Massage Therapy in Asheville (find a job, living, moving to)

[psychelle]

I am a licensed massage therapist in Chicago considering moving to Asheville (as well as a few other places.)

What is the market like for massage therapists?
Are there way too many? Not enough?

I know it is a pretty touristy area with an emphasis on holistic health, so I imagine there's a lot of spas and the like. But I'm just wondering if I will be able to find a job and/or start my own practice without there being too much competition. I could see how a place like Asheville could be saturated with massage therapists.

I am a technical writer, and that can support me well enough. However, I would like to stop doing that and eventually open my own massage therapy practice. Is this a bad idea in Asheville?

Thanks!

[NC_Paddler]

Originally Posted by psychelle

I am a licensed massage therapist in Chicago considering moving to Asheville (as well as a few other places.)

What is the market like for massage therapists?
Are there way too many? Not enough?

I know it is a pretty touristy area with an emphasis on holistic health, so I imagine there's a lot of spas and the like. But I'm just wondering if I will be able to find a job and/or start my own practice without there being too much competition. I could see how a place like Asheville could be saturated with massage therapists.

I am a technical writer, and that can support me well enough. However, I would like to stop doing that and eventually open my own massage therapy practice. Is this a bad idea in Asheville?

Thanks!

Honestly, it's *very* competitive for massage therapists in Asheville, as there are many, many therapists currently living here.

Are you a freelance Tech Writer, or do you work for an employer? Perhaps you can gradually work your way into your massage therapy business, keeping your "day job" until your client base and reputation increase to the point where you've firmly established yourself in the community.

Best of luck.

[The Mule]

Originally Posted by NC_Paddler

Honestly, it's *very* competitive for massage therapists in Asheville, as there are many, many therapists currently living here.

Are you a freelance Tech Writer, or do you work for an employer? Perhaps you can gradually work your way into your massage therapy business, keeping your "day job" until your client base and reputation increase to the point where you've firmly established yourself in the community.

Best of luck.

I second that. If you are a freelance Tech Writer or your employer is open to you telecommuting, you have an opening to wedge yourself in.

But as far as massage therapists go, if you shake the trees here, they fall out.