How would Pittsburgh compare with Asheville or Knoxville? (Philadelphia: real estate, camps)

[Tiger Beer]

How would Pittsburgh compare with Asheville or Knoxville?

Basically other cities that would have the mountain geography east of the Mississippi...thinking of overall differences or similarities...in whichever way. Musically, culturally, politically, etc. to compare them with Pittsburgh.

[scottrpriester]

We've got our share of rednecks and white trash, so I'm sure that would seem similar.

[fleetiebelle]

Have you ever been to Asheville, Scott? It's a beautiful area, and not at all full of rednecks.

[BrianTH]

Well, for one thing the Pittsburgh region is much bigger in population, as is the central urban area. The culture is also very different, as different probably as comparing Philadelphia and Charleston.

I guess my point is the differences so outweigh the similarities (aside from the topography) that it is hard to know where to start.

[scottrpriester]

Originally Posted by fleetiebelle

Have you ever been to Asheville, Scott? It's a beautiful area, and not at all full of rednecks.

Our area is beautiful too, they were asking for comparisons, and that's what I gave them.

[jenniferprestia]

I've only been to Asheville once but it has a vibe that is very similar to Ithaca NY - in other words not like Pittsburgh at all.

[Fiddlehead]

Having passed through Asheville, I have only the most superficial impressions. That said, it seems to be a very nice place. Great climate, nice people, superb surroundings. However, it does not seem nearly as large, so may not have the urban amenities. It is also something of a mecca for enviros & new agers, so that could be a good or a bad thing. I would suspect real estate is also more pricey.

Knoxville seems a closer comparison to Pittsburgh. Larger, with a bigger urban base, big river flowing through. It is the intellectual/science center of Tennessee, for what that is worth.

[Tiger Beer]

Asheville as well as Pittsburgh are cities I plan to spend some time in next time back in the U.S. - to look at where to live in the future.

Asheville's climate and mountains sound ideal. But it does sound much too small, and sounds like not nearly as much to do as Pittsburgh.

Knoxville was an afterthought, I think it would be too bible belt for me....but the mountain terrain and such is interesting.

Pittsburgh is VERY HIGH on my list of where to move back to when I get back to the U.S. The others are more afterthoughts...the Pittsburgh forum is so active, and a ton of great posters, so very informative with narrowing things down though.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

How would Pittsburgh compare with Asheville or Knoxville?

Basically other cities that would have the mountain geography east of the Mississippi...thinking of overall differences or similarities...in whichever way. Musically, culturally, politically, etc. to compare them with Pittsburgh.

Haven't been to Knoxville so I'll leave that one to others.

Pittsburgh is more fast-paced and lively than Asheville. And that's not because Pittsburgh is a particularly fast-paced city so much as Asheville is a giant vat of molasses disguised as a small metropolis. Asheville's motto is "we'll get around to it, eventually."

Pittsburgh has more run-down areas and the detritus of its industrial past is evident all over; whereas Asheville, while not exactly the most spit-polished place I've been, is more in tune with its natural surroundings.

The political comparisons are hard to nail down because Asheville seems divided squarely into two camps: neo-Confederate Bible thumpers and leaf-licking hippie nutwhacks. Pittsburgh's political climate tends to slide right down the middle between the two.

Asheville seems positively obsessed with bluegrass/mountain music, though I suspect that's mostly an affectation for the benefit of tourists. Nonetheles it seems to fit the general theme of the area. If Pittsburgh could be described as a genre of music, I'd call Pittsburgh "classic rock." There are of course local venues that appeal to a broader taste in music than just classic rock, but you shouldn't be surprised to hear Foghat rolling out of the jukebox at your average corner tavern.

[Tiger Beer]

Thanks Drover!

The Classic Rock...sounds like where I grew up in MI...the novelty of bluegrass/mountain music is kinda cool...although, it does get kind of old. Classic Rock was great back in the early 1980s! I can't imagine still listening to it regularly 20 years later! But...I guess it could be worse...it could be hip-hop dominating the radio...either way, it isn't good!