Why families, commuters and retirees like to live in Valdese
The smell of freshly baked bread wafts through Valdese, a Burke County town that takes pride in its heritage and industry. Here in the leafy foothills between Morganton and Hickory, more than 4,600 people enjoy a small-town atmosphere fostered by annual festivals, mom-and-pop shops and a grassroots art scene. You’ll find a range of housing from modest starter homes to higher-end properties on Lake Rhodhiss. Water sports are a big draw for retirees, and families appreciate the area’s highly rated schools. Interstate 40 adds appeal for commuters.
How home prices here compare to Hickory and Morganton
In addition to townhouses and condos, Valdese offers a range of detached houses, from bungalows and ranch-style homes close to downtown to contemporary designs with mountain views and custom lakefront mansions. The median sale price is around $250,000, significantly below the national median, but on par with that of neighboring Connelly Springs. Prices break down in the following ranges:
Detached homes start in the low $100,000s and can reach the mid $900,000s
- Townhouses start in the upper $100,000s and can reach the low $300,000s
- Condos rarely go on the market, with recent sales at the low $200,000s
You’ll typically pay more for a home in Hickory and Morganton, which have median sale prices of about $310,000 and $285,000, respectively.
Local jobs span the baking, textile and furniture industries
The town is best known for its Bimbo Bakeries USA facility, housed in the historic Waldensian Baking Company building on Main Street. The bakery is behind recognizable brands such as Entenmann’s and Sara Lee, and its presence is unmistakable. “You smell fresh-baked bread driving through town,” says Chris Gettys, a Realtor with eXp Realty Mooresville and a lifelong resident of the area. “The smell of the homemade bread: it’s phenomenal,” adds Robin Zema, the owner of Zema Realty Group. Beyond the bakery, many residents work locally at textile and furniture manufacturing plants, while others commute to nearby employment hubs.
Downtown Valdese offers shopping, dining and entertainment
Valdese may be a small town, but there’s plenty to do here, especially downtown on Main Street, where redbrick sidewalks link vintage storefronts. During your free time, you may:
Browse Play It Again, My Pea's Consignment, Myra's General and other boutiques
- Dine at Myra's Smashburgers & Creamery, Mill Town Social House and Buckle & Brew
- Enjoy annual events such as the Waldensian Festival and the Valdese Plein Air Fest
- Attend art exhibitions, classes and concerts at the historic Old Rock School
Lakeside trails, popular parks and a fitness center keep locals active
With parks, plazas and recreational spaces dotting Valdese, you don’t have to go far to enjoy the outdoors. Lake Rhodhiss is the main attraction, popular for watersports and reeling in bass and crappies. "Lake Rhodhiss is a very calm lake. It doesn’t have a lot of commercial businesses on it yet,” Zema says. Lakeside Park offers water access and seven miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking, and McGalliard Falls Park is known for its scenic natural falls and the historic Meytre Grist Mill, a landmark tied to the Waldensians who settled here in the late 1800s. Youth baseball and soccer teams play at Fletcher Ball Park, and the Jimmy C. Draughn Aquatic and Fitness Center is the spot for daily workouts. More outdoor adventures are within driving distance. "The mountains are a hop, skip and a jump away. If you want to be at the beach, it's only a 4- or 5-hour drive," Gettys says.
Many students in Valdese go to the same public schools
Burke County Public Schools is a highly rated district serving nearly 12,000 students across 27 schools. Many students in Valdese go to Valdese Elementary School, Heritage Middle School and Jimmy C. Draughn High School, all of which earn high ratings. The district allows limited transfers during an annual application window, with acceptance based on available space. Select schools offer magnet programs, such as Mountain View Elementary, home to a Global Immersion Academy.
Commuters rely on Route 70 and I-40
There’s no public transit, so you’ll need a car if you move here. U.S. Route 70, known locally as Main Street, connects Valdese to neighboring Rutherford College and Drexel. Commuters have easy access to Interstate 40 to reach Morganton, less than 8 miles west, and Hickory, about 17 miles east. Asheville is around a 63-mile drive, and Charlotte is about a 70-mile drive.
