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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.
We live in the mountains at 2650 ft. southwest of Hendersonville. It rarely reaches 90 here in the summer. Earlier today it was 93 degrees in downtown Hendersonville when we were there, but was 80 when we got home. This was an unusually large differential, but we can usually count on it being 3-5 degrees cooler up the mountain.
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.
Before we decided on Hendersonville as a place to retire, we covered all parts of TN. When all was said and done, we strongly preferred WNC over TN, despite TN having no state income tax.
Even then, at least from the maps I browsed through Western NC doesn't seem dramatically different from N. GA, W. SC or E. TN (outside of Asheville and Boone) especially compared to other places I've lived.
Even then, at least from the maps I browsed through Western NC doesn't seem dramatically different from N. GA, W. SC or E. TN (outside of Asheville and Boone) especially compared to other places I've lived.
Politically? I agree.
I would really urge you to look at Ashe, Watauga (away from Boone) and western Allegheny Counties.
Even then, at least from the maps I browsed through Western NC doesn't seem dramatically different from N. GA, W. SC or E. TN (outside of Asheville and Boone) especially compared to other places I've lived.
Can’t speak for N.GA, but regarding W.SC and E.TN., there’s a pretty large gap between theses areas and a number of towns in WNC, politically speaking. While towns like Hendersonville, Brevard, and Black Mountain have more registered Republicans, they are much more balanced than E.TN and W.SC In other words, towns in the latter, are a good bit more conservative.
Can’t speak for N.GA, but regarding W.SC and E.TN., there’s a pretty large gap between theses areas and a number of towns in WNC, politically speaking. While towns like Hendersonville, Brevard, and Black Mountain have more registered Republicans, they are much more balanced than E.TN and W.SC In other words, towns in the latter, are a good bit more conservative.
Hmm but is it not the case that a greater number of towns in the region are more comparable to those other regions? Or I may be relying on bad data. Either way, as long as people are happy to keep it to themselves and there's no imposition on my lifestyle and values, the difference probably wouldn't be weighted heavily in my considerations.
Hmm but is it not the case that a greater number of towns in the region are more comparable to those other regions? Or I may be relying on bad data. Either way, as long as people are happy to keep it to themselves and there's no imposition on my lifestyle and values, the difference probably wouldn't be weighted heavily in my considerations.
Not really comparable to most areas in E. TN or W. SC., politically speaking. Outside of Asheville, many WNC towns are more balanced politically. Once you get into the rural areas, it is more conservative. I’m a registered Independent and have both Republican and Democrat friends. This has never been an issue for us whatsoever; I wouldn’t let this be a concern.
Not really comparable to most areas in E. TN or W. SC., politically speaking. Outside of Asheville, many WNC towns are more balanced politically. Once you get into the rural areas, it is more conservative. I’m a registered Independent and have both Republican and Democrat friends. This has never been an issue for us whatsoever; I wouldn’t let this be a concern.
Glad to hear, thank you for your perspective.
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