Small-town living at the edge of the ancient Uwharrie Mountains
Nestled in the middle of North Carolina and removed from any metro area is the woodsy community of Troy. This small town of about 3,000 residents is the biggest municipality within Montgomery County. Troy sits at the eastern edge of the Uwharries, one of the oldest mountain ranges in North America. “They call it ‘The Gateway to the Uwharries,’” says Johanna Martin, a Realtor with River Valley Group at Carolina Living Associates and former Troy resident. “Troy is a hidden gem, calling in nature lovers, remote workers, and retirees alike. It’s a great place for first-time buyers or investors to find reasonably priced real estate.” Troy is also home to the headquarters and manufacturing center for Capel Rugs, a family-owned braided rug company with a 100-year legacy. The lumber industry is also important to the area. “Uwharrie Lumber Company is a big deal in this area for commerce, as is Jordan Lumber & Supply,” Martin says.
Proximity to the Uwharrie National Forest supports an active lifestyle
Troy borders the 51,000-acre Uwharrie National Forest. “In Uwharrie [National Forest], you’ve got lots of places for people to do outdoor activities: you can go camping, off-roading and mountain biking,” Martin says. Within the forest, Kings Mountain Point overlooks Badin Lake, a popular spot for boating and jet skiing, along with nearby Lake Tillery. “Kings Mountain Point has hiking trails and three paved, handicap-friendly fishing platforms – it’s unique that they’re paved. You can kayak and canoe all the way up to Morrow Mountain State Park. You can also pan for gold; it’s allowed for free inside the national forest or if it’s on your personal property,” Martin says. Troy was the center of the 19th century North Carolina Gold Rush; according to local legend, nuggets of gold were once found within the streets of Troy.
Locals can also meet up at Troy’s several parks and nature trails. Lowe Warner Park is the largest park in town, with courts for tennis and sand volleyball, a disc golf course and a baseball diamond. The Troy Nature Trail connects to the Roy J. Maness Nature Preserve, which has a fishing lake and camping area. Next to the preserve, Densons Creek Golf Course is an 18-hole, par 72 course that’s open to the public daily.
Troy has single-family homes under $400,000
Branching out from downtown, rural roads are lined with level lots. Yards typically contain mature trees, and some yards are spacious enough for a large garden. Ranch-styles and bungalows are the predominant types of single-family homes in Troy. Prices range from $130,000 to $400,000, depending on factors such as square footage and lot size. Fixer-uppers start at about $60,000.
Students are zoned for Montgomery County Schools
Montgomery County Schools, rated B-plus on Niche, serves the area. Students may begin at B-plus-rated Troy Elementary School for prekindergarten through second grade, followed by C-plus-rated Page Street Elementary for grades three through five. West Middle is rated C-plus and Montgomery Central High is rated B-minus. About 900 students attend the high school; they can choose between several different Career and Technical Education pathways focused on specialized fields like woodworking, drones and marketing.
Restaurants and retailers in Troy
Most shopping and dining options in Troy are concentrated downtown. Uwharrie Mercantile sells coffee, baked goods and sandwiches inside what used to be Hotel Troy, a 20th century building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Boutiques and small businesses can be found downtown along Main Street, while pizza shops and casual eateries line Albemarle Road. Groceries and other essentials are available at Dollar General and Food King. The Troy Farmers’ Market sells handmade crafts, organic produce and other local food products every Thursday from April through early November. Big-box stores are rare in this rural area, but Walmart Supercenter is about 7 miles east.
Culture and community events in Montgomery County
Community events, art and music bring residents together in Troy. TroyFest is a tradition going back four decades, kicking off Fourth of July with fireworks, a parade, music and food. In the center of town, the Troy TownStage Amphitheater is an outdoor, pet-friendly venue that hosts free live music performances throughout the year. The Troy Montgomery Senior Center is the only place in the county for residents 55 and over to attend activities like bingo and to take advantage of free services like wellness programs. About 20 miles away, art lovers can browse the work of more than 100 local potters in Seagrove, a small town and mecca for handmade pottery.
Local hospital and walkable streets add to Troy’s small-town feel
Downtown Troy has gridded streets lined with sidewalks, and FirstHealth Montgomery Memorial Hospital is right in town. “Troy has the hospital, which is nice for the locals,” Martin says. State Route 109 leads out of Troy and winds through the Uwharrie National Forest. About 8 miles east, drivers can access Interstate 74, a major north-south highway that runs through North Carolina. State Route 27 leads about 60 miles west to Charlotte, and Charlotte Douglas International Airport is about 80 miles away.
