Did you know Marion, NC was assessed as one of the top three places to retire in North Carolina? Whether you’re looking for Marion, NC real estate for a place to raise a family or to purchase a second home, there’s a lot to love about the seat of McDowell County. In this article, we address the top six reasons why you’ll fall in love with Marion, NC!
1. The Linville Caverns: Since 1937, the Linville Caverns have been open to the public for those interested in viewing the subterranean recess. Complete with stalactites and stalagmites, this cave inside Humpback Mountain features an underground stream that is home to a type of blind, native trout. During the winter and spring months, visitors can glimpse the bats which frequent the caverns; in summer, the caves are perfect for escaping the North Carolina heat, as they hover around 52°F. While you’re in the area, be sure to check out Linville Falls, just a few miles from the limestone and dolomite caverns!
2. The Historic Carson House: Built at the close of the 18th century, the two-story mansion known as the Historic Carson House has seen many significant events of history, including the Revolutionary War, slavery, the Civil War, and the North Carolina Gold Rush. The Carson House was reclaimed in the 1960s after falling into disrepair; today, it is furnished much like it would have been in the late 1700s. Visitors can wander the museum and ponder life in the early stages of America or rent the Jubilee Arbor for weddings and events. Whether guests are history buffs or not, the Historic Carson House acts as a time capsule capable of transporting visitors back in time. For more information on the Historic Carson House, click here!
3. The Greenway Trail: Offering nearly 30 miles of paved bike path along the Neuse River, the Greenway Trail attracts scores of residents and visitors each year. With interpretive signs, historical markers, agrarian areas, wetlands, and more to view along the way, this gem of McDowell County is open daily from sunrise to sunset! Want to hop off the bike and explore on foot? Check out Abbotts Creek Trail, Anderson Point Park, or Buffalo Road Athletic Park on your travels, or pop by the river for watersports and fishing opportunities!
4. The Catawba River: Interested in kayaking, tubing, fishing, or simply finding a place to cool off on a hot day? Enter the Catawba River, just minutes from Marion. This river spans over 200 miles, reaching from McDowell County all the way into South Carolina. With no less than 11 hydroelectric dams on the river, the more than two million people who live near its shores benefit in more ways than just enjoying a place to recreate. Named for a Native American tribe that once thrived off its waters, the Catawba River offers visitors and residents alike a peaceful retreat at any time of year.
5. Proximity to Asheville: Less than an hour away from the metropolis of Asheville, Marion offers residents the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains without sacrificing the comforts of modern living. Marion also happens to be less than an hour from Asheville Regional Airport—a definite perk for those who travel frequently.
6. Pisgah National Forest: Marion also enjoys the serendipity of existing less than an hour away from both Mount Mitchell and Pisgah National Forest. For those who love to explore, hike, mountain bike, horseback ride, hunt, and more, Pisgah National Forest offers hundreds of thousands of acres to play in with miles of scenic trails. It’s hard not to fall in love with this beautiful region of Appalachia—we bet you’ll be looking for Marion, NC real estate after just one visit!
Marion, NC Real Estate
In addition to the established access to quality medical care, social opportunities, recreation, and minimal tax burden that make Marion an ideal place to retire, it can be fun for young couples or growing families as well. With ample breweries, distilleries, and eateries in the area (Mica Town Brewing, Keeper’s Cut Meadery, Refinery 13, and Copper Creek Distillery come to mind) there’s no shortage of activities to enjoy both indoors and outdoors!
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