Day-to-day life in Moravian Falls moves at a relaxed pace
Life is quiet in Moravian Falls, a small, secluded community a few miles south of Wilkesboro in the foothills of the Brushy Mountains. Much of the community is dense woodland and farmland, with single-family homes spaced out on large lots along a network of country roads. Leisure time here centers around outdoor recreation, which can be enjoyed year-round thanks to the region’s mild climate. While there’s only one restaurant in town, there are many more a short drive away. Families appreciate having highly rated public schools nearby, and two highways make it easy for commuters to reach top employers.
Home prices here tend to be higher than nearby towns
While rural areas frequently offer comparative affordability, that’s not exactly the case in Moravian Falls, where the median sale price is around $450,000, well above the national and state medians, and significantly above the medians in Boomer, Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro. “It’s a very desirable community. A lot of people from out of state move here,” says Beth Bare, a Realtor with Realty One Group Results. “It’s just like the rest of Wilkes County: beautiful scenery, beautiful mountains, but not too mountainous…It’s the farmland and the slow-paced way of life.” Most detached homes range from the mid-$100,000s to the upper $600,000s. These properties, which include ranch-style homes, Craftsmans, Colonial Revivals and mountain-style homes, often rest on lots that stretch multiple acres. Some homes have scenic views, while others are hidden from main roads by dense tree cover. Manufactured homes start under $100,000 and can reach the upper $200,000s. Townhouses rarely hit the market. Only one 2,200-square-foot unit was sold in recent years for around $280,000.
How you can spend an afternoon in Moravian Falls
Moravian Falls may not have a bustling downtown, but there are a few things you can do in your free time here. You may:
- Grab a bite to eat at Moravian Falls Grill, the community’s sole restaurant
- Enjoy a picnic next to the town’s namesake waterfall
- Golf and swim at Oakwoods Country Club
- Pick up provisions at Country Fresh Market & Produce
- Visit one of the area’s many orchards, such as Parker’s Orchard
You can also drive north into Wilkesboro to do a variety of activities, from boating and fishing at the W. Kerr Scott Reservoir to shopping and dining along East Main Street.
Larger cities like Winston-Salem are within an hour’s drive
Two highways, state Routes 16 and 18, pass through Moravian Falls. You can use them to reach larger towns and cities, such as:
- Wilkesboro, which is about 4 miles or 6 minutes away
- Taylorsville, which is about 14 miles or 20 minutes
- Boone, which is about 35 miles or 45 minutes away
- Winston-Salem, which is about 57 miles or 55 minutes away
Job opportunities are a few miles away in Wilkesboro
With few employers here, many people commute elsewhere for work, or they work remotely. Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro are common destinations, as they’re home to some of the top employers in Wilkes County, including Tyson Foods Inc., Wilkes Community College and Wilkes Medical Center. “Jobs are not a big draw. Lowe’s [corporate] headquarters left a few years ago, and they were a big employer. Now, there’s Samaritan’s Purse, Window World and Tyson,” Bare says.
Students can attend highly rated schools close to home
The community is within the highly rated Wilkes County Schools district, and students don’t have to travel far for class. Moravian Falls Elementary School, Central Wilkes Middle School and Wilkes Central High School are all located in town, and each receives high marks. Students typically attend their assigned school. However, in-district transfers are approved on a case-by-case basis.
Mild weather in the Brushy Mountain Foothills
A destination for fall foliage, this region experiences four distinct seasons, and they’re all enjoyable. The climate is temperate, with summer temperatures in Moravian Falls rarely exceeding 90 degrees, though there is plenty of rain and humidity. Winter lows average around 25 degrees. “At the most, we get a dusting of snow to an inch or two every year,” Bare says. “Every six, eight, 10 years, we’ll get an actual good snow, like six inches.”
