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Waynesville 1st, because we have lived here almost a decade...
BlowingRock, Brevard, Hendersonville, not in any order. I have been in nearly every 'town' in western NC, and they all have some charm and appeal, imo.
And, not a real town anymore I suppose, but I like to stop here.
Luck, North Carolina
Yeah, I have to wonder how Luck and Trust got their names! I really love Madison County. I would love to move there eventually.
About Highlands... I know at one point it was listed in the 500 most expensive zip codes in the country. I was at the pizza shop there once and saw some women wearing their furs which seemed kind of funny. The downtown really is pretty nice, though, and they just built a really fancy arts center there called The Bascom which is top notch. Hiking is pretty good... I like Panthertown Valley especially since there is almost a maze of trails there. There are a lot of granite cliffs in that area, all over the place. I used to like to drive sometimes to the brewery in Sapphire and watch the sunset from the porch. It was nice!
I forget about Blowing Rock! I like that area a lot.
Yeah, I have to wonder how Luck and Trust got their names! I really love Madison County and might try to move to that area after I'm done with my schooling.
About Highlands... I know at one point it was listed in the 500 most expensive zip codes in the country. I was at the pizza shop there once and saw some women wearing their furs which seemed kind of funny. The downtown really is pretty nice, though, and they just built a really fancy arts center there called The Bascom which is top notch. Hiking is pretty good... I like Panthertown Valley especially. There are a lot of granite cliffs in that area, all over the place. I used to like to drive sometimes to the brewery in Sapphire and watch the sunset. It was nice!
Yeah, I love the look and feel of Higlands and the elevation. Haven't been there in a while but will have to check it out again
Hiking is a passsion of mine. I hiked to the Rabun Bald fire tower which is sorta close to Highlands but will have to check out further hiking around there.
I like an outdoorsy town that draw outdoorsy people as opposed to snobby people with airs. Maybe I'm being judgemental but it seems like the folks there are impressed with their money.
But that wouldn't stop me from living there if it has all the other elements. And of course affordablity is a high priority. But going on realtor web sites there are actually some deals. My thinking is all the rich people are competing for the same types of homes and don't want to live in a modest cabin.
Many Floridians seem to like Maggie Valley. Why they are drawn there, is beyond me. Unless you're into Waffle House, Huddle House, Wendy's, WalMart, and tacky gift shops. There is nothing there except pretty mountains. Murphy, Sylva, Clyde, Franklin .... ut uh.
Try Robbinsville, Lake Santeetlah. Waynesville. Lake Junaluska, Cullowhee around Western Carolina Univ. (one week would do it in those spots). Fontana Dam is awesome.
Boone! Blowing Rock! Weaverville! Linville! Black Mountain! Hendersonville! Brevard! Flat Rock! If you're that far (Maggie V.) over towards TN, then spend a day or two near Brasstown and visit the John C. Campbell Folk School (www.folkschool.org). After a month near or in Maggie Valley, you deserve to be bored to tears.
Chimney Rock and Cherokee: tourist traps.
True story.
Maggie Valley does NOT have chain places in town limits. They have a law against it. So there is no Walmart, Huddle House, Wendy's, or Waffle House in Maggie.
Many people love Maggie for the peace and beauty. I have friends there who live there year round. They love living there. I really enjoy my visits to their home and Maggie. Rocking away on one of their porches just looking at the mountains is a wonderful way to spend the day. Beautiful sunsets. Autumn has gorgeous foliage. Winter has snow and it's beautiful then, too.
Funny that you say Waynesville is a place to try since it does in fact have a Wal-Mart and a ton of chains. There's even a Best Buy!
My favorite small mountain towns? Ummm...I haven't found any I haven't liked. Some are better than others for different reasons, but not because they're a hole or anything. Some have more of a small downtown to shop and eat. Others have larger downtowns for shopping and dining. Some don't have a downtown for shopping, but do have an occasional shop and restaurant.
Yes, some places are what some people would call tourist traps. I happen to enjoy Cherokee. I've never been to the casino, but I do enjoy the history and the shops from the Cherokee who make crafts like the wooden bowls. I don't get into the "Indian" stuff from the 50's that's still around. I do get a chuckle out of the little plastic drums for kids. I remember getting them as a kid in Lake George, NY.
There's so many state and national parks where you can sit and enjoy nature and learn about the past. Can't say I've found a bad place in the mountains. I've heard a lot if people say unfavorable things about Canton, but I enjoyed spending some time there. I've been to much more run down towns. I guess if you live there or grew up there, then maybe you'd have negative things to say. Seems like that about everywhere though.
I know I can't wait to go back up to the mountains! Hoping for October. I'd really like to go up this winter also. I need to work on that!
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North Carolina, just great, friendly people.
