A small town in Cleveland County
Casar, a town just under 2 square miles, offers a quiet lifestyle near North Carolina's South Mountains. "We're just a small town of 300 people, give or take," says Eddie Walker, a lifelong Casar resident. "We see people we know all the time. Everybody is growing up and getting older. But, there are people moving in, and we get to know them too." The rural area has a main country road, townwide yard sales and a volunteer fire department. "I grew up in Casar. I've been here all my life. I work with the fire department, and I don't have anywhere else I'd like to live. This is my hometown," Walker says.
Buying a home in Casar
Casar has ranch-style houses behind wooden fences and manufactured homes with front porches. Some dwellings are visible from the street, while others are hidden behind trees. There are also farmhouses with chicken coops and open fields. Homes hitting the market here are a mix of country retreats and year-round residences. Home values are roughly 50% lower than the national average. The median price of single-family homes is around $240,0000.
Visiting Casar Park and the South Mountains
Casar Park and Veterans Memorial, located off Deviney Street, is the main public green space. Space is available to rent for private gatherings such as birthday parties and weddings. "For attractions, you got South Mountains [State Park]. There's hiking and a waterfall," Walker says. Visitors will see colorful dogwood blooms, pines and oak trees on the mountainside. Rodeos and other equestrian events are held at the nearby Cole Creek Arena throughout the year.
Community events in Casar and nearby
"Casar has a townwide yard sale every spring and fall. We also have the Fourth of July Festival," Walker says. Most community events are held around the town hall or the elementary school. "This little group, called Friends of The Park, has a Halloween bash and an Easter egg hunt at the park. And there are other different events during the year." Locals also travel to attend events in nearby towns. "A lot of people go over to the Belwood Day Festival. It's a car, tractor and motorcycle show. They have different bands, too," Walker says.
Attending church and traveling around the area
Residents attend houses of worship like Casar Baptist Church and South Mountain Bluegrass Church. According to data from the U.S. Census, locals travel about 30 minutes to get to work. Routes such as Casar-Lawndale Road and state Highway 10 bring commuters to other towns and cities in Cleveland County. U.S. 74 is about 30 miles away. Charlotte is about 65 miles from Casar.
Shopping and dining on Highway 10
Mountain View Grocery and Deli sells convenience store items as well as ready-to-eat food like pizza. There's also a Dollar General along Casar Road, also known as Highway 10. Driving northbound on the highway brings shoppers to Honey's IGA supermarket, about 10 miles away. Drivers will pass by the country-style diner, Norman's Café, on the roadway.
Cleveland County Schools offers choice
Cleveland County Schools provides a form of school choice for students. Children travel to Lawndale for middle and high school. Casar Elementary earns an A-minus from Niche, while Burns Middle has a B-plus. Burns High receives a B. The school's athletic department offers wrestling, tennis, golf and swimming programs.
Written By
Ashley Kennedy
