I am looking to relocate a little closer to the AT in the future…likely in the NC/VA area.
Any suggestions on a good town with a decent economy?
nobody
Good "Trail" Towns?
system
#4
For a true trail town, Damascus was great. I don’t know about the economy - it’s very small, so it depends on what you are looking for. It is near Abingdon which is a little bigger, and kindof touristy/cutesy.
If you are looking for a bigger place near the trail but not on it, I’ve heard good things about Asheville, NC. I met some hikers from there, they liked it, but I’ve never been there. Pretty big, though.
Jitterbug
system
#5
I relocated to Western NC in 2000—Haywood county, close to Asheville (borders to to the west). The southern half of the county is the Shinning Rock Wilderness and Middle Prong Wilderness areas. We are bordered on the west by the Great Smoky Mtn. National Park–800 miles of trails. Max Patch is a 30 minute drive to the north. The highs this past 2 summers were 88 degrees—temps drop quicly at night to the mid 60’s. The Blue Ridge Parkway is the souther boundry of the county. Can you tell I love it here?
Repeat
Repeat
system
#6
Pearisburg is a good AT trail town. The AT goes right thru it. Pearisburg is 20 minutes from VPI, a major US University, 20 minutes from Blacksburg and Christiansburg, about an hour from Roanoke and Salem. Also only about 30 minutes from Princeton and Bluefield, WV. So it’s got a lot within a short driving distance. Also 32 miles of the New River flows thru Giles Co, where Pearisburg is located and the county has about 50 miles of the AT, which runs thru it. Pearisburg has about 4000 or so population and the whole county only has about 20,000 population, so it’s a small town but located fairly closely to some large cities/towns. I tell folks that you could say Pearisburg is a one horse town, but to be correct you’d have to say that the town of Pearisburg is a no horse town, as the town proper has a no livestock town ordinance. :cheers
Maintain
system
#7
Some larger towns near the trail, but not on it, in Virginia would be Marion and Roanoke. Both are large enough to find work and close enough to hike frequently.
oldkathy
system
#8
I go to school in Charlottesville, VA, which is 18 miles from the AT at Rockfish Gap. Its a cosmopolitan town surrounded by beautiful scenery. Outside magazine consistently rates it as one of the best towns for those interested in the outdoors.
Bankrobber
system
#10
now you’re talking papa smurf.
i once lived in boone. i am now living in the asheville area (for the next week or so, at least). then, it is off to the trail for me. but, i’d agree with papa smurf- boone and asheville are two great towns that are no more than 45 minutes from the AT. both are in the mountains of north carolina. both are near the blue ridge parkway. both are near rock cilmbing. both have decent economies and job markets. (if you’re one of those types that is looking to work). they both get my vote. when i finish with my winter adventure on the AT, i’ll definitely be returning to one of these two towns.
grizzly adam