Laidback living with resort amenities in North Carolina's mountains
Among the Blue Ridge Mountains, the resort community of Linville has upscale living with private golf courses and sweeping views. And although Linville has its own facilities, it's just minutes from several of western North Carolina's main attractions, such as the Blue Ridge Parkway, Grandfather Mountain and Sugar Mountain Resort, making the area a popular choice for second homebuyers and retirees. "It's lowkey, it's slow paced. It's just a really nice place to be," says Natalie Earnhardt, Linville resident and managing broker at Sotheby's International Realty's Linville Ridge office.
Homes in gated communities with mountain views
Linville is home to several gated and resort communities with their own amenities and recreational facilities. These communities include Linville Land Harbor and Linville Ridge, which each have golf courses with mountain views. "Most of the people in gated communities are second homeowners, but there are some locals mixed in as well," Earnhardt says. Home prices in Linville can vary greatly: Smaller cottage-style properties in subdivisions have recently sold for between $480,000 and $600,000, but most properties sell for between $1.3 million and $4.5 million – or higher. These larger, custom homes include modern and chalet-style properties. Buyers looking to build their own home can also purchase plots of land in this area. Linville has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1, much lower than the national average of 4.
Shopping and dining options throughout the region
Linville's Historic District has cottages and log cabins designed by Henry Bacon, the architect who designed the Lincoln Memorial. Bacon's notable structures in the district include All Saints Episcopal Church and a handful of homes with chestnut-bark shingles. Today, the center of Linville also has small-town institutions such as Linville Volunteer Fire Department, Faith Baptist Church and Linville United Methodist Church, as well as some homey shops and restaurants like the Old Hampton Store & Barbeque and Tartan Restaurant.
Resort communities within Linville have their own dining options as well. For instance, Linville Ridge has five members-only restaurants on the property. "A lot of residents call it 'adult summer camp' and stay put. I was talking to a guy yesterday who said he loves it because he doesn't have to go anywhere," Earnhardt says. For groceries, Lowes Foods is down the road off North Carolina Highway 105. Blowing Rock has more small businesses and locally owned restaurants along its Main Street, 15 miles east.
Enjoying Linville's mild summers and snow-dusted winters
Members at one of Linville's several country clubs enjoy facilities like fitness centers and pickleball courts, as well as beautifully maintained golf courses surrounded by mountains. Club options include Linville Ridge, whose golf course has the highest elevation east of the Mississippi River, and Grandfather Golf & Country Club, which has two 18-hole courses.
Nearby Grandfather Mountain has several popular hiking trails, including the challenging Grandfather Trail, a 2.4-mile route that requires climbing over rocky cliffs to the peak at nearly 6,000-feet elevation. Grandfather Mountain also has tourist attractions like the Mile High Swinging Bridge and several wildlife exhibits. Down the road, Sugar Mountain Resort offers skiing, snowboarding and tubing, as well as a host of other year-round activities.
Cultural events nearby like the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
Nearby Grandfather Mountain also has events throughout the year, and one of the biggest is the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games each July. This annual event was founded in 1956 and celebrates the culture and history of Scottish people in western North Carolina. The many festivities include a torchlight ceremony to bring the represented clans together, piping and drumming competitions, Scottish dance performances, and traditional track sports like hammer throw and sheaf toss.
Avery County Schools serve students in Linville
Public school students living in Linville typically begin at Newland Elementary School and continue to Avery Middle School and Avery High School. All three of these schools earn B-minus ratings from Niche. In addition to standard coursework, high schoolers can participate in dual enrollment through Mayland Community College or enroll in Career and Technical Education pathways such as plant systems, animal science and entrepreneurship.
Getting around Linville
Major roads going through Linville, including U.S. Route 221 and North Carolina Highway 181, connect with other highways across the state. Asheville is about 70 miles southwest of Linville, and Charlotte, North Carolina's most populous city, is about 110 miles southeast. Both these cities also have commercial airports. Charles A. Cannon, Jr. Memorial Hospital is the nearest medical facility to Linville.
Some of Linville's lower-lying valley areas have an elevated flood risk. In September 2024, Hurricane Helene hit much of the region, including parts of Linville and surrounding areas.
Written By
Faith Wakefield
