Climate, Technology and Location Attract People to Move to Northwest North Carolina

Climate, Technology and Location Attract People to Move to Northwest North Carolina
Karen Alley

North Carolina is seeing people move into the state at a rate of 61%, tying for fourth place with Delaware and fellow southeastern state South Carolina. The numbers are backed up anecdotally by Kyle Michaud, owner of Carolina Dozer in Millers Creek, NC. “The majority of our work, anywhere from 75-90 percent, is people relocating here from another state, mostly Florida,” Michaud says. “They’re looking for a change of pace, to get out of the rat race, and in search of a higher quality of life.”

The natural beauty of North Carolina, with easy access to both the mountains and the beach, is one of the biggest things attracting people to move to our area. After the pandemic made it possible for more employees to work from, more people took advantage of that increased flexibility to move to areas of North Carolina where they could enjoy hiking, biking and being outdoors.

Michaud is one of those people. About five years ago he moved to Wilkes County from Florida, where he bought a 100-acre farm. “For me, the two ideal places to live are either the beach or the mountains. Living in Wilkes County gave me easy access to both,” Michaud says.

The beauty of our foothills region is a big draw for retirees, and according to the United Van Lines survey Baby Boomers accounted for more than 55% of all inbound moves in 2022. But other factors are encouraging people to move to more rural areas North Carolina, especially as the possibly for remote work increases.

The expansion of fiber optic internet over the past few years helps make it possible for people to live and work in rural areas. Fast, reliable internet access is a requirement for most people these days, and North Carolina has made great strides in increasing access and will see even more in the future. In last 2022, the Agriculture Department announced $759 million in grants and loans to enable rural communities access to high-speed internet as part of the broader $65 billion allotted for high-speed connectivity in the bipartisan infrastructure law enacted in November 2021.

The internet makes it possible not only to work in rural areas, but also provides access to goods through online shopping. Other services, such as Door Dash and Instacart, bring modern amenities to rural areas. “Residents no longer have to sacrifice convenience for the privacy and serenity of the countryside,” Michaud says.

Clearing the Way

It wasn’t long after moving to his acreage in Millers Creek that Michaud bought an excavator to get work done on his farm. Others began asking for his help, and from there it grew into his grading and excavating business. As more people move into the area and buy acreage to build houses on, work like Michaud’s is important. “If a road or driveway isn’t installed correctly, a hard rain will destroy it,” Michaud says.

“I’m thrilled to see the growth and development here in northwestern North Carolina,” Michaud says. “The combination of natural beauty and modern amenities has made this area an attractive destination for those seeking a change of pace and higher quality of life, and with our excavation and grading services we are proud to be a part of helping these residents and developers turn their dream properties into a reality.”