$581,147Average Value$303Average Price per Sq Ft49Homes For Sale
History, art and outdoor recreation define Saluda
Saluda truly got its start in 1878 when engineers were able to overcome the steepest mountainside grade in the eastern United States to give this area train service, thus cementing the community as a recreation hub in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. "People started coming here because they were struck by how beautiful it is, and that kicked off our tourism industry," says City Manager Steven Orr, who has lived in the vicinity for over 40 years. Saluda celebrates the past and ushers in the future with historic downtown storefronts, A-rated schools, live summer concerts, a thriving outdoor culture and summer camps. "When kids come, parents come, and when kids come, they make memories," Orr says. "That's what you try to work toward — those multigenerational things."
Saluda is a city in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Storefronts and a walkable downtown make Saluda an attractive place for tourists and locals.
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Mountain cabins, cottages and historic Victorians
Saluda's single-family homes have a median price of about $550,000, slightly higher than the nearby metro of Asheville. The narrow forest roads feature mountain cabins, cottages and historic Victorian properties on private, wooded lots. Many still serve as summer retreats. "We have families that share what I call a legacy house because maybe three cousins inherited it and over the summer their families show up at different times," Orr says.
Historic Victorian homes sit on private lots in Saluda, NC.
Many cottages are hidden in wooded areas around Saluda.
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North Carolina's No. 2 school district
Kids have access to the No. 2 school district in the state, as ranked by Niche. Saluda Elementary School earns an A and integrates art forms such as dance, drama, music, visual arts, and creative writing into core subjects. Polk County Middle School also earns an A. Teens may decide between a comprehensive curriculum at the A-minus-rated Polk County High School or individualized learning at the B-plus-rated Polk County Early College. PCEC students can earn a two-year degree along with their high school diploma.
The Saluda Elementary School is located near Saluda downtown.
Polk County High School is one of the largest schools near Saluda.
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Tubing, hiking and ziplining in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Outdoor culture has been in Saluda's DNA since the beginning. "It's driven by kayaking, mountain biking, and fishing," Orr says. The Green River carves through steep ravines and forested coves. The river features rocky swimming holes, calmer sections for tubing and rapid-filled areas for white water rafting. The Gorge adventure park leads guided tours through the treetops with over a mile of ziplines. Hiking trails vary in difficulty and traverse through forests, waterfalls and wildflowers. The Bradley Nature Preserve features an easy out-and-back trail near the town center.
Saluda's railroad tracks will see new life as a rail trail. The proposed Saluda Grade Trail will span 31 miles from Inman, South Carolina to Zirconia, North Carolina, through small towns and mountain scenery.
The Bradley Nature Preserve features an easy out-and-back trail near the town center in Saluda.
The Gorge adventure park offers ziplining and has beautiful wildflowers throughout Saluda.
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Historic downtown is still buzzing with activity
The historic downtown harkens back to Saluda's early days. The brick storefronts still face the railroad tracks and hold art galleries, a home goods store, a library, a historic depot museum and restaurants. "People look at it as the ability to transport back in time to when you'd be able to go to any type of Main Street and go into the shops, know quite a few of the people there, and have conversations and not feel rushed," Orr says. M.A. Pace General Store, a downtown anchor since 1899, still has an old-fashioned feel and sells essentials such as produce, pantry items and outdoor equipment. The Purple Onion serves Mediterranean bites in the dining room or outdoor patio.
The Purple Onion serves Mediterranean bites for hungry Saluda residents.
The Historic Depot & Museum is located near the center of Saluda downtown.
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Art, concerts and Coon Dog Days
Saluda showcases its creative spirit at the Saluda Art Festival in May, from pottery to painting to woodworking to live music. Over 100 vendors display their work to the backdrop of folk, traditional and bluegrass music. Coon Dog Days dates back to the 1950s, when the local Blue Ridge Coon Dog Association started holding barbecue fundraisers to replenish the diminished raccoon population. The cherished tradition carries on with a dog show, parade and street festival. The Top of the Grade concert series brings live outdoor summer concerts. Each event takes place in downtown.
Saluda showcases its creative spirit at the Saluda Art Festival in May.
The Art Festival attracts over 100 vendors from neighborhoods around Saluda.
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Interstate 26 goes to Asheville
Saluda is about 35 miles south of Asheville, just off Interstate 26. U.S. Route 176 is the main road through town and connects to the interstate. Residents mainly rely on cars, but Polk County Public Transportation offers door-to-door rides throughout the county, including the Hendersonville Walmart, medical appointments, and the Asheville Regional Airport.
Written By
Liz Coughlin
Photography Contributed By
Viktor Zagorevskiy
Video By
Jason Jacot
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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On average, homes in Saluda, NC sell after 73 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Saluda, NC over the last 12 months is $444,150, down 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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