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Due to a combination of pension vesting and inheritances I am considering the possibility of retiring/second career/leisure time sometime in the next 5-10 years. One of the options I am considering is relocating to Highlands.
I would be curious as to thoughts for retiring to Highlands, what you need before you do so and issues I would need to be aware of.
Also, what are the winters like in Highlands- I like snow, but I am not a huge fan driving in snow. I don't mind a 2-3 snow day event but being snowed in for weeks on end is soemthing I would have to prepare for.
might check a topo map to see if you can live with the sudden drop off of the gorge. especially in the winter time. two lane mountain roads bother some people especially in the winter.
There are some people in their 60's in our Golf community that are living full time now. The club has even started keeping to dining room open year round. My feeling is that it is way too quiet for most during the winter months, but it could be done if you keep a full stocked pantry for snow-ins. But honestly both Highlands and Cashiers are pretty dead October-the beginning of May.
A few have said the Dillard road isn't bad in the winter, but I would think that steep grade area just below Scaly Mtn. would be rather hazardous.
5-10 years?! Dunno if many/any of us know where will be, or desiring to go to, in a decade...
It does snow there in winter, there are some steep, windy roads, but those are found in all of
the more mountainous areas/higher elevations, of western NC, imo. It is not a 'jumping area',
in winter, imo.
We live at 5,000 ft, with windy, north facing steep roads, and a decent AWD or 4 wd, and a couple snowed in days, is the reality.
But, not snowed in for days/weeks...
GL, mD
I'm at 3500 feet (not Highlands) and after 2 summers here...I HATED going back to Fl so I decided to give it a try full time.....OMG...it's HEAVEN. I don't HAVE to drive in the snow and the year before last I was home twice for 2 weeks I prepared in advance w/ a pantry full of horse feed, dog food, peoole food and kitty food...I LOVE to read so I'm a very happy camper! I have wonderful friends close by and to me it is a WINTER WONDERLAND! 1 of the things I LOVE about living here are the 4 BEAUTIFUL seasons! To each his own...only you know how much of a 'homebody' you are
Is the Dillard road a scary road to drive on in the summer?
Not really. It goes to double lanes when the grade gets steep. But, I smell other cars burning breaks all the time.I guess they've never heard of putting the car in low. I've also seen the end result of a runaway 18 wheeler below that section.
The road that scary to drive in the summer, and couldn't imagine to drive in the winter, is the Franklin road.
Yes,that is Franklin Rd.One of the more scenic roads in WNC.I don't find it particularly "scary"though.With all the geezers and rubberneckers you can't get above 30 mph.Don't think it would stay snow covered for more than a day.Black ice might be a concern at night.
5-10 years?! Dunno if many/any of us know where will be, or desiring to go to, in a decade...
It does snow there in winter, there are some steep, windy roads, but those are found in all of
the more mountainous areas/higher elevations, of western NC, imo. It is not a 'jumping area',
in winter, imo.
We live at 5,000 ft, with windy, north facing steep roads, and a decent AWD or 4 wd, and a couple snowed in days, is the reality.
But, not snowed in for days/weeks...
GL, mD
Planning ahead should give me more options when the time comes. Maybe it will be all for naught, but I figure planning for the future is better than not.
I would expect some snowdays that make it a day to stay insides. I am concerned about those snow days that last to a couple of weeks.
One thing in particular I was wondering about is if the roads are generally plowed in a timely manner or if Highlands is low on the list for road clearing. Also, Black Ice is a concern of mine.
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I prepared in advance w/ a pantry full of horse feed, dog food, peoole food and kitty food...I LOVE to read so I'm a very happy camper! I have wonderful friends close by and to me it is a WINTER WONDERLAND! 1 of the things I LOVE about living here are the 4 BEAUTIFUL seasons! To each his own...only you know how much of a 'homebody' you are
