Single white female moving to asheville area has q's? (Charlotte: renting, buying a home)

[kountrybound]

Looking for areas that will be safe for me and mt two dogs..
Looking for small towns or country areas...
Need to know what areas to stay away from and why?
Thanks.

[Cassie]

Originally Posted by kountrybound

Looking for areas that will be safe for me and mt two dogs.. Looking for small towns or country areas... Need to know what areas to stay away from and why? Thanks.

Safe in what way for your dogs? BSL? MSN? Safe in what way for you? Renting or buying? Price range? Is having a job a concern for you? A little more information would be helpful.

Regards,

Cassie

[kountrybound]

I will be buying a home..
Still looking for job and will need a job..alt transportaion close by would be nice..

I want to be able to feel safe in my neighborhood and with my neighbors..
don;t want to be afraid of having or getting a break in and rape/murder..

[mm34b]

Originally Posted by kountrybound

Looking for areas that will be safe for me and mt two dogs..
Looking for small towns or country areas...
Need to know what areas to stay away from and why?
Thanks.

Asheville Newspaper Article on Area Crime.

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pb...73248543113505

[norrina]

If you do not have a job lined up yet, there are some details you will want to consider. What field are you looking for work in? Do you have several that you are able and willing to take work in? Do you have funds set aside to support yourself for a period until you find work?

Asheville has a rather disappointing job market, and a high cost of living - so you'll want to make sure you are prepared for the economy before you pack up and start driving.

As far as alternate transportation goes, we do have a city transit system that is marginally functional. You can see schedules and maps at http://www.asheville.nc.us/transit.htm (broken link). The bus routes primarily service Asheville city limits and maybe the slight outskirts, on a schedule that runs 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with some extended evening routes until 10 or 10:30. Swannanoa has hourly routes to Warren Wilson College, but Black Mountain and Weaverville have only five routes a day, and the other outlying towns (Candler, Fairview, Fletcher) don't seem to have bus service at all. There is the concept of carpooling at http://www.sharetheridenc.org, but from what I have seen, this is not yet a widely used system.

[Micah Girl]

Someone mentioned a high cost of living and a disappointing job market in Asheville--can you elaborate??

[mm34b]

Originally Posted by norrina

As far as alternate transportation goes, we do have a city transit system that is marginally functional. You can see schedules and maps at http://www.asheville.nc.us/transit.htm. The bus routes primarily service Asheville city limits and maybe the slight outskirts, on a schedule that runs 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with some extended evening routes until 10 or 10:30. Swannanoa has hourly routes to Warren Wilson College, but Black Mountain and Weaverville have only five routes a day, and the other outlying towns (Candler, Fairview, Fletcher) don't seem to have bus service at all. There is the concept of carpooling at http://www.sharetheridenc.org, but from what I have seen, this is not yet a widely used system.

You can take Asheville bus route 6 out to the airport in Fletcher, which ia about halfway between Asheville and Hendersonville. From there you can pickup the Hendersonville bus line.

[mm34b]

Most of the employment market in the Asheville-Hendersonville area is based on tourism and the needs of retirees such as healthcare. Not much in the traditional industry sense of factory employment as in other parts of N.C. You also have to keep in mind that city of Asheville only has a population of 70,000.

[mm34b]

Originally Posted by Micah Girl

Someone mentioned a high cost of living and a disappointing job market in Asheville--can you elaborate??

High cost of living compared to what?

[roxors]

I've lived in Asheville for four years now. The job market isn't the greatest, unless you are looking for work in the medical, tourism or service industries. I have a job with a software company, and if I were to lose it, I would without a doubt have to move. There just are not those kinds of jobs around here. A lot of factories in the general Western North Carolina area have closed over the last few years as well (textiles, furniture). The payscale here isn't the greatest either, compared to what you might make in larger cities (Raleigh, Charlotte) in North Carolina. It is a great place to live however, so don't get me wrong. Cooler summers and a definite four seasons are a big plus.