Asheville Ranked #5 of Marketwatch's 10 Best Places to Retire (Beaufort: crime, house)

[goldenage1]

Of nearby areas, only Asheville and Beaufort, SC make the top ten. There rest are in Florida, Arizona or Texas. Here's the link: 10 best places to retire in the US - retirement locations - MSN Money

[tsmw47]

Can't figure out why so many Florida places are in the top 10. It is ungodly hot in the summer, lots of bugs, no seasons and is so crowded. Besides bears are cuter wildlife than alligators Give me Asheville anytime!

[Samoi137]

If you look around enough you can find many similar surveys, with different cities. They're usually very subjective. Look at the criteria each uses. I've seen some listing northern cities with lots of snow, and others citing a lack of snow as important.

I wouldn't use them to decide where to retire, but if I can certainly appreciate a chamber of commerce or realtor wanting to.

[eclipticX]

Originally Posted by Samoi137

If you look around enough you can find many similar surveys, with different cities. They're usually very subjective. Look at the criteria each uses. I've seen some listing northern cities with lots of snow, and others citing a lack of snow as important.

I wouldn't use them to decide where to retire, but if I can certainly appreciate a chamber of commerce or realtor wanting to.

I agree as there are many awesome areas to retire based on likes/dislikes in almost any state.
Roanoke, VA weather is comparable to Asheville, NC. I live outside of Asheville while my brother lives in Roanoke. We compare experiences. Both cities get almost same amount of rain, snow, and sun. Both have MTNS and elevation dependent snows.

Roanoke is a little warmer in the Summer, but I believe it is not as congested as the Asheville area. Roanoke appears to have more accessible fishing areas, lakes, rivers, and such without all the heavy fishing restriction of Western NC. Lakes and rivers are more abundant in/around Roanoke, without the hour plus drives that are common in the Asheville area for accessing big water.

Roanoke area is more open--lots of wide open spaces, yet there are tons of mtns minutes away and Blue Ridge Parkway is a short drive, bike ride, or run from Roanoke. Roanoke has many greenway/bike trails throughout the town, but Asheville seems to be lagging with their proposed greenway trails.

My brother jogs from his house to and on the Blue Ridge Parkway(BRP). His house is less than a halfmile away from the BRP on the east side of Roanoke. Roads are safer in Roanoke-less curvy and better maintained than Asheville. Roanoke appears to be a more conservative city, but is with the times, as are most cities these days. Roanoke appears to attract the traditional family types with many parks, outdoor activities, ice skating rink, zoos, and free activities for the family.

Asheville seems to be lacking on the free part as everything cost money to visit. No ice skating rink. Asheville is good for tourists who want to drink and mossey around downtown. Lots beer pubs around Asheville, but this kind of thing doesn't really draw the family crowd.

Southern and Southeastern PA is very similar to Asheville and Roanoke weatherwise. Southern and SE PA is amazing weatherwise and activity wise, plus its proximity of being in the middle of Amish country, near the Appalachians MTNS, but not too far away(couple hours away) from DC, Philly, NYC creates many diverse opportunities. The history of Southern PA is amazing with all the historical town and sites. Snows sometimes less than 15" a season in SE PA, which is similar to Asheville and Roanoke. Some years more, but rarely more than say 40" a season.

Upstate SC is really nice too especially near the Clemson and areas north, however, Upstate SC rarely gets accumulating snow and is super hot during the summer. Upstate SC is in close proximity to some nice forests and mtns and huge man-made lakes.

[eclipticX]

Originally Posted by tsmw47

Can't figure out why so many Florida places are in the top 10. It is ungodly hot in the summer, lots of bugs, no seasons and is so crowded. Besides bears are cuter wildlife than alligators Give me Asheville anytime!

I lived in FL - a little north of Orlando and would never go back. FL has changed so much with the mass population growth and infrastructure destroying sensitive ecosystems to keep up with the growth.

There are still some nice areas out there, but the crime is horrible.
Heat--I adjusted, as the ocean springs and other water holes usually help with the heat. Also mid to late afternoon seabreaze storms cool things down just in time for an after dinner walk or tennis match. Sunsets are spectacular in FL, without being at the beach.

Cape Canaveral area isn't too hot during the summer as the cape gets a constant steady breeze off the ocean keeping temps in the mid 80s instead of low 90s.

Cockroaches suck! Can't escape those machines. I got used to them too.
Fire ants suck too. Never got used to their bites.

A house near or along an inter-coastal waterway would be optimal. Stay away from Orlando and surrounding metro, unless packing heat. Seriously!

I always felt I needed to watch my back at all times in FL, especially in touristy areas.

Many Floridians are moving into SC and NC. Crime will probably continue to increase in Upstate SC and WNC...unfortunately.