Chinquapin offers a rare opportunity for affordable mountain splendor close to Cashiers and Highlands.
The towns of Cashiers and Highlands, North Carolina are known far and wide for their combination of rustic beauty and upscale charm, dining and shopping. Communities in the area are also known for prices and amenities that match the breathless elevations.
However, on the Cashiers-Highlands Plateau is one remarkable community—just 10 minutes from Cashiers and 20 minutes from Highlands—that is anything but typical of the area. Chinquapin celebrates and reveres the wonders of nature with down to earth sensibilities. In fact, of the 2,000 acres of forested land here, nearly 700 are held in permanent preservation with the North American Land Trust for residents to quietly explore and enjoy.
Wander 22 miles of trails along streams and creeks to dazzling waterfalls. Pristine and protected as part of the watershed, Chinquapin is simply unique in its nature. Simply put, nature comes first. It always will. The community is adjacent to the Panthertown Valley, a 6,600 acre tract that is a part of the Nantahala National Forest trail system with public hiking and mountain biking trails that serve as an extension to Chinquapin’s private trails.
The homes sites are expansive, with magnificent long-range views. There is blessed peace and privacy here, yet the feeling among the residents is warm and welcoming.
Amenities are carefully planned to let nature take the lead, including a community Outpost where friends come to get supplies, plan hikes or fly fishing lessons, or gather to prepare and enjoy a meal in the community kitchen or at the outdoor grill. Evenings can be spent by the fire indoors or out. Gaze the heavens to catch a falling star or catch sporting events or movies on the huge 9 X12 foot TV. Share a glass of wine or celebrate a wedding.
Other amenities include an excellent fiber optics system, three wilderness cabins, camping grounds, a ropes course, an adventure area, onsite native brook trout fishing, a biking shack, a driving range and a putting green. Coming soon will be a community pool, amphitheater, and a par-3 course. In other words, there is something for everyone here.
Village and Escape Cottages—NOW Available from ONLY $189,900.
Whether you are looking for a nine-acre estate home site or a tiny cabin cottage escape, Chinquapin offers an array of living options. The community is offering limited stays in their on-site wilderness cabins or in Cashiers and Highlands.
The Chinquapin cottage home collection offers brilliantly planned designs from 900 to 2,500 sq. ft. The Chinquapin home book portrays these attractive homes where every inch is designed to make the most of your enjoyment of the setting with large decks, patios and porches. Exterior finishes include natural stone veneer, laurel twig railings, board and batten siding and poplar siding and round locust columns. Inside you’ll find hardwood floors, granite counters, Thermador Professional appliances and energy saving features including tankless water heaters, Pella insulated windows and efficient central air conditioning.
If you are looking for a custom home, the best selection of expansive home sites is now available, many bordering hundreds of acres of permanent conservation land. The Chinquapin builder program makes the process of building easy, even for those building remotely.
This is the time.
This is the time to take advantage of exploring these unique opportunities at Chinquapin. If you’re familiar with the area, then you know that prices are typically at least twice the price for similar quality. But as we said, there is nothing typical about this community. This is an unusual chance to enjoy all that the Cashiers/Highlands area offers in a magnificent, protected natural setting. Limited availability so come out this weekend and find your forever at Chinquapin.
Meet Missy Mandel from Austin, Texas. Asking for directions helped her find her way home.
Missy Mandel and her husband, J.B., were looking for a second home in the North Carolina/Georgia mountains were J.B. was raised and had still had family. They spent a lot of time looking and exploring. “I thought I might like something closer to a more populated area,” said Missy, “Many of the places we looked at felt either too remote, or too clubby, or frankly too long in the tooth.”
While driving to look at another community, Missy and J.B. got lost. And as a result, found exactly what they were looking for.
“We pulled into the Chinquapin Outpost to ask directions, not realizing that it was also the real estate office for Chinquapin. The people there were so friendly and helpful and invited us to see the waterfalls. That’s all it took. One look, and there was no going back. If we hadn’t found the perfect house that was already here, we would have built one.”
“The waterfalls are special. They transport you to another world. The community does a great job of keeping them accessible to the residents. You breathe in the air and feel the mist on your face, and it’s heaven, heaven, heaven!”
Missy’s family and friends love to hike, get out on the lake, cook and also do nothing. Their friends have made repeat visits. And, of course, “alone time” is special too.
Missy and J.B. have made great friendships with the residents here. “They are a lovely group of people. They are there whenever you need them. It is a special bond.”
Missy describes the experience of her visits as cathartic, almost healing—a place to recharge the spirit. “It’s beautiful and vibrant. Chinquapin is very connected to nature and the magic of the mountain.” She appreciates the fact that this is a home to people of every age and interest. There is always something new to learn and something to do that will interest everyone.
“And I have to say that the staff of Chinquapin are fabulous, always there for you. And that has made all the difference.”
Indeed, from day one, the people at Chinquapin helped point Missy and J.B. in the right direction. Home.
Community Facts:
Elevation: 4,000 ft.
Homes: Escape Cottages begin at $189,900
Home sites: From $59,900.
Home site sizes: Up to nine acres
10 minutes from Cashiers, NC
20 minutes from Highlands, NC
1 hour from Asheville, NC
2 hours 30 minutes from Atlanta, GA
