Thinking about relocating to Asheville (Charlotte, Greenville: sales, renting, homes) - The Mountain Region including Asheville - City-Data Forum

vwininger · 10-22-2007, 11:17 AM

My husband and I have been looking for a great place to relocate our family to for quite awhile now. We currently live in Indiana and we're ready for a change. We love the mountains and Asheville is looking pretty good to us. It will probably be a year or two before we move, but I was hoping for some thoughts from anyone familiar with the area.

We have 2 kids (ages 2 and 4), so schools will be the number 1 factor in deciding where to live. Can anyone give me some input on which schools are the best/worst in the Asheville area?

I'm also wondering about the job market there. I am a web developer/designer and my husband is a sales manager at a midwestern chain similar to Lowe's or Home Depot. Do you think we would have trouble finding work out there? Or, are there any nearby cities where we might have better luck if we were willing to commute? I currently commute 1 hour each way daily. This wouldn't be my first choice, but at least the drive would me more interesting and beatiful with mountains to look at....

I would really appreciate any feedback you guys can offer. We haven't been to Asheville yet, but are hoping to make a trip early next year--possibly February.

Thanks in advance!
Valerie

djc1949 · 10-22-2007, 04:04 PM

We have lived in Weaverville, north of Asheville. We have been here 2 years in Nov. We love this area. It is very close to so much. Grocery (Ingles) is in the town of Weaverville 12 minutes away, Asheville Civic Center is 20 minutes. E Ash is 25 Min away. There you find a lot of shopping (Ashe Mall) and Restuarants, Lowes and Home depot and much more.
In the Town of Weaverville there will soon be a Super Wal-Mart and Lowes. As for Web Designing, this is a growing town. Try 'careerbuilder.com'.

I was told that N Buncumbe JR and HS are good schools. Just what we heard, we don't have kids.

FYI, Raliegh,NC and Atlanta, Ga are 4hrs away. Johnson City, TN is 1 hr. Greenville/Spartanburg,SC 1.5 hours. And Charlotte is 2.5 hrs

Hope this helps.

Loves mountains · 10-22-2007, 05:23 PM

We really have a nice feeling about Weaverville, too - my husband plays golf at Reems Creek and the shortcut we take goes through some nice established neighborhoods - not new mini-mansions but lovely homes in beautiful settings - Also there are some good restaurants there, too - plus the Well-Bred Bakery "We're all Well-Bred in Weaverville" gotta love it!

vwininger · 10-23-2007, 07:26 AM

Thanks for the information so far! I will have to look into Weaverville.

Anyone have any more thoughts or ideas for me?

cooperwx · 10-23-2007, 07:49 AM

I live in Arden and we love our son's elementary school. I believe any school in the Robserson or Reynolds (south/southeast Buncombe) districts is good, with the possible exception of Oakley elementary. Weaverville schools are good too, from what we hear from friends.

And any of these areas are within roughly 20 minutes' drive to downtown!

Asheville Native · 10-23-2007, 12:51 PM

I find Arden area about as appealing as Atlanta, as it has most of the amenities of Atlanta, lots of traffic and congestion, and wall to wall strip malls, chain restaurants, and fast food. It has none of the flavor of living in the mountains, just because you can see some while sitting in traffic.

I assume you are speaking of Glenn Arden Elementary school. I have a close friend that teaches there, and growth has simply overwhelmed the facilities there. It is wall to wall children inside, way too overcrowded.

Weaverville, Black Mountain, Enka Candler (north, east, and west) offer much more unless Atlanta is your cup of tea.

Jobs here go begging, simply because most pay so little you need to go begging to afford to live here. Paying jobs are much more scarce, which are the ones you need as the cost of living here is the highest within hundreds of miles in any direction

spunky1 · 10-23-2007, 03:22 PM

I keep seeing references to Black Mt. and Weaverville. Could you compare/contrast this area to the Brevard and/or Waynesville area. Would you say they are similar. Any info is appreciated.

vwininger · 10-23-2007, 07:10 PM

I really appreciate all the information. I definitely want to live in a smaller, less commercialized town with lots of character. I just did a little research on Weaverville and it seems kind of perfect for what we are looking for. Beatiful, quaint, and the schools look pretty good (at least according to the NC School Reports Cards...). Anyone have personal experience with the schools in Weaverville to back this up--or negate it?

Also, the cost of living there appears to be comparable to the cost of living where I am now. Hopefully we'll be able to find something that pays ENOUGH, so we can get out there and start living our life in a gorgeous place instead of boring Indiana. Thanks guys!

cooperwx · 10-24-2007, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asheville Native

I find Arden area about as appealing as Atlanta...

A good time to point out that the character of Buncombe areas varies widely, and that you really should visit before settling on one or two parts of town. Asheville is the smallest city I've ever lived in. I'm not looking for small-town quaintness. Being two miles from the movie theater, four miles from the airport, and three miles from four grocery stores really appeals to me. Thus I never considered Black Mountain, Candler or Fairview.

Weaverville and Arden are completely different, as are Fairview and West Asheville, East Asheville and Enka/Candler, Woodfin and Black Mountain. All have their own unique feel, meaning you could be ecstatic living in one area and somewhat miserable in another. It's important to visit before you move!

Loves mountains · 10-24-2007, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooperwx

A good time to point out that the character of Buncombe areas varies widely, and that you really should visit before settling on one or two parts of town. Asheville is the smallest city I've ever lived in. I'm not looking for small-town quaintness. Being two miles from the movie theater, four miles from the airport, and three miles from four grocery stores really appeals to me. Thus I never considered Black Mountain, Candler or Fairview.

Weaverville and Arden are completely different, as are Fairview and West Asheville, East Asheville and Enka/Candler, Woodfin and Black Mountain. All have their own unique feel, meaning you could be ecstatic living in one area and somewhat miserable in another. It's important to visit before you move!

Excellent point Cooper - you should really visit - and more than once. Maybe even consider renting so you leave your options open.