Living in Banner Elk and/or surrounding area (transplants, homeowners insurance)

[jhlcomp]

I am just beginning to explore this area having visited a number of times in the past.

What is it like to live there full time? Any florida transplants living there? We currently live in Fort Lauderdale and would like to move to a cooler climate or at least have a place to go to during holidays and summer.

Pros and cons?

I appreciate any and all info you can provided. Thank you.

[LiveLoveLaugh]

Hi Neighbor! I'm from Pompano Beach and I bought a beautiful old farmhouse 2 years ago and I adore living here! AHHHH...windows open, fresh air, beautiful mountains and friendly people! I still own my home in Fl (now is NOT a good time to sell) I've been here since march and even got to enjoy a few snow storms in april! This week the evening temps will be in the 50's! I LOVE it! Good luck! Enjoy!

[jhlcomp]

Hi and thank you for your response. I think I will come on up and check things out. We really need a change and want to see about buying some land or a house.

[LiveLoveLaugh]

JH...have you checked Homes and Land magazine online? You can read the entire issue!!!! Also, Realtor..com of course! I really narrowed my search by spending time looking at houses online. Btw, the Lowes food store at Tynecastle is just as nice if not better than Publix! Buying a home here is 1 of the best things I've ever done!

[jhlcomp]

No I haven't checked Homes and Land - I will do so based on your suggestion. I did check Realtor.com.

Have you been there during ski season? What is the situation with taxes? Thanks for your help.

[LiveLoveLaugh]

I don't ski but you should check out high country webcams...com...you can see the slopes all year round! My taxes are $800. per year!

[jhlcomp]

Thanks - that is a great site!! What about state taxes, personal taxes, and personal property tax? You stated you pay $800 per year - is that property tax? Sorry to be asking all these questions and thanks for your help.

[LiveLoveLaugh]

I still spend more time in Fl then I do here so I file taxes in Fl. My homeowners insurance here is $600. per year and the property tax is $800. I bought a real fixer upper, EVERYTHING needed repair, foundation, roof, electric, plumbing but I am on almost 3 acres and thanks to a WONDERFUL Realtor she introduced me to a WONDERFUL contractor. It's been a GREAT experience!

[jhlcomp]

Now you really have my curiosity going. May I PM you to find out who your realtor is? Sounds like you found what we may be looking for. Thanks for all.

[TH777]

I lived in Banner Elk for 6 years while I attended Lees-McRae College. It was a love/hate relationship.

Banner Elk is a beautiful place to live IF you dont need to earn a living. If your rich then it's paradise. If your a young person who has to work for a living then you should know that Jobs are very scarce and low paying. Banner Elk is located in Avery County, one of the poorest countys in NC. The average income for Avery county is $13,000 a year. There are very few jobs available in this area other than a handful of restaurants and ski shops that pay minimum wage and these jobs are ALL taken by locals who have lived in Banner Elk for years. If your "new" in town your going to have trouble finding work unless you know someone. There is a new Lowe's hardware in Banner Elk now but even those jobs pay very little. All the Ski slops are very tightly run family businesses that emply a LOT of mexican workers (most of which are illegal imigrants who are paid under the table). Most jobs will pay between $6.00 per hour - $7.00 per hour IF you can get a job.

Once you get caught in the cycle of working for minimum wage, it's nearly impossible to save enough money to move away from Banner Elk and escape to somewere that offers high paying jobs.

Banner Elk has a lot of character, the people are very friendly but bring your money with you as your not going to be able to make a very good living from any job.