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Hickory, North Carolina is kind of on the brink of discovery, I think. It's pretty close to Asheville and other attractions in the NC mountains--but not so high in elevation as to get the snow and ice in winter.
Value is there. Take a look at this cutey for $79,900. Could use a bit of updating (look at the colors of tile in one of the bathrooms), but lovely arches and woodwork. Even a workshop.
Take a look at picture 13. Am I not seeing multi story, brick, industrial buildings across the back fence?
For comparision sake look at what $100K will buy in Lexington SC and it is within 20 minutes of major hospitals, stores, sports, universities, etc. I have no business relationship with the place. I just live here.
Hickory, NC depended on the furniture industry for way too long. Now that so much has moved off shore, it puts Hickory in a hole they can't crawl out of. Hickory's time has passed a long time ago.
Well, since the thread is about affordable housing--and small homes--in retirement, I don't think jobs are a criteria...I've always enjoyed my stays in Hickory..and yes, it could use a renaissance but it has quite a bit of cuteness. But your mileage may vary...
Young people with decent or even semi-decent jobs are important if you want a vibrant community with stuff going on. If you want to live in a community where almost everyone is old and doesn't have much money (except for the doctors who are willing to settle in those places) - you only have thousands of dying places to choose from .
FWIW - I agree with Darstar about the furniture factories in NC - but the textile factories that used to support lower middle class working people in NC are pretty much extinct now too. Robyn
Eventually there will have to be a new Asheville - if only we had a crystal ball to see where that might be we could buy now and make a killing when it's time to sell.
Young people with decent or even semi-decent jobs are important if you want a vibrant community with stuff going on. If you want to live in a community where almost everyone is old and doesn't have much money (except for the doctors who are willing to settle in those places) - you only have thousands of dying places to choose from .
FWIW - I agree with Darstar about the furniture factories in NC - but the textile factories that used to support lower middle class working people in NC are pretty much extinct now too. Robyn
Yes the textile factories were the worst. It actually was a double hit, first the mills in the northeast closed and they moved all the machinery to the south, then, of coarse it all went off shore.I do not know of any clothing made in the US anymore. Still some things are being made in Canada, but it's only a matter of time and they will be gone too. I would not want to retire in any of these places, too depressing!
Yes the textile factories were the worst. It actually was a double hit, first the mills in the northeast closed and they moved all the machinery to the south, then, of coarse it all went off shore.I do not know of any clothing made in the US anymore. Still some things are being made in Canada, but it's only a matter of time and they will be gone too. I would not want to retire in any of these places, too depressing!
A little but perhaps less true where my late in-laws had a place - Southern Pines near Pinehurst. It's a lower end high end golf tourist oriented area - if you know what I mean. Still - when the textile mill there closed - it basically spelled the end for a lot of stuff. I don't think I'd care to live in any area where young people have no future - so they leave. Robyn
A little but perhaps less true where my late in-laws had a place - Southern Pines near Pinehurst. It's a lower end high end golf tourist oriented area - if you know what I mean. Still - when the textile mill there closed - it basically spelled the end for a lot of stuff. I don't think I'd care to live in any area where young people have no future - so they leave. Robyn
Agreed. Who would buy the homes as people move on to "the home" or elsewhere? Maybe other older people, but without the addtional option of young families it would be a 55+ type place.
Anyone interested in moving to one of these forgotten places, setting up small businesses and work on enticing bigger businesses? How fun would that be for a group of retirees to set up a new town - one that would not be just for retirees. A cute funky little place with tons of charm. I was a project manager when I worked but not sure I'd want that headache again. We have lots of talent on this forum.
You are both right, been there, lived that life 18 years. We were 6 miles from town,which had 3,000 in winter 30,000 in summer.You were known by the mtn. You lived on as a address, even in the phone book.Views were fantastic in the Blue Ridge. Great place to live, no kids and in your 40s with a business you could run from the house as long as you had phone lines, later access to the Web became a must. Almost no crime, clean living,air condition.,had, but never needed. Winters were mild, or brutal at 4100 foot. You could have 3 feet of snow over night, then 20 below spikes. Winters were unpredictable , yet there were long summers and falls. Long springs also.Almost a rain forest, moss on everything, lots of fog, in all a wonderful place to live. Lots of name droppers, often famous name people for rubbing shoulders with. Everyone respected their privacy.Property tax cheep , most homes expensive, depending on elevation and view. It was great living in a area full of summer people. Winters quiet, country living. Lots of retired folks, most with money, but not everyone. Culture, award wining eating places, and, no bugs!
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