I'm currently working on a video about super cheap mountain towns!! I know prices have gotten high so I am trying to find some places that are both beautiful and have lots to do but where you can still find affordable housing. Please let me know if there is anything in particular that is important to you in a town or a community! I would love to include your ideas in my next video!
West Jefferson has to be less expensive than your top 5? We like staying in and around the Fleetwood area so we're still close to Watauga County's Boone and Blowing Rock activities.
Realtors have nothing to do with market prices. Absolutely nothing. If we did, the market wouldn’t have crashed in 2008. Economics is complex and demand is created based on the economy.
I guess for a realtor, these are "affordable" towns. For those of us who are NOT in the top 5%, these places are stupid expensive. Candler, Sylva, Bryson City, Monroe - these are towns where you can still actually own a home bigger than a storage shed on a postage stamp sized lot. Why would you think that a secretary, a school teacher, warehouse worker, or some other normal job call a $500,000 house affordable??
How you going to have a video of towns you can afford to live in and your first place has a average home price over 500K? That's not affordable for majority of people.
@@sandradee8880 No,titles doesn't say for new yorkers. It's misrepresentation of towns that are NOT affordable for the masses. Same kit home is in North Kentucky is $129k on another featured YT video.
Seriously. Wtf!!?? I'm so sick of Asheville and NC altogether I hate it. It's just not all that!! And it's very clear they don't want working class here....the only question I have is Who the hell is gonna flip that burger for ya!?
Well, I certainly couldn’t afford to live in any of these communities, but I made a very wise decision in the last recession to purchase a little mountain getaway (bank owned) for $79,900! It’s currently worth approximately 3 times what I paid for it. Perhaps for the average person, waiting until the next recession might be a better option ( and it may be here sooner than we think).
it appears the coastline town and cities are going to be emptied due to tsunami's and war. I have heard we will get 36 hrs. to vacate. I am looking for a houes or stable barn to convert for a large family. Son in law is a fisherman NOE WHAT thank you for speaking truth.
Asheville was a nice place many years ago. Now it is like going to a small San Francisco. People laying around and sleeping everywhere. Not safe to go out at night if you are a family with children. Even some places aren't pleasant during the Day if you have children. There are a lot of people smoking weed in the Parks and what we used to call Hippies are everywhere. There are a couple of nicer Block Areas for couples and friends to go for some good meals and a Beer or three but as I said it is not for families anymore, other than just going to Biltmore(Family Environment) so they can see that.
These nice little mountain towns are expensive and everybody and their grandmother is trying to move here. We probably don't have to guess what crowd our realtor is catering to.
I’m doing another video on REALLY affordable mountain towns. Please let me know what types of things are important to you do I can make something everyone enjoys!
I was born and raised and still live in NC. We are a dying breed for sure. Most of the people in these areas are rich move-ins that are ruining our heritage. They move in and change our politics and run up the prices on all the real estate. They’re also very “snooty”. My family always use to go to the mountains every year, but now we can’t afford it anymore and they always make us feel like we don’t belong. Wish we had our old NC back.
I’m one of those move-ins you speak of. You’re welcome at my place anytime. I’m in blowing rock. I’m sorry to hear some others have been less than hospitable, but we’re not all snooty and entitled, that much I can assure you. I’m also not liberal so if that’s what you were implying you need not worry.
Amen! They all say the same thing, Not me! I am just like everyone else...... The chain (invasion) migration that follows them is the problem. My property tax has doubled in 3 years.. Every car in town has at least one NY Yankees or Giants sticker on the back. I do not recognize this place anymore.
I completely agree with you. We’ve been visiting mountains towns in western NC and east TN. I asked my wife one day if she had noticed that it seems everyplace you go the people have accents that are definitely not from there. Everyone you talk to are transplants. You hardly see any locals. We went through Cherokee and I was shocked at how far it has gone down. It’s got a casino and that’s it. Abandoned buildings were everywhere.
You NAILED IT . I live in FLORI- DAH and been here for 71 years , growing up in Miami and lived in Ft.Lauderdale in the 50's to 70's , back then it was Paradise . I kept on moving North from WPB to PSL , Ft.Pierce , Vero Beach and settled to Sebastian Fl . Now it has been INVADED by the RICH SNOBS from the LIBERAL NORTH EAST , most of them are Clickish and stick together . I visited WNC 4 times a year to Waynesville , Franklin and Hendersonville to escape the Hot Humid 9 months out of the year of flora snobs . I still can't afford a 2nd home in WNC as the Relators only catered to the weathly of the Ne people and California folks . I am going back to explore more of Franklin , and see at least to buy a lot and put a Mobile home on it ,
I guess it's all perspective, but I live 40 minutes east of blowing rock and it's where rich folks retire. Come down the mountain to Wilkesboro where the homes are less than half as expensive, and the shops are actually open
I live in NC and have been to all these places and yes they are great but not affordable to live in unless you are rich or retired with a lot of money. There is not the jobs for locals to support these prices it is the same where I live on the coast.
I love the mountains and love a real winter (lived in the Green Mts of Vermont for 16 months), but I have to give you a "bless your heart" on the affordable part 😂
Just changed my plans to retire to a small town of 13k in East Texas (my hometown, actually). Had to radically rethink it. It has a decent newer, hospital - very close to the house I own there. But other than a weekly potluck dinner and dance at the county singles center (mostly a lonely hearts club / find a new wife venue) and church activities, there's not much on offer. This is especially true if you have no children or grandchildren nearby. If you plan to age in place and stay at home, you must consider the time when you can no longer drive - then you're stuck in the 'burbs. No public transport system, no reliable taxi service, no Uber and no Lyft. Although I could sell my house in Austin for a fortune right now, I have to consider the quality of life once I'm a bit older. A large city has the resources and infrastructure for old people. Retirement communities are too homogenized - besides: I don't want to live with only old people as neighbors. 😼
@@danielmoore7332 So true. We live next to a natural spring. The land was donated by the family who owned it. The Karens and Kens of the city council decided to turn it into a park. It's where the local wildlife go for water and seek refuge. But screw that, they want people and their pets trampling all over and leaving their dog shit everywhere. They just screw up everything they touch.
@@conservachick100 First of all, I would attend these City Council meetings & demand that they leave things alone. Second, publicize the way the Council is doing business. Reality says that as soon as some Black, Brown or working class folks move in amongst the Karen's, they'll pack up & go. Sad
@@danielmoore7332 The Mayor is my neighbor. I unfortunately learned of their plans when it was too late. These are all very liberal people, most of whom are New York transplants. They love diversity...unless it's their own neighborhood. Sad.
@@conservachick100 Where I live in NH, we have grown from a population of 650 in 2005 to around 1800 now. Mostly RI, CT & MA transplants who we call 'Masholes'. Now, they want to limit the amount of land you can put a dwelling on. These folks need to "go back where they came from!"
You missed the jewel of Little Switzerland, The Big Lynn Lodge. 102 year old Blue Ridge Parkway Inn. Some couples and families go there year after year.
Good luck finding any mountain town in NC that's not already overrun with Northerners. We have the same problem down in the Lowcountry of SC. Can't go anywhere or do anything without having to deal with transplants. Where do these people not want to live, because that's where I want to go!
I’m doing another video on REALLY affordable mountain towns. Please let me know what types of things are important to you do I can make something everyone enjoys!
@@EllenPitts For my husband and I with two cats, under $90,000 would be pushing it. But I think the price of the house is dependent on the location as well as what the house is like, many of the towns in the mountain area of North Carolina are touristy towns.
I missed a deal on a cabin in Franklin NC a few years ago.i found a cabin overlooking a river for 40 thousand and it was on market for roughly three days. Still kicking myself .
Going to the Highland games is what sealed my decision to move to Boone. Back in Georgia now but my last breath will be back in the mountains…..if I have to crawl there👍
I grew up in BR and went to ASU. It's simply unaffordable for the working class, so unless you are a multi-millionaire. I'd rather live out West in fact if you have to spend this kind of moohlah for a house, at least there is a thriving economy with plenty of opportunity. In Watauga County you would need to own your a successful business, work for the college or hospital, orI suggest being a stock broke, or remote work. This video is targeted to the wealthy.
The odds are that as interest rates remain high, these small towns will see some softening in the real estate market. That always happens in places where lots of people purchase second homes. The video isn't really targeted to the wealthy. Otherwise the hat I'm wearing wouldn't look so stupid. LOL! Major wardrobe fail...Actually most of the people watching this are locals who are not wealthy.
We moved to Banner Elk from Winston Salem about five years ago and love it. We were just up on Beech last night for some pizza and fireworks with friends.
I'm not looking for any property, but I'll have to commend you on the excellent video work. You have a wonderful on-camera personality - energetic, funny, and engaging. Hope you sell all those properties!
I loved seeing this video. I have been to all those places and they are everybit as wonderful as she says. When I retire I want to Get a quiet little parcel of land and plant a small family farm overlooking all the views.
"Affordable" is of course relative. I live in NC and we are seeing outrageous prices for "used" homes. When you used mountain I knew this was not going to be a useful video for most people. Regardless , it didn't cost a thing to watch and I do enjoy your style. You are a professional. Thanks.
It’s a fine line between development and preserving areas as beautiful NC mountains. We are considering settling in the region and recommend your videos as they are both informative and honest reviews. Thanks for the insights
@@EllenPitts don’t mind him we are all coming and buying and driving prices up just like they came by me on the water with gulf access and made the cheapest house 900k. Woo hoo. Lol. It’s really not expensive in the grand scheme cause I paid 160 bucks to fill my f150 with gas. McDonald’s is 50 bucks for a family of 4 , so a house in the mountains for 500k is a bargain.
Video is more about NC towns you can not afford to live in. Boone has about 52 to 58 % poverty rate depending on whose data you look up. Wife and I looked at Boone area and found the homes to be way too expensive. We ended up in Murphy NC, lot more house for less money and we have 30 mile view
It’s hard to tell poverty rates in college towns because college kids count as adults but massively skew the data because it’s such a large group of people with no income
A few minutes noth of Little Switzerland are 2 gem mining joints that are quite fun. One is Emerald Village which has a mining cave to explore and Gem Mountain. I had a week long vacation in the N C mountains several years ago. I stayed at that big condo Building on Sugar Mountain where the amenities were nice and the views were fantastic. While there, I visited most of the places you mentioned. Blowing Rock, Beech Mountain, Banner Elk, Little Switzerland and drive through. I absolutely lived this mountain area and hope to return someday.
Not sure what your definition of "affordable living" is but I can tell you it is definitely different than mine. These are all beautiful small towns/cities. Not sure where the average joe blow would work in a small town like these in order to be able to afford a 500-700-thousand-dollar home. These towns are filled with people that already have money, not the average family just starting out. The scenery is beautiful and that is what you are paying for. You fill in the rest. "It's a nice place to visit, ...........................!
Great video about part of my favorite NC area. And I'm glad that you did not mention or show the eye sore on Sugartop. 😉. Have you made any videos about places like Bryson City, Robbinsville or Murphy? I know they ars a bit away from Raleigh, so maybe not.
Wow!! That is amazing!! I looked at the preview and it looks like there is a ton of factual information about the area. I am going to pin this in case other viewers re interested and I will definitely be buying a copy!!
@@EllenPitts Thank you. Most is of course just what I like to seecand visit 😀, besides from statistics and other information about the 32 counties I cover.
Just through Bryson City (April-2022) and it was surprisingly a dump. Highly disappointing, with the exception of a tight 3 or 4 block downtown area with a few "quaint" shops and touristy places. The war zone you drive through coming south from Cherokee just as you begin to slide into Bryson City was disgusting.
I have a place in Haysville, NC. And it is very affordable place to live close to Franklin and Clayton GA and Helen GA. So you can find very reasonable price homes in this area of NC.
Perhaps some commenting here could try to be even nastier. 😟 You could ask for a specific price range. I will say WNC has had a huge influx from NY and NJ. Sadly, these small towns which used to be affordable for many are not now.
Nice review of these lovely areas in North Carolina. So much cheaper than Asheville. So much. I lived in Boone and Blowing Rock, attended grad school at Appalachian, and I used to work in Beech Mountain (drove that road so many!). So I think you covered things really well from my perspective. Thanks for checking out the area! I miss it!
Used to live about 2 miles from Tweetsie Railroad. Mailing address was Blowing Rock. Job was in Boone. Had a couple friends that lived out in Todd. I miss the snow.
@@Brosef336 I think I believe you, but I don’t want to! Lol. But seriously are you sure about that? I still have a house in Sorrento Skies, which is technically Blowing Rock. And the house has appreciated a lot but I don’t know. Can you point me to the reference?
I love Blowing Rock. I spent many of my childhood summers there, back when it was like Mayberry. Unfortunately it’s really expensive now to live there, especially since the downtown is so “precious.” It’s been taken over by very nice older ladies in ugly decorated sweatshirts (sorry ladies). Other towns are cheaper and there some advantages to living closer to big medical facilities (like closer to Asheville). This can be important if you are older. Admittedly I still miss the old Blowing Rock, but I am delighted that more people are employed than was true in my childhood.
There is a big difference in traffic in Boone during student breaks. Not that it matters. I never leave campus during the day unless students are out. It’s hard to find an affordable house in Boone that isn’t run down, and even those a pricy. Tons of out of towers wanted air bnbs and have driven prices way up in all these areas. I also love valle crucis
I see from your lack of responses that you have no interest in responding to or possibly even hearing from folks who feel, like I do, that $500K-800K is out of reach for most people. If that's so apparently true, this video needs a new title "Homes For Karen & Ken Only"
@@EllenPitts Ellen, if you are the one making these videos, all you need to do is remove the word "afford". Actually. As you can see by the many complaints, folks are looking for homes "they can actually afford". your putting in the two misleading words is, well, misleading. Stop delving into false advertising. Obviously, I'm not the only one who doesn't like it. The videos themselves are fine. The greed & false advertising aren't
I hear what you’re saying however affordability is very relative. I talk to people every day and when they say affordable I ask them to be more specific because it means something different to everyone. This video has had 16,000 views and the majority of the comments have been very positive. I made this video to provide some eye candy for people. Think about someone from Europe where a small apartment is over a million dollars and they’re just dreaming about something different. That doesn’t mean they’re moving here, they’re just dreaming. So enjoy the content if you like, I’m sorry if the title makes you uncomfortable.
@@EllenPitts The video does not make me "uncomfortable" at all. I'm sure that when you post a misleading title of any kind, they're all over TH-cam, you are gonna get some views. And I'm sure you know that most people will not confront things that are misleading or plain wrong- "It's not my business". So no, I'm not uncomfortable with. I think it's well put together. It's just false advertising in my view. Besides, the land I own in Manteo was well worth the price I paid and it WAS affordable.
I’m sure you know better than me but I can tell you this. People don’t want to watch videos about luxury homes. They want to watch videos about regular homes that they can imagine they could afford. I’ve done lots of testing of this. 🤷♀️
My family has lived in close by Lansing (ashe co) for about 5 generations on the same land and even in my time it and west Jefferson has changed so much. It's gone from old farmers in front of the hardware store,spitting tobacco on the sidewalk to a real hip kinda high class town. I swear I remember watching Eric Estrada sell it on an infomercial coming outta Florida. 😆 unbeknownst to all the locals
Thank you- I’ll forward your channel to my brother and family in Virginia who want to retire soon in N or S Carolina. And looking forward to seeing less expensive homes for those of us on a smaller budget.
I hate living in North Carolina I’m from North Carolina I rather live west of interstate 95 because it’s so much cheaper there than living at the beach. To meany people from the north moving from the north
Very entertaining and educational and informative!! Creative!! Love your video!! Do a video on Surry County,NC and Mount Airy NC/Dobson/Pilot Mountain,NC. Also the Jonesville/Elkin, NC area.
The Blowing Rock has been stymied by summer residents who own homes there. They were finally ALLOWED to have a Food Lion grocery store, how they missed that is anybody's guess. But were 1 of the first towns to get alcohol permits, the summer people like their booze. What I'm saying is those summer residents have controlled this town to keep it small and quaint. When I was in high school ( 68-71 ) I had a lot of friends from there, but sadly the summer residents kept buying and ran property taxes up so there are only a very small handful left. The ones living there permanently and their summer friends voted a lot of them into office and changed the zoning laws and such till they have driven almost All of the original residents out. I only go thru because I have to to get to points east. They have ruined it like ASU has Boone, they call it progress or manifest destiny Maybe ? Come to think of it they have ruined all of our mountains.
For the 10th time, realtors have ZERO impact on the economy. We don’t create the ability for people to spend money and search for new places to live. But when we see people who are in need of a new place to live, we help them find it. That’s our JOB. But we do not control or have ANY impact on the markets. The federal reserve and the entrepreneur economy are the biggest influencers there. Your anger is misplaced. Look I get that people don’t like to see their home change. Maybe it will help you if you realize that everyone who is moving to these new locations is coming from an area that has changed due to migration. That’s just the way human evolution works. My hometown is now a big city. I never go back there because it’s not the same. It’s sad. But it’s life.
We are also looking to move some where around the small town. But the way it's looking I don't think we can do it. I'm so needing to get away from where I at
Western NC is anything but affordable. Rents are topping out at $2k for cookie cutter two bedrooms if you can snatch one up. Houses are worse; anything under $350k is a fixer upper. Even mods are approaching the upper 200s.
Really good over view of the mountainous regions in North Carolina. That blonde guy in Raleigh I don’t Know who he is and that’s a nightmare traffic driving through that area🧐
I Loved this video because my husband & I are looking at retiring in NC and would like to know where there are quaint places to live. Cost is important but even if we don’t live in these towns it is good to know what there is to do or see.
Blowing Rock is only a tourist trap, people are snobs. Boone the cost of living is off the chart, very crowed college town. Too much gay activity, no major grocery stores within miles. Wilksboro, N.C. is a quaint town, it's a good place to live. If you're a jillionair. Little Switzerland might be for you.
I'm looking to move to a rural area of north Carolina that has some jobs and reasonable priced homes but the towns you showed sure sound expensive.Florida has gotten crazy expensive.
Yea the mountain towns have gotten very pricey!! There are rural towns around Raleigh where the median home price is in the $300s. The economy in Raleigh is one of the best in the country!! Lots of jobs in many different industries. I did a recent video about this area, although the prices in the video I’m linking here were based on properties with land so the prices are higher but you can definitely find really nice homes in the $300s. Here’s the video so you can see what the towns look like. th-cam.com/video/xxrl2jBb9Us/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Tf_3B6pXNusnZSt9 And I’ll drop a couple other links to towns that you might like as well. This is homes for sale in Zebulon (one of the towns in the video) www.harmonyrealtytriangle.com/living-in-zebulon-nc/zebulon-homes-for-sale/ and you might also like Clayton www.harmonyrealtytriangle.com/living-in-clayton/ or Louisburg www.harmonyrealtytriangle.com/living-in-louisburg-nc/louisburg-homes-for-sale/ And if you want to learn more about these towns you can find city guides to each of them here: www.harmonyrealtytriangle.com/city-guides/ Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help! I’m glad to do a free 30 minute call to help you think through your move. If that would be helpful you can schedule something here: www.harmonyrealtytriangle.com/contact-harmony/
I'm currently working on a video about super cheap mountain towns!! I know prices have gotten high so I am trying to find some places that are both beautiful and have lots to do but where you can still find affordable housing. Please let me know if there is anything in particular that is important to you in a town or a community! I would love to include your ideas in my next video!
Hang on to your hat, the Khazistan Mafia is about to collapse real estate so, they will be the only ones who can buy cheap
Oh boy!
West Jefferson has to be less expensive than your top 5? We like staying in and around the Fleetwood area so we're still close to Watauga County's Boone and Blowing Rock activities.
Nothing is affordable out there. Just ask locals who need a piece of land. They can't stay there because Realtors have driven up the cost.
Realtors have nothing to do with market prices. Absolutely nothing. If we did, the market wouldn’t have crashed in 2008. Economics is complex and demand is created based on the economy.
I guess for a realtor, these are "affordable" towns.
For those of us who are NOT in the top 5%, these places are stupid expensive.
Candler, Sylva, Bryson City, Monroe - these are towns where you can still actually own a home bigger than a storage shed on a postage stamp sized lot.
Why would you think that a secretary, a school teacher, warehouse worker, or some other normal job call a $500,000 house affordable??
so true. It's more like a video for the most untouchable western NC towns
Yeah that's really expensive for normal folks 🤠.
Lake Lure is a better bet. Waynesville, Weaverville and Hendersonville are also good.
@@lisathaviu1154I like Waynesville Maggie valley even better but expensive.
@Susan, would you like to see me do a video on those towns?
How you going to have a video of towns you can afford to live in and your first place has a average home price over 500K? That's not affordable for majority of people.
I think she means people moving from New York who sell there homes for over a million.
Exactly 💯
@@sandradee8880 No,titles doesn't say for new yorkers. It's misrepresentation of towns that are NOT affordable for the masses. Same kit home is in North Kentucky is $129k on another featured YT video.
I'm working on a video about really cheap mountain towns!! Let me know what's important to you so I know what to do in the video!
Seriously. Wtf!!?? I'm so sick of Asheville and NC altogether I hate it. It's just not all that!! And it's very clear they don't want working class here....the only question I have is
Who the hell is gonna flip that burger for ya!?
This chick is actually OUT OF TOUCH! I live in North Carolina and this video is geared towards the rich!
WNC Now is being Flooded from the RICH Snoobs from the NE . And the locals that been there most of their life hates them Yankees .
Yep, cause shes realtor, figures.
Well, I certainly couldn’t afford to live in any of these communities, but I made a very wise decision in the last recession to purchase a little mountain getaway (bank owned) for $79,900!
It’s currently worth approximately 3 times what I paid for it.
Perhaps for the average person, waiting until the next recession might be a better option ( and it may be here sooner than we think).
Glad you got a good deal!!
Was that Before Covid ?
it appears the coastline town and cities are going to be emptied due to tsunami's and war. I have heard we will get 36 hrs. to vacate. I am looking for a houes or stable barn to convert for a large family. Son in law is a fisherman NOE WHAT thank you for speaking truth.
Asheville was a nice place many years ago. Now it is like going to a small San Francisco. People laying around and sleeping everywhere. Not safe to go out at night if you are a family with children. Even some places aren't pleasant during the Day if you have children. There are a lot of people smoking weed in the Parks and what we used to call Hippies are everywhere.
There are a couple of nicer Block Areas for couples and friends to go for some good meals and a Beer or three but as I said it is not for families anymore, other than just going to Biltmore(Family Environment) so they can see that.
That is why we refer to Ashevile as "Trashville".
Ashville sucks.
Asheville is an embarrassment of a town!!!
I'm glad you didn't talk about the greatest small city in all of North Carolina, we'd like to keep it that way!
Where is it?? I'll come visit! LOL!
And sell it out quickly
@@EllenPitts Sorry Ellen... you'll have to find it yourself but ( and saying this with all kindness) Truly hope you don't.
Franklin 😅
We live in Andrews
These nice little mountain towns are expensive and everybody and their grandmother is trying to move here. We probably don't have to guess what crowd our realtor is catering to.
I’m doing another video on REALLY affordable mountain towns. Please let me know what types of things are important to you do I can make something everyone enjoys!
WE KNOW THE RICH LIBERAL SNOOBS FROM NE
I was born and raised and still live in NC. We are a dying breed for sure. Most of the people in these areas are rich move-ins that are ruining our heritage. They move in and change our politics and run up the prices on all the real estate. They’re also very “snooty”. My family always use to go to the mountains every year, but now we can’t afford it anymore and they always make us feel like we don’t belong. Wish we had our old NC back.
I’m one of those move-ins you speak of. You’re welcome at my place anytime. I’m in blowing rock. I’m sorry to hear some others have been less than hospitable, but we’re not all snooty and entitled, that much I can assure you. I’m also not liberal so if that’s what you were implying you need not worry.
Amen! They all say the same thing, Not me! I am just like everyone else...... The chain (invasion) migration that follows them is the problem. My property tax has doubled in 3 years.. Every car in town has at least one NY Yankees or Giants sticker on the back. I do not recognize this place anymore.
I completely agree with you. We’ve been visiting mountains towns in western NC and east TN. I asked my wife one day if she had noticed that it seems everyplace you go the people have accents that are definitely not from there. Everyone you talk to are transplants. You hardly see any locals. We went through Cherokee and I was shocked at how far it has gone down. It’s got a casino and that’s it. Abandoned buildings were everywhere.
You NAILED IT . I live in FLORI- DAH and been here for 71 years , growing up in Miami and lived in Ft.Lauderdale in the 50's to 70's , back then it was Paradise . I kept on moving North from WPB to PSL , Ft.Pierce , Vero Beach and settled to Sebastian Fl . Now it has been INVADED by the RICH SNOBS from the LIBERAL NORTH EAST , most of them are Clickish and stick together . I visited WNC 4 times a year to Waynesville , Franklin and Hendersonville to escape the Hot Humid 9 months out of the year of flora snobs . I still can't afford a 2nd home in WNC as the Relators only catered to the weathly of the Ne people and California folks . I am going back to explore more of Franklin , and see at least to buy a lot and put a Mobile home on it ,
Me too bud
I guess it's all perspective, but I live 40 minutes east of blowing rock and it's where rich folks retire. Come down the mountain to Wilkesboro where the homes are less than half as expensive, and the shops are actually open
Don't promote our area-the real estate vultures are already circling.
I live in NC and have been to all these places and yes they are great but not affordable to live in unless you are rich or retired with a lot of money. There is not the jobs for locals to support these prices it is the same where I live on the coast.
I’m working on another video with much more affordable options in some really beautiful, scenic locations!!
I love the mountains and love a real winter (lived in the Green Mts of Vermont for 16 months), but I have to give you a "bless your heart" on the affordable part 😂
Over half a million is affordable???? I think someone has lost touch with the regular folk!
Right?! she said 2.5 million like that's spare change
This lady is a realtor she don’t want to sell you 100 k she want to sell you 500 k she makes 5 times as much.
I can live in a tiny home on the mountain for $30K
Realtors are a scourge in our beautiful, once peaceful and serene Appalachian mountains.
Realtors don’t create housing markets.
Just changed my plans to retire to a small town of 13k in East Texas (my hometown, actually). Had to radically rethink it.
It has a decent newer, hospital - very close to the house I own there. But other than a weekly potluck dinner and dance at the county singles center (mostly a lonely hearts club / find a new wife venue) and church activities, there's not much on offer. This is especially true if you have no children or grandchildren nearby. If you plan to age in place and stay at home, you must consider the time when you can no longer drive - then you're stuck in the 'burbs. No public transport system, no reliable taxi service, no Uber and no Lyft. Although I could sell my house in Austin for a fortune right now, I have to consider the quality of life once I'm a bit older. A large city has the resources and infrastructure for old people.
Retirement communities are too homogenized - besides: I don't want to live with only old people as neighbors. 😼
She said a place you can afford… who did she have in mind ? Will smith. 700.000 homes the lowest 500
Don't hold yer breath for a reply. The Karens are destroying these beautiful towns
@@danielmoore7332 So true. We live next to a natural spring. The land was donated by the family who owned it. The Karens and Kens of the city council decided to turn it into a park. It's where the local wildlife go for water and seek refuge. But screw that, they want people and their pets trampling all over and leaving their dog shit everywhere. They just screw up everything they touch.
@@conservachick100 First of all, I would attend these City Council meetings & demand that they leave things alone. Second, publicize the way the Council is doing business. Reality says that as soon as some Black, Brown or working class folks move in amongst the Karen's, they'll pack up & go. Sad
@@danielmoore7332 The Mayor is my neighbor. I unfortunately learned of their plans when it was too late. These are all very liberal people, most of whom are New York transplants. They love diversity...unless it's their own neighborhood. Sad.
@@conservachick100 Where I live in NH, we have grown from a population of 650 in 2005 to around 1800 now. Mostly RI, CT & MA transplants who we call 'Masholes'. Now, they want to limit the amount of land you can put a dwelling on. These folks need to "go back where they came from!"
You missed the jewel of Little Switzerland, The Big Lynn Lodge. 102 year old Blue Ridge Parkway Inn. Some couples and families go there year after year.
It’s actually in one of my videos somewhere but I can’t remember which one!!
It was actually at the end of this one!!
The biggest reason we go to Banner Elk is because of the Land Of Oz on Beech mountain. We love Banner Elk.
Yeah, let’s bring more people into Boone and Blowing Rock to build more condominiums on the peaks of our beautiful mountains.
Good luck finding any mountain town in NC that's not already overrun with Northerners. We have the same problem down in the Lowcountry of SC. Can't go anywhere or do anything without having to deal with transplants. Where do these people not want to live, because that's where I want to go!
You honestly believe $750K is affordable? Maybe to Karen & Brad......
AFFORDABLE! Excuse me why I go in a state of depression!
These places are for people who have a lot of money, normal everyday working people can not affort $500,000.00 for a house.
I’m doing another video on REALLY affordable mountain towns. Please let me know what types of things are important to you do I can make something everyone enjoys!
@@EllenPitts For my husband and I with two cats, under $90,000 would be pushing it. But I think the price of the house is dependent on the location as well as what the house is like, many of the towns in the mountain area of North Carolina are touristy towns.
These median home prices don't seem very "affordable". 🤔
It just depends on what you’re comparing it to. But yeah, prices have gotten high!
I think she meant mountain towns that you can't afford.
Mountain prices in NC have been high for the last 30 years.
I'm working on a video of really cheap towns in the mountains. Let me know if there is anything you would like to see included!
Thanks for giving Hamptons Body Shop a big shout out there as wrecker number 7 went down through Main Street. That was an awesome shot.💜💜💜
Glad we couple help!!
I missed a deal on a cabin in Franklin NC a few years ago.i found a cabin overlooking a river for 40 thousand and it was on market for roughly three days. Still kicking myself .
Oh man that stinks
@@EllenPitts that definitely stunk to high heaven and back.
Love Watauga county and Avery county. My maternal Grandparents are from there, but homes and land there are outrageous.
I didn't see any of that when I was in blowing rock 2 months ago. I only saw fog and outback and outlets.
Going to the Highland games is what sealed my decision to move to Boone. Back in Georgia now but my last breath will be back in the mountains…..if I have to crawl there👍
I totally feel you!!
I grew up in BR and went to ASU. It's simply unaffordable for the working class, so unless you are a multi-millionaire. I'd rather live out West in fact if you have to spend this kind of moohlah for a house, at least there is a thriving economy with plenty of opportunity. In Watauga County you would need to own your a successful business, work for the college or hospital, orI suggest being a stock broke, or remote work. This video is targeted to the wealthy.
The odds are that as interest rates remain high, these small towns will see some softening in the real estate market. That always happens in places where lots of people purchase second homes. The video isn't really targeted to the wealthy. Otherwise the hat I'm wearing wouldn't look so stupid. LOL! Major wardrobe fail...Actually most of the people watching this are locals who are not wealthy.
We moved to Banner Elk from Winston Salem about five years ago and love it. We were just up on Beech last night for some pizza and fireworks with friends.
Sounds awesome!!
I'm not looking for any property, but I'll have to commend you on the excellent video work. You have a wonderful on-camera personality - energetic, funny, and engaging. Hope you sell all those properties!
Aww, I’m blushing! 😂
I loved seeing this video. I have been to all those places and they are everybit as wonderful as she says. When I retire I want to Get a quiet little parcel of land and plant a small family farm overlooking all the views.
I've lived in NC for 28 years and I've been to the mountains one time. Now I want to go again!
It’s cooler in the mountains!!
"Affordable" is of course relative. I live in NC and we are seeing outrageous prices for "used" homes. When you used mountain I knew this was not going to be a useful video for most people. Regardless , it didn't cost a thing to watch and I do enjoy your style. You are a professional. Thanks.
I appreciate the positive feedback!! I’m getting roasted over here! 😂 😂
It’s a fine line between development and preserving areas as beautiful NC mountains. We are considering settling in the region and recommend your videos as they are both informative and honest reviews. Thanks for the insights
I’m so glad you’re enjoying them! Let me know if I can help with anything else!
Sugar Mtn is a perfect example. That albatross condo unit on top really ruined alot of scenery.
Lady. People like you are the reason so many places in these mountains are too expensive for our kids to stay. For goodness sake stop...
I have nothing to do with the economy. I know you think I do, but I really don't.
@@EllenPitts don’t mind him we are all coming and buying and driving prices up just like they came by me on the water with gulf access and made the cheapest house 900k. Woo hoo. Lol. It’s really not expensive in the grand scheme cause I paid 160 bucks to fill my f150 with gas. McDonald’s is 50 bucks for a family of 4 , so a house in the mountains for 500k is a bargain.
Inflation is definitely out of control right now. It’s terrible!
Video is more about NC towns you can not afford to live in. Boone has about 52 to 58 % poverty rate depending on whose data you look up. Wife and I looked at Boone area and found the homes to be way too expensive. We ended up in Murphy NC, lot more house for less money and we have 30 mile view
It’s hard to tell poverty rates in college towns because college kids count as adults but massively skew the data because it’s such a large group of people with no income
Omg 😱 I’m putting this for my bucket list this winter. Thanks for this video
A few minutes noth of Little Switzerland are 2 gem mining joints that are quite fun. One is Emerald Village which has a mining cave to explore and Gem Mountain.
I had a week long vacation in the N C mountains several years ago. I stayed at that big condo Building on Sugar Mountain where the amenities were nice and the views were fantastic. While there, I visited most of the places you mentioned. Blowing Rock, Beech Mountain, Banner Elk, Little Switzerland and drive through. I absolutely lived this mountain area and hope to return someday.
I lived in Cherokee on the Res. It was very beautiful. There are towns that are right off the Res. that are very beautiful with amazing views.
Thank you for sharing!
Are any apartments available for rent in Cherokee NC? Do you have to be part of the Cherokee tribe?
@@bennygreene1421 ... You have to be on the Cherokee roles to live on the Res. But you can always find places in the towns that are just off the Res.
👍
@@TerriCogan When you mentioned Cherokee roles, did you mean rules?
Ellen, this is my favorite NC mountain video!!! Wonderful!!!
I'm so glad you love it!! Are there other videos you would like to see?
Our N.C. mountains are so commercialized and now mega expensive. During the “season” the BlueRidge Parkway is bumper to bumper.
Thank you for the in depth comparison on these towns! Your channel is a gem!
Awww, thank you! So glad you're enjoying it!
Not sure what your definition of "affordable living" is but I can tell you it is definitely different than mine. These are all beautiful small towns/cities. Not sure where the average joe blow would work in a small town like these in order to be able to afford a 500-700-thousand-dollar home. These towns are filled with people that already have money, not the average family just starting out. The scenery is beautiful and that is what you are paying for. You fill in the rest. "It's a nice place to visit, ...........................!
Great video about part of my favorite NC area. And I'm glad that you did not mention or show the eye sore on Sugartop. 😉. Have you made any videos about places like Bryson City, Robbinsville or Murphy? I know they ars a bit away from Raleigh, so maybe not.
Thank you! No I have not been to that part of the state yet but hopefully before too long!
Wow!! That is amazing!! I looked at the preview and it looks like there is a ton of factual information about the area. I am going to pin this in case other viewers re interested and I will definitely be buying a copy!!
@@EllenPitts Thank you. Most is of course just what I like to seecand visit 😀, besides from statistics and other information about the 32 counties I cover.
@@EllenPitts If covid allows I will be back in WNC around Easter and will stay in Ferguson for 10 days and take trips from there.
Just through Bryson City (April-2022) and it was surprisingly a dump. Highly disappointing, with the exception of a tight 3 or 4 block downtown area with a few "quaint" shops and touristy places. The war zone you drive through coming south from Cherokee just as you begin to slide into Bryson City was disgusting.
You are excellent at why you do. Approachable down to earth a friendly neighbor 😊
Thank you!
I loved Boone NC the people are so happy and friendly cracker barrel is a MUAT VISIT.
We can do this.
NC is extremely pleasant.
The Grahams had a house here.
Come visit our little town of Burnsville. We have so much here.
I have a place in Haysville, NC. And it is very affordable place to live close to Franklin and Clayton GA and Helen GA. So you can find very reasonable price homes in this area of NC.
Perhaps some commenting here could try to be even nastier. 😟 You could ask for a specific price range.
I will say WNC has had a huge influx from NY and NJ. Sadly, these small towns which used to be affordable for many are not now.
So has coastal NC so many communities I grew up in I now have the "foreign" accent.
Work on the farm in Fairview NC over 2 years. Ashville is cute affordable Town in 1991
Great video! Very informative and fun!!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Nice review of these lovely areas in North Carolina. So much cheaper than Asheville. So much. I lived in Boone and Blowing Rock, attended grad school at Appalachian, and I used to work in Beech Mountain (drove that road so many!). So I think you covered things really well from my perspective. Thanks for checking out the area! I miss it!
I am so glad I could provide a little nostalgia for you!! 💕
Used to live about 2 miles from Tweetsie Railroad. Mailing address was Blowing Rock. Job was in Boone. Had a couple friends that lived out in Todd. I miss the snow.
Asheville is actually cheaper than Boone and BR nowadays
@@Brosef336 I think I believe you, but I don’t want to! Lol. But seriously are you sure about that? I still have a house in Sorrento Skies, which is technically Blowing Rock. And the house has appreciated a lot but I don’t know. Can you point me to the reference?
They're going to get even more affordable shortly!
I love Blowing Rock. I spent many of my childhood summers there, back when it was like Mayberry. Unfortunately it’s really expensive now to live there, especially since the downtown is so “precious.” It’s been taken over by very nice older ladies in ugly decorated sweatshirts (sorry ladies). Other towns are cheaper and there some advantages to living closer to big medical facilities (like closer to Asheville). This can be important if you are older. Admittedly I still miss the old Blowing Rock, but I am delighted that more people are employed than was true in my childhood.
Thank you for that wonderful perspective!!
I figured Highlands would be on this list. Great videos!
Glad you enjoyed it!!
I looking to maybe move to N.C., I definitely want something in the mountains.
There is a big difference in traffic in Boone during student breaks. Not that it matters. I never leave campus during the day unless students are out. It’s hard to find an affordable house in Boone that isn’t run down, and even those a pricy. Tons of out of towers wanted air bnbs and have driven prices way up in all these areas. I also love valle crucis
Good point about breaks. I’ll bet that does give a nice lull to the traffic at times.
Sorry, I thought I saw the word "Affordable" connected to this video.... What am I missing???
The blonde guy from Raleigh part was hilarious, he is always in my suggestions. Have a like. Great coverage of mountain real estate.
He’s a good guy but I have to have some healthy competition. Some of my viewers get my humor and some do not 😂
Love your presentation. Knowing the area, the restaurants & the local events is greatly appreciated.
Glad you enjoyed it!!
I see from your lack of responses that you have no interest in responding to or possibly even hearing from folks who feel, like I do, that $500K-800K is out of reach for most people. If that's so apparently true, this video needs a new title "Homes For Karen & Ken Only"
I'm not sure how responding to these complaints will help anything. I can't change the video once I've made it. I'm sorry you don't like it.
@@EllenPitts Ellen, if you are the one making these videos, all you need to do is remove the word "afford". Actually. As you can see by the many complaints, folks are looking for homes "they can actually afford". your putting in the two misleading words is, well, misleading. Stop delving into false advertising. Obviously, I'm not the only one who doesn't like it. The videos themselves are fine. The greed & false advertising aren't
I hear what you’re saying however affordability is very relative. I talk to people every day and when they say affordable
I ask them to be more specific because it means something different to everyone. This video has had 16,000 views and the majority of the comments have been very positive. I made this video to provide some eye candy for people. Think about someone from Europe where a small apartment is over a million dollars and they’re just dreaming about something different. That doesn’t mean they’re moving here, they’re just dreaming. So enjoy the content if you like, I’m sorry if the title makes you uncomfortable.
@@EllenPitts The video does not make me "uncomfortable" at all. I'm sure that when you post a misleading title of any kind, they're all over TH-cam, you are gonna get some views. And I'm sure you know that most people will not confront things that are misleading or plain wrong- "It's not my business". So no, I'm not uncomfortable with. I think it's well put together. It's just false advertising in my view. Besides, the land I own in Manteo was well worth the price I paid and it WAS affordable.
I’m sure you know better than me but I can tell you this. People don’t want to watch videos about luxury homes. They want to watch videos about regular homes that they can imagine they could afford. I’ve done lots of testing of this. 🤷♀️
I loved N.C.Had a brilliant time.Now back in the U.K
It’s a beautiful place to visit! UK is beautiful also… I’m planning a trip there next year!
My family has lived in close by Lansing (ashe co) for about 5 generations on the same land and even in my time it and west Jefferson has changed so much. It's gone from old farmers in front of the hardware store,spitting tobacco on the sidewalk to a real hip kinda high class town. I swear I remember watching Eric Estrada sell it on an infomercial coming outta Florida. 😆 unbeknownst to all the locals
😂 Eric Estrada!! So funny! It is bittersweet to see places change for sure. Thanks so much for sharing!!
@@EllenPitts it's just crazy how much I've seen it change in my 40 some odd years of living here. The only constant is change though.
That’s what I always tell people…like that Melissa Etheridge song…the only thing that stays the same is change.
I would love this kind of living.
Love ❤️ the video. We want to move in one of these beautiful towns you have mentioned.
Let me know if you need help finding an agent!
@EllenPitts OK. I will keep in touch. We are in florida and looking to move in three years though.
And the Emerald Mine nearby Little Switzerland.
Love this video!
Well done video, thanks!
Just way too expensive for me.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!! I’ve got another video coming with less expensive locations. Stay tuned!!
Thank you- I’ll forward your channel to my brother and family in Virginia who want to retire soon in N or S Carolina. And looking forward to seeing less expensive homes for those of us on a smaller budget.
I love all your videos!
Aww thank you!!
Good video, thanks.
You’re awesome! I have learned so much from you!
Aw, thank you Frank!! I am glad you enjoy the videos!
All great towns, Im from Boone. Further Outside of town you go cheaper it gets.
Tweetsy railroad was only open on the weekend
My name is Doug, Hello from Virginia 👍
Hi, Doug!!
I hate living in North Carolina I’m from North Carolina I rather live west of interstate 95 because it’s so much cheaper there than living at the beach. To meany people from the north moving from the north
Great video! Thanks for the info Ellen!
So glad you enjoyed it!!
Very entertaining and educational and informative!! Creative!! Love your video!! Do a video on Surry County,NC and Mount Airy NC/Dobson/Pilot Mountain,NC. Also the Jonesville/Elkin, NC area.
I have never been to Mt Airy but I’ve always wanted to go!! Maybe I will do one in the future!
This video wasn't targeted at the average home buyer, those that live the country club / yacht club life most likely.
The Blowing Rock has been stymied by summer residents who own homes there. They were finally ALLOWED to have a Food Lion grocery store, how they missed that is anybody's guess. But were 1 of the first towns to get alcohol permits, the summer people like their booze. What I'm saying is those summer residents have controlled this town to keep it small and quaint. When I was in high school ( 68-71 ) I had a lot of friends from there, but sadly the summer residents kept buying and ran property taxes up so there are only a very small handful left. The ones living there permanently and their summer friends voted a lot of them into office and changed the zoning laws and such till they have driven almost All of the original residents out. I only go thru because I have to to get to points east. They have ruined it like ASU has Boone, they call it progress or manifest destiny Maybe ? Come to think of it they have ruined all of our mountains.
your the kind of person that locals would like to tar and feather bringing the rich and snobby and driving prices of real estate out of control!
For the 10th time, realtors have ZERO impact on the economy. We don’t create the ability for people to spend money and search for new places to live. But when we see people who are in need of a new place to live, we help them find it. That’s our JOB. But we do not control or have ANY impact on the markets. The federal reserve and the entrepreneur economy are the biggest influencers there. Your anger is misplaced.
Look I get that people don’t like to see their home change. Maybe it will help you if you realize that everyone who is moving to these new locations is coming from an area that has changed due to migration. That’s just the way human evolution works. My hometown is now a big city. I never go back there because it’s not the same. It’s sad. But it’s life.
We are also looking to move some where around the small town. But the way it's looking I don't think we can do it. I'm so needing to get away from where I at
How is the job market in these towns
I love Blowing Rock but there's nothing affordable about it. We started going here back in the later 90s, I should have bought a place then.
What about a affordable mortgage and housing for seniors on social security. Is Clombus NC still a good place?..Mill Springs NC.? Or something close
Thanks for the ideas!
Western NC is anything but affordable. Rents are topping out at $2k for cookie cutter two bedrooms if you can snatch one up. Houses are worse; anything under $350k is a fixer upper. Even mods are approaching the upper 200s.
If you liked this video you might also like this one.... These are the BEST NC Small Towns!! th-cam.com/video/3W190yL8Ra0/w-d-xo.html
I love your videos. Currently live in fort mill. Will conta t you soon
Looking forward to connecting with you!
Really good over view of the mountainous regions in North Carolina. That blonde guy in Raleigh I don’t Know who he is and that’s a nightmare traffic driving through that area🧐
😂 he and I both do videos mostly about the triangle. He just has a lot more followers than me so I’m just *slightly* jealous! All in good fun!
@@EllenPitts I get the “slightly jealous” part 🤪
God bless you for not mentioning brevard;)
Blowing rock is high end certainly unattainable for most
I Loved this video because my husband & I are looking at retiring in NC and would like to know where there are quaint places to live. Cost is important but even if we don’t live in these towns it is good to know what there is to do or see.
So exciting!! Let me know if you need a referral to an agent in the mountains. I know several good ones!
Please go away.
People like you are why so many native residents are being FORCED out.
YOU ARE DESTROYING the very way of life you are attracted to.
Love The Video!!!
Thank you!!
Little Switzerland has more than 28 residents. But it is expensive.
UR AWESOME ELLEN!
Blowing Rock is only a tourist trap, people are snobs. Boone the cost of living is off the chart, very crowed college town. Too much gay activity, no major grocery stores within miles.
Wilksboro, N.C. is a quaint town, it's a good place to live. If you're a jillionair. Little Switzerland might be for you.
I'm looking to move to a rural area of north Carolina that has some jobs and reasonable priced homes but the towns you showed sure sound expensive.Florida has gotten crazy expensive.
Yea the mountain towns have gotten very pricey!! There are rural towns around Raleigh where the median home price is in the $300s. The economy in Raleigh is one of the best in the country!! Lots of jobs in many different industries. I did a recent video about this area, although the prices in the video I’m linking here were based on properties with land so the prices are higher but you can definitely find really nice homes in the $300s. Here’s the video so you can see what the towns look like. th-cam.com/video/xxrl2jBb9Us/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Tf_3B6pXNusnZSt9 And I’ll drop a couple other links to towns that you might like as well. This is homes for sale in Zebulon (one of the towns in the video) www.harmonyrealtytriangle.com/living-in-zebulon-nc/zebulon-homes-for-sale/ and you might also like Clayton www.harmonyrealtytriangle.com/living-in-clayton/ or Louisburg www.harmonyrealtytriangle.com/living-in-louisburg-nc/louisburg-homes-for-sale/ And if you want to learn more about these towns you can find city guides to each of them here: www.harmonyrealtytriangle.com/city-guides/
Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help! I’m glad to do a free 30 minute call to help you think through your move. If that would be helpful you can schedule something here: www.harmonyrealtytriangle.com/contact-harmony/
@@EllenPitts Thank you I will definitely check out video.I was thinking of looking around Mebane.
id rather live in TELLURIDE
Better have even deeper pockets.