Cashiers, North Carolina Remains a Hot Spot for Atlantans—And Here’s Why

Atlantans have long retreated to Cashiers, North Carolina, for the 20-degree temperature respite in the summer and spectacular colors of leaf-peeping season in fall. His entire life, author and interior designer James Farmer has called Cashiers his second home—his grandparents honeymooned there, and he bought his own property in the exclusive High Hampton community over a decade ago. “September in Cashiers is the best-kept secret,” he says. “I really hate to tell people how wonderful it is because the summer crowds have gone, and the fall leaf-lookers haven’t arrived. I call it ‘peaches meets pumpkins’—half summer and half fall—and everywhere is lovely and easy to get into on the Plateau.” (“The Plateau” means the gorgeous stretch of mountainous earth ranging from Highlands to Cashiers.)

PRIME SPOT

For $50 million, you can break a North Carolina real estate record and purchase the most valuable property in the state: Sagee Manor, a mountaintop estate on 49 acres surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest. The 12,000-square-foot home was designed by Atlanta architect Keith Summerour, who was inspired by a circa-1900 Tudor hunting lodge built near the city. Another Atlanta connection is Bonneau Ansley, co-owner of Christie’s International Real Estate Highlands-Cashiers and one of the listing agents. If the two-hour drive from Atlanta is a bridge too far, hop in the chopper and land on your own helipad.

28717

This zip code consists of just under 3,000 households

$1.6M

Median sale price (based on sales over  the last 12 months)

$809

Average price per square foot in Cashiers, North Carolina

“Cashiers is my happy home and a place I’ve cherished all of my life. The seasonal gathering of friends and family creates a harmony of peace and fellowship that is so welcoming.” —Francie Hargrove, Interior Designer in Cashiers

Southern style and mountain charm mingle at Toby West Home, selling antiques, art, and more.

These late, great Southeastern interior design talents all called Cashiers home: Charles Faudree, TOBY WEST, and Hal Ainsworth.

PRIVATE CLUBS & COMMUNITIES OF NOTE

A membership or residence inside High Hampton, Mountaintop, Wade Hampton Golf Club or Old Edwards Club guarantee outsiders entrée to Cashiers’ well-heeled set.

IF YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW

Homeowners’ and guests’ first in-town stop before heading up the mountain? Cashiers Farmers Market to stock your mountain kitchen. What began as a produce stand in 1995 (a tent behind the gas station, to be exact) is today a specialty grocery and produce market (think peaches and tomatoes in summer and apples and pumpkins in fall, delicious pies, and all sorts of locally sourced provisions). Hit On the Side Barbeque (literally on the side of the market) for great barbecue, and be sure to pet the resident golden retriever market mascots. 

FUTURE

Develop Cashiers Responsibly (@savecashiers on Instagram) is a grassroots group of full- and part-time Cashiers residents monitoring ongoing development trends to make sure future projects protect the heritage, character and authenticity of the town of Cashiers.

TAKE A HIKE 

Whiteside Mountain—the trailhead is smack in the middle of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, and the 2-mile loop is exactly what you want: an easy-to-moderate amount of effort to scale to nearly 5,000 feet with a fabulous view payoff. Pro tip: Stop at every vista point and be on the lookout for the profile of the “chief” naturally carved into the rock.

IF YOU DON’T HAVE A HOUSE

Skyline Lodge, for a dog-friendly, Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired boutique experience with Oak Steakhouse on-site.

Old Edwards Inn and Spa has you covered from Main Street Highlands luxury rooms and suites to bucolic farm cottages, with access to high-end amenities including a pool, spa, and golf.

IF CASHIERS HAD A MASCOT

Black bear

The mountains serve as a picturesque backdrop for the perfect game of golf at Old Edwards Club.