In search of friends where we are headed (Asheville, Waynesville: new home, neighborhood) - The Mountain Region including Asheville - City-Data Forum

kjtfreyes · 07-03-2007, 03:41 PM

My wife and I are in the process of leaving Central Florida. I served 6yrs for my country and returned here to my home... I had no idea I would face a used and overturned city. It has been a struggle trying to keep up with this economy. I am interested in becoming a Park Ranger. This way I can help protect what is left that has been given to us. Watching concrete replacing the homes of our helpless neighbors in the wild has changed me. And the reasoning being finacial gain (greed), just discourages me completely. We have our hearts set on the Haywood county area. Preferably up by the National Park. Any tips, ideas or even a finger pointed in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Ed&Betty · 07-03-2007, 03:46 PM

Sounds noble and we wish you luck.

We are getting ready to move to Madison County from West Central FL later this year.

Maybe one day we can shake your hand.

chisoxfan · 07-03-2007, 11:49 PM

Haywood County is a great choice, and I think you'll treasure the opportunity to live there. We, too, hope to make it our home someday, God and my 401(k)/Roth IRA willing.

Please PM or e-mail me (scottstahmer@bellsouth.net) if I can help in any way.

cmbp · 07-08-2007, 09:21 AM

Haywood county is nice. We love people around here who have the goal of protecting our land. If Haywood county doesn't end up working out for you, anywhere around the Pisgah National Forest (which is pretty big) would be able to accomodate your work. Good luck.

jbird22 · 07-16-2007, 10:42 AM

I live in Haywood County. I love it here. I am originally from the DC area, and lived for 16 years in Metro Atlanta. One day, I just got fed up with the rat race and decided to find my way, elsewhere. It was the best thing I ever did.

Haywood county, from what I am told has the highest average elevation of any county east of the Mississippi. It isn't mountain goat steep - there are plenty of less steep places, but it does contain a bunch of mountains, which makes for spectacular scenery. There are nice places to live and be - even if your budget won't accommodate the lifestyles of the rich and famous.

PM' me if you have any specific questions. Check out Haywood Community College in Clyde, NC. (Google it for website). They have a great Forestry program, from what I hear. Sounds like it is just what you are looking for!

Again, I would be more than happy to help you if you had any questions. My son just graduated from HS here last month. He initially resisted the move, but loved it when he got here, and ended up having more friends than he had in the Atlanta area!

Whatever you decide to do, I wish you luck.

Thank you for your service to the Country. It means a lot. I was in the Navy in the '80's, my father was Army Infantry in WWII, and my daughter is in the USCG on active duty.

kjtfreyes · 07-19-2007, 04:35 PM

Thanks for the replies. We are trying to find some land for cattle, pigs, horses etc. Looking into grants and financing. I enjoy watching over whats left. I dont feel very good about the REAL effects from changing terrain and climate. But I have hope that if we take good enough care of what we have left, we can hold off the inevitable as much as possible. My wife Candace is Pre Vet at UCF. We are going to be trying online courses so we can leave when the opportunity rises.

Im originally from Casselberry, FL. Im your classic, from high school to the Air Force back in 1997. An Honorable Discharge a few years ago, brought me back home in search of life and prosperity. Instead I found my neighborhood taken advantage of. I quickly tried to keep my head above water. Ironicly, in construction. Mainly carpentry and remodeling. Im hoping to land a job at Home Depot as close to the Smoky Mountains National Park as possible. Since I have quite a bit of experience in Trades and Leadership/Supervisor Supervisee courses, I should be able to land something. Then finish up school so I can start working my way into the Park Services somehow. Its hard to save and leave a place that consumes it all. Just keeping Faith. I played the lotto for the first time a few days ago. lol

JRR · 07-19-2007, 05:01 PM

We have been in Altamonte Springs for 13 years. Can't wait to get to the mountains; got two acres in Cullowhee. Stock market willing, still about 5 years to go. Waynesville is great, we have been going up to that area for many years. Maybe we can start a rumor that the new hotspot for developers is North Dakota and get them to go there. (My advance apologies to North Dakota),

Best of luck with your proposed move.

jbird22 · 07-20-2007, 09:19 AM

I am in the construction industry in the area. I can give you the names of a few reputable const. companies if you are interested in trade work. My son works at Lowes, and a friend, at Home Depot in West Asheville, if you need some names there, I can also get. Also, they are building a brand new Home Depot in West Waynesville - approx 10 minutes from the Blue Ridge parkway entrance in Haywood County.

It's funny how you get to be where you are, isn't it? I took the circuitous route into construction. Had other life plans, but they evolved - as life does. Go with the flow and live an interesting life. If nothing else, when those of us who do are all old and in rocking chairs, we will keep others entertained with lots of good stories!

I'd be happy to help point you in the right direction, if you need it - when you are ready.

gottabhappy · 07-20-2007, 09:52 AM

KJTFREYES...You sound like wonderful people with unfortunately an uncommon interest (environmental).
Hubby and I lived in Kissimmee, and also Palm Bay and it was so sad to see all the land development at such a quick pace. We moved from Kissimmee to Palm bay to get away from it but it was sooo bad there as well. We lived in the "woods" basically on a dirt road in Brevard County and within a year down came all the pine across from us except one big oak tree, I was like well thats cool, the next day it was gone as well. I love florida but they have taken everything it was about and turned it into a parkinglot.
NC is great, but far from perfect. I wish you luck with being a ranger and hats off to your feelings about our planet. Your wife, too God bless her! Good luck and hope you find what your looking for cause you are definately what nature is looking for!

Bear Creek · 07-20-2007, 03:44 PM

I don't know if you've ever been to the Cataloochee Valley, but it's a place inside the Smoky Mountain National Park that contains several old house places, a one-room school and a church. They also have recently released elk to the valley. It has a stream where you can fish. The entrance is in Haywood county near the I40 interstate. You have to drive a gravel road over the mountain and once you get into the valley ithe road turns into a paved two-lane for a couple of miles. It's strange. You might could get a job there or on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There is an entrance to the Parkway at Balsam in Haywood.