Highlands, NC Is A Fabulous Place to Relocate

Relocating to Highlands will be an exciting adventure.  There is so much to do and enjoy.  The area is a land of contracts.  Mother Nature did her best in creating a wonderful environment.  The community of Highlands have done their best by seeing that there is a wealth of cultural activities within the area.  Some of the best shopping and dining are found in the community.  Once you have moved in be sure you read our 911 Address Information page.  It shares information on who you need to contact once you have become a member of our mountain community.   Highlands is an address that covers both Macon and Jackson Counties.  Ask Dorothy@NCMountainLife.com and she can assist you in knowing which county you are located.

Welcome to Highlands! You will love it!

AIRPORTS

There are several airports that service the area:

The Macon County Airport

• 1241 Airport Rd, Franklin, NC 28734
• Has a 4,400 by 75 foot runway.
• Hours:  8:00 AM to dusk.

If the weather if iffy, you might want to consider flying into Pickens County Airport in Pickens, SC or one of its neighboring airports.. Additional airport information on all surrounding airports.

AUTOMOBILE TAGS

The NC law states that within 30 days of establishing residency in the state, you must also obtain a NC automobile tag.
The tag office location: 118 East Depot Street Franklin 828-369-8165.
If purchasing a new vehicle, there will be a 3% tax.  Minimum tax is $40 and maximum is $1000.

BUSINESS LICENSE

The City of Highlands requires that you have a business Privilege License if you are doing business in the town. Purchase at the Town Hall, 210 North Fourth St.
828-526-2118
If your business is to be located outside of the town limits, the state of NC will require you to purchase one.

CABLEVISION & SATELITTE

Northland Cable
479 South St. Highlands
828-526-5675

Highlands Cable Group
828-526-5675

Satellite providers:
 
Directv.com  800-347-3280
Dish TV  855-366-5118
Hughes.net 888-549-4474

DRIVER'S LICENSE

Newcomers need to apply within 30 for a driver's license.
Macon Industrial Park off of US 64 West at 277 Industrial
Park Road. Franklin   828-524-3592.

ELECTRIC SERVICE

Depending on your location electricity is provided by:
The Town of Highlands 828-526-2118
Haywood Electric Co-Op in Waynesville 800-951-6088
Duke Energy 828-524-2121

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Dial 911 for The Macon County Emergency Medical Service which provides ambulance services.
Dial 911 fo Fire service.  All provided by volunteer fire deparmentsl.  They do a terrific job!
A regional air ambulance is also based in Franklin for extreme medical emergencies.
Highlands-Cashiers Hospital   828-526-1200  A 24 bed hospital plus neighboring 80 beds

GARBAGE COLLECTION

2 times per week for those living in town.  No larger than 32 gallon capacity.  Make sure lids fit tight and are on  Bears are found in thr area so use tight fitting lids! DO NOT feed them!  Voluntary recycling is available at the Macon County convenience center outside the town off Buck Creek Rd.
Town of Highlands 828-526-2118.

GOLF CLUB COMMUNITIES  There are several in the area to choose from.

GOVERNMENT

The Town of Highlands is governed by a mayor and Board of Commissioners. The town administrator is in charge of day to day operations.
Town Hall is located at 210 North Fourth Street.Ph:  828-526-2118
The Mayor and Board of Commissioners hold meetings on the 1sr & 3rd Wednesday of each month at the Town Hall. All meetings are open to the public.

Macon County Seat is in Franklin. It is governed by a Board of Commissioners. A county manager supervises all day to day operations.
5 West Main Street Franklin
828-349-2025.
The Board of Commissioners meet the second Monday at 6:00 PM at the Macon County Courthouse. Agenda items need to be called in the week prior to scheduled meetings to reserve space on the appropriate agenda.

HIGHLANDS HOTELS, BED & BREAKFASTS

NEWS & MEDIA

THE HIGHLANDER NEWSPAPER 828-526-4114 Highlander Newspaper 
THE HIGHLANDS' NEWSPAPER 828-526-0782 The Highlands Newspaper
CASHIERS CHRONICAL
WCQS PUBLIC RADIO 101.7 828-253-6875
WHLC-FM 104.5 828-526-1045 WHLC

RESTAURANTS

Highlands is known for its fine dining.  Check out its numerous restaurants.

SCHOOLS

THE HIGHLANDS SCHOOL (828-526-2147) provides class for grades K-12. With an excellent curriculum and great teachers the school has ranked in the upper 10th percentile SAT tests. With high standards set, historically the school has ranked in the upper 10th percentile on SAT scores.  In additions more than 75% have gone on to higher education. The school is proud to have had two Morehead scholarship recipients the past two years.  Highlands schools are highly respected in the area.
For enrollment information call 828-526-2147.
545 Pierson Dr.
Highlands, NC 28741
828-526-2147

SUMMIT CHARTER SCHOOL (828-743-5755) serves th area with a K-8 program following the Carnegie Foundation Basic School model. They are proud of their brand new school facilities.  Located on a hill the locals call it "The Barn". As a public charter school, enrollment is tuition fee based and open to all students residing in Jackson, Macon, or Transylvania counties on a space available basis. For enrollment information call 828-743-5755.
370 Mitten Lane
Cashiers, NC 2774
828-743-5755

CHILD DAY CARE (828-526-8905) is available at Highlands Community Child Development Center for ages two months to five years. For information call 828-526-8905.

Highlands United Methodist Church (828-526-3376) offers a pre-school program during the school year. For information call 828-526-3376.

SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE (828-339-4000) is located in Sylva, N.C. The curriculum is based on a two year study course with a primary focus on 3 Academic Divisions:  Arts & Sciences, Career Technologies, and Health Sciences..  There are extension classes in nearby Franklin and Cashiers.
4447 College Dr.
Sylva, NC 28779
828-339-400

PUBLIC SAFETY & EMERGENCY SERVICES

828-526-4400  24 hours a day, our well trained force are ready to dispatch.
828-526-2104  The Highlands Police Department is trained and equipped to handle law enforcement issues.
828-349-2104  Sheriff deputies cover the area outside the city limits.
828-526-3645  The Volunteer Fire Department provides fire fighting services for the area.
828-526-9431  The Highlands Rescue Squad can be reached 24 hours a day as well.
    911       For emergencies, call 911 and they will ensure the correct people are sent to help.

TAXES

NC tax includes tax on income, personal and business income. Sales tax is 6.75% on all goods purchased.  Exceptions include:  prescription drugs, gasoline, coin
operated laundry, eyeglasses, motor vehicles andgoods purchased for resale. The sales tax on motor vehicles is 3%. In addition to the 6.75% sales tax, there is a 3% lodging tax in Highlands. Property taxes are administered and levied by the town and county.
County Tax   Macon County Personal Property Tax is 26.4% rate or $240/100,000 valuation.  The town of Highlands is 0.18 per hundred of evaluation. or $180/100,000 valuation for Highlands.
State Property Tax   There is no state property tax for the state of NC.
State Income Tax.  The state of NC does have a state incomes tax.  It is a graduated income tax rate from 6%-8.25%.  One should always contact their account for questions requading how taxation will affect them.  For local assistance, call 828-524-7300 for the NC Department of Revenue in Franklin or write to Po Box 25000 Raleigh, NC 27640.

Tax Contact Information
City Town of Highlands - Town Hall
PO Box 460 Highlands, NC 28741 
828-526-2118
Macon County - Tax Office Macon County Court House 
Franklin, NC 
828-349-2000

NC Department of Taxation - NC Dept of Revenue Local Franklin
PO Box 25000 Raleigh, NC 27640
828-524-7300

Privilege Tax Information 

TELEPHONE AND INTERNET

Verizon  1-800-483-4000.
US Cellular 800-450-98757
Crystal Clear Connections is a prepaid home service  800-815+0056
MCI 877-783-2598
ITC Deltacom  800-239-3000
Hughes.net  888-549-4474

VOTER REGISTRATION

Requirements to vote:
  register 30 days prior to an election
  be a U.S. Citizen
  be 18 years of age or older by the election date.
To register to vote contact:
Macon County Board of Elections,
Macon County Courthouse
5 W. Main Street
Franklin, NC 28734 
828-349-2034

WATER & SEWER

The Town of Highlands provides water and sewer service. 
Office Location  210 North Fourth Street, 828-526-2118.
Obtain rates from the town website.

Various Local, State, & Federal Offices

NC Employment Security Commission
828-369-9534
NC Driver's License Office
828-524-3592
NC License Plate Agency
828-369-8165
NC Division of Forestry
828-369-8677
Social Security Administration
828-369-2684
U.S. Forest Service
Wayah Ranger Dist. 828-524-6441
90 Sloan Rd., Franklin
Highlands Post Office
Hwy 106 & 64 828-526-2667

Still haven't found the property you want but you want to come to the mountain... check out Highlands Homes, Highlands Home Sites, Lakefront Homes, Lakefront Neighborhoods, and Foreclosures. 

If you are dreaming of living on the mountain, NCMountainLife can fullfil your dream.  Email me Highlands Properties.