Boone, North Carolina
Cost Of Living Index: 97
Average Price Of Homes: $330,000
Attractions:
- River and Earth Adventures
- Watauga County Farmers Market
- Hike up Howard Knob
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Zip-lining
- Kayaking
This affordable mountain town in the Blue Ridge Mountains is the perfect place to put down new retirement roots.
Home to Appalachian State University, it offers an adventure-lover dream all throughout the year, with mild summers perfect for fishing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and canoeing. But snowy winters can also offer you skiing, hot springs, and colorful falls.
Named for American pioneer Daniel Boone, the population is 18,156. But it nearly doubles when you factor in the college students.
For those looking to keep a part-time job, job growth is higher than the US average, and tourism, education, and retail are the top three employment industries here.
Combining the art scene and culture that comes with the university, which has a charming historic shopping and restaurant district, fantastic weather, and all those mountain activities, this affordable mountain town gives you an A-plus experience!
