JennyJJJ

Thanks for your time

We are looking for a home in the $350-$450K range. We need about 5 acres, love the mountains, hiking, older homes (historic), love hiking, nature,etc.

We enjoy the arts so it is nice if we could be close to an area with shows, galleries,etc.

No kids and we are self employed.

Any ideas? I appreciate your time.

xrae

Rural? Close to a city? Check NC High Country: Blowing Rock, Boone, W. Jefferson, Burnsville, etc. North of I-40 to the Tennessee line.

WannabeinaMontserrat

You are going to want to look in & around Asheville, although your house may be smallish w/the acreage requirement.

JennyJJJ

Thanks! Well, we are looking for rural that is not too horribly far from the city. But 1-2 hrs from a big city is fine.

What are the names of some good cities outside of Asheville?

Thanks

Brian_in_Charlotte

What do you consider a "big city"? Asheville may not be it.

WannabeinaMontserrat

You could still be w/in 2 hours of CLT & be in the Mts. I am artial tot he Black Mt./Swannanoa area myself. You are right by the Blue Ridge Parkway & Balck Mt. has many amenities that similar sized town do not. The other place I would consider is around Boone. W. Jefferson comes to mind up there.

JennyJJJ

Well, I consider Raleigh a big city. I'm willing to drive a couple hrs to get to a big city. It's just nice to know they are there "if" I want to do the "city thing" for a weekend.

I saw info on Boonee, I'll look closer at that area. I will also look at W. Jefferson.

Thanks for your input

WannabeinaMontserrat

Should be Black Mt. sorry, typo.

Asheville_Traveler

i wouldn't look north - boone, blowing rock, etc. because there isn't a lot going on up there! I would look around the Asheville area. Consider Burnsville, Mars Hill, Marshall (Madison County), Hendersonville (Henderson County). Swannanoa and Black Mountain are little out of the 'big mountains' but still beautiful and in the countryside. Asheville isn't a big city necessarily but it has A LOT going on - check out some of the what's happening blogs, including exploreasheville.blogspot.com, carolinamornings.blogspot.com. Asheville has a lot of the culture and activities that the Raleigh/Durham area has but in a smaller space - which makes it easier and more manageable to get around. Visit both, see what you think, and go from there!