Whittier is a rural mountain community near Bryson City
Whittier is a rural, mountain community over 10 miles from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. "It's more country living," says local broker Christy Mitchell, owner of BHHS Great Smokys Realty. She lives in Sylva and has sold homes across the region for seven years. "You get more space than you would in a town environment. You're close to everything but still feel like you live in the country." Its location near towns like Bryson City and Cherokee makes it desirable. "Sometimes you can get more bang for your buck because it's centrally located between all the places you want to go." She adds that the community's natural setting helps it stand out. "It has lush green and mature trees," Mitchell says. "It's kind of like a rainforest type of environment."
Houses range from riverfront lots to mountainside cabins
Housing options and lot sizes widely vary in Whittier. "You're going to get a mishmash of all different kinds of houses," Mitchell says. "It depends on where you're at. You could get something at a higher elevation, which comes with crazy mountain roads, or you could get views of the river, which is really pretty." Homes typically sit on at least a half-acre of land, and the lots are densely wooded. Houses are often custom, but buyers will find cabin-style homes with large windows that face the mountains. There's also a good mix of ranch-style homes and mountain cottages. Homes at lower elevations list from $200,000 to $500,000, while homes in the mountains on sizable lots can sell anywhere from $500,000 to $1.2 million.
Nearby golf courses and hiking trails
Whittier offers various recreational opportunities. The 18-hole course at Sequoyah National Golf Club offers views of the Great Smoky Mountains, and the Sequoyah National Clubhouse and Golf Shop has a restaurant, apparel and rental golf clubs. With membership, locals also tee off at the Smoky Mountain Country Club. The country club features a putting green and driving range for practice. Residents enjoy the community's natural assets. At Pinnacle Park, a 7-mile trail winds up to unobstructed views of the mountains and Scotts Creek Valley. The trail is a Certified Forest Therapy Trail by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. The Whittier River Access Area is a public boat ramp into the Tuckasegee River.
Smoky Mountain High School offers after-school tutoring
Most homes in Whittier are zoned for Jackson County Public Schools, which scores an overall B on Niche. Smokey Mountain Elementary School, located in the community's heart, has a B-minus on Niche and serves pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade students. Smoky Mountain High School offers extra educational assistance through the Mustang Study Stampede, an after-school study hall. The stampede has on-hand tutors for various subjects and SAT/ACT prep. Niche gives the high school a B. Many homes are also zoned for Swain County Schools, which scores a B on Niche.
Shopping for locally sourced produce
Whittier has limited commercial infrastructure, but a few general stores, markets and produce stands are along Andrew Jackson Highway. Mountain Fresh Produce offers locally sourced fruit, honey, vegetables and jam. Local farms often put up produce stands at the Gateway Flea Market, where residents can grab various goods, from apparel to décor. Additional shopping options are available in Cherokee Crossing, a small shopping center with Food Lion and Family Dollar. The shopping center is home to Rancho Viejo Mexican Restaurant and Osaka Sushi Bar. Locals can head to Bryson City or Sylva for more shopping and dining.
Navigating the mountains
Whittier is a car-dependent community bisected by U.S. Route 74, the area's primary thoroughfare. It's about 7 miles east of Bryson City and 12 miles northwest of Sylva. U.S. Routes 19 and 441 are nearby. Harris Regional Hospital is one of the nearest hospitals, about 15 miles away. Asheville is 61 miles east, and Gatlinburg is a 41-mile trip north.
Written By
Brennen Martin
