Top Ten Small Towns To Retire To
A great article shedding some light onto Western North Carolina's active retirement scene...
Elizabeth Lewis, Feature Writer
When the time comes to retire, many people dream of retreating to the quiet life of a small town--preferably one conveniently located near the amenities of a larger city. For people looking for just such a situation, North Carolina is a haven. The state offers a slew of choices that can fulfill any prerequisite hopeful retirees might have: quiet life, outdoor activities, good weather, top-notch medical care, cultural events, easy access to major highways...you name it. What follows below, and in the related college-town feature, is our look at just a few of the many options that await you in North Carolina.
Highlands/Cashiers
Legend has it that, in 1879, developers Samuel Kelsey and Clinton Hutchinson took out a map and drew two lines--one connecting New York to New Orleans, the other connecting Chicago to Savannah. The men believed the spot where the lines intersected would be the ideal location for a vacation town. That spot was Highlands, N.C.
It turns out Kelsey and Hutchinson were right. And all the things that make it a wonderful place to vacation make Highlands, and nearby Cashiers, the perfect place to retire.
Located at the southern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains, near the point where North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia meet, Highlands and Cashiers offer a pleasant climate, clean air, fantastic shopping and the natural beauty of the mountains and numerous waterfalls.
The Highlands Country Club features a world-renowned Donald Ross golf course, which has been played by many golf legends. The course record is still held by Bobby Jones, who maintained a summer home at the club. Highlands also is home to the Highland-Cashiers Hospital, recognized for its excellent staff and modern facilities.
Cashiers, which has only one stoplight, is home to the High Hampton Inn and Country Club. The rustic retreat features cabins covered with shaggy chestnut bark, horseback riding, water sports on Lake Hampton, mountain climbing and gold.
Currently Highlands has a permanent population of about 2,000, but each summer that number jumps to 25,000. (In Cashiers, those numbers are 1,250 and 9,000 respectively.) During their summer vacation, those tourists can expect cool temperatures. During July, the average low is 56 degrees; the high 76 degrees. The residents who stick around for winter can expect an average low of 24 degrees and an average high of 42 degrees in January.
The great weather is perfect for outdoor activities of all kinds and the Nantahala National Forest provides ample opportunities for hiking, fishing, hunting, camping and more. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway also are within driving distance of Highlands.
If you're interested in more cultural pursuits, each summer Highlands is home to an annual music festival and the Highlands Playhouse has performances throughout the season. If you're interested in continuing your education, Western North Carolina University is in nearby Cullowhee and Elderhostel offers a summer program each year.
It turns out Kelsey and Hutchinson were right. And all the things that make it a wonderful place to vacation make Highlands, and nearby Cashiers, the perfect place to retire.
Located at the southern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains, near the point where North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia meet, Highlands and Cashiers offer a pleasant climate, clean air, fantastic shopping and the natural beauty of the mountains and numerous waterfalls.
The Highlands Country Club features a world-renowned Donald Ross golf course, which has been played by many golf legends. The course record is still held by Bobby Jones, who maintained a summer home at the club. Highlands also is home to the Highland-Cashiers Hospital, recognized for its excellent staff and modern facilities.
Cashiers, which has only one stoplight, is home to the High Hampton Inn and Country Club. The rustic retreat features cabins covered with shaggy chestnut bark, horseback riding, water sports on Lake Hampton, mountain climbing and gold.
Currently Highlands has a permanent population of about 2,000, but each summer that number jumps to 25,000. (In Cashiers, those numbers are 1,250 and 9,000 respectively.) During their summer vacation, those tourists can expect cool temperatures. During July, the average low is 56 degrees; the high 76 degrees. The residents who stick around for winter can expect an average low of 24 degrees and an average high of 42 degrees in January.
The great weather is perfect for outdoor activities of all kinds and the Nantahala National Forest provides ample opportunities for hiking, fishing, hunting, camping and more. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway also are within driving distance of Highlands.
If you're interested in more cultural pursuits, each summer Highlands is home to an annual music festival and the Highlands Playhouse has performances throughout the season. If you're interested in continuing your education, Western North Carolina University is in nearby Cullowhee and Elderhostel offers a summer program each year.
For more information about how to make the Cashiers Highlands Plateau your retirement haven contact The Blue Ridge Summit Group at 828-743-7077 or 404-394-7144
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