[EdV]

Last year was my first summer down here and by the time October rolled around, I knew that this New England Yankee needed a better plan. As a former long time smoker, heat index days in the mid to high 100’s is just too much for me.

So I spent the winter scouring the internet to find a summer getaway at a reasonable price. I could have gone all the way back to New England and hung out with friends and relatives but I really wanted to find something much closer to the Tri County area.

Well, I’m happy to report that I’ve found it. It’s called Maggie Valley North Carolina and surprisingly, it’s only an 8-9 hour drive from where we are. It's in the Smokey Mountains and it’s 3000’ elevation makes for beautiful summer weather in the low 80’s and brisk mornings on the front porch in the 60’s. All of this surrounded by the sweet smell and beauty of lush green forest. Looks just like New Hampsire in the summer.

Rental prices are very reasonable up here in the summer. You can get a nice modern cottage for ~1700 per month and take the bite out of the heat and humidity of central Florida in late summer.

PM me if you have any questions.

[gomoho]

Love Maggie Valley - have been there in our motorhome and one of the most beautiful places in the US. Hope to get back there sooner, rather than later.

[Down Sized]

I looked in Boone & Ashevile before coming to The Villages. The Carolina's are called the halfback states for just the reasons you stated. Lots of people that move to Florida end up moving half way back up the coast because they can't take the heat, humity, or bugs.

[cuzg8tor]

My wife and I can appreciate what you are saying. We are closing in September on a home in a community called Connestee Falls in Brevard, NC which is a community very similar to the Villages located at 3000 feet above sea level. It was 73 degrees on top of the mountain a couple of weeks ago when we were there.

When we moved to the Villages three years ago, we did not realize that most of our neighborhood would disappear during the summer. We have decided to join them and change from full time to seasonals. Love the Villages but those mountains are awesome! Shoot, both places are awesome!!

[EdV]

Originally Posted by Down Sized

I looked in Boone & Ashevile before coming to The Villages. The Carolina's are called the halfback states for just the reasons you stated. Lots of people that move to Florida end up moving half way back up the coast because they can't take the heat, humity, or bugs.

This is quite true. But I just wanted to know there was a place I could escape to for the last part of the summer and then return to Summerfield for the rest of year when it's beautiful. And I found it and wanted to share.

There’s snow and ice up here in the winter, not a lot of it, but I’ll have no part of that any more.

[EdV]

One more thing. Sept. which is still hot and humid in Florida is considered part of the off season, so you can probably get a nice rental up here for about half the summer rate.

[asianthree]

sound wonderful

[lovsthosebigdogs]

Originally Posted by gomoho

Love Maggie Valley - have been there in our motorhome and one of the most beautiful places in the US. Hope to get back there sooner, rather than later.

gomoho. can you recommend any nice campgrounds in that area? How big is your unit? We have 35' and sometimes mountain roads can be a challenge eapecially with a tow vehicle. What do you think of the area and the mountains?

[lovesports]

Like many we like to travel in the summer to cooler areas. Thanks so much for the info on this thread.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by EdVinMass

Last year was my first summer down here and by the time October rolled around, I knew that this New England Yankee needed a better plan. As a former long time smoker, heat index days in the mid to high 100’s is just too much for me.

So I spent the winter scouring the internet to find a summer getaway at a reasonable price. I could have gone all the way back to New England and hung out with friends and relatives but I really wanted to find something much closer to the Tri County area.

Well, I’m happy to report that I’ve found it. It’s called Maggie Valley North Carolina and surprisingly, it’s only an 8-9 hour drive from where we are. It's in the Smokey Mountains and it’s 3000’ elevation makes for beautiful summer weather in the low 80’s and brisk mornings on the front porch in the 60’s. All of this surrounded by the sweet smell and beauty of lush green forest. Looks just like New Hampsire in the summer.

Rental prices are very reasonable up here in the summer. You can get a nice modern cottage for ~1700 per month and take the bite out of the heat and humidity of central Florida in late summer.

PM me if you have any questions.

Even for non smokers , that would be the case. Sounds nice....

Lots of folks have told us about the N.C. mountains and they do look lovely. We have relatives who moved to coastal N.C. for retirement but head to the hills often. We have others who moved to S.C....for milder winters....but yet are in the foothills and just love the mountains. Ditto for friends who settled in your neck of the woods.

Our hesitation , for now, about buying in TV is that the intense sun and humidity during the summer would necessitate us keeping two homes.
It does seem that almost everyone leaves in the summertime.

It isn't just smokers that would feel the "heat index", but those with heart ailments, circulatory problems, M.S., or other auto immune diseases like Lupus. People should do their research before they move permanently to Florida......and perhaps rent through a summer first.
Don't give up your northern house until you know for sure if you can tolerate the summers.

Glad you found your escape place. Thanks for sharing......ENJOY !

We plan to see the mountains of the Carolinas when we drive down through Pennsylvania, Virginia's Blue Ridge Parkway, etc..........and see the "inner" or interior parts of all the states......we've seen the coastal sections many many times............over the past 48 years.

We used to think we'd retire to midcoast Maine, where we vacationed for over 30 years........but they get the same weather Vermont has, ditto for New Hampshire........which we pass through to get to Maine.

Often we think we should just stay where we are and either "winter" or "summer" in a new place.........keeping our home which is spacious and comfortable........one of these days we will decide for sure.

I do recall the last time we moved BACK from Florida and got off the plane in Albany, New York to a crisp 36 degrees.......we thought it was WONDERFUL........and great to breathe in that cold crisp air. It was April. However, many other Aprils, we'd get off the plane in Florida and LOVE that warm balmy air........after our long icy cold winter. Can't win.

p.s. It's 95% humidity outside right now and very oppressive. Locals have been complaining about the constant mugginess this summer. The temp is 65 degrees.
Humidity slows one down for sure. You are better off in the mountains. Hubby loves the Colorado mountains; he's also a smoker. Most people "feel" the thin air; he loves it.

[nitehawk]

just wondering about golf courses. are they expensive? are there many or just a few