Boiling Springs, NC

Boiling Springs is a quiet, close-knit community in Cleveland County, sitting about an hour west of Charlotte in the North Carolina foothills. With a population of around 4,600, it has the relaxed rhythm of a small college town built around Gardner-Webb University. The town takes its name from a natural spring on the campus grounds, where a peaceful lake and paved walkways create a welcoming spot to walk the dog or sit outside with a cup of coffee.

ATTRBrian Stansberry (photographer) / CC BY 4.0

Living here means enjoying a slower pace while staying connected to regional conveniences. Highway 150 runs straight through town, making it easy to run errands in neighboring Shelby or head south into Gaffney, South Carolina. Just a few miles down the road, the Broad River Greenway provides miles of shaded trails for hiking, trail running, and kayaking. Between the local schools, university events, and nearby river access, it offers a comfortable, down-to-earth setting for newcomers looking to settle into small-town life.