to Burnsville from Arizona (Charlotte, Raleigh: wood floors, real estate, rent)

[Father John]

I have found a RE agent, have researched the area, and am pretty sure I will be moving to the Burnsville area in the next 12 months (or less).

I am retired as will be my wife shortly. We are looking for a small, quiet, peaceful, town with adequate amenities and moderate weather. Burnsville looks perfect, but I am not locked in on it. We will fly into Charlotte in August and rent a car. We have friends in Lenoir who will let us stay with them while we search the area.

I have to have my internet and cable TV, but other than that don't need much. My wife wants a home with a view, with trees (remember we are coming from AZ), and a fireplace. We love hiking and riding bikes. I love fishing, too. We also want a "cabin" look to the home as this will be our retirement home.

I have looked at Hendersonville, Asheville, Waynesville, Brevard, and even Hot Springs, but Burnsville looks to be the best to meet all our needs.

I welcome any suggestions or thoughts.

EDIT: I just read several posts here and see that NW North Carolina is very bad for allergies. That isn't good news for me as I suffered from them in Michigan before moving to Arizona 26 years ago. Pollution in Phoenix is getting awful - especially ozone - and I want out, but will I be worse off in the mountains? The best place I ever lived allergy-wise was Maine but I don't like having summer last just 2 weeks...

[LiveLoveLaugh]

Hi John...I just want to say I own a home in the Linville area and you may want to check that out too! I took a day trip to Burnsville, it was a beautiful...good luck!

[hapaleeretired]

While in Lenoir check out the network of walking/biking trails. We have a number of friends from Phoenix here. The pollen is especially bad this year due to the lack of rain. I cannot sugar coat the pollen problem. It is a serious concern.

[Father John]

Thank you for the comments.

I have researched areas for several years and chose North Carolina for climate, cost of living, rural areas, amenities (such as are in Asheville), relative proximity to both sets of parents (hers in Michigan, mine in Massachusetts - and she has a brother in Raleigh, too), and reputation of friendliness. If all goes as we suspect it will, we will retire to North Carolina and become active in the community where we live.

We are both 55 years old but saved and are able to retire early with a modest income. At our age, we expect to be active for many years, but any work will be by choice. (Laura might like teaching, we have performed as caring clowns, I have played Santa for 12 consecutive years, I have a Photo Restoration internet hobby/business, I have volunteered with United Way, I have been writing for the Arizona Republic newspaper gratis for a year, I am a genealogy expert, and I am an ordained Congregational minister who preaches and marries and buries.)

We have not settled on a specific place but we do have some specific needs and wants. Among them are:

1) The setting. We want a view; a place outside the hustle and bustle (and traffic and noise) of the city; trees (lots of them); and privacy. I also want a low-maintenance to no-maintenance lot.

2) The house. I believe 1800-2400 square feet is ideal (including unfinished basement area, if applicable). We like wood floors and ceramic tile; a cabin-like feel; fireplace; at least a one-car (and preferably a two car) garage; air conditioning (because of my allergies as much as anything); cable TV and internet; an outside deck and/or porch; at least 2 bedrooms and 2 baths; and a basement would be nice.

3) The locale. We would like to be close enough to a place where activities, shopping, medical care, and culture exist. Asheville meets that need, but many other towns may work as well. I do not mind driving a ways for groceries every week or two.

4) Other. I prefer to avoid Homeowners Associations if possible (meddlesome, irritating things that they are). I would like cell phone accessibility. We love hiking, so want to be near trails (although we can drive a ways for those). I love fishing, too. We love viewing wildlife and this would be a major plus for any location.

I have contacted 3 different Real Estate Agents, but they are salesmen and don't always know much about things outside their immediate area.

I'm going to go search Linville now (smile). Thanks again for the input!

[hapaleeretired]

You have email

[Father John]

Originally Posted by hapaleeretired

You have email

I didn't get it; perhaps a spam filter took it? Try johnhaldane@cox.net. Thanks!

[mm34b]

Originally Posted by Father John

EDIT: I just read several posts here and see that NW North Carolina is very bad for allergies. That isn't good news for me as I suffered from them in Michigan before moving to Arizona 26 years ago. Pollution in Phoenix is getting awful - especially ozone - and I want out, but will I be worse off in the mountains? The best place I ever lived allergy-wise was Maine but I don't like having summer last just 2 weeks...

Air Quality Report for Yancey County - http://lungaction.org/reports/sota07...8714&Submit=GO

North Carolina Statewide Report - http://www.lungnc.org/news/sota/2007/sota07-nc-data.pdf (broken link)

[carolynpt]

Wow! We have also moved here from AZ! What part of AZ, though?

We are originally from norfolk/Va. Beach and currently live in West Mecklenburg County. We are renting for the time being, so that we can get to know the area better before buying another house.

Welcome!

[Father John]

We have been in Mesa AZ since January 1981. Before that, Michigan, Maine, Michigan, (for both of us) and Massachusetts, and Maine (for me).

I have done all my research on the internet, but hope that a 9 day visit (plus feedback from lots of people) will help make the decision. Renting is a viable option, though!

Thanks for the post, Carolyn.

[Father John]

Originally Posted by mm34b

Air Quality Report for Yancey County - http://lungaction.org/reports/sota07...8714&Submit=GO

North Carolina Statewide Report - http://www.lungnc.org/news/sota/2007/sota07-nc-data.pdf (broken link)

Simply AWESOME information. Thank you!!!