HENDERSONVILLE IS ONE OF THE MOST “LIVABLE” TOWNS IN AMERICA
Brevard was ranked 57th, and Hendersonville came in at 63rd in Livability.com’s first Top 100 Best Small Towns list, released Monday.
This new list is an expanded edition of the website’s annual Top 10 Small Towns index.
According to a news release from Livability.com, “These cities and towns allow for the tight-knit communities key to small-town living coupled with the amenities you’d expect in larger cities. More than 35 states are represented from coast to coast.”
In its description of Brevard, the website mentions its moderate climate, cultural offerings and outdoor attractions, such as Pisgah National Forest.
“Proximity to several waterfalls earned Brevard the nickname, ‘The Land of Waterfalls.’ Brevard College’s music and environmental studies programs are lauded, and Blue Ridge Community College provides an additional choice for higher education,” the website states. “Outdoor adventure opportunities include lush parks, mountain biking and road biking.”
In the description of Hendersonville, the website singles out the city’s history, attractive downtown, and quality public education and health care.
“Historic neighborhoods, a vibrant downtown district and friendly residents help Hendersonville, N.C., attract new residents,” the website states.
“We hear that all the time,” agreed Karen Baker, assistant director of the Henderson County Tourism Development Authority. “We just had a visitor a few minutes ago who said what a lovely downtown Hendersonville has. People are often surprised, with the small size of Hendersonville, just how much we have culturally.
“Someone came in earlier this morning, someone who had moved here from Asheville,” Baker added. “They liked it because we have so many things similar to Asheville, but a slower pace — not as hectic.”
The website also singled out Henderson County’s four high schools, which “get high ratings from parents.” It added, “Hendersonville is perhaps best known for hosting an annual North Carolina Apple Festival that draws 50,000 visitors. Residents have access to great health care at Pardee Hospital.”
The Livability.com ranking places Hendersonville one notch ahead of Aspen, Colo.
Baker expects that the website’s observations will increase interest in Hendersonville and the surrounding area.
“Any time these rankings are out there, we see an influx of people visiting and also calling asking about Hendersonville and wanting relocation packages and vacation packages,” she said.
“It’s great when Hendersonville’s on a list,” Baker added, “but even when it mentions any Western North Carolina town, it’s a boost for the whole area. … I think the secret is out about Hendersonville.”
To create the rankings, the website’s editors modified methods developed by the Martin Prosperity Institute, part of the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.
“Affordability is becoming an increasing issue in our largest cities,” Livability editor Matt Carmichael stated in the news release. “Quality smaller towns that offer great amenities at a more reasonable cost are a great alternative.”
More than 12,000 towns with populations between 1,000 and 20,000 were evaluated in the study. More than 40 data points were grouped into eight categories ranging from demographics, real estate and health care to social and civic capital.
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