A North Carolina vacation spot with long-term residents
Highlands, North Carolina, is transforming from a mountain retreat to a long-term residential community. "In the past, we've been a second-home market. But that has changed since COVID-19," says Ken Fernandez, the owner and broker-in-charge at Allen Tate Company Highlands. "About 50% are young families and [people who] work from home. [The other half are] second- and third-time homebuyers." Though there are more permanent residents, visitors still enjoy the community year-round, and the population increases tenfold between spring and fall. "In the wintertime, it's a whole different town," Fernandez says. The area is a part of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, which has communities offering a mix of natural beauty and small-town charm. "When you live in the city, you're just going all the time. Here, it's a different way of living," says Nancy Warriner, a broker and the other half of team Allen Tate Company Highlands. "Some people are taken aback by the fact that we don't have rideshares, Walmart or CVS in town. You slow down a bit when you move here."
Homes in Highlands have a median listing price of $1.3 million
Highlands has Colonial-inspired homes and farmhouses. A mix of older and contemporary cabins are mainly to the north. Condos are available in Chestnut Hill and Village Walk At Mill Creek. “There are homes made with stone, wood, cedar shake and poplar bark,” Warriner says. Many residential properties that double as vacation rentals have 30-day restrictions. “People buy a piece of property and then plan to build in the future. Most of these folks will reach out to an architect in the Southeast to design their home, so every home is a masterpiece,” Fernandez says. The majority of lots run on septic tanks and private water systems. The town has a median listing price of almost $1.3 million. Cabins and older homes can cost between $600,000 and $3.5 million, depending on the lot and home size. More recent New Traditional houses can cost between $975,000 and over $4 million. Condos run the gamut, ranging from $200,000 to over $1.5 million.
Locals visit Highlands public spaces, Whiteside Mountain and the Bascom Center
Some locals stay close to home for outdoor recreation. “These new developments offer all the amenities and not just golf. Croquet has gotten big here. You can play with a drink in your hand,” Fernandez says. Next to the Highlands Recreation Office is a dog park and a center with an indoor swimming pool. “We’ve got a gorgeous park [Nantahala National Forest], which has beautiful waterfalls and hiking. Whiteside Mountain has a fairly easy hike to the summit,” Fernandez says. Harris Lake is a popular fishing spot for trout. Locals can view Bridal Veil Falls from the side of Highway 64. The Bascom Center for the Visual Arts offers monthly artists talks, classes and rotating exhibitions. The center’s nature trail connects to the larger Highlands Plateau Greenway.
Retail and restaurants along Main Street
Along the walkable Main Street, a collection of boutiques, restaurants and specialty stores awaits. Residents shop at neighborhood markets like Mountain Fresh Grocery. Wild Thyme Gourmet and Highlands Smokehouse are among the favorite dining options, and the Ugly Dog Public House is a local tavern that offers live music. The nearest Walmart is about 18 miles away, in Franklin.
Attending the K-12 Highlands School
Highlands School, the only public school in town, serves kindergarten to twelfth graders. The K-to-12 school offers STEM enrichment classes and has a B-plus rating from Niche. Summit Charter School, located about 12 miles away in Cashiers, also accepts all grade levels; the charter receives a B-minus rating.
Annual events in Cashiers
The Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival has been a well-loved event for over 40 years. The festival has changed names several times but remains an entertainment staple in the region. “In the summer, we’ve got Groovin’ on the Green [in Cashiers] every Friday. Regionally-known bands play,” Fernandez says. Fernandez and Warriner say that the Leaf Festival and Plein Air Festival, in nearby towns, draw large crowds.
Traveling on Highway 64 and Highway 28
The Highlands-Cashiers Hospital is a part of the community. “We’re not off any main highway. We have a crossroads in Cashiers, which is Highway 64 and 107,” Fernandez says. “Highway 64 runs through the plateau from Highlands to Cashiers.” Drivers take Highway 28 to reach the nearby Georgia state line, about 7 miles south.
A low crime score and severe weather in Highlands
Macon County is prone to severe weather, including hurricanes. In 2024, Hurricane Helene ravaged the region; Highlands experienced power outages, debris and business closures. Highlands has a CAP Index crime score of 1 out of 10, which is significantly lower than the national average of 4.
Written By
Ashley Kennedy
