Valle Crucis, Banner Elk...considering those areas

[PaintedLady]

I couldn't find where I read it in the MB....but someone mentioned the towns of Weaverville & Marshall. Weaverville is closer to the BRP... does anyone know if they get much snow?? I love the old towns though... reminds me of Downtown DeLand and Sanford here. I have a soft spot for them. We loved Sylva & Dillsboro.....Waynesville was nice but a little too touristy for me. Balsam was awesome too. We do want to be somewhere where it snows. And that is why we are leaning to the areas in the High Country that we visited last time. ~*~ Painted Lady

[roadpony]

If you have weather data for Asheville, ditto for Weaverville.

I don't have children, but have always heard that Watauga High is excellent. They're building an entirely new campus; not sure what the completion date is supposed to be. Because Appalachian State was founded as a teachers' college, and still has a strong College of Education, the Watauga schools have always had their pick of new graduates who want to stay in the area.

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by PaintedLady

Another nickname! Swamp for our gaters and everglades??? Mosquito fest..........I have never even been there.

We are taking our time and looking and researching. I am now contacting REALTORS in the areas I mentioned and getting input from them too. Yes there is much to consider....I understand that. As for renting.....my son even suggested that. I have a hard time throwing away $$ on rent. I think we will be up there again, maybe spring/summer and have another looksee.....serious looksee. I don't know if we will have all our ducks in a row or not to move by the end of summer or end of year. It could be even going in 2010. It is in God's hands. We won't rush into anything. Speaking of rush............ sounds like Mountain time is the same as Key West time! Everything there is slow and on their own time table.

Thanks! I appreciated what you shared with me. ~*~ Painted Lady

OMGosh - YES!!! Mountain time is like Key West time!!! You got it!!!!

[PaintedLady]

Originally Posted by roadpony

If you have weather data for Asheville, ditto for Weaverville.

I don't have children, but have always heard that Watauga High is excellent. They're building an entirely new campus; not sure what the completion date is supposed to be. Because Appalachian State was founded as a teachers' college, and still has a strong College of Education, the Watauga schools have always had their pick of new graduates who want to stay in the area.

That is good to hear about the High School. I see they are hoping for completion in 2010. ~*~ Painted Lady

[silverwing]

Originally Posted by anifani821

It's not just the complaints - it is the DEMANDS. You just can't get things done quickly in the mountains. I have had to wait for days to get help on my septic, for example. And then, my neighbors whined and complained like babies (all Floridians) b/c they could smell my septic problem. ...The locals totally got it - the Floridians and NE transplants acted like they were going to die if they had to get a whiff of my septic problem.

So that is how it is - and that is why so many of us are warning you to choose carefully and make sure you understand the obstacles

That's something that tends to be a shock to newcomers - the "slow, southern lifestyle" they yammer about as a chief attraction to this part of the country covers things like getting your septic tank fixed. We learned early on that you have to leave a message with six repairmen to get three to call you back. Two will schedule an appointment to come out; one will show up. And that may not be on the day they say. Something might come up

[PaintedLady]

Originally Posted by silverwing

That's something that tends to be a shock to newcomers - the "slow, southern lifestyle" they yammer about as a chief attraction to this part of the country covers things like getting your septic tank fixed. We learned early on that you have to leave a message with six repairmen to get three to call you back. Two will schedule an appointment to come out; one will show up. And that may not be on the day they say. Something might come up

Thanks for the tip on how to narrow it down! Here I would have called 3 and hopefully one would have shown.............so I will have to dbl. up there. ~*~ Painted Lady

[BOON PAPPY]

My daughter and son in law moved to Boone in October.They were all born in Orlando and never saw snow till now..They love it. Shes 41 with a 13 & 9 year old..She found work in a bank and he"s a diesel mech, also working. As of last week the realestate market is doing much better than Florida. I know the ERA Mountain properties in Boone is doing fine. Live your dream, Life is short

[PaintedLady]

Originally Posted by BOON PAPPY

My daughter and son in law moved to Boone in October.They were all born in Orlando and never saw snow till now..They love it. Shes 41 with a 13 & 9 year old..She found work in a bank and he"s a diesel mech, also working. As of last week the realestate market is doing much better than Florida. I know the ERA Mountain properties in Boone is doing fine. Live your dream, Life is short

Amen! Thank you for that. I am glad to hear the market is doing better there than here. I will look into that Real Estate Comp. too. I have been already checking out ones for future employment. I will have to re-do my Real Estate education there in NC as they have no reciprocity with Fl.
Have a Great evening! ~*~ Painted Lady

[littlelori]

Originally Posted by PaintedLady

It is a cool, misty rainy......somewhat gloomy day here in Central Florida.... I am longing to move to North Carolina. The sooner the better! Last time we were up there we stayed in Linville and rode (hubby and I ride motorcycles) around Banner Elk, Valle Crucis, Blowing Rock, etc. and we just loved it there! I think we are narrowing it down to Banner Elk or Valle Crucis, maybe even near Sugar Mountain or outside of Blowing Rock. We also like outside of Waynesville...........Sylva, Balsam area. My son was looking recently at pictures from Banner Elk and Valle Crucis and when he saw the snow........ that was it for him! He was sold on those areas. I have been researching sites for warm clothing and boots, etc. Florida is wack in the winter time.........freezing.............then hot.......then cold.........(OK our cold, not up north cold)....but no consistency. I am OVER the LONG HOT summers....No change of seasons, I really want that. I have been born and raised in Fl. I am 42 and I feel it is time for a change. Thanks for any input.......... Painted Lady


~*~ I am an Artist and REALTOR in Central Florida ~*~

Hello Painted Lady,
We absolutely love Banner Elk and moved here after living in Florida for 20 years! Originally from Mass, my husband and I and our 2 kids really missed the change of seasons, the snow;especially at christmas time, the beautiful fall foliage (it is spectacular here!), and the quaint and simplified lifestyle of good ole fashion small hometown living!! I can't believe the other comments, everyone seems so doom and gloom. We visited here and stayed at an inn, and just wondered why we were still in Fl. Before we checked out we found out the inn was for sale and for us the rest is history. We packed up and heading to the mountains. We own the now "Little Main Street Inn" right in town and have been here for 4 plus years and don't regret it ever. We still can just go to the grocery store and look around and be in awe of our surroundings. We have made so many great friends, the people here are all like family. Living here is like being in a Norman Rockwell painting. lol....exactly what we were looking for. My kids left Florida and Disney and have never looked back. They love it here as well and find that hiking, wading in the rivers,water rafting, etc. is far more enjoyable than fighting the heat and lines at an overly commercialized amusement park. Oh well, that's our take on life here. We'd be glad to share some other stories any time. (One thing I am afraid to tell you... I do happen to be a real estate broker as well, but please don't think I am just trying to sell the area. I work in my own brokerage, very low key, and typically just help guests who stay at the inn who are interested in looking around) Anyhow, hope this helps you a little. Lori - Little Main Street Inn Banner Elk, NC