Highlands & Cashiers

Two of Western North Carolina’s most appealing towns, Highlands and Cashiers, afford the best in mountain living while offering distinct amenities.    A few important facts: Highlands(elevation 4,118 feet) is on a mountain.  Cashiers (elevation 3,500 feet) is in the valley.  Ten miles and approximately 30 minutes of winding mountain roads separate them.  The town of Highlands has plenty to offer, including incredible natural beauty, easy access to major metropolitan areas and diverse cultural and recreational opportunities.  Highlands, the highest town on the East Coast is an easy drive from Atlanta, Knoxville and Chattanooga.  The climate and natural beauty are unparalleled in the Western North Carolina region. Waterfalls, crystal clear fishing streams and a seemingly infinite array of scenic vistas are commonplace in the surrounding Nantahala National Forest.  Hiking and river rafting are popular; so are mountain biking, kayaking and canoeing.  Tourism is the driving industry in the area and the “season” goes from mid-May through November.  Highlands has six Wine Spectator award-winning restaurants, and the Highlands Annual Culinary weekend in mid-November is a four day community-wide event that features chefs from all over the world. Cashiers is a dream location for the outdoor enthusiast because it is surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest and beautiful waterfalls.  During tourist season, the population swells from about 1,800 to perhaps 15,000.  Cashiers is a wonderful place to live because you don’t have the hustle and bustle of big cities, but have almost everything else you could want or need. Bear Lake Reserve Bear Lake Reserve, a Terramessa Resort Property, is a gated community located approximately 60 miles west of Asheville between Cashiers and Sylva.  Bear Lake Reserve shares this corner of Western north Carolina with the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains and meanders along the pristine mountain lake of Bear Creek, whose 13.5 mile shoreline is an integral part of this community.  Bear Lakehas nearly endless possibilities for recreational activities which blend with opportunities for families to reconnect.  Amenities include a nine hole Jack Nicklaus mountain golf course at its highest peak, at an elevation of3700 feet with 40 mile views; the Lake Club which features a lodge-style tavern and dining room, fitness center, theatre room and a large outdoor pool.  There are also several miles of hiking trails, Bear Creek Park and Mill Pond Pavilion with an amphitheatre.  A fishing village on the property is proposed.  The 2,100 acre development will eventually have 800-850 residences, including cottages, condos and private homes.  Lots average two acres and begin in the $200,000 range; and cottages and mountain lodges begin in the $400’s.  Additionally there are a number of private residences for resale.