Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Wife and I are still trying to narrow down options on a retirement location. I would appreciate comments, thoughts, on Waynesville vs. Morganton.
I like both towns personally You'll have to visit to get a feel for which one is right for you.
Morganton has twice the population of Waynesville (about 20,000). It's also seen some hard times economically and would probably be considered "depressed". However, there is a great town square which is supported by the locals at many events throughout the year. There is also a hospital and the school for the deaf located there. There is easy interstate access to the very desirable city of Asheville (about 40 minutes away). In addition, there is some wonderful hiking and camping in the area, especially as you head up toward the Blue Ridge Parkway. My favorite places in the Morgonton area all surround Lake James Lake James is actually my favorite lake in the whole state of NC. It's very beautiful, especially with the mountain backdrop. If I could live anywhere in NC it would be on Lake James.
Waynesville is a tourist destination and as such is "cute" and clean. The area surrounding it is just breathtaking. If you lived there you would have the Smokey Mountains in your backyard You'd also have a bit more snow and ice to deal with than in Morganton. The most beautiful time of year there is the fall, I highly recommend it! Hope this helps a bit.
Wife and I are still trying to narrow down options on a retirement location. I would appreciate comments, thoughts, on Waynesville vs. Morganton.
A lot is going depend on what you ant to do in retirement. Do you want to travel? Then get closer to an airport. The AVL airport is not a hub, you always need a connection to get to most places. Waynesville would be good drive to the AVL airport or to the Knoxville TN airport which is not a hub either. What type of entertainmnet do you want? Do you want outdoor activities? Arts and crafts? Proximity to shopping mall? Morganton is just ok, but that's my opinion. I'd go a little further to Hickory or south of Hickory if I needed to get to Charlotte Airport which is a hub. You can be closer to Asheville and actually IN the mountains too if you take a good look at Black Mountain. In retirement, proximity to excellent healthcare is also a consideration.
All depends on how you want to live here in the mountains.
Consider also in a few years, should you need to move into assisted living or relocate, whether the real estate market in Morganton will recover as fast as Waynesville. I have also heard of other problems in Morganton related to the chicken processing plant there. Google Morganton NC chicken plant and read the headlines. Check the crime stats too--I have a good friend who recently retired from teaching at the local high school there--he got out as soon as he could because of problems there. If I were set on moving to either I'd rent for a year and make sure I knew all the issues before committing
Hi, I am looking in the same areas you are and wonder if you have chosen one yet and if so which and what was the deciding factor. Also if so and you are there now are you happy with your decision? Thanks so much in advance for your time and input. I've been looking at every town from Charlotte to the Western border of NC...really want to be nearer the mountains as it's to darned hot here in the summer.
Wife and I are still trying to narrow down options on a retirement location. I would appreciate comments, thoughts, on Waynesville vs. Morganton.
Comparing only those two: Waynesville would be the better choice.
Have you looked at Black Mountain? Hendersonville? At least Black Mtn and Hendersonville are more accessible to Asheville.
One poster mentioned air travel. It's a pain in the neck no matter where you are in western NC, and worse from Waynesville because you need to make that drive to AVL. AVL airport is very nice, but.... very few direct flights. You always have to connect in CLT or ATL. And to drive to CLT even from Hendersonville is a 2 hr. trek.
My advice: don't isolate yourself. You'll move again in 2 years if you do.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
You'll have to visit to get a feel for which one is right for you.
