moving to asheville, don't move here? (Marshall: house, buying, to live)

[dmecchi2]

I have a question: why is it that whenever I hear about asheville it is always followed by the saying "don't move here"? It seems to me that the town is real chill and the people are cool, but do they think that they are too cool. Is this some kind of localism like in surfing, where they are not cool with people not from there surfing their spot, ok bad example. but why do people always say don't move here

[Ed&Betty]

We are excited to be moving to nearby Marshall, NC and have spent lots of time in Asheville and here on the board. Except for a few apparently unhappy naysayers I don't get that feeling at all.

The big discussions is about over development and environmental concerns...
If you think the folks in Asheville and surrounds are nice and friendly, then, guess what? They Are!

Disclaimer: IMHO only, I find that generally, people to be as friendly as I am friendly to them.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Ed&Betty

We are excited to be moving to nearby Marshall, NC and have spent lots of time in Asheville and here on the board. Except for a few apparently unhappy naysayers I don't get that feeling at all.

The big discussions is about over development and environmental concerns...
If you think the folks in Asheville and surrounds are nice and friendly, then, guess what? They Are!

Disclaimer: IMHO only, I find that generally, people to be as friendly as I am friendly to them.

I am in total agreeance with this!

[KG00713]

I moved to Asheville last year to start a graduate program. My main problem with Asheville is that downtown is full of beggars hoping they can get money out of tourists. I've also run quite a few people who have been rude (mostly thought my graduate program...but are 25-40 years old and natives of the area) because of the way I look and dress.

I'm from Chicago and I wear high heels and makeup, and I've been stared at, yelled at, and treated poorly by people downtown. The normal dress is tie-dyed shirts, hiking sandals..so if you dress nicer you are either a "tourist" or "one of those rich folks buying up the mountains."

Also, although I'm liberal, there are a lot of crazy far-left liberals in the area. All the businesses near my house get spray-painted with pro-vegan and anti-bush statements. It's really quite scary.

It all depends what you like. The mountains are beautiful. There are a lot of restaurants and shops...but some of the people that live around here are just hateful.

[cooperwx]

To answer the OP, there is a significant population in the NC mountains who believe that we are near the tipping point where the area can't support more growth and retain it's natural beauty. Some think we're already past it. Thus the "encouragement" by some to stay away.

[mhogan10010]

Originally Posted by KG00713

I moved to Asheville last year to start a graduate program. My main problem with Asheville is that downtown is full of beggars hoping they can get money out of tourists. I've also run quite a few people who have been rude (mostly thought my graduate program...but are 25-40 years old and natives of the area) because of the way I look and dress.

I'm from Chicago and I wear high heels and makeup, and I've been stared at, yelled at, and treated poorly by people downtown. The normal dress is tie-dyed shirts, hiking sandals..so if you dress nicer you are either a "tourist" or "one of those rich folks buying up the mountains."

Also, although I'm liberal, there are a lot of crazy far-left liberals in the area. All the businesses near my house get spray-painted with pro-vegan and anti-bush statements. It's really quite scary.

It all depends what you like. The mountains are beautiful. There are a lot of restaurants and shops...but some of the people that live around here are just hateful.

You will eventually go back North. Don't sweat it. Learn what you can and enjoy the scenery. I stayed in NC way too long before I went back North. Although originally from the Midwest (Detroit) I have been much happier since I moved back Northward.

Good luck with your Graduate Studies. Just finished my masters couple of years ago.....waited too long to do that too.

[tkhk3746]

LOL. You should be a writer! I LOVE your descriptions of the city! Also LOVE Chicago! I agree. Many more liberals in Asheville area...also some very strange people.....Smaller communities...perhaps more conservative...and some dress nice and others barely dress....towards the Southwest! I can drive to Asheville in an hour...but the best part is I don't have to live there...

I'm a "northern implant" too! Hang in there Chicago....it gets better! Do whatcha gotta do and move on!

[gypsychic]

Hmmm - my experience has been that I have seen ALL types in Asheville. Frankly, I only see a lot of "hippies" and "mountain dressers" in downtown and north Ashe, but I actually see MORE dressed up people in the rest of the town. I see a good mix of everyone really. It's really hard for me to understand some of the negative attitudes on this forum, I think some people are just paranoid. If anything, this town more than any other I've been in let's one be who you are and dress how you like. More towns should be like this.

[cooperwx]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

Hmmm - my experience has been that I have seen ALL types in Asheville. Frankly, I only see a lot of "hippies" and "mountain dressers" in downtown and north Ashe, but I actually see MORE dressed up people in the rest of the town. I see a good mix of everyone really. It's really hard for me to understand some of the negative attitudes on this forum, I think some people are just paranoid.

I think it's "pigeonhole syndrome," the need to be able to describe a place in one sentence. That is not possible with many places, Asheville especially.

[Ed&Betty]

Yes, I was so concerned a couple of weeks ago...

Walking around DT Asheville in my FL style tan Boat/Deck shoes. I was in fear of being accosted by some fiddle playing local in zongs. It was very traumatic.

When I realized my error and concern for my well being I ran for Topps, but alas... closed.

I hid in the shadows until dark until I slowly found my way back to my car.