Wendell Falls
Raleigh, North Carolina
Sylva, North Carolina
What It Is Like to Retire in Sylva
Tucked between Plott Balsam Mountain Range and the Blue Ridge Parkway, Sylva, North Carolina, is a small but quaint town lined with cafes, galleries, bookstores, breweries, and antique shops. It is known for its outdoor recreation, especially fishing, and has been recognized as the state's premier trout fishing destination. With a population of just 2,700 (2020), Sylva is the county seat and social center of Jackson County, and is about 50 miles southwest of Asheville. The town celebrates several festivals and events, and is home to Southwestern Community College. The movie "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing" was filmed here. Photo of Dr. D. D. Hooper House (1906), and photo of Main Street, courtesy of Wikipedia and Warren LeMay (public domain).
Where to Retire in Sylva and Home Prices
Sylva is made up of several neighborhoods and has very low property taxes. Zillow reports the median home value to be $294,096 in early 2023.
What Is Special about Sylva
Unlike some small mountain towns you don't have to be an outdoors person to enjoy living here. Although Sylva is a fishermans haven, and does offer much outdoor recreation, the town also has antique shops, book stores, a library, a historical district, and hosts many events and festivals.
What Is Not Special about Sylva
Sylva is a little isolated with the nearest big town (Asheville) about an hour away, and the nearest large airport is in Atlanta, about 160 miles away. The crime rate is high.
Who Will Like Retirement in Sylva
Retirees who want a small, mountain town with a low cost of living and a walkable and vibrant downtown would enjoy living here. Sylva has galleries, restaurants, three bookstores, breweries, a hospital, great fishing, and is close to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
Local Economy Is Driven by
Sales, Food Service, Management, Construction
Climate and Physical Environment
The average January temperature is about 40 degrees, and July's average is 73 degrees. The town gets a little over 50 inches of rain each year, but under 10 inches of snow.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
The Courthouse is a historical site and home to the town's library. There are several parks that offer outdoor activities and summer concerts. Greening Up the Mountain celebrates the arrival of spring with a downtown street Festival. Sylva is considered one of the top Christmas towns to see in western North Carolina. It does not offer museums or many cultural venues, but you can head to Asheville for events, entertainment and many restaurants.
Crime
For a small town, Sylva has a high crime rate, well above the national average, which mainly involves theft.
Medical facilities
Harris Regional is an 86-bed hospital located in Sylva.
Transportation
Asheville Regional Airport is about 55 miles away, and the nearest international airport is in Atlanta over 150 miles from Sylva.
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