Enjoy the lake and the mountains in Glenville
Glenville, sitting on Lake Glenville and tucked in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is a waterfront community in Jackson County popular with those looking for a vacation home. “People here have access to the highest elevation lake east of the Mississippi River,” says Mary Abranyi, who is a Realtor at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Meadows Mountain Realty - HF with over 20 years of experience. “We are also in the mountains, and the temperature here is cool in the summer. It’s a really pretty place to be. You’ll have to set up a little bit, but Mother Nature is here.” Homes are located right on the water or scattered in the woods, and the community has a low-key, peaceful setting. Hiking and water recreation take center stage, and residents can also enjoy the convenience of local shopping in the nearby village of Cashiers, only 5 miles away.
From waterfront homes to wooded cottages in Glenville
Set among towering pine trees along narrow, winding roads, homes in Glendale are often tucked into the area’s natural landscape. Home prices vary significantly from five-figure cabins to million-dollar lakefront properties, and the median home price is approximately $880,000. Small log cabins and beach cottages from the 1940s to the 1970s may sell between $100,000 and $500,000. Newer or remodeled houses that are more inland can list from about $400,000 to over $1.5 million. Luxurious waterfront homes right on Lake Glenville, many of which feature private docks, can reach over $4.5 million. “This is primarily a market for second-home buyers who want to beat the southeast heat in the summer,” Abranyi says. “You're lucky if you find anything for half a million here; it’s an expensive market.” Since houses in the area are pretty spread out, it’s common for homes to be accompanied by acres of land, some with natural ponds and brooks right outside the front door. Vacant lots are also available for homebuyers who want to build their own properties. Lot prices can range drastically depending on acreage, going from $30,000 to over a million.
Hiking and water recreation around Lake Glenville
Water recreation on Lake Glenville is a staple way of life for area residents. Many marinas and boat clubs dot the shores, offering rentals and social events. The lake is particularly famous for bass fishing, but residents enjoy all sorts of water activities that range from boating and canoeing to water skiing and fly fishing. Residents can explore the area’s many waterfalls either through local boat tours or by hiking the 1.3-mile High Falls Trail. The Pines Recreation Area is several miles north, featuring a sandy beach for swimming, a fishing pier and picnic tables. The community is about 15 miles north of Nantahala National Forest, which has more than 500,000 acres of forestland and 600 miles of trails for horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking.
Shopping and dining in Glenville and Cashiers
Several eateries are in Glenville, including Happ's Place, a local bar and grill that has been serving the area for over 40 years. The establishment was repurposed from three historic buildings. About a block north, the Local Restaurant serves classic gastropub fare and has live music on weekends. Grocery options are in nearby Cashiers, including Ingles Markets and Cashiers Farmers Market, a local family-owned produce store with baked goods, cheeses and specialty items. The village also has some mom and pop stores like the clothing shop Vics for Men and the Corner Store, which has a selection of toys, candy and gifts.
Proximity to freeways, nearby towns and hospitals
The community is accessible via North Carolina Highway 107. Cashiers is about 5 miles south, and Asheville is about 70 miles northeast. Asheville Regional Airport is approximately 50 miles away via U.S. Route 64, and Highlands-Cashiers Hospital is about 10 miles south.
Jackson County Public Schools serves the area
The community is served by Jackson County Public Schools. Blue Ridge School rates a B-minus on Niche and teaches students from prekindergarten to sixth grade. Blue Ridge Early College serves students from seventh to 12th grade, offering several vocational pathway programs for public safety and firefighter technology, and gets a B. Blue Ridge Early College also partners with Southwestern Community College and lets students earn associate degrees while still in high school. Alternatively, students may apply for enrollment at Summit Charter School, which is a K-12 school and gets a B-minus.
Community celebrations by local non-profit organization
The nonprofit organization Friends of Lake Glenville hosts an annual Fourth of July Gala Boat Parade and a fireworks show. Community members gather at the lake to decorate their boats and watch the parade.
