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You are not the first person to recommend N. Georgia, but if I'm going to compromise on climate, why not just stick to Tennessee? Are the mountain towns in North Georgia at a higher elevation than those in Eastern TN? What types of ammenities would I not be able to find living in proximity to Johnson City or Boone?
I like Idaho and its cold, dry climate, but I worry about the coming decades. Also, a close friend thinks culturally I would fit in well in the South, so I'm trying to find a way to explore that option without being tormented by Summer weather. Whether TN, NC or GA, ideally my first visit will be in July or August so I can get a sense of what I might be getting myself into.
The elevations are higher in some of those towns actually. Blairsville Georgia is higher elevation than Murphy or Hayesville on the other side of the border. Hiawassee is a nice town also.
As far as amenities, those locations in North Georgia have better infrastructure. It's a straight shot to the Atlanta suburbs on a road with 65 mph speed limits. In North Carolina, most of the roads into and out are winding two laners either crossing a mountain or going through a river gorge. The mountains extend further into North Georgia than they do Eastern Tennessee. The Appalachian trail begins in North Georgia also. Clayton, Hiawassee, Blairsville, Blue Ridge, and McCaysville are all worth looking into.
Is Asheville downtown safe, or full of homeless drug addicts? I've been getting mixed messages on this.
I'm not looking to walk around after dark, just dueing daylight hours.
I've heard its safe around The Biltmore for the days visit, & that is on my to do list. I was hoping of popping into Ashville too, but I don't want the homeless drug addicts all over me, like I experienced in San Fran.
I'll be in Brevard for a month this Summer, have you been there?
I'm looking for day trips from Brevard other than the Biltmore and Asheville in case you or others have any ideas. No further drive than 2 hrs each way.
I can't wait to escape the SW Florida heat. The feels like here right now is 102 and Brevard is just 77. Anything <85 degrees feels like a/c to me.
It's safe I am a woman and go there all the time and feel safe. Be aware of your surroundings and enjoy! Daytime is perfectly fine. Most of the crime, if any, occurs in the late we hours of the morning.
We just moved here and I have felt the "southern charm" already! Everyone has been so friendly, welcoming, offering tips for fun activities with kids. There is a certain feel that you don't get anywhere else. I for one have really loved the welcome that we got in Asheville.
I agree with this No place that I have lived has this feel. It is very welcoming and it's one of the reasons I like Asheville so much.
The elevations are higher in some of those towns actually. Blairsville Georgia is higher elevation than Murphy or Hayesville on the other side of the border. Hiawassee is a nice town also.
As far as amenities, those locations in North Georgia have better infrastructure. It's a straight shot to the Atlanta suburbs on a road with 65 mph speed limits. In North Carolina, most of the roads into and out are winding two laners either crossing a mountain or going through a river gorge. The mountains extend further into North Georgia than they do Eastern Tennessee. The Appalachian trail begins in North Georgia also. Clayton, Hiawassee, Blairsville, Blue Ridge, and McCaysville are all worth looking into.
Thank you for your thoughts. A follow up question: what's the difference between Western South Carolina and Northern Georgia?
A big difference politically. They are both great places otherwise
I was under the impression they were both similar politically I thought these areas were pretty dark red based on voter maps? How are northern GA and upstate SC different from each other? I always like to know more
Haywood county, NC has the highest overall elevation east of the Mississippi most of it is over 2500 ft. Its county seat is Waynesville. Right now, it feels somewhat southern (still many generational locals throughout the entire county), but I think in given time, it will get more touristy and have more transplants than it already has. (I guess you could say that about the entire region somewhat near Asheville) The Blue Ridge Parkway runs through it plus all the national parks. Waynesville is around 2600 and one can buy a house in the mountains and be way over 3K feet in elevation.
There are more and more people moving from elsewhere to the area, but same can be said close to Asheville. Haywood county already has lots of very large homes with amenities nestled a few miles outside of the main towns of Waynesville, Lake Junaluska, Canton and Maggie Valley and many of those are seasonal homes.
From what I can tell the sweet spot for elevations is about 3K feet to avoid the summer heat, but the drawbacks are it tends to cost more to buy or build a house at higher elevations. Highlands, NC is about 4,100 ft elevation but very isolated. Most of that area is for seasonal people with second homes. Same for Sky Valley, GA at about 3K feet elevation. I only know these areas on the surface but they are not all that "Southern" to me. The southern feel is more in Madison or Swain County.
Making a shortlist of what you want and visiting may answer more of these questions for you.
Haywood county, NC has the highest overall elevation east of the Mississippi most of it is over 2500 ft. Its county seat is Waynesville. Right now, it feels somewhat southern (still many generational locals throughout the entire county), but I think in given time, it will get more touristy and have more transplants than it already has. (I guess you could say that about the entire region somewhat near Asheville) The Blue Ridge Parkway runs through it plus all the national parks. Waynesville is around 2600 and one can buy a house in the mountains and be way over 3K feet in elevation.
There are more and more people moving from elsewhere to the area, but same can be said close to Asheville. Haywood county already has lots of very large homes with amenities nestled a few miles outside of the main towns of Waynesville, Lake Junaluska, Canton and Maggie Valley and many of those are seasonal homes.
From what I can tell the sweet spot for elevations is about 3K feet to avoid the summer heat, but the drawbacks are it tends to cost more to buy or build a house at higher elevations. Highlands, NC is about 4,100 ft elevation but very isolated. Most of that area is for seasonal people with second homes. Same for Sky Valley, GA at about 3K feet elevation. I only know these areas on the surface but they are not all that "Southern" to me. The southern feel is more in Madison or Swain County.
Making a shortlist of what you want and visiting may answer more of these questions for you.
Yeah I've put together a list of counties and towns to hit whenever I get a chance to go out that way. Yancey county, Ashe county and Madison county primarily. To justify the higher COL in Haywood county I would need to see something to make it worthwhile. But in general as long as I can stay over 2300-2500ft and stay insulated from the urban cultural influences of Asheville, I think NC may beat out TN despite the income tax. Of course, I hope to visit both areas in multiple seasons. Probably I'd want to start with peak Summer as I'm less worried about the cold season.
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I am a woman and go there all the time and feel safe. Be aware of your surroundings and enjoy! Daytime is perfectly fine. Most of the crime, if any, occurs in the late we hours of the morning.
No place that I have lived has this feel. It is very welcoming and it's one of the reasons I like Asheville so much.
