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I've been looking at NC to relocate my Family once more. We live in NH, love the outdoors but tired of all this snow. We don't ski or snowmobile so its like being trapped inside for 6 months. We are making a trip this summer to Western NC. We want to visit at its hottest time of year and see how bad some people say it is. I've been reading post for days now about Asheville and other towns. I'm no hipster by far. I'm a hard working family man. I've already got job offers in Hendersonville and Hi Point. I know they aren't close to each other. We are a friendly family with one young child. Easy going and enjoy being outside. I hunt, we mountain bike, ride atvs and hike. Say I was to take a job in Asheville or Hendersonville I'd like to be 30-45 away from work. Where should I be looking? Thanks!
Hi, Are you speaking of Highpoint NC? If you don't like heat I would avoid Highpoint. No elevation and very hot and humid in the summer.
Hendersonville would be a nice choice as far as climate and access to outdoors hiking etc.
The only thing about Hendersonville is that it does have a older population. There are families there too but it seems to be skewed to retires. If this doesn't bother you then I say try there. But some people don't like this.
Also, Brevard is a nice small town with a nice mix of students, retires, locals etc.
There are tons of lovely places around Asheville and I am sure posters will start chiming in with suggestions.
I was talking about High Point NC. At 1st I was looking into the Winston Salem are but everything looks so cookie cutter. All the neighborhoods look the same. I like houses with land and some space between me and the house next door. I don't mind the heat, we have weeks of temps in the 90's and high humidity here in the summer. I just want to see if its as bad as people say. We love the mountains so I'm thinking Western NC will be nice for us. Its 50 out today and the snows melting big time. Up here we don't call it spring, its mud season. Brevard does look real nice to me. My daughter will be starting kindergarten this fall so we would be looking for a town with other young families. We want to try and move this time next year. I research everything before I do anything. From buying a flash light to moving 1500 miles away. So any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
H'Ville: nice town and there are some Hendersonville Mavens on this board, to offer more info.
Also, hit the Search This Forum Tab, upper left of main western NC board page, use noun search and do some reading.
Here's a handy map of Asheville and surrounds, with a ~35 mile radius:
"Heat and hot summers" are all about elevation, but general climate in much of true western NC counties is mild to moderate, I suppose. It is considered a southern hardwood rain forest, fwiw.
Lots of micro climes, topography affected weather, and temp/weather ranges really dependent on elevation and location.
Summer in the lower elevations, 2500 ft or less can be hot some days/weeks.
Summer at my house at ~5,000 ft elevation does not get past 77 in the shade.
Winters at 3,000 ft or less are short, some occasional snow, not too dreary, and Autumn ends late and Spring comes early.
Winters at my elevation will kick anyone's fanny: snow in Oct/Nov and often in April, windy and damn cold.
Western NC Zones range from 5b to 8, imo.
Many fine towns around 'Asheville', some with decent schools, some with OK schools.
It is NH-like ish, but southern, if that translates.
We love it here, from NY, since Sept 2001. Do some reading esp in the Search This Forum Tab: there is very little topic wise that has not already been asked and answered.
GL, mD
Ty. From what I've seen and read online it does look a lot like NH - the 4' of snow in my yard. How are the stars at night? Weird question but when we moved from just minutes south of Boston MA to northern NH the stars at night up here are amazing. I take the dog out at night and just look up. I've seen meteor showers and shooting stars. I'm guessing its the same there. I love the mountains. so far the only negative thing I've found is Black Widow spiders and some snakes. I'm not afraid but my wife and daughter aren't to excited.
Outside of the 'metro areas', the skies are dark, the ambient light is low, and the night sky is remarkable.
Not out west in the Rockies/empty spaces remarkable, but damn good, imo.
BW spiders: I have seen two around our house, in 13+ years. Not a big deal; they are very unaggressive and reclusive.
We live on 3.5 acres, woods, on a ridge. Lots of non-biting bugs, insects, spiders, voles, shrews, mice, birds, bats, et al. The lower level more 'burb-like areas offer less critters, but maybe the usual pest like things.
Snakes: several species, none that get me excited. Have seen 3 copperheads in that 13 years, and all moved 'away' when a few big eastern black racers showed up. I walk up/around our mtn every morning and some eves: snakes and spiders are not my concern. Nor are the bobcats, 'Yotes, et al. The bears do get my attention.
A smallish black racer that hangs around the driveway side of our house. Our granddaughter was interested in it.
Hi, Are you speaking of Highpoint NC? If you don't like heat I would avoid Highpoint. No elevation and very hot and humid in the summer.
Hendersonville would be a nice choice as far as climate and access to outdoors hiking etc.
The only thing about Hendersonville is that it does have a older population. There are families there too but it seems to be skewed to retires. If this doesn't bother you then I say try there. But some people don't like this.
Also, Brevard is a nice small town with a nice mix of students, retires, locals etc.
There are tons of lovely places around Asheville and I am sure posters will start chiming in with suggestions.
Sorry Booya, but Hendersonville does not have mainly retirees. All of Western NC has retirees; many from the northeast, and many from FL who moved "halfway back". There are several elementary, middle schools etc.; and 4 high schools. Brevard on the other hand is definitely more attuned to retirees and not to families. Please refrain from misinformation. The OP sounds quite astute in doing research.
We have plenty of stuff around our house now that can cause us harm. They just never think about it. They heard black widow and were like ok maybe we should look some place else. The first week we were in the house we are in now I had a black bear in the bed of my truck. My own fault, I put a bag of trash in there.
Brown recluse more of a concern as they can be inside and out but think they are all over the US and have not seen one. Black Widows are usually under things outside so you just use caution, have only seen a couple in 12 years. Snakes are here yes, only problem is a dog who can't mind her own business. We have learned to take bird feeders down in summer as they attract mice which attract snakes. Rest of the wildlife is not an issue if you use common sense..no trash outside and if you have feeders in every night without fail.
I'm at 3200 feet and there is humidity but generally pleasant summers especially nights nice breezes. Winter can nail us on occassion but hey you can't compare to New England. Overall pretty darn good here!
Sorry Booya, but Hendersonville does not have mainly retirees. All of Western NC has retirees; many from the northeast, and many from FL who moved "halfway back". There are several elementary, middle schools etc.; and 4 high schools. Brevard on the other hand is definitely more attuned to retirees and not to families. Please refrain from misinformation. The OP sounds quite astute in doing research.
Well QuilterChick I can assure you that I do not misinform my fellow posters. Please refrain from confusing opinion with facts
Actually I never stated that Hendersonville has mainly retires but noted that it is an older population.
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