Why you'd want to live in Highlands
According to legend the town of Highlands was founded when two developers Samuel Truman Kelsey and Clinton Carter Hutchinson drew a line on a map from Chicago to Savannah and another line from New Orleans to New York City in 1875. They predicted that these lines would be major trade routes in the future, and where these lines crossed would become a population center. Their prediction wasn’t far from true given Atlanta's proximity to Highlands. However, the terrain would prove difficult for it to be part of a major trade route. What did develop was a health and summer resort community. At an elevation of 4118 in the Southern Appalachian mountains of Western North Carolina, Highlands has an average summer temperature of 75 degrees, an average rainfall of 90 inches a year, mix in the abundant summer sun and you have a lush temperate rainforest making it the perfect oasis for anyone looking to escape the heat from the surrounding southern cities. Surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest one can fill the days with hikes through lush forests, picnics beside magnificent cascading waterfalls, or fly fishing in some of the most pristine headwaters in North America. In 1928 the first private golf course was opened and became the practice grounds for the great golf legend Bobby Jones making Highlands a mecca for links lovers. Now there are several golf communities designed by golf legends like Arnold Palmer and renowned golf architects like Tom Fazio. If you are a golf lover Highlands is the place for you. Play on emerald green courses under sapphire skies with breathtaking mountain views as the backdrop. It doesn’t get much better than this. Then there is Main Street. One can’t talk about Highlands and forget to mention the luxury hotels and spas, world-class shopping, restaurants, and art galleries that can be found with a simple stroll down Main Street. To learn more about these local businesses visit the Mountain Life Properties YouTube channel and watch our Mountain Life Minute video series.
