Welcome to western North Carolina, one of the most beautiful regions in all the United States. Here, you’ll discover breathtaking mountain ranges, crystal blue lakes, and amazing geological landmarks.
Lake property in western North Carolina is located just east of the Tennessee state line and west of the Piedmont Plateau. There are very few major urban centers in the area, which adds to the small-town charm that continues to attract visitors and residents to this hidden gem. Sub regions of western North Carolina include High Country, Tennessee Valley, and the Foothills.
In addition to the amazing beauty and serenity that are characteristic of western North Carolina living, the area is also well known for its impressive tourism economy, ideal proximity to major highways, and abundance of higher educational opportunities. With all this and more, it’s easy to see why lake property in western North Carolina is incredibly valuable and increasingly popular.
The Economy of Western North Carolina
Tourism makes up the largest part of the western North Carolina economy. After all, the area consists of half of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as well as a great deal of the Nantahala National Forest. In addition, there are countless lakes and dams peppered throughout Western North Carolina. Lake property in western North Carolina can be found within the region’s Lake Lure and Fontana Dam.
Western North Carolina attracts many visitors each summer and fall, as locals travel from major cities such as Charlotte, Atlanta, and Knoxville, as well as from other areas of the country. Visitors flock to western North Carolina in the summer to escape the heat that plagues much of the rest of the south, and visitors in the fall can witness the amazing changing colors of the leaves.
With fascinating parks, beautiful lakes, and ideal seasons, western North Carolina will surely continue to attract visitors and new residents for years and years to come.
Transportation in Western North Carolina
If you are looking to own or rent lake property in western North Carolina, you’re sure to be pleased with the two major Interstate highways that cross the region, providing convenient access to surrounding areas. Interstate 40 crosses east to west, while Interstate 26 traverses north to south. The area’s only auxiliary interstate route is Interstate 240, which serves downtown Asheville. In addition, there is a national scenic byway, the Blue Ridge Parkway, which runs through western North Carolina and ends near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
There are two major “class one” railroads that run through the western North Carolina region: the CSX and the Norfolk Southern. Two tourist railroads operate here as well: the Tweetsie Railroad Theme Park, and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.
For those seeking travel by air, the Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is located southeast of the city of Asheville, in Fletcher. The airport services the western North Carolina area with non-stop jet service to major cities such as Charlotte, North Carolina; Newark, New Jersey; Houston, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; Orlando, Florida; Washington, D.C.; Detroit, Michigan; Cincinnati, Ohio; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Educational Opportunities in Western North Carolina
Western Carolina University is the region’s major educational institution, which boasts a total of three campuses, and the region’s other two public universities are Appalachian State University in Boone, and University of North Carolina at Asheville. There are numerous liberal arts colleges in the region as well, many of which are affiliated with regional churches, such as Baptist, United Methodist, and Presbyterian.
If owning lake property in western North Carolina is something you foresee in your future, contact the expert Realtors of the Schaffer Realty Group at 847-367-8773 today. |
