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Hey all! My husband and I and our 3 kiddos (ages 13-5) were thinking about packing up the pup and feline and relocating to Asheville. We are in our early 30s. My husband has a network administrator degree and a graphic design degree as well as experience as a training coordinator. I am currently in nursing school. My kids are a dancer, pianist, and a gymnast. We love the vibe in Asheville, but we are wondering if it is possible to actually live there and continue to live a comfortable lower middle class lifestyle. We are incredibly concerned about employment opportunities and housing. We are renters, as my husband has a boatload of medical debt due to a car accident some years back. Any insight would be appreciated
Do a search on the WNC board and you'll find a lot of specific answers to your questions..
But basically though, Asheville is one of the most expensive towns to live in in the southeast, and on top of that it is not an easy town to make a living in at all. The economy is mostly tourism based, and there are lots of jobs for wait staff, cooks, and that kind of thing - but little of anything else.
Lots of people move there because they like the 'vibe' too, but often they'll find the reality of it. Some people don't care though and just want the Asheville vibe. They want to ride their bike around downtown, hang out in the drum circles, and not much else.. And that's fine. To each his own, right? But if it's "a comfortable lower middle class lifestyle" you're looking for, then I would really do my homework and give it some serious thought if I were you.
Agree with previous posters. I love Asheville and we lived there for 2 years but it is not easy to make a living there. Also the schools aren't that great.
You might consider areas of TN air southern VA to give you a similar feel, depending on the economy in those places. Chattanooga, Knoxville, Nashville TN or maybe Roanoake VA?
I too really enjoy the vibe of Asheville...enough to say to myself, "Hmmmm, I could live here..."
But yeah, the lack of employment options made me scrap that fleeting thought. I'll just stick to extended visits. lol
I lived there - and escaped 20 years ago. It was brutal even then, and from the sound of things has only gotten worse with the increase in real estate prices. The lack of jobs, and the pure crap the few that were available paid... ugh.
And then the chamber of commerce put up those "Asheville... Quality of Life!" billboards lol.
I lived there - and escaped 20 years ago. It was brutal even then, and from the sound of things has only gotten worse with the increase in real estate prices. The lack of jobs, and the pure crap the few that were available paid... ugh.
And then the chamber of commerce put up those "Asheville... Quality of Life!" billboards lol.
Just a few conversations with the locals in HRT jobs were so revealing. But Asheville is such a gem...just wish it was more accessible for more people.
Thank you everyone for the input. I think Asheville area will have to wait until after the kids are out of the house. I really appreciate everyone's comments
Go to Chapel Hill instead. Similar vibe and cost of living, but much stronger job market (UNC and its proximity to Duke + RTP) and of course not in the mountains. Chapel Hill is still mad hilly though with curvy roads and trees everywhere. Amazing city..check it out at least.
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