About Murphy's Tarheel

Welcome to Tarheel in Murphy, North Carolina! Tarheel is one of Cherokee County’s most desirable developments. Since its just minutes into downtown Murphy without paying any city taxes this is a huge plus. All the conveniences of living in town yet have the feel of way out mountain top living.

Tarheel offers everything from wooded lots, seasonal mountain views and views of Lake Hiwassee and USFS lands. Traditional and Log homes ranging from get-away cabins to exceptional Chalets with views on all three levels. The Tarheel development is divided into Tarheel North, Tarheel South, Tarheel West and Lover’s Leap. Light restrictions are in place to protect your investment and further enhance this sought after community.

This is a mountain community where you’ll find neighbors becoming great friends and gathering together for outdoor entertaining on the deck or dinners in downtown Murphy at any of the great restaurants.

Just down from the Tarheel entrance by the Old L&N Depot is the Murphy River Walk. This approximate 3 mile walking trail follows the Hiwassee River and the Valley River, which meet and surround the historic town center of Murphy, the Cherokee County seat. Take a break along the way at Konehete Park or stop in the Hiwassee Valley Pool & Wellness Center. Walk into town and do your banking, visit the library and then stop in one of the shops for a cappuccino or ice cream.

All this convenience and still being able to watch the deer and other small wildlife in their habitat and ending each day with a breathtaking sunset in the Tarheel development of Murphy, NC.

See all our other post on Living In The NC Mountains

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The Tarheel community in Murphy, North Carolina offers the best of mountain living with the convenience of being only minutes from schools, restaurants and shopping. Bordered by thousands of acres of US Forest Service and Lake Hiwassee to the north, Tarheel is home to many local business owners who live here year-round.

It's a favorite among vacation home owners too, since you can sit on your deck and see nothing but peaceful woodlands and mountains from many of the homesites.

Lots in Tarheel range from just under an acre to estate sized parcels of 3-5 acres or more. If you're lucky enough to have a lot that adjoins Forest Service land, it's like having a back yard that goes on for hundreds of acres, filled with native trees and mountain laurel, and home to deer, wild turkeys and other wildlife.

I'm a Tarheel resident myself and I love being surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. We've seen our newest neighbors recently, coming and going from their home on the shores of Lake Hiwassee. A pair of eagles is nesting somewhere in the treetops on Forest Service land behind our house and as we sit on the deck, we sometimes catch them taking a shortcut through our yard.

Although Tarheel is a platted development, it's nothing like the typical subdivision. This mountain community does have protective covenants - no junk cars in the yard, no farm animals, no outdoor toilets ( yes, it's true). But there's a wide variety of home styles, ranging from cozy log cabins and mountain chalets to traditional ranch style homes with brick or stone trim. And no one tells you what color you have to paint your house.

Prices in Tarheel range from the mid-$100,00's for a 2 bedroom cabin to over $500,000 for a spacious 3 or 4 bedroom home on several acres with a long range mountain view. When we built our home in Tarheel, our neighbors Jim and Nancy gave us a computerized view from all 4 sides of our home based on the GPS coordinates. It names each mountain peak on the horizon and tells us how many miles away we are. Even though we're not the highest lot in Tarheel, we see mountains over 30 miles away, all the way to Tennessee and Georgia.

A wooded lot in Tarheel starts at around $35,000 for an acre. There are still a few lots with incredible views available. Prices range from $79,000 for an acre to $159,000 for a 3 acre parcel that backs up to Forest Service land, approved for 2 residences. It would make an ideal family compound or could be split into 2 separate building lots.