The Arbor is located in the North Carolina mountains, 30 minutes from Asheville and Hickory, 1.5 hours from Boone, Charlotte, and Winston-Salem, and five hours from the beaches of the North and South Carolina coast.

The region’s mild climate, low tax rates, affordable cost of living, excellent school systems and rich diversity of available activities give the area an enviable quality of life that has earned a number of prestigious awards and national acclaim.

The Arbor is a waterfront community built on the shores of Lake James, NC, which was created following the construction of three hydroelectric dams by Duke Power, beginning in 1916. A prime piece of western NC real estate, Lake James has 150 miles of shoreline - 50 percent of which was recently purchased by the state of North Carolina to protect the lake against overdevelopment, which also serves to protect the privacy and increase the property values of those who invest in The Arbor.

No matter what your interests, you and your family will find it easy to discover new places to visit or exciting and relaxing experiences to enjoy in The Arbor. After one visit, you’ll understand why The Arbor is a true find in the midst of McDowell County real estate and Burke County real estate.

Entertainment

Throughout McDowell County, you’ll find a wide variety of entertainment opportunities including movie theaters, the McDowell Arts Council, Marion Skate Park, Lightning Lanes and Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park. Explore McDowell County's historic past at sites such as the Mountain Gateway Museum, Old Fort Train Station & Museum, and Andrews’ Geyser. Year-round, you can also enjoy a variety of annual festivals held throughout McDowell County and other nearby communities, which attract thousands of spectators. You’ll also find many more opportunities just 30 minutes away in the towns of Asheville and Hickory, both of which are major regional hubs for entertainment, dining, shopping and cultural activities such as minor league baseball, live theater, symphonies and museums.

Shopping

McDowell County offers shopping opportunities ranging from major big-box retailers to quaint and exotic boutiques found in local malls, shopping centers and in the downtown areas of Marion and Old Fort, as well as the Little Switzerland community, located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Attractions

Some of the region’s most popular attractions are just a short drive away, including Biltmore Estate, Grandfather Mountain, Linville Caverns, Blowing Rock, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Harrah's Cherokee Casino, Tweetsie Railroad, The Grove Park Inn, Mt. Mitchell, the Pisgah National Forest and the Hiddenite Emerald and Gem Mine.

Outdoor Activities

You'll find no shortage of outdoor activities in the area surrounding The Arbor. Enjoy boating, biking, horseback riding, camping, picnicking, nature studies, hiking and backpacking, fishing, swimming, water skiing and spectacular mountain views throughout the area at Lake James. Snow skiing and other winter sports are available a half-hour's drive away in the mountains of the Blue Ridge High Country. Hunt and fish for a wide variety of game and game fish in the fields, forests, rivers and streams you’ll find throughout the area’s rolling hills and mountain slopes. You and your family will also enjoy a variety of organized sports, including baseball, softball, soccer, swimming, and football at the dozens of parks, fields, sporting facilities and playgrounds located throughout McDowell County.

Medical Facilities

The area’s healthcare needs are served by two major regional hospitals, Frye Regional Medical Center and Catawba Valley Medical Center, both located in Hickory. Closer to home you'll also find McDowell Hospital, located in the town of Marion, and Mission St. Joseph's Hospital and the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center, both located nearby in Asheville.

Schools

The Arbor is located within the McDowell County Public School System, which serves students with two preschools, 8 elementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools, an alternative school, and one early college.

Seven institutions of higher learning are within an hour’s drive, including Caldwell Community College, Western Piedmont Community College, Burke Middle College, Lenoir-Rhyne University, Catawba Valley Community College, the Hickory Metro Higher Education Center and Appalachian State University.

Golf Courses

You’ll find over 23 private and public golf courses throughout the region, including Marion Lake Club, Linville Falls Mountain Club & Preserve, and Old Fort Golf Course. Just a short drive away in Catawba County, you’ll also find Lake Hickory Country Club (designed by Donald Ross of Pinehurst #2) and Rock Barn Golf Club (designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.), which hosts the annual Greater Hickory Classic PGA Champions Tour Event.

Dining

Here you’ll enjoy a diverse range of dining choices, including national fast-food and full-service restaurant chains, locally owned fast-food, ethnic cuisine and fine, full-service restaurants. Some of the area’s more notable local dining experiences include Little Switzerland’s Big Lynn Cafe, The Chalet, and the Switzerland Cafe; Linville’s Famous Louise’s Rockhouse Restaurant; and Bruce’s Famous Food, Carolina Chocolatiers, Ivan’s Restaurant and Bar, Little Sienna Restaurant, Parlez-Vous wine bar and restaurant and Wine Reuls, all located in Marion.