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Just returned last night, by car, from a 790 mile trip to the SW mountains of N.C. - very close to the mountains of S.C. Where there are no harsh winters. When it does snow, it melts the next day. Their temperatures, according to the national weather service, are 10 to 15 degrees warmer than ours in Michigan in the winter time and only 1 degree hotter in the summer. The folks there play golf all year around, except for an occasional winter snow day.
They do have four distinct weather seasons. New England (and Michigan) have glorious fall colors, and so do the Appalachian mountains. People come from far and near in November to see the magnificent colors.
In April through May, the mountains area bloom with flowering trees and bushes, glorious azaleas and rhododendrons and mountain laurel.
The Appalachians are the oldest mountain chain in the world and are softly rounded - almost feminine in nature - with layer upon layer of green, purple, mauve, dark gray, light gray fading into the distance.
Brevard is the county seat of Transylvania County. It has a small college of 1000 students (used to be a music college and is a Methodist college). During the `month of May they have a month-long festival with big name entertainers as well as graduate students. There also are mountain and country music free nights, with dancing in the streets.since it was chosen the @1 retirement spot by Money Magazine it has been invaded by many wealthy Northerners to enjoy its winters and Floridians to enjoy its summers. They even come from central S.C. for the cool summers.
Surprisingly, he invaders have left their cold nature's back north and have adopted the easy pace and friendliness of the Southerners! It is a delightful oases of peace and beauty - a Camelot - rare in this day and age.
Brevard is surrounded by the Pisquah National Forest, thousands of as.acres donated by Vanderbilt to the U.S to be kept unspoiled, so the little city has very little distance to expand. There is the most beautiful Assisted Living and Nursing Home connected to the Methodist College that I have ever seen. Quit expensive - but I had the foresight - after witnessing the atrocious places in this area - to buy insurance to cover me should I have to go there. hope I never will - but, if I do, I am covered.
Up - one mile higher and 8 miles of roadway - on a mountain is Connestee Falls. It is a gated community, in beautiful mountain country, with a lovely large club house, many activities, a heated pool, tennis courts and a lovely golf course. This is a magnificent community f about 1000 residents - no more can be built, since it has reached its quota from the four spring fed lakes for water. It has many lakes within its boundaries.
There are many activities planned there, an auditorium, a dance floor,
etc. etc.
Anyway, I have put in an offer on a house there and it has been accepted by the seller. I am now waiting for a report from the Inspector - an, if all is well, will go ahead.
It has two houses in one . upstairs would be mine, with only one step to climb; and downstairs would be my son's who can still climb stairs should I need him by answering a little bell I would ring.
My upstairs, has a big Living rom with a stone fireplace, a good kitchen and dining room, a very large master bedroom and bathroom suite, a second bedroom at the other end of the house almost as big as the master and a third bedroom I would use as an office. It also has drier and washer space, and an enclosed and screened sunroom with skylights...and an electrically operated one car garage, ad a large deck.
Downstairs, my son would have his own washer and drier, living room Large master bedroom, bathroom with jacuzzi tub, 2nd bedroom, kitchen and a cover4d screened porch. There would also b room for parking three additional cars under the deck area.
There s a distant mountain view in the summer which you can see more plainly in the rest of the year when the leaves are off the trees. They have a mixture of NORTHERN and Southern trees there.
Taxes last year were $640.00. Will probably go up. Very little outdoor maintenance. There will be flies in the ointment, I'm sure, but one can't have every thing - just do the best you can.
I will be living separately from my son - he can have his friends visit and I can have mine. But, should I need him he will be nearby to help me and is very willing to do so. In our family, so far, we have always taken care of our elders ourselves.
We shall see what we shall see. All told, we have about 3000 square feet between the two houses. And, all for less, than I paid for this 1890 sq ft one 18 months ago in Mi.
Will let you know.
Lorraine
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