Kings Mountain is named after a famous (and important) Revolutionary War battle that took place just minutes away. Today, it attracts history buffs and tourists who enjoy the area's historic battlegrounds, as well as its natural scenic beauty.
In a region teeming with Civil War lore and antebellum artifacts, King's Mountain differs from the norm by being rich with Colonial American history
Kings Mountain is named after a famous (and important) Revolutionary War battle that took place just minutes away. Today, it attracts history buffs and tourists who enjoy the area's historic battlegrounds, as well as its natural scenic beauty.
In a region teeming with Civil War lore and antebellum artifacts, King's Mountain differs from the norm by being rich with Colonial American history. With its close proximity to one of the region's most important battles during the Revolutionary War, Kings Mountain enjoys a certain amount of tourism thanks to nearby Kings Mountain National Military Park. Don't expect it to be just another sleepy Southern town, however, because it also boasts a thriving business community, state-of-the-art medical facilities, and a fabulous golfer's mecca, King's Mountain Country Club. With a population of 10,296, this hive of modern living is set among gracious, rolling hills that make you think of a gentler time when ladies and gentlemen played croquet. Tennis and golf may have replaced the croquet hoops, but folks here still sit on their front porches and sip iced tea -- and they're just as likely to invite you over for a glass. It's that kind of town.
Getting here is easy. Kings Mountain is just off Interstate 85 and 30 miles west of the big city of Charlotte. Looking for a place to live is easy too, because, for a town this size, Kings Mountain has plenty of housing for rent, including studio apartment units, apartment homes and rental houses. When you're ready to start looking for places to live in Kings Mountain, it's a great idea to check online first. You can also check the local newspapers for property listings, or just drive around and try to spot rental signs.
What to Bring
Looking for an apt to rent is pretty straightforward here. Other than basic identification, you don't need any special documents, although most landlords will ask if they can check your credit history. Landlords also tend to be interested in whether or not you're employed (or about to be), so come armed with proof of your current (or future) job. You'll also want to have your first month's rent and security deposit at hand.
When to Move
Is there a best time of year for moving to Kings Mountain? Not really, because the economy here really isn't dictated by tourism, so availability and rental prices don't fluctuate. Likewise, the winters are relatively mild, so you don't have to worry about slogging through snowbanks and icy streets while you're moving your furniture. While there are occasional ice storms in this part of the South, they pass by quickly with little snow accumulation, so you don't really need to let weather conditions dictate your move.
In a town this small, you're not going to find clearly defined neighborhoods. Instead, locals refer to certain parts of town when they're trying to get their bearings. Here are a few sections of town to familiarize yourself with:
Kings Crest Court: This residential area has a mix of homes for rent and for sale, and is close to amenities such as fast food restaurants -- Subways, for one.
Rhodes Avenue: This primarily residential area has a number of modern and mid-century homes (including some for sale or rent), and is convenient to area shops such as Linwood Produce.
Kings Mountain Boulevard: Here's where you'll find Kings Row Apartments, which offers spacious units and a great clubhouse. This bike-friendly community is close to amenities such as Walgreens, Food Lion, and Ingles.
Cleveland Avenue: You'll find some nice apartment complexes here, including Cleveland Ridge Apartments, an attractive development with comfortable, modern units. Close-by landmarks include Linwood Produce market and the lovely Deal Park.
Charles Street: This bike-friendly area is home to Green Tree Apartments, where you'll find spacious units, loaded kitchens and reasonable rates, all close to amenities such as Dollar General, Kings Mountain Hosiery Mill and Wendy's.
Logistical Stuff
Don't like snow? You've come to the right place, because Kings Mountain only gets three inches a year of the white stuff. July highs hover around 90, while January highs stay around a mild 50, so you're pretty safe from the cold blasts of winter. When you want to get around, you can ditch the car and rely on the Cleveland County Transit bus system to get you there.
Places to Go
This area is teeming with natural beauty, and a great place to enjoy it is Crowders Mountain State Park. It's a mecca for local rock climbers, but also offers a convenient gravel trail past lush forests and crystalline mountain streams. If you hike all the way up Crowders Mountain (the second-highest point in the county), you'll enjoy spectacular mountain views that sweep over a distance of 25 miles.
Located just 14 minutes away in Blacksburg, Kings Mountain National Military Park is the site of one of the region's pivotal battles during the Revolutionary War. In addition to miles of wooded trails, it has two superb fishing lakes, beautiful campground areas and equestrian facilities, so be sure to bring your horse.
Eats, Drinks and Recreation
This is barbecue country, so folks take the sweet 'n spicy sauce seriously down here. For real Carolina-style barbecue, head to nearby Shelby where you'll find Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge, a local landmark serving slow-cooked meats slathered with an artisan homemade sauce, platefuls of hushpuppies and a house coleslaw that alone is worth the trip. Another winner for local cuisine is Love's Fish Box, which serves up platters of fried catfish and perch, as well as exotic items such as buffalo shrimp and catfish stew. Locals also congregate at Youngun's Sports Bar for great drink specials and mouth-watering wings. Love artisan beers? Drive over to nearby Bessemer City and check out Whiskey Mill, which offers locally-made craft brews.
When it's time to work off those calories, you'll get plenty of exercise at Kings Mountain Country Club, a scenic, challenging 18-hole course that offers elevation shifts, as well as fairways lined with 70-foot pines.
Kings Mountain offers the best in vibrant mountain town living, Southern-style. The friendliness (and barbecue) may be small town America, but the ambiance has an up-to-date vibe that makes this place anything but a backwater, even if time sometimes seems to stand still here.
