...what about "SPRUCE PINE"??.... (Asheville, Mars Hill: real estate, home, living)

[WNCbadwolf]

Originally Posted by Catbirds

Badwolf, I have to reply to your insulting and ignorant post. I don't know anything about Waynesville, but to mention Boone and Deliverance country in the same statement is ignorant. Not only is Appalachian State University located in Boone, but has numerous accolades about the education received there. Do a google search. My son is graduating with his masters in the spring, but already has a job before he graduates in May with a major corporation. Wal-Mart may be a place the students shop for basics but there is a thriving downtown area as well. Highways 321, 421, 105, and 221 are all mostly 4 lane now. As far as Spruce Pine, nearby Penland School of Crafts is nationally known and has teachers from all over the country that teach there. Yes, it is further out, and is a small town but no means are you in "Deliverance Country".
As far as snow country, there are several ski resorts and believe me, unless there is a real blizzard or ice storm, you can usually travel quite easily on the main roads in the Boone area and beyond.

I apologize if I offended you. I am native to Western NC, I can not count how many times I have been to Boone & Spruce Pine. I am aware of all the things you mentioned that is in both those area. I also have friends that live out there. I went to school with MANY people who went to college out there.

When I said Deliverance country I just meant it is VERY secluded areas, far from any big cities or towns, no major interstates, etc... By a lot of people standards that makes the area in the boonies. Locals who are born & raised in WNC often refer to places like that as Deliverance country, I have heard people refer to rural areas around Asheville as Deliverance country. No offense is intended, it is just something we call VERY remote places.

Just in case you didn't know, the movie Deliverance was actually filmed in Haywood & Jackson Counties of WNC, the actor in the movie that made Ned Baity "squeal like a pig" is a native to Canton in Haywood County & still lives there. After the filming of that movie Burt Reynolds bought property in Jackson County but lost it in the divorce to Lonnie.

[QuilterChick]

Painted Lady, have you looked into (in depth and stayed in) Black Mountain? I can see opportunities there for both your r/e and artistic endeavors, plus you are right IN the mountains, and yet have interstate access nearby, and Asheville at your doorstep for the culture, the arts and wonderful entertainment. It is a jewel.

[PaintedLady]

Originally Posted by QuilterChick

Painted Lady, have you looked into (in depth and stayed in) Black Mountain? I can see opportunities there for both your r/e and artistic endeavors, plus you are right IN the mountains, and yet have interstate access nearby, and Asheville at your doorstep for the culture, the arts and wonderful entertainment. It is a jewel.

I might not be remembering what was said...but awhile back on the forum I thought someone said this area (Black Mountain) was smelly.... a mill or something. It could have been another town............?? Donna

[Southlander]

My parents are from Spruce Pine and I still have loads of family in the town and in the area. SP is no harder to get to than Boone - in fact, it is probably easier. Yes, it is a very small town. Most of the economy was based on mining...then on furniture manufacturing, which has now mostly dried up. Times are not good there right now.....but....it has a growing artisan community.
If you are in the area, please go there yourself and take a look.
Meanwhile, here's a start: Mitchell County Chamber

Originally Posted by PaintedLady

I might not be remembering what was said...but awhile back on the forum I thought someone said this area (Black Mountain) was smelly.... a mill or something. It could have been another town............?? Donna

Canton NC, just west of Asheville, has the paper mill and is the smelly area. Black Mountain is just east of Asheville.

[Booya]

Originally Posted by PaintedLady

I am still looking through the forum & online....but any input on "Spruce Pine" would be helpful. We are still looking around Banner Elk/Boone and also open to around Waynesville/Asheville. Thanks! Donna

Personal perference; I love Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, and Boone the best! Waynesville, I have mixed feelings, and Spruce Pine I actually am not crazy about. I almost find it depressing. I can't explain why. I had family who lived there for a short while and they were not happy there. They got out fast and moved outside Asheville.

If I can make it work i will be moving to the High Country. I checked out Waynesville for a time but I just can't get past the High Country. My next choice after that is Brevard.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by WNCbadwolf

Yeah, I suppose you don't realize that all the places you have mentioned are WAY off in the mtns, mostly 2 lane roads to get in & out of the town, VERY limited shopping & dinning. When it snows even an inch the entire towns shut down, sometimes even closing off the roads in & out of town. Deliverance country. In places like Boone, Spruce Pine & Waynesville going to Wal-Mart is a HUGE social event. That is the highlight of some peoples week.

Have you ever actually been to any of those area?

Give me a break - Boone and Waynesville the boonies?? REALLY?

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by PaintedLady

I might not be remembering what was said...but awhile back on the forum I thought someone said this area (Black Mountain) was smelly.... a mill or something. It could have been another town............?? Donna

You are confusing info Black Mountain is a very desirable little town to live in.

Canton is where the paper mill is.

[Booya]

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

You are confusing info Black Mountain is a very desirable little town to live in.

Canton is where the paper mill is.

Yes yes. Black Mountain was another one of my possibilities. The 5 B's I call em;
Blowing Rock/Boone, Banner Elk, Brevard and Black Mtn;

But I really like the higher elevation. I also liked Brevard.
But Black Mtn was great. Very Very dog friendly if you are into that, and I am. I also love that you can hop up the road and be in Montreat and hit the trails.

[newonecoming2]

I'm sitting at about 5,000ft above sea level as I type this. Mount air rocks.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by newonecoming2

I'm sitting at about 5,000ft above sea level as I type this. Mount air rocks.

hahaha - especially when wind speeds are up to 35mph or more!