The mountains are beautiful and majestic. They’re also full of friendly people, scenic vistas, and great living places. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life or just need a spot to relax after a hard day at work. Then there’s no better place than an idyllic mountain area. Here are some of the best places to live in the mountains in America:
1. Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville, North Carolina is a great mountain spot to live in. It’s small, but with a big heart. Asheville is also well-known for being an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise with farm to table restaurants. The city has a thriving art and music scene and is home to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Craggy Gardens.
The Biltmore Estate is another significant attraction here. This stunning mansion was built by George Vanderbilt and can be toured today.
2. Bend, Oregon
Bend is a small city with a big personality. Set against a background of the Cascades Mountains and overlooking Mount Bachelor, Bend has all the beauty you expect from an idyllic mountain town. But what makes it truly unique is its economy. The city has thrived in recent years thanks to its thriving tech and booming beer industries.
There are over 20 breweries in Bend, making it one of America’s most densely populated beer towns. In fact, it shows no signs of slowing down: In 2015 alone, there was an average growth rate of 3% per year. If you’re looking for an idyllic mountain town where you can live well while enjoying scenic views and delicious brews, look no further than Bend.
3. Boone, North Carolina Along The Blue Ridge Mountains
Situated along the Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina Boone is a small college town with a population of just over 20,000. It’s home to the Appalachian Trail and has numerous outdoor activities. This includes hiking, mountain biking, and skiing. In addition, the city’s art scene is vibrant thanks to its many artists who have galleries in town.
4. Bozeman, Montana
Bozeman is a city of just over 48,000 people who are lucky enough to be surrounded by mountains. Located close to Yellowstone National Park and Big Sky Resort, this town is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise.
It’s got great hiking paths and trails through the national park and some pretty sweet skiing and snowboarding facilities. This place isn’t just for outdoorsy types, though. It’s also a great place to eat and drink, with plenty of restaurants and bars serving local beer or wine.
5. Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a city in Colorado that has a thriving economy and excellent job market. Home to the Olympic Training Center, it’s set along the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains.
In addition, Colorado Springs is an attractive destination for people who enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and biking or taking advantage of the area’s recreational opportunities. Its scenic beauty makes it a popular tourist destination as well.
6. Crestline, California
The town of Crestline, California, is located in the San Bernardino Mountains, surrounded by the San Bernardino National Forest. The town was founded in 1906 and is home to Lake Gregory Regional Park. It also hosts an annual paragliding festival at Lake Gregory every August.
If you like hiking or biking, this area is an excellent place. Many trails throughout Crestline and neighboring communities offer breathtaking views of nature’s beauty and challenging hikes with a steep climb up steep grades.
7. Deadwood, South Dakota
Although Deadwood wasn’t officially a town until 1876, the gold rush lasted for several years. The town was named after the dead trees along its riverbanks used to make coffins. In fact, many of the buildings are made from logs that came from these trees.
Deadwood is small and quaint enough to walk around in an hour or so. It’s also close enough to other towns in the Black Hills National Forest area like Rapid City and Keystone that you can visit. While staying here, you can enjoy beautiful views at Sylvan Lake State Park or Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
8. Estes Park, Colorado
This small town is known for its proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park, but there’s much more to it. For example, Estes Park has the second-highest concentration of rock climbing in America and one of the best mountaineering programs in the country. Making it a perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts who want a place where they can participate in all kinds of outdoor activities while having access to a job market.
9. Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Eureka Springs is a small northwest Arkansas town famous for being a tourist destination. Set against the gorgeous background of the Ozark Mountains, it has a rustic, laid-back vibe that varies from many other mountain areas, as there is Victorian architecture.
This quaint village is home to numerous bed-and-breakfasts, gift shops, and Southern cuisine restaurants. While plenty of activities keep you busy in this picturesque area (including hiking trails), one thing you shouldn’t miss out on is the Victorian Carriage Museum. It’s one of only five museums dedicated solely to carriages in North America.
10. Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gatlinburg is a popular tourist destination, making it one of the best mountain towns to live in. The city has several attractions and activities for residents to enjoy. They include horseback riding, rafting, fishing, and hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which has three entrances in Gatlinburg alone. But if you don’t want to go out on your own, there are plenty of things to do in town, too: wineries and breweries abound.
11. Jackson, Wyoming
Jackson, WY is a great place to live. It’s located in the heart of one of the most picturesque parts of America, surrounded by mountains and a national park. There are bunches of things to do here, from skiing at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, mountain biking, hiking, or even taking a float trip down the Snake River through Grand Teton National Park. You don’t have to be outdoors, though. If you like shopping or dining out, there are plenty of options for that as well.
12. Lake Placid, New York
Lake Placid is located in the core of New York’s Adirondack Mountains. It is an icy wonderland during winter and a great outdoor escape during summer. Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, sledding, ice skating, and ice fishing are plenty of other activities to enjoy year-round.
In fact, Lake Placid hosted the Winter Olympics twice. Once in 1932 (before it became an Olympic sport) when it served as a host for aerials. And again in 1980 when it was the host for alpine skiing. On average, the median annual income in Lake Placid is less than the national park at almost $56K per year compared to $65K nationally.
13. Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth, Washington, is a Bavarian-themed town surrounded by mountains and set alongside a small river. It’s located along Cascades Mountain, making it an ideal place to enjoy snow sports like skiing and ice climbing.
Additionally, Leavenworth is one of the excellent mountain places to live in for retirees looking to relocate from colder climates. Also, those who want to live somewhere don’t have as much crime as in other cities in their state (the average violent crime rate per 1,000 people here is just 8).
14. Salt Lake City near Ogden, Utah
Ogden is also one of the best mountain towns to live in, especially if you like the outdoors. Situated 35 minutes north of Salt Lake City, this mountain town has everything you could ask for. There are many outdoor activities, an active nightlife scene, and easy access to the surrounding national forest and Salt Lake Valley. You can spend days skiing at Powder Mountain or Snowbasin before grabbing dinner at Ogden’s many restaurants.
And with thousands of acres of national forest surrounding it, Ogden also offers plenty of employment opportunities in the area. If you’re concerned about house prices here, they are significantly lower than in nearby Salt Lake City.
15. Park City, Utah
Suppose you’re looking for a mountain area that’s small and intimate but still has all the amenities you need. In that case, Park City may be your ideal destination. The town is located in Utah’s Wasatch and Oquirrh Mountains. Park City is home to world-class skiing, snowboarding, incredible hiking trails, and mountain biking.
Also, Park City boasts a state-of-the-art hospital and public school system that ranks nationally among the top 2% of all schools. Making Park city an attractive place to live if you consider education vital.
16. South Lake Tahoe, California
South Lake Tahoe is also one of the best mountain areas to live in. It’s also an excellent place for families, especially those with children who enjoy winter and water sports. South Lake Tahoe is located on the California-Nevada border between San Francisco and Reno.
The location is excellent because it offers access to many types of employment opportunities. However, there are still plenty of things to do in town if you don’t want to commute far away daily.
South Lake Tahoe has it all. This includes a hiking trail, lakeside activities like fishing and boating; an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities like biking and trail running; plenty of good restaurants offering cuisine from around the world. In addition, it has a nightlife that goes late into the night at casinos or other entertainment venues.
17. Telluride, Colorado
Telluride, Colorado, is a mountain town located in southwestern Colorado. It’s one of the ideal mountain places to live in if you enjoy nature and the outdoors since it sits over 8,700 feet above sea level.
The population of Telluride is around 2,500 people making it one of the lowest populations on our list. The primary industries in this area are skiing and tourism. However, an excellent job market is also available for employment.
Moreover, art galleries are abundant in Telluride, located all over town. It features works by local artists and international artists inspired by this place’s beauty. And if art isn’t your thing, there are many restaurants and bars where you can grab a drink before heading out on one of your many adventures.
18. Taos, New Mexico
Taos is a relatively small town in northern New Mexico. It’s also a popular ski destination, as it is home to Taos Ski Valley and surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. If you want to get off the mountain and hit the town, Taos has more than 80 galleries and art museums.
Also, Taos is a great place to mountain bike. In fact, there are over 100 miles of biking trails for every level of biker. If you have kids who want to ride their bikes with you but aren’t ready for all those crazy turns, several kid-friendly trails will keep them happy while still challenging your biking skills.
19. Whitefish, Montana
In Montana, Whitefish is a ski resort town with more than 8,000 situated at the base of Glacier National Park. Its pristine lakes, a nordic valley, mountain peaks, glaciers, and waterfalls attract tourists worldwide.
The city itself has plenty of shops and restaurants offering everything from souvenirs to fine dining options. Living in Whitefish, Montana, will give you the sparse suburban feel making it one of the best mountain towns to live for retirees.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for the best places to live in the mountains to settle down and call home, you don’t have to look any further than one of these mountain towns. With fantastic scenery, friendly people, and plenty of outdoor activities, these are the perfect places to live if you want to move away from it all.
Are you looking to move or buy a home in one of these mountain towns or anywhere else across America? Consider HOMES by ARDOR to guide you through every step of the process. We know how much effort goes into selecting a new home and ensuring it is exactly what you want and need.
In her 25-year career, Steph Wilkinson has been involved in the acquisition, marketing and sales of over $3 Billion dollars of residential real estate. A number of years ago, Steph transitioned into Brokerage Leadership for National real estate brands and tech start-ups. She has served as a Business Strategist for real estate agents and brokerages alike and is also a real estate coach and trainer. In her new role with the Iconic Team, Steph will be responsible for the growth of the team and will be working with all of our agents to increase their productivity and bottom line.
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