Lansing offers country living and small-town vibes in Ashe County
Secluded mountain living comes with the support of a growing town center in Lansing. This long-time farming community in far northwestern North Carolina appeals to second home buyers, retirees and vacationers looking to escape to the solitude of the Blue Ridge Mountains but still be within reach of a small downtown with things to do. “Lansing is phenomenal. They’ve had a big comeback since [Hurricane] Helene hammered them,” says Jerrita Roark, a Realtor with Howard Hanna Allen Tate Ashe High Country Realty, who lives nearby. “Not everything has reopened, but the grocery store, which is a mom-and-pop, just opened back up…We’ve missed them for the past year.” Roark adds that Lansing offers a slower pace of life and a close-knit atmosphere. “It’s more laid-back. Everybody knows everybody, and everybody helps each other out—which was huge after Helene…It’s got that hometown mountain feel,” Roark says.
Tucked-away single-family homes with mountain views
Mature trees surround Lansing’s single-family homes, which rest on winding roads that climb the area’s rugged terrain. Mountain-style homes and log cabins are most common, but architecture is diverse, ranging from A-frames and ranch-style homes to historic farmhouses and Craftsman bungalows. There are also many custom designs. While some properties offer scenic views, others rest on the banks of the New River’s North Fork or are surrounded by farmland. Roark says acreage is often a selling point; the median lot size here is over an acre. The median price for a single-family home is around $315,000, well below the national median. Prices typically start at around $220,000 and can reach up to $880,000. Private wells and septic tanks are common. Flooding is possible, especially along the river and Big Horse Creek.
Hiking, fishing and hunting are popular Ashe County pastimes
Set along Big Horse Creek, Creeper Trail Park is the town’s flagship green space offering a variety of activities, from fishing and swimming to camping and mountain biking. Residents can enjoy quiet walks along the Creekside Trail, romp around the playground and socialize their pups in the dog park. Several community events happen at the park, including the inaugural Lansing Day in September 2025, which celebrated the town’s recovery from Helene with live music, art installations and family-friendly activities. The town is aiming to make the gathering an annual event. New River Conservancy recently purchased land in Lansing to create the first public access point on the North Fork of the New River, which Roark says is big news for those who love to kayak and tube. Far west of town, the Pond Mountain Game Lands are a favorite for hunting, hiking and camping. The game lands are at 5,000 feet in elevation, offering panoramic views. More outdoor adventure is available nearby at Grayson Highlands State Park.
Mom-and-pop shops, food and art draw residents to downtown Lansing
Downtown Lansing may be small, but it’s a thriving hub for local business and art. Residents can pick up groceries at CJ’s Market and browse handcrafted gifts at The Squirrel & Nut. Mornings are busy at the Old Orchard Creek General Store, which serves coffee and pastries. A few doors down, bands play nearly every weekend at The Liar’s Bench, a beloved sandwich spot. The works of area artists decorate the walls of Liar’s Loft: Creative Haven and Imaginarium. Molley Chomper pours hard cider and fruit wines for the post-work crowd. Next door is the Lost Province Center for Cultural Arts, highlighting Appalachian heritage crafts, music and dance with workshops and events. The center is housed in the historic Lansing School, a stone building erected in 1938 that provides a fitting castle-like backdrop for the Mountain Warrior Renaissance Fair each May. A farmers market takes over Creeper Trail Park every Saturday from spring through fall. Residents can also visit farms, such as Old Orchard Creek, to pick their own fruits and flowers. National retailers and the closest grocery chain are less than 15 miles away in West Jefferson .
A-minus to B-minus-rated public-school options
Niche gives Ashe County Schools a B-plus overall grade from Niche. The district has around 2,900 students, six schools and a preschool program. Lansing students can attend the B-plus-rated Blue Ridge Elementary, which feeds into the A-minus-rated Ashe County Middle. Ashe County High gets a B-minus and offers a range of fall, winter and spring sports, including tennis, football and volleyball. Alternatively, students can apply to the A-rated Ashe County Early College High to take college-level courses on the Ashe County campus of Wilkes Community College.
Driving is the norm in this town that has only one stop sign
A town of few sidewalks and many two-lane roads, Lansing is car dependent. State Route 194 is the main road through town, connecting commuters to U.S. Route 221, a major highway through Western North Carolina. Ashe Memorial Hospital, a top employer, is about 10 miles away in Jefferson . Boone is less than 35 miles away. Tri-Cities Airport offers the closest commercial flights, roughly 80 miles away. However, Roark says residents will also drive to Piedmont Triad International and Charlotte Douglas International, which are both over 100 miles away. While there is no public bus line, residents can book rides through Ashe County Transportation Authority.
