Elkin, North Carolina
What It Is Like to Retire in Elkin
Elkin is a small town of less than 5,000 people in northwestern North Carolina. It offers a lovely historic downtown district,a river view, wine Festival. Elkin is a small town with fantastic cost of living benefits,as well as extensive health care facilities. Elkin is about 45 miles from Winston-Salem, the nearest city. Photo of the Yadkin River as viewed upstream from Bridge Street. courtesy of Wikipedia and United States National Weather Service (public domain); photo of climbers ascending Stone Mountain courtesy of Wikipedia and Forrest L. Smith,III, original author was Filberthockey (public domain).
Where to Retire in Elkin and Home Prices
Zillow reports the median home value in Elkin was $146,684 in mid-2021.
What Is Special about Elkin
Elkin sits in the middle of NW North Carolina's wine country and the Yadkin Valley appellation. Some say it will become the Napa Valley of the East Coast. Over 25 wineries can be visited from downtown Elkin within 20 minutes - and that number is growing. Elkin is often compared to nearby Mount Airy, or "Mayberry" (of the Andy Griffith TV show). Elkin is a friendly, small town.
What Is Not Special about Elkin
Elkin's main draw is the small size of the community and peaceful lifestyle, some residents may desire a bit more action, but Winston Salem is only 30 minutes away for more entertainment choices
Who Will Like Retirement in Elkin
People looking for a quiet, small town to retire in will find Elkin to offer great value for the money. The town has a vibrant downtown community with plenty of events in the summer, and the regions best wine festival. The hospital is the largest employer and draws a diverse resident base to mix with long-time locals.
Local Economy Is Driven by
Elkin was formerly a mill town; now a large regional hospital and bank, as well as smaller medical related industries are some of the primary employers.
Climate and Physical Environment
Elkin is tucked in the northwest corner of North Carolina. Settlers were originally attracted here because of the confluence of Big Elkin Creek and Yadkin River running directly through a historic downtown area and park.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
The Reeves Theater restoration project will provide a performing arts center and cinema. The Tribune is a local newspaper published 3 times a week. During the 1960's, through the 1980'a Elkin was a large "cruising" center but police put a stop to that. Now after more than 20 years, Cruising is back and held once a month during the summer.
Crime
The crime rate is high, particularly for a small town.
Medical facilities
Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital is in Elkin. Additional hospitals are in other towns within 20 miles
Transportation
Elkin has a small private and leasure aircraft airport. The nearest big airports with commercial service are in Greensboro or Charlotte, approximately 1 hour away.
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