Shelby is a relaxed, affordable foothills city with a walkable historic downtown, regular community events and cultural draws like the Earl Scruggs Center — perfect for multi‑week contracts when you want cozy local coffee shops, green space and easy weekend exploration without feeling stuck.
Bigger‑city options are within easy day trips: Charlotte (about 45 miles) for airports, big‑city dining and entertainment, Gastonia (~22 miles) for suburban amenities, and Spartanburg, SC (~39 miles) for extra arts and healthcare resources.