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I'm considering purchasing land fairly soon in the High Country for retirement in five years. I'm a native Tar Heel, born and reared in Alamance County. However, my wife and I have lived in Southern California for the past 30 years, raising our family here. It has been a great life, but we are dismayed with the decline in almost every way in California. Taxes are awful and retirement property exorbitant - among other concerns. My brother and family still live in NC, so we might both buy there in the Boone area.
Some of my questions are: What is the humidity like in the summer (I HATED summers in the Piedmont as a kid), are natives friendly to newcomers? We're outdoors types so that probably helps. I'm a professional musician (as you might've guessed from my moniker) and would like to continue to make music for as long as I can. Opportunities?
What local shopping is available? Is the local hospital really good? Are there fine dining and cultural activities?
Weather/Humidity - Ray's Weather Center - Boone - booneweather.com - click on "Almanac" for historical averages and data. We live at 3,750 elevation, sort of in the woods, and rarely use our A/C. Having said that, many years ago it was rare to see 80 in the summer. Now it's rare to see 90. And "they" deny climate change. Pshaw!
Shopping - Local specialty shops in downtown Boone and Blowing Rock and scattered about. Otherwise WalMart, Belk, JC Penney, Boone Drug and major drugstore chains, plenty of groceries including Publix (under constr). Hickory and Winston-Salem are closest for additional retail choices.
Hospital is fine for routine stuff. Plenty of good local doctors for most basic needs. There are loads of wealthy seasonal residents, many of them older. They are very generous to the hospital and other local institutions. Winston-Salem is 1.5 hour drive for specialized medical procedures.
For an area of its size, dining choices are pretty good, especially if you include Blowing Rock. Plus 3 local wineries and a growing craft brew industry.
Music is not my "thing" but it appears that there is an active local music scene. See links below. With App State in Boone, there is a wide range of cultural options.
With the somewhat transient nature of the area, transplants don't generally "stick out." As long as you come in with an open mind and don't want to change everything to the way it was "back home," you'll do fine. Lots of opportunities for volunteers. That's one of the best ways to make like-minded friends.
ahhhhhh...you'll love it! Im 1 county over...Avery...very friendly people, healthy music scene, we have 3 wineries that offer music all summer sat and sun. Summer concerts and a lot of music all week long at pubs, cafes, INNS, Beech and Sugar Mountain. In the last 5 years Id say the music scene exploded. Lots of retirees in Avery vs college town of Boone so music scene caters to a different crowd. I hate humidity and i do complain in the summer but it's not unbearable. Imo though a home with AC is a must...for me at least Good luck and ask away!
The snow can get bad up there but apart from that go for it. Summer humidity isn't as bad up there as the piedmont. You'll be a short drive from Hickory if you live by Boone. You'll be near Asheville if you're more northwest.
I'm so sorry for the super tardy reply and gratitude!
Thank you all for the great info and responses...exactly what I expected from Tar Heels!
Another question: My asthma is bad and getting worse by the year. How are allergens in the High Country? My symptoms are exacerbated by cigarettes, even from many yards away. Approximately what percentage of the population smokes in public these days? I remember when I was a kid it was every 1.5 people, LOL.
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Good luck and ask away!
