Moving to Western NC- Need advise from locals on best area's to live...

[transplant2NC]

Hi T77;

Do you have an email address or a phone number where I could contact you. Moderator cut: My email is ask people to DM you, don't post email address

[transplant2NC]

Originally Posted by T77

Is Marion a good sized town? I absolutely do not want to live in a subdivision, we are living in one right now and I hate it.. I like wide open spaces around me.. I'm a country girl, originally raised on a farm and I feel claustrophobic living in a neighborhood that has row after row of cookie cutter houses.. Is there a lot of rentals on the outskirts of town?

ps. Thank you so much for taking the time to repy to my post, you've been very helpful

The town of Marion itself has over 5000 population with 3 major grocery stores and a Walmart plus a variety of other stores. I live a few miles outside of Marion in the country. I could probably help you if you want to visit.

[coxe]

check out Banner Elk and Blowing Rock...both get consistent snowfall...but probably much less than what you're used to in New Hampshire...

[ss20ts]

Since you need jobs, why not look into Hickory and the surrounding area? It's in the foothills and has lots of things like shopping, restaurants, even a hospital. There's plenty of houses around for sale so I would imagine there's be several up for rent as well.

The weather is a bit better than the mountains. You'd be able to go to the mountains every day, but not have to deal with a long commute. That part of NC is really gorgeous in autumn.

[wilson720]

Another vote for Franklin here. Very rural, yet Franklin has plenty of grocery stores, restaurants, etc. Franklin has a new greenway that is beautiful and provides an area to walk, jog, ride a bike. It seems to me to be an area that is transitioning from an older mountain town to one that is more progressive, but eager to maintain its small town roots in the same regard. The area surrounding Franklin is absolutely gorgeous, with high mountains in each direction. There are plenty of recreational opportunities in the Nantahala National Forest, beautiful waterfalls within a few minutes drive, swimming, kayaking, etc. Franklin basically sits in the middle of the National Forest. I haven't lived through a winter here, but people say it snows but its short lived. The summer days have been warm but not oppressive and the nights are nice and cool....usually gets down in the 60's. If you want to explore larger cities, Atlanta is about 2 hrs southwest of Franklin, and Charlotte is about 2 1/2 hours east. Asheville is about 1 hr away.
Im renting a small home for around 600/ month. Ive heard the property tax rate here is incredibly low...like 27 cents/100 or something like that. There seems to be a lot of real eatate to choose from and its cheap, well with the exception of Highlands and mountaintop homes. Sounds like this is right down your alley. There are several towns in WNC that would fit your bill, Im just partial to this area because I live here and so far I love it.