Planning a trip (Asheville, Waynesville, Brevard: real estate, hotel, employment)
Western North CarolinaThe Mountain Region including Asheville
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OK, some things have finally fallen into place in my life, and I can start planning that trip to Asheville area for late Oct/early Nov. My goal being to check out the counties north of Buncombe.
Tho no one ever seems to mention UNC-Asheville on this forum, if I ever move there I intend to be an active participant in their College for Seniors. Therefore, looking for somewhere within reasonable (30 minutes) commuting distance of UNC. What towns outside Buncombe County should I check out?
I'm thinking Waynesville, Brevard and Hot Springs are too far?
Also, leaf-peeping season will be over here in CT in late October, but what about down there? Will I be able to find a place to stay? Any recommendations (not too expensive)? Thanks in advance...
Waynesville is a terrific place (we own land near town and visit frequently), and under normal circumstances it's about a 25-minute drive to/from Asheville on I-40. Problem is, in my experience (which, in the interest of full disclosure, certainly doesn't compare with that of full-time residents), the traffic on I-40 can get pretty heavy, especially where it meets up with I-26 and I-240 on the outskirts of Asheville. I've been caught in a few I-40 traffic jams that rival anything we see on I-95 down here, albeit without South Florida's homicidal drivers.
We've also spent some time at a former co-worker's B&B in Weaverville -- it's a nice little town north of Asheville with easy access to the city; however, it's in Buncombe County. You also might look into Mars Hill (another college town) in Madison County.
Last edited by chisoxfan; 09-17-2007 at 09:27 PM..
Also, leaf-peeping season will be over here in CT in late October, but what about down there?
Hard to say since it varies somewhat from year to year depending on temperature and precipitation in the preceding months. Here's a status snapshot from late October of 2006, but what the leaves will be like in 2007 is anyone's guess at this point.
I'm thinking Waynesville, Brevard and Hot Springs are too far?
Mapquest says Hot Springs to Asheville is 35 miles, which some would not find onerous. However, the roads getting there make the difference. I take the 25/70 route thru Hot Springs and over to Newport when riding my motorcycle on western-bound travels. Much safer, IMO, than I-40 thru the NC/TN mountain pass. Anyway, IIRC, once past Marshall the road turns to 2-lanes and becomes very squiggly. Keep in mind that you are also rising in elevation.
Point of fact, here's a picture taken a few miles south of Hot Springs
Purty, but just think of driving that in the winter or during a time of inclement weather.
I'd still recommend Hot Springs for a visit. It's the neatest little mountain town; a pit stop for hikers because the Appalachian Trail crosses near there.
You should definitely book your lodging soon - my friend who owns a B&B in Mars Hill says they really fill up fast during leaf season. Silverwing you are right about Hot Springs - and that drive up 25/70 - we come down to Marshall that way when we fly into Knoxville now - great road and scenery but don't think I 'd like to do it in snow/ice. Weaverville is a nice town with good amenities - also check out Marshall which is still being renovated - if you have vision you can see what the town will be like in 5 years. Hopefully not too crowded!
OK, some things have finally fallen into place in my life, and I can start planning that trip to Asheville area for late Oct/early Nov. My goal being to check out the counties north of Buncombe.
Tho no one ever seems to mention UNC-Asheville on this forum, if I ever move there I intend to be an active participant in their College for Seniors. Therefore, looking for somewhere within reasonable (30 minutes) commuting distance of UNC. What towns outside Buncombe County should I check out?
I'm thinking Waynesville, Brevard and Hot Springs are too far?
Also, leaf-peeping season will be over here in CT in late October, but what about down there? Will I be able to find a place to stay? Any recommendations (not too expensive)? Thanks in advance...
Make your reservations IMMEDIATELY - you may already be too late I'm afraid.
Waynesville is a terrific place (we own land near town and visit frequently), and under normal circumstances it's about a 25-minute drive to/from Asheville on I-40. Problem is, in my experience (which, in the interest of full disclosure, certainly doesn't compare with that of full-time residents), the traffic on I-40 can get pretty heavy, especially where it meets up with I-26 and I-240 on the outskirts of Asheville. I've been caught in a few I-40 traffic jams that rival anything we see on I-95 down here, albeit without South Florida's homicidal drivers.
We've also spent some time at a former co-worker's B&B in Weaverville -- it's a nice little town north of Asheville with easy access to the city; however, it's in Buncombe County. You also might look into Mars Hill (another college town) in Madison County.
Okay people. You will be delighted to hear that the I-26 / I-40 interchange is VASTLY improved. I am the most delighted of all. I live in Haywood County (Waynesville / Canton...) and commute to S. Asheville/Arden every day, twice a day. My time has been cut by the fact that another lane has been freed up on I-40, which in turn makes the merge from I-26 so much better.
If the original poster needs any info about the Haywood County area, please feel free to PM me. I haven't been as good about logging on to CityData for the past little while, but I'll try to be better. -Jbird
We have lived in Mars Hill (in Madison County, north of Buncombe) for the last year and commute at least 3 days per week to employment in downtown Asheville. We live 2 miles off I-26 from the Mars Hill exit. This last year the winters were quite mild and while we slid a bit in our front wheel drive manual car, it wasn't too bad. The commute to Mission Hospitals takes me about 30 minutes. We love the area and we do go regularly to a few restaurants in the Weaverville area (The North Star Diner has great natural food including area grown beef and vegetables. We are also 50 miles from Johnson City TN.
You might even think about living just over the NC/TN line in Unicoi County TN, Irwin Tn is the town. While NC has a state income tax, TN does not. The winters seem milder there and the grwoing season for veggies is longer.
While there is construction of a new Walmart and Lowes (and who knows what else) at the intersection of I-26 and US 25/70, in Weaverville, and there is a local True Value and a Tractor Supply store, all with great prices, we sometimes now drive to the Walmart in Unicoi, TN, which is usually faster to get to then the one in DT Asheville.
Mars Hill area is starting to pick up and real estate developers are starting to find the area, what with housing prices in the Asheville area being out of sight.
Thanks to all of you for the info! Thinking to actually stay in Hot Springs (there is a hotel there with rooms still available), and check out Mars Hill/Marshall, and Haywood County from there. I've been researching Madison County for awhile, but really know nothing about Haywood County... so any input is appreciated! Is there anything actually in Clyde or Canton? Good restaurants anywhere? How about a yoga studio? Any areas that are sorta arty (I am a craftsperson)? Thanks!
Thanks to all of you for the info! Thinking to actually stay in Hot Springs (there is a hotel there with rooms still available), and check out Mars Hill/Marshall, and Haywood County from there. I've been researching Madison County for awhile, but really know nothing about Haywood County... so any input is appreciated! Is there anything actually in Clyde or Canton? Good restaurants anywhere? How about a yoga studio? Any areas that are sorta arty (I am a craftsperson)? Thanks!
The Mountain Magnolia Inn in Hot Springs is lovely (pricey for dinner) and the included breakfast is top notch. Also have looked at Bright Leaf Junction in Hot Springs but haven't stayed there - their website is informative. We used Hot Springs as a base when we were researching land - but now we stay outside of Mars Hill at the B&B at Ponder Cove because we love them and they are now our friends! Hot Springs has a craft show on Saturdays (I think in the Fall, too) that has some interesting local crafters - also check out Bluff Mountain Outfitters - they have great bumper stickers!! I almost bought the "Tree Hugging Dirt Worshipper" sticker - my teenage daughter would have loved that one!! Spend an hour in a hot tub in Hot Springs they are fun (also they say the water has lithium in it and you DO feel great afterwards) LOL
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