[Vinish]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl

would probably be our choice if we didn't love going back to Columbus in the summer. We just arrived back in TV (we are Florida residents, here about 7 months). This year, we spent 2 nights in Asheville (interesting, but don't think I'd want to live there). Then we stopped in Black Mountain, just east of Asheville, which was cute but a little small. Had lunch and walked around in Blowing Rock next, would like to go back and probably will on the way up or down next time. We also have grandkids in Cary (as well as Columbus).

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2 bedroom, 2 bath condos that were walkable to town started in the $170s. To get a condo with a pool area was a little higher, but we didn't look seriously. You likely get great springs and falls, short winters with some snow and summers that can get hot during the day but cool off more evenings and mornings.

Will have to check out Waynesville too.

What a coincidence. We are 7 month residents of The Villages also and our grandkids (twin granddaughters 18 mos old) are in Cary. This is one of the reasons for considering western NC for the summers rather than northern Michigan or somewhere else.

We looked at Black Mt. and did some research on the Blowing Rock and Boone areas. Black Mt. was a little run down compared to what we are looking for and the other two are just too small and isolated. There isn't a Target within 100 miles of Boone and the closest airport is Asheville which is 1.5-2 hrs away.

The falls, winters, and springs are not of importance to us since we would only be there for the summer but I agree western N.C. has really nice climate for someone looking for 4 seasons without winters that are too cold.

We are not considering condos at this time. We have a, perhaps irrational, fear of not owning the land/home and of having bad neighbors just on the other side of a wall. We are also looking for a minimum of 3BR/2.5 bath and preferably with some extra rooms and a basement. Not many condos are of this size/style.

Thanks to all for the additional ideas.

G'day,

Vinish