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Sounds like Asheville is getting what it voted for. Also Sanford has it's own mating call if you're looking to meet someone. Take a container of pills and give it a shake.
The problem is when housing becomes unaffordable or unavailable due to large changes in the market. I mentioned this previously but its very difficult to find affordable rentals in Asheville, and its become a problem throughout our many of our small mountain towns. All of the growth we are seeing here, and all along the I-85 corridor, is putting immense strain on these communities. Affordable rentals have been turned into Airbnb's. All those transplants in the Piedmont need somewhere to go on the weekends after all! The housing stock for locals - the people who work, live, and raise a family - is almost non-existent. Most of what is developed is targeted towards wealthy retirees or mountain rental cabins.
None of this is unique to Asheville though, yet the level of crime seems to be. Why do you think that is?
Sanford is still improving its downtown. There is a brewery and a craft beer place.
I checked Spotcrime for the downtown area and saw numerous non-violent crimes like theft and vandalism. There were a couple of assaults also. The drug use is probably underreported.
The schools are not great. One of my relatives used the Christian school, and now does homeschooling.
If you are not restricted by a job offer, I suggest looking at Southern Pines. It has more of the "cute coffee shop" vibe.
None of this is unique to Asheville though, yet the level of crime seems to be. Why do you think that is?
I lived west of Asheville and still follow many of the Asheville FB pages. Between what I see there and what I observed, there is a very high homeless population, many to most of whom have mental health and/or drug addiction issues. That drives up the crime levels. What I am seeing most on the FB groups are vehicle break ins and stolen vehicles being the most common crimes (in the west Asheville area at least). I lived near there for 3 years and after the first year, I probably went into Asheville 10 times or so and that was only because that's where doctor's appointments or car repair appointments were. I didn't go downtown for the last 2 years. I was seriously worried I would hit someone who walked out in front of my vehicle. It happened all the time, they'd step out from between 2 cars and not even look. It was just too stressful for me to enjoy. And this is coming from someone who has driven in the Raleigh area, all over, for 40 years.
None of this is unique to Asheville though, yet the level of crime seems to be. Why do you think that is?
Its a good question. I have never seen this level of crime and homelessness in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, although Asheville is definitely more of a regional hub than those smaller towns. I know that a lot of drugs come through Asheville. There is a permissive attitude towards drug usage and a serious lack of public safety officers. Not a good combination. I have never personally been to Portland Oregon, but I've heard it likened to there. People come from far and wide to seek this vibe out, and there are lots of places to live in the woods in a tent, van, yurt, etc. They find out once they get there that its expensive and a poverty trap. If you fall victim to drugs you're screwed because there aren't as many resources as there are in this area.
Its dangerous to park your vehicle and go hiking. Lots of break-ins. Growing up I watched WLOS news and it was funny to me because they only reported on fluff, like a kitten being rescued from a tree or some church announcement. A lot has changed since the 90s-2000s. I don't think having a million breweries is helpful for the health of the community, either.
Curious to see if the OP agrees with that statement. Looking at other NC mountain tourist towns (using Boone as an example), I don't see the same levels of crime, but I admittedly don't know a ton about any other those towns other than visiting.
I do know that crime in Asheville has increased considerably over the past few years. It actually has made national news:
I answered in the post above, but I am not aware of a huge crime problem in Asheville. Every time I go, it's a great hippy vibe, and the biggest crime I see is someone smoking weed in public. Not a crime IMO. Maybe I'm missing it, but to that point, I feel a LOT safer in the few parts of Asheville that I've seen, compared to almost anywhere in Sanford.
As for places to avoid, I answered that too, but just be SURE to see the place you choose in day and night, and if your budget is enough to get a nicer area, that will take care of a lot of it (sadly).
A good exercise if you want to see what Sanford is all about, just spend a couple hours in their Walmart. Start observing from the Parking lot, to the store, to the cleanliness and management, to the clientelle, and so-forth.
Again, Sanford is growing on me, and I think it will steadily improve (not get worse), but Walmart is a pretty good indicator, and all I can say is "Sanford ain't no Asheville".
You might also look to some of the surrounding rural areas.
Also, just about any part of Sanford is going to be infinitely more conservative than Asheville. Weather that is good or bad probably comes down to personal preference.
Thanks for the insight - You are definitely missing it in Asheville if you feel safe LOL. There are some areas that may give that false sense, but Asheville in general is absolutely disgusting and horrific right now. Police won't respond to anything, drugs and overdoses at a significantly higher rate than most places nationally (which says a lot), and just so not what it used to be.
I like the Wal Mart Idea. I think we need to make a trip to the area.
What put Sanford on your maybe relocate place? Is it a job, family/friends in the area, housing prices, etc?
I've been in the downtown Sanford area and it has a lot of murals and some cute shops. Is that enough of a vibe? I'd look at parks-and-rec programs and availability, library services and things like that for the vibe over a coffee shop.
It is a commutable distance from family and my job at Duke/husband job at Cary. I don't want to commute an hour, but budget wise it is an area that had more options.
OP, between the much more obvious choice of Pittsboro, you should also check out Saxapahaw. It is a good bit more rural but with a modern earthy vibe you might like.
OP, between the much more obvious choice of Pittsboro, you should also check out Saxapahaw. It is a good bit more rural but with a modern earthy vibe you might like.
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