limits of Asheville NC, the Pardee Hospital system in Hendersonville, Haywood Regional Medical Center in Waynesville NC, the West Care Health System in Sylva and Watuaga Medical Center in Boone also provide quality medical care.

THE RETIREMENT COMBINATION PLATTER

Whether you’re a Florida half backer seeking to escape the summer heat or a northerner leaving the frigid winters behind, Western North Carolina offers four mild seasons, incredible mountain beauty, intriguing art, rich culture, quick access to major cities and home affordability. How many more reasons would you need to retire in Western North Carolina? Feel free to leave a comment.

Don’t be afraid to ask us to help you with your search in finding the best North Carolina mountain communities. Write us at info@communityfinder.com or call us toll free at 866.384.1799