Need some information about Sylva/Jackson County, NC

[phylny]

Our daughter may be relocating to the area for a job, and we're traveling there on Sunday. She has an extended interview Sunday and Monday.

Is there anyone on this forum from the general vicinity who would be willing to answer a few questions regarding apartments, traveling (I know it's hilly/mountainous for travel, so we're wondering where she should live in relation to work) and the general safety of several areas.

Thanks in advance!

[Lee-Lee]

1. I went to school there a couple years

And later worked a job that included the area as part of the territory I covered. It has been a while, but I will help if I can.

It is definitely a county with two distinct personalities. Very rural/mountain conservative with most of the natives, the kind where people registered as Democrats talk as if they are teabaggers in many cases, and then you have everybody who works or goes to WCU with the far more rational views you expect from a university environment.

Still, going to school there in the early 90s as a minority I never had any issues. It is a low crime county all around, and generally safe, unless something ha really changed in the last few years.

The county is really pretty divided between northern and southern Jackson county, this all covers the northern half. The southern half is all wealthy tourists and summer homes around Cashiers, and the road to Sylva long and twisty enough it separates them to the degree you would almost think they are not the same county.

[phylny]

2. Thanks for responding.

It looks like she'd be in the northern half, looking at where she'd work. If she works in Sylva, do you have any advice as to what towns she might look into for rental apartments that wouldn't have too long of a commute? I know that when you're traveling over mountains (as you do here) "miles" aren't a good indicator of how long a trip will take.

We live in a very "red" area now, so she's used to "Republican-land." It might be nice for her to have a mix of being near a university town with the environment you describe.

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond!

[Lee-Lee]

3. She will be fine

There are tons of apartments in Sylva and Cullowhee thanks to the school being there. The closer you get to the WCU campus the more you have to deal with the constant parties, so she will probably like one in Sylva better. If you go out from there you end up with a further commute, and really fewer nice options.

I actually worked for a property management company that had a good number of properties over in Sylva and Cullowhee. It has been a number of years, but I am told the school is growing so I imagine even more choice is available now.

I would suggest a smaller complex for an apartment- she is less likely to deal with loud parties and such from the students when they are in town. There are a lot of places that have only 2-4 units or so in one property.

[gklagan]

4. Sylva resident

2010-2012 I lived in Cullowhee and worked out of an office in Sylva. Now I live in Swain County. In Sylva stay out of the Court Hill Apartments and the River Park trailer park if possible. I strongly recommend selecting a location ONLY after seeing the place in person. It's the only way to know if she'll be comfortable with the road conditions and neighbors. Nearly everywhere that isn't right on top of the job location will be 15-20min away. It almost never snows here and when it does everyone stays home so don't worry too much about evaluating a place for winter accessibility.
Cheers.

[phylny]

5. Thank you so much for your response.

After her interview, IF she gets one of the jobs, we'll have a better idea where she'll be located.

I appreciate the responses