Unveiling the Charms of North Carolina Mountain Living: The High Country Calls

I live in south Florida, and I love it here. However, after a couple of fall trips to North Carolina, I’ve decided to buy a second home there. I called the Mintz Team to ask if they could recommend a good realtor there and wouldn’t you know it? Joanie sells homes in North Carolina, as well.

I am particularly looking for a place in the High Country. Avery County and Watauga County are included in the area. What has drawn me there are the majestic mountains, the adventures outdoors, and small-town charm at every turn. Towns like Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, Boone, and Blowing Rock are especially attractive. So, I asked Joanie to help me find my perfect hideaway in one of these charmers.

First, we look in Banner Elk. The town in Avery County is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains with all their stunning views. Banner Elk offers a balance between nature and culture. Boutiques, art galleries, and tasty restaurants fill the downtown. Outdoors is equally inviting. Hiking, fishing, and horseback riding add to the mountain lifestyle. I truly feel welcome here.

Next up, Beech Mountain. The highest town east of the Rockies, this alpine wonderland in Watauga County has outdoor adventures throughout the year: exhilarating skiing and snowboarding during the winter; mountain biking, hiking, and the Beech Mountain Club golf course during the warmer months. If I want to enjoy recreation outdoors, there is probably no better place.

Boone, NC is a dynamic college town, also in Watauga County. Appalachian State University is a diverse, active campus with a variety of programs. I’ve been wanting to audit classes in English Literature, and I can easily do that here. Like Banner Elk, Boone has a great downtown. Fashionable shops, enticing restaurants, and live music venues will let me immerse myself in the local scene. The culture is rich here, too. The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts exhibits contemporary art, and the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts at Appalachian State has a nationally acclaimed summer arts series. Outdoor life abounds here, as well, with fishing, hiking, and biking along the Blue Ridge Parkway and in Julian Price Memorial Park.

Finally, we get to Blowing Rock. Right at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the town is famous for its stunning views, graceful downtown, and many outdoor opportunities. Antique shops and art galleries line Main Street. There is a magical view of the mountains at the Blowing Rock Viewpoint. Hiking in Moses H. Cone Memorial Park is a treat. And I can even go cave-diving here at Linville Caverns.

I already knew from buying my home in Florida that no one is better than Joanie Mintz. When I first moved down, I took an apartment because I didn’t want to rush into anything. A co-worker told me about Joanie and from the very first meeting I knew I had found my realtor. While Joanie sells a lot of luxury homes, she is also a true buyer’s agent. Her numerous awards speak for themselves. Within a matter of days, she had lined up more than a dozen homes for me to look at and we found just the right one. Because of her expert negotiating skills, the final price was less than I expected. South Florida is everything you could want. Well, unless you also happen to want a place to call home in North Carolina.

I’m leaning toward Boone because of Appalachian State, but I want to take a little time to make sure I’m exactly where I want to be. Luckily, Joanie wants the same thing.

See you in the High Country,

Kristin C.