Would love some help choosing where to buy vacation homeowners

[SueStearns]

Would you have any suggestions for names of subdivisions to look for? There are so many and they all get confusing. Any in particular that locals feel gives ‘good vibes’ with nice residents?

[Lizap]

Originally Posted by SueStearns

Would you have any suggestions for names of subdivisions to look for? There are so many and they all get confusing. Any in particular that locals feel gives ‘good vibes’ with nice residents?

I suggest narrowing down the area, and then contacting a real estate professional in that city/town. Also, once you've narrowed down the area, some here might have some recommendations. Your visit this summer should be very helpful in learning more about the different places..

[hardluk1]

You should check out Yancey County also . Great rivers here trails In the area along with Mt Mitchel here . Neighboring county has Penland school of the crafts and many artistic shops in these mountains . Tax's are lower and the area in genreral and can covers your needs but with out the same measure or weather many areas have from snow to heat and rain . Plenty of dog friendly business and B&B's / Airbnb.

[motordavid]

OP: All info & opins above are very cogent and right on...

I would add the following comments:
-Western NC is a large geography with many towns/areas within those towns that have all or most aspects of your wish list.

-The area size and potential places to get to/get a feel for in one trip may make your next summer week long search a difficult one to make a decision on, unless you happen to come upon an option that simply fills the bill for you.

-As an analogy, it is similar to one moving from the cold wintry Northeast and making a trip or vacation or two to a spot in 'Florida', and saying "Honey, this is the place for us.".

-You noted you live in 'Sarasota', but being quite familiar with Sarasota and Collier Counties, both are large geography with a plethora of living options...similar here in western NC, just a larger area and with a more varied climate and clime differences, (depending upon elevation), and quite variable topography, which is not found anywhere in FL.

-All of your list is within minutes to less than an hour from literally anywhere in 'western NC', as woods, trails, rivers, art/galleries/ shopping, forests, et al are to be found everywhere, here.

-If you really desire cooler summer temps, 3,000 ft and up will offer that. If you are 'Floridaized', you may like less than 3,000 ft which in many areas is hot & humid many weeks of summer, but still not New Guinea hot as is SW FL 6 months a year.

-Imo, Fixer Uppers should not make your list as finding quality service people to do the TTD list on those houses is difficult 'here', esp for part timers.

-Having done the migration south from metro NYC to Waynesville,NC back in 2000, and having done the Escape Winter in SW FL for the past 13 winters, (a SFH in Naples and now Venice area), we understand the process and time required to find one's spot, in both areas. It ain't easy, unless one stumbles into serendipity...

-Make some trips, (I rec'd a winter time trip in addition to next summer), and as others have said, narrow down some house potentials in some areas that appear appealing. Study the net listings, Google Maps, et al.

-Your budget isn't bare bones, but in some closer in areas to the bigger western NC 'cities' & 'Burb areas, it is thin imo. Outlying towns may offer more choices and levels of SFHs in your range.
My 50Cts...
GL, mD