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Hello, I was wondering if anyone can give me some advice. When I graduated HS I moved to Brevard, NC from Michigan and fell in LOVE with the mountains. I was a young kid not very financially eductated and had to move back after 2 years. Fast forward 20 years later and still missing it. I have been wanting to move back to the mountains, but I know I will probably have to work in a busy, professional city and live about 30 miles away in a more country like setting. I have been reading the posts in this thread and it seems like Black Mountain is pretty similar to the lifestyle in Brevard (please keep in mind I am only assuming, I was only in NC for about 2 years and it was 20 years ago). I have a bachelor's in Business administration and was looking for working in the insurance industry. Would working in Asheville and living in Black Mountain seem like a good choice? It is so hard when I live over 600 miles away. Any advice would be appreciated! Thank you!!
Hello, I was wondering if anyone can give me some advice. When I graduated HS I moved to Brevard, NC from Michigan and fell in LOVE with the mountains. I was a young kid not very financially eductated and had to move back after 2 years. Fast forward 20 years later and still missing it. I have been wanting to move back to the mountains, but I know I will probably have to work in a busy, professional city and live about 30 miles away in a more country like setting. I have been reading the posts in this thread and it seems like Black Mountain is pretty similar to the lifestyle in Brevard (please keep in mind I am only assuming, I was only in NC for about 2 years and it was 20 years ago). I have a bachelor's in Business administration and was looking for working in the insurance industry. Would working in Asheville and living in Black Mountain seem like a good choice? It is so hard when I live over 600 miles away. Any advice would be appreciated! Thank you!!
Blk Mtn to Asheville would be very doable, about an 18 mile drive, all via Rt. 40. Just make sure you search for jobs and what salaries are in your field, and secure a job first. Do some serious research on cost of renting and costs of relocating. Other towns within a 20 mile drive may also be desireable. But remember, the closer you are to Asheville, the more you will spend on rent. Important also, since you have not been here in 20 years, a preliminary visit for at least one week is highly recommended. Here is the website for the Asheville newspaper. Best wishes.
Since you have been in the business for awhile, tap your contacts and resources to see what is feasible to work in your field in the area as well. Availability. Just suggesting you do research if whatever you do or can do in insurance lends itself to something you can find in the Asheville area.
It would seem that having experience would be helpful. And the right job may just be there for you.
Remember there are three good size universities and several colleges in the mountains churning out graduates every year and these graduates love the area too but most must leave to find jobs in their fields. and always want to come back.
Speaking as one who had to move to Greenville, SC to find my first post B.A. job after graduation from UNC-A. FYI most of my class mates moved to Greenville, SC, Charlotte, NC and Raleigh area to find work and came home to visit through the years.
Some stayed and waited tables, started a business, or performed a service. But most must leave.
It is just the numbers.
The saying is "You can't eat the scenery; you have to go where the jobs are".
Since you have been in the business for awhile, tap your contacts and resources to see what is feasible to work in your field in the area as well. Availability. Just suggesting you do research if whatever you do or can do in insurance lends itself to something you can find in the Asheville area.
It would seem that having experience would be helpful. And the right job may just be there for you.
Remember there are three good size universities and several colleges in the mountains churning out graduates every year and these graduates love the area too but most must leave to find jobs in their fields. and always want to come back.
Speaking as one who had to move to Greenville, SC to find my first post B.A. job after graduation from UNC-A. FYI most of my class mates moved to Greenville, SC, Charlotte, NC and Raleigh area to find work and came home to visit through the years.
Some stayed and waited tables, started a business, or performed a service. But most must leave.
It is just the numbers.
The saying is "You can't eat the scenery; you have to go where the jobs are".
Good luck
Wow, so true. Haven't heard it phrased that way, but so true.
Another UNCA grad that had to move to make it. The only people I know still in Asheville from my class are those that had a parent there so were living at home or those who had worthless degrees anyways and are just in retail.
That said I think with 20yr experience its going to depend on what exactly you do and what your current salary is. You might find it comparable or you might find it significantly less. Start looking and dont move until youve got an offer in hand. But (and this is a concern for DH and I as we are planning on moving back within the next year...) be cautious because if you lose a job in Asheville there are far fewer places to find another.
I was working in construction management in Asheville for a short period of time after the market collapsed in FL. Then it hit NC. I lost my job in Asheville because of it, and it took me like 2.5 yrs to get another one (moved back to FL to get it). Couldn't find comparable in Asheville (pay especially).
If you just happen to like mountains and don't need the crunchy culture - could you broaden your horizons?
Greenville, Winston Salem, Knoxville and Chattanooga all have mountains close enough for an easy day trip. Roanoake and Johnson City have montains within commuting distance. Plenty of smaller cities to choose from if jobs are available.
If you haven't been back in 20 years, you might want to visit first to see if the Appalachian Mtns are still your thing. Things have changed a lot in 20 years.
Thank you so much everyone for your replies! I do prefer to be in the mountains but do not like the "city living" and just assumed that Asheville would be the closest professional city. I will check out Roanoke and Greenville - it is hard to check out when I live so far away. Most the time I have to rely on Google Earth to see if there are any mountains nearby. I have heard Greenville is doing really well but it looked kind of far away from the mountain scene. I subscribed to the Citizen-Times online and everyone seems to be right, jobs are really slim pickings it seems from the newspaper. Right now as an insurance CSR I am making about $30,000. I guess I will have to do some digging till I can afford a vaca down there. Thank you!!!
Most the time I have to rely on Google Earth to see if there are any mountains nearby. I have heard Greenville is doing really well but it looked kind of far away from the mountain scene.
Greenville, SC is very close to the mountains. You can actually see mountains from many locations in Greenville. There are mountains/parks in northern Greenville County - Jones Gap, Caesar's Head, Table Rock, etc. Also very close proximity to Asheville, Tryon, Brevard, Hendersonville, Cashiers, Highlands, etc. for day trips.
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Here is the website for the Asheville newspaper. Best wishes.
