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We are originally from the hudson valley area of NY -- about 1.5-2 hrs north of NYC. We have a weekend place in Wilkes County.
Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro are in the foothills of the blue ridge and I think are very pretty -- we have a place at about 2200 feet elevation. I am told there isn't that much snow compared to Boone - although these past few winters there hasn't been as much snow everywhere so not sure how true that is long term!
Wilkes county is only about 1 hr from Winston Salem and about 40 mins from Boone -- it is a nice central, family oriented location right off of Rte421.There seems to be pretty decent schools and there is a community college as well as App nearby in Boone and more in Winston-Salem.
Make sure you take a look as you pop down 77 toward points farther south!
NY seems to have very high taxes...there are many beautiful rural areas in WNC, I suggest you look at homes online and if you find something that captures your heart...then RESEARCH! Good luck
Yep, NY sucks for taxes and the rent has shot through the roof.
But Old Forge, NY, Adirondacks, Finger Lakes, road trip along the the big lake...amazing places.
We have driven through, but not enough to get a good feel for it. We have 2 trips planned for this year. I have been looking at the Black Mountain area. Will be checking out the schools.
Thank you all for your input!
Oh God, may I ask the age of your children who might potentially be attending the schools in the Black Mountain area?? My parents moved me to Black Mountain when I was 12/13 (can't remember) and it was AWFUL. I had come from Massachusetts (a place, that as a child...I absolutely LOVED, even though I am very originally from GA) and the schools in Black Mountain IMO were HORRIBLE. The middle school especially is atrocious. The teachers treat their students horribly, and I couldn't make a friend for the life of me (kids there are small minded and do not take kindly to outsiders). High School was not much better...I would state more specific details, but I don't want to start drama since people on this site might personally be offended . Black Mountain is NOT the best place to move if you are from the north. People are closed minded, Asheville is better (hippy dippy ville) but as soon as you leave the city you are back dealing with small- minded rednecks. I left as soon as I could and moved to Burlington, Vermont (which I love). I am now living in Austin, TX but look forward to heading back to New England in the future. IMHO there are two types of people in Asheville: really closed minded conservative rednecks and turbo extremist yuppy hippies...there is also a big new age movement happening there (which is pretty cool, my parents are way into it). The job market is also horrible, all of my family there is struggling financially, with little to no hope of a brighter future. I also don't find there to be anything exciting about Black Mountain or Asheville. There really isn't a lot to do, especially for teenagers (taking your kids into account). As someone who was transplanted as a child to this area of the United States, please take mercy on your children. My parents are still heartbroken that they never get to see me, but I just can't stand the thought of ever moving back to North Carolina. Western North Carolina is all scenery, and not much else.
Oh, and I forgot to mention, the schooling was so horrible for my little brother (3 years younger than me) and he was being so mistreated by his teachers (he has/had a slight learning disability) that my mom had to pull him out of school. She eventually enrolled him in a small private school in the area, where she actually now teaches (this would be worth checking out). Feel free to private message me for more details on any of this. I feel very strongly about the black mountain area and am very empathetic toward any child having to deal with what I had to deal with . The bullying I went through as a transplant is not something I will ever forget.
my sister would agree with you. She found Black Mountain schools a living hades. I had no problems except that folks were cliqueish and cold to newcomers. Yet we got along fine and when I go back today I have warm friends.
How funny that the schools in WNC vary so much. Brevard is supposed to have excellent schools. I think Hendersonville does too?
Even tiny little Hayesville way out west has one of the best school systems in the entire state. And believe me, you can tell the kids working in the grocery store there are intelligent.
So, don't get too discouraged about finding a good school. There are some very good ones out there.
I think you have to consider what middle schooler would be happy to move to a totally different state to begin with. My brother was that age and gave my parents hell or it and he still resents them for it. Unless they were moving from a ghetto school I bet they would all hate the new one. Middle school is also the worst for bullying. I really am not sure you wouldn't have and a similar experience a new kid anywhere else.
....unfortunately. Middle schoolers are a mean mean bunch.
How funny that the schools in WNC vary so much. Brevard is supposed to have excellent schools. I think Hendersonville does too?
Even tiny little Hayesville way out west has one of the best school systems in the entire state. And believe me, you can tell the kids working in the grocery store there are intelligent.
So, don't get too discouraged about finding a good school. There are some very good ones out there.
Yes, Shooting Stars, Hendersonville, NC does have great schools! In today's local newspaper..
Western North Carolina is all scenery, and not much else.
I recently spent seven days over spring break in the most beautiful area of Brooklyn, NY with friends and family. Complete strangers (okay... other than the Subway Attendants ) were friendly, helpful, could carry a good conversation. I absolutely loved the culture and diversity up there. So, your above statement hits close to my heart, because leaving NYC, I realized that was all I was really coming back 'home' to. Scenery. And less traffic.
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...there are many beautiful rural areas in WNC, I suggest you look at homes online and if you find something that captures your heart...then RESEARCH! Good luck
Don't do it
Henderson County, NC school ( Hendersonville, NC)
) were friendly, helpful, could carry a good conversation. I absolutely loved the culture and diversity up there. So, your above statement hits close to my heart, because leaving NYC, I realized that was all I was really coming back 'home' to. Scenery. And less traffic.
