Boone, NC - living there on a normal budget

[pater familias]

We just got back from spending a week in Blowing Rock, NC for the second time in the last few years.

We're interested in buying some land near Boone to gradually relocate and live on a normal person's budget. By normal, I mean a school teacher plus musician/craftsman lifestyle. Blowing Rock realty is too expensive although food, gas, and everything else was basically the same as prices here in South Georgia.

And the BR area is all too high and steep. We want 1-2 acres level enough for a big garden and some backyard livestock (chickens, milk cow or goats), and a barn/shop.

Valle Crucis would be ideal, but perhaps unrealistic. Don't want to get too far from Boone and the college-town culture.

We can build our own "green" house ourselves during summers and school holidays. Plus, I can go anytime of year.

I'd appreciate any and all advice from present or former residents on locating some land.

[Boris Bubbanov]

Don't want to get too far from Boone and the college-town culture.



I guess I crave the Altitude, and the laid back rural setting, and being amongst people who mean it when they give their Word on something.

As opposed to this special vibe which I find is actually hit and miss in Boone.

You could look in the direction of the Watauga River, in the direction of Elizabethton I suppose.

I've got a place way down South of Smoky Mountains National Park, and I can get to considerably higher elevation pretty fast and there's way fewer "beautiful people" but it is so inexpensive, I tell ya:

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/Bubbanov/98JUNE182011008.jpg

Way easier target than Asheville or Boone from SW Georgia. Just let me say this: Zell Miller Mountain Parkway, and Spur 60 out of Mineral Bluff. Yup, it used to take so long to get here; not so anymore.

[marko]

Get up with an agent in the area who understands what you want. Also you might check into the Todd area and Ashe County. Maybe there is an old farm out there somewhere and you can grow christmas trees too. I know there can be some music jobs in the area, especially in Boone but not so much in BR. If you do bluegrass, its a good area for that.

I have a friend who recently bought a new spec house about a mile from BR and gave the developer 2/3 s of the asking price!

I dont live in the Boone area actually but have spent time up there all my life. Hoping I can retire to the area later on.

[pater familias]

Get up with an agent in the area who understands what you want. Also you might check into the Todd area and Ashe County. Maybe there is an old farm out there somewhere and you can grow christmas trees too.

I have a friend who recently bought a new spec house about a mile from BR and gave the developer 2/3 s of the asking price!

I dont live in the Boone area actually but have spent time up there all my life. Hoping I can retire to the area later on.

Thanks. That's the kind of advice I'm looking for.

Now, how does one find and select a trustworthy agent?

[astainback]

We just got back from spending a week in Blowing Rock, NC for the second time in the last few years.

We're interested in buying some land near Boone to gradually relocate and live on a normal person's budget. By normal, I mean a school teacher plus musician/craftsman lifestyle. Blowing Rock realty is too expensive although food, gas, and everything else was basically the same as prices here in South Georgia.

And the BR area is all too high and steep. We want 1-2 acres level enough for a big garden and some backyard livestock (chickens, milk cow or goats), and a barn/shop.

Valle Crucis would be ideal, but perhaps unrealistic. Don't want to get too far from Boone and the college-town culture.

We can build our own "green" house ourselves during summers and school holidays. Plus, I can go anytime of year.

I'd appreciate any and all advice from present or former residents on locating some land.


I really like the area a lot too. I don't really care for college life though.
I stayed in Valle Crucis once. It was nice. The cabin we stayed in was great!!

Cabin : http://www.witsendrentals.com/pages/property.php?id=68

http://www.witsendrentals.com/image/image.php?imageid=1257



I also stayed in a cabin north of Boone up on Elk Knob too. We were really secluded and loved every minute of it.
It was a 6 minute drive up the driveway/dirt road to the cabin. My ears popped twice on the way up. Seriously. My truck broke traction a couple of times on that first climb. hahaha

Cabin : http://www.witsendrentals.com/pages/property.php?id=36

http://www.witsendrentals.com/image/image.php?imageid=630


I would love to live there. The surrounding areas are really nice. Plus, Blowing Rock will be nicer to visit if you don't live right there in it.

[marko]

Thanks. That's the kind of advice I'm looking for.

Now, how does one find and select a trustworthy agent?

Go online, Google agencies in the area. Probably most all area listings are online too. I dont know anyone or have a reference for an agent.

There are a lot of seasonal jobs in the area working in tourist related business. I recently almost applied for a mgt job with Tweetsie Railroad but my wife thought different. The university, ASU, probably the largest employer in the area.

good luck

[saneff]

I have a vacation home in Linville, which is not far at all. That is a super area, and has Granfather Mountain and most of the ski slopes are in that area. Neat, neat area. I HIGHLY recommend Linville. Take a look at it.

[pater familias]

I have a vacation home in Linville, which is not far at all. That is a super area, and has Granfather Mountain and most of the ski slopes are in that area. Neat, neat area. I HIGHLY recommend Linville. Take a look at it.

Went through Linville several times on the way here and there. It was nice.

[Bob Maximus]

My sister and her husband have a cottage at the top of Boone Mnt. I think it's one of the last 2 or 3 on the peak. Wish I still had one of the pictures I took off the back deck last year. The visibility was very good that day.

It's a heck of a ride to the top. I understand that Armstrong used to train on Boone.

Good luck finding a place out there. Great place!

[pater familias]

Here's a narrrow arc of the view I woke up to the first morning.

http://i.imgur.com/m6rl0.jpg

[fataxeman]

I was born and raised in Boone until the age of 25. I still get up there 3 or 4 times a year but the frequency is dwindling since my mother passed last fall and my dad is in a nursing home. One sister lives just outside of town and the other lives in Ashe county toward Jefferson/West Jefferson.

I really have no idea what kind of money you are talking about bottom line but good luck accomplishing what you are trying to do. Doable maybe, but it won't be easy. It is highly dependent on what kind of creature comforts you require/desire and how much of a spartan lifestyle you are willing to adopt. One of my sisters says that Watauga county has the 2nd highest cost of living in NC behind Ware county (Raleigh area).

Be prepared for the short seasons and cold winters which I hear are not as bad as they used to be but can literally be almost 5-6 months if it is a rough year. I remember flurries once in early May.

You might look in to Powderhorn Mountain. It is kind of down in a hole/down off the ridge leaving Boone going east toward Wilkesboro/North Wilkesboro. There are probably lots in there the size you are looking for but as far as flat...don't know about that. It's pretty steep still from what I've seen. I have a friend that lives there. Probably takes 15 minutes to get to the top of the mountain (old 421) and another 10 minutes to Boone. If you have any other general questions, I'll do my best to answer them. Send me a PM.

[pater familias]

I was born and raised in Boone until the age of 25. I still get up there 3 or 4 times a year but the frequency is dwindling since my mother passed last fall and my dad is in a nursing home. One sister lives just outside of town and the other lives in Ashe county toward Jefferson/West Jefferson.

I really have no idea what kind of money you are talking about bottom line but good luck accomplishing what you are trying to do. Doable maybe, but it won't be easy. It is highly dependent on what kind of creature comforts you require/desire and how much of a spartan lifestyle you are willing to adopt. One of my sisters says that Watauga county has the 2nd highest cost of living in NC behind Ware county (Raleigh area).

Be prepared for the short seasons and cold winters which I hear are not as bad as they used to be but can literally be almost 5-6 months if it is a rough year. I remember flurries once in early May.

You might look in to Powderhorn Mountain. It is kind of down in a hole/down off the ridge leaving Boone going east toward Wilkesboro/North Wilkesboro. There are probably lots in there the size you are looking for but as far as flat...don't know about that. It's pretty steep still from what I've seen. I have a friend that lives there. Probably takes 15 minutes to get to the top of the mountain (old 421) and another 10 minutes to Boone. If you have any other general questions, I'll do my best to answer them. Send me a PM.

What about down around Asheville? Still a college-artsy town with good music scene, right?

[Raygun Gothic]

I was born and raised in Boone until the age of 25. I still get up there 3 or 4 times a year but the frequency is dwindling since my mother passed last fall and my dad is in a nursing home. One sister lives just outside of town and the other lives in Ashe county toward Jefferson/West Jefferson.

I really have no idea what kind of money you are talking about bottom line but good luck accomplishing what you are trying to do. Doable maybe, but it won't be easy. It is highly dependent on what kind of creature comforts you require/desire and how much of a spartan lifestyle you are willing to adopt. One of my sisters says that Watauga county has the 2nd highest cost of living in NC behind Ware county (Raleigh area).

Be prepared for the short seasons and cold winters which I hear are not as bad as they used to be but can literally be almost 5-6 months if it is a rough year. I remember flurries once in early May.

You might look in to Powderhorn Mountain. It is kind of down in a hole/down off the ridge leaving Boone going east toward Wilkesboro/North Wilkesboro. There are probably lots in there the size you are looking for but as far as flat...don't know about that. It's pretty steep still from what I've seen. I have a friend that lives there. Probably takes 15 minutes to get to the top of the mountain (old 421) and another 10 minutes to Boone. If you have any other general questions, I'll do my best to answer them. Send me a PM.

What about down around Asheville? Still a college-artsy town with good music scene, right?


Haven't been to Boone since I went to ASU back in the 80's but I can't believe it's got a higher cost of living than Asheville. Asheville was fast becoming another Aspen at one point.

[fataxeman]

Sorry, but don't have any info on Asheville although I've been there several times. I do think the music scene is pretty healthy. I can tell you that, weather wise, Asheville will be warmer year round than Boone with less severe winters.

Of course I'm biased, but all of western North Carolina is pretty territory.

What about down around Asheville? Still a college-artsy town with good music scene, right?

[Trickstaaah]

I own property in Asheville -- amazing town, great music, incredible food, interesting vibe. Prices are high and I'm worried that the town may be getting a bit big for its britches. All of Buncombe County is getting pretty pricey these days. The Black Mountain area might be cheaper, but not by much. There may be a few good deals on undeveloped property in Yancey or Madison Counties.

Boone -- and Valle Crucis, in particular -- is fantastic. I can't blame you for having an interest in settling there.

PM me if you want the name of the real estate agent I used in the Asheville area. I don't know if they sell real estate in Boone as well, but they might give you connections.

There was a pretty good thread on Asheville here in the pub a couple of months back: http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=1040957&highlight=asheville

[marko]

Me again. Asheville like stated above has much milder weather in the winter compared to Boone or BR area. There are a lot of premium properties & prices in Asv too. Its a great place to live. There are more affordable places further out or in more modest locations.

My wife is a decorator and curently has a client in Blowing Rock. Her client recently purchased a $1 million house right outside of town. Its on a mountain side and in a neighborhood with similar upscale homes. This house would be worth half anywhere else.

[fataxeman]

Me again. Asheville like stated above has much milder weather in the winter compared to Boone or BR area. There are a lot of premium properties & prices in Asv too. Its a great place to live. There are more affordable places further out or in more modest locations.

My wife is a decorator and curently has a client in Blowing Rock. Her client recently purchased a $1 million house right outside of town. Its on a mountain side and in a neighborhood with similar upscale homes. This house would be worth half anywhere else.


In real estate, as they say, it's "location, location, location". Just about any upscale house at the beach/on a mountain top/lake/river would be worth significantly less were it to be plopped down just anywhere. Boone/Blowing Rock/Watauga county/Asheville all have their fair share of this kind of thing.