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Brevard, North Carolina
In Lush Western North Carolina, Brevard Beckons with its Musical Soul, Bountiful Outdoor Recreation and More
Cost of Living: Above the National Average
Nestled in the lush Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, cozy Brevard (population 8,000) has been attracting attention for its combination of outdoor recreation, cultural activities and mountain town sophistication. It is the Transylvania County seat and home to Brevard College (775 students). With its location near the entrance of the stunning, 500,000-acre Pisgah National Forest, it is also a busy tourist stop.
Brevard has grown by 3% within the last decade and has a mature demographic. In fact, 50% of residents are age 45 or better. Thirty-five percent of locals have at least a four year college degree. The town has some racial diversity, and residents lean to the right politically. The crime rate meets the national average, and the cost of living is 11% above the national average.
The median home price is $475,000, reflecting a 5% increase since a year ago. Many residences are ranch ramblers or raised ranch ramblers, and nearly all are on a wooded lot. Very nice, planned housing developments include Deerlake and Windover Farms. College Walk is an independent living and assisted living retirement community. Apartments are not in great supply.
North Carolina is somewhat favorable when it to taxes and retirement. The state does not tax Social Security but it taxes other retirement income withdrawls at a flat income tax rate of 5.25%. The average effective property tax rate (the annual tax payment as a percentage of median home value) in Brevard is .54% The annual taxes on a $475,000 home are approximately $2,565. The combined sales tax is 6.75%.
Newcomers are almost always impressed by the this area's natural beauty. With woods and forests all around, playing outdoors is a way of life here. The mountains lend themselves to all sorts of activities, including hiking, camping and bird watching. Fishermen love the trout running in the nearby French Broad River, and rock climbers find a challenge at Glass Rock. Brevard is also a hub for bicycle enthusiasts, with numerous trails in the Pisgah Forest and up Bracken Mountain.
Transylvania County is called the Land of Waterfalls, and 250 natural waterfalls are within a few miles of Brevard. Picnickers, nature lovers and photographers are drawn to them, and they have a way of soothing the soul. Many of these waterfalls are not even on the map and take a day of adventure to find them.
Brevard is particularly known for its music scene. The Brevard Music Center is a well-regarded music institute that draws 400 students and produces dozens of public concerts each summer. More than 50,000 people come to town every June through mid-August to revel in the music in the mountains.
The beautiful Paul Porter Center for the Performing Arts is located on the Brevard College campus and hosts performances not only by students and professors but by the Brevard Philharmonic and the Transylvania Choral Society. Throughout town, jazz ensembles, string quartets and banjos pickers are found performing nearly every night of the week.
The cute downtown area is peppered with bistros and retailers and has at least nine art galleries. Every fourth Friday the town holds its Gallery Walk, a time when artists open their studios to the public. Workshops and classes are ongoing throughout the year. The Scenic 276 Arts Corridor is a touristy 13 mile stretch of studios, shops and galleries just south of town. The Brevard Little Theatre is a community theater and has a full schedule.
Dining options include some nicer restaurants and a good number of diners and cafes. The Transylvania Farmers' Market happens every Saturday during the summer. Other shopping venues, though, are limited and the ones that are here tend to cater to tourists. Wal-Mart and Belk are in Pisgah Forest, about five miles down the road.
The mission of the Silvermont Opportunity Center is to enhance the quality of life for adults age 60 or better, and it does so through a wide range of services. These include noon congregate meals, classes, a readers theater, board games, a walking group and more.
Transylvania County provides van transportation for people age 60 or better and travels to shopping venues, recreation centers, banks, the post office and grocery stores. The service also has rides to the nutrition center at the Silvermont Opportunity Center. Reservations must be made ahead of time. Asheville is 35 miles away and has a regional airport, but the nearest international airport is 125 miles away in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Transylvania Regional Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission and accepts Medicare patients. Asheville, about 30 miles away, has a VA hospital.
The Transylvania Public Library has a bookmobile, an interlibrary loan program, a storytelling festival, a brown bag arts series, a great books discussion group, free wi-fi and more.
Brevard enjoys a temperate climate with summer temperatures in the 70s, 80s and low-90s. Winter temperatures are in the 20s, 30s and 40s (the elevation is 2,230 feet). On average, the area receives 65 inches of rain and eight inches of snow each year.
A Brevard retirement does have some drawbacks. Traffic has increased over the years, and long-time locals complain about congestion and changing traffic patterns. Driving around town during tourist season, particularly downtown, is a headache.
Despite these issues, residents seem to love living in this mountain hamlet. For many, retirement does not get much better than in Brevard, North Carolina.
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