is it feasible to live in Gatlinburg and work in Cherokee (Asheville: apartments, rentals)

[earthhugger11]

I am relocating to a job in Cherokee and have been trying to do an internet search for apartments with little success. I'm wondering if it's feasible to live in Gatlinburg and drive to Cherokee everyday. Gatlinburg seems like a very nice city with a lot of tourist attractions, what's it like to be a local? thanks ...btw I don't have kids, mid 40's, moving from michigan

[Asheville Native]

No!

[LiveLoveLaugh]

Check out Realtor...com, click rent and I'll bet you find a nice house to rent close to your job Good luck!

[roadpony]

You might have to do it the old-fashioned way... personal networking. Ask someone connected to your new employer, if you don't have any other local contacts.

FWIW, when we were in between houses a few years ago, we found a seasonal rental in Banner Elk from a posting on the bulletin board at the local post office.

And, no, I wouldn't recommend trying to commute from Gatlinburg.

[lilred0005]

Why would it be so difficult to commute?

[drfranklin]

The most direct route between Gatlinburg and Cherokee is Highway 441 - only 35 miles long - BUT, traverses the Newfound Gap at over 5000 feet. 441 is a winding road that travels thru the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I imagine traveling this route in winter could be treacherous (but I've heard the road stays open all year long). Interesting note: Newfound Gap averages 69 inches of snow each year.

See: Newfound Gap - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Newfound Gap (U.S. National Park Service)

[jdljr]

Originally Posted by drfranklin

The most direct route between Gatlinburg and Cherokee is Highway 441 - only 35 miles long - BUT, traverses the Newfound Gap at over 5000 feet. 441 is a winding road that travels thru the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I imagine traveling this route in winter could be treacherous (but I've heard the road stays open all year long). Interesting note: Newfound Gap averages 69 inches of snow each year.

See: Newfound Gap - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Newfound Gap (U.S. National Park Service)

We were at Harrah's Cherokee Oct 16-18 and the night of the 17th they made an announcement as we were getting on the shuttle bus to take us to the parking lot that for those going back to TN on Hwy 441, it had been closed two hours earlier due to snow. Surely it didn't stay closed for long, but it can be MUCH worse in winter. I wouldn't consider Hwy 441 a commutable road suitable for daily use between Cherokee and Gatlinburg. It's certainly a suitable road, but not for purposes of having to travel daily to be somewhere at a certain time, like work. Those 35 miles often times can take 2 hours to drive, whether it be because of weather, tourists, roadwork, etc. Certainly not something I'd want to do daily.

[oneluckymug]

There are more options on the east side of Cherokee within 45 minutes. Heck, even Asheville would be closer for you and safer. There are often a lot of rentals available in WNC for 3,6,9,and 12+months. Look east.........

[gigimac]

Earth Hugger,
Sylva NC is closest to the Cherokee Indian Reservation, that's where Western Carolina University is, and Waynesville NC is further away but larger, then there's maybe Bryson City, you could easily find a place to rent in those towns, and the commute isn't too long on the highway (but do not go thru Maggie Valley from Waynesville becuz of elevation). But NO to Gatlinburg, forget about that idea! The terrain is prohibitive. Waynesville has a newspaper, you could find their online version and look at their ads.
GG

[Fogbubble]

Highway 441 through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the primary route between Cherokee and Gatlinburg. It takes at least an hour. 441 closes frequently in winter due to weather, and sometimes at other times due to accidents and who-knows-what. I-40 is the preferred alternative, but it takes double the time (2 hours), and of course it's closed for months due to a rock slide. So when 441 and I-40 are closed, you're looking at a huge detour through Johnson City, Hot Springs, or around the southern end of the park (Robbinsville) of a least 3-4 hours. Not feasible.
I agree with other posters: There is housing available, espcially around Sylva. You'd be looking at a 20-minute commute tops from dowtown Sylva to Harrah's.