Is Asheville the right fit for me? (Charlotte, Wilmington: home, job market)

[san_wander]

I have been living in San Diego for the past 2.5 years, but am originally from NC, and spent 7 years living in Boone, some time in Wilmington, and the rest in Charlotte (as well as NYC and Costa Rica) I am not sure that SoCal is for me. I originally moved out here to go to SF, but my then boyfriend pushed for San Diego for the beaches, etc., and so we went. We broke up last year, and I have stayed primarily out of defiance and a strong urge to make something positive out of the situation. I am really into holistic health, yoga, music and LOVE artsy, bohemian, progressive environments to live in. I am 30, single, and work as a therapist (arts based) for youth and their families. My goal is to start a community arts/holistic/counseling center in a receptive community one day. I am also looking to meet someone who shares similar values and maybe a buy a home one day to create roots for myself in a place I would like to live in for a while. I feel peaceful and serene in the NC mountains, but I know how difficult finding a worthwhile job can be in these beautiful places, thats not related to the tourism industry. For some reason I am hesitant about moving back "home" because it seems to imply that I am giving up somehow, but I also want a strong quality of life, a partner who shares my values and love for all things quirky, and a community that gives me reason to be happy to be alive and creating new things each day. Is Asheville the place for me??

[the Parkies]

Originally Posted by san_wander

I have been living in San Diego for the past 2.5 years, but am originally from NC.... I am really into holistic health, yoga, music and LOVE artsy, bohemian, progressive environments to live in. I am 30, single, and work as a therapist (arts based) for youth and their families. My goal is to start a community arts/holistic/counseling center in a receptive community one day.

san_wander, if you can find a job here before you move or have some reasonable expectation of creating your own job here--with a significant financial buffer while you do that--then I think Asheville is definitely the place for you!! And I suggest you do it now!--before education, marriage, and jobs tie you down to living where you're apparently not completely happy.

You're young, untethered, and flexible. The services you offer are in huge demand in this transplant retirement mecca.

If you can support yourself while you do it, please hear loud hands clapping for your desire to re-plant yourself in your original soul-nurturing soil.

Best of luck to you!!

Jan--newly transplanted from San Diego, wishing I'd done it when I was 30!

[clgrimes]

I totally second Jan's reply! Don't get tied to an area that you aren't content living in if you don't have to! I don't know much about Asheville, but I do know A LOT about living where you don't "bloom" because you got planted there by following someone else in their pursuit of happiness. Once you're planted in an area, it's hard to uproot and move to "better" or more "desirable" soil if you don't have the financial resources or the courage!

Regards,
Carolyn

[SpaceCowboy]

hey San,

I wish I had read these other posts before I sent you that long message. Upon reading this, I think Boulder might be a great option for you. here are the things you mentioned that I defintely found in boulder: "yoga" "holistic health" "hiking" "camping" "snow" "seasons" "progressive environments" "bohemian" "artsy" "receptive community." Also, if you're into working with youth boulder needs you..it has the highest suicide rate among teens in the nation. Also, you mentioned Boone..I visited there for only a day but I remember thinking it reminded me alot of boulder. I'd say boulder is boone with a fat bank account instead of moonshine! best of luck

[wavillemama]

If you don't want to feel like you are going home consider Oregon! I live in Asheville right now and many times it reminds me of Ashland Oregon or even Portland. I lived in Portland for a couple of years and some of the smaller neighborhoods are similar to Asheville. Whatever you choose best of luck to you!

[slaz]

I have to second Ashland, OR as well. Asheville is great but as it has been said before the job market is not that great. If you can tap the market of people retiring here and/or moving in from out of state you may do well. But the "locals" won't be able to pay your bills. If you are head strong and push to create your own business I bet you would do well in either place.

[westvillemama]

I think you'd love Ashland OR as well, but I have to caution you-- as far as finding living wage jobs or affordable housing, it's waaaaay worse than Asheville! I know because that's where I am from, and y'all think Asheville is getting expensive? Whew! Ashland is suffering in a way that is inconceivable, or at least was to me when I first arrived there in '88. The divide between money and no money is huge, getting bigger by the year, schools are closing because working class families can't afford to live there anymore. I love love LOVE Ashland, but that's a necessary reality check for anyone considering moving there. Yes, coming to Asheville can be hard if you don't already have a job, a place to live, and a sense of the community (plusses and minuses), but even more so in Ashland. A third the size of Asheville, and three times as difficult to eek out a living there. That's why we moved, because it is a great transitional space with many amenities, but is in no way affordable for a family, not if you'd like to do more than just barely scrape by. My .02, fwiw.

[slaz]

Originally Posted by westvillemama

I think you'd love Ashland OR as well, but I have to caution you-- as far as finding living wage jobs or affordable housing, it's waaaaay worse than Asheville! I know because that's where I am from, and y'all think Asheville is getting expensive? Whew! Ashland is suffering in a way that is inconceivable, or at least was to me when I first arrived there in '88. The divide between money and no money is huge, getting bigger by the year, schools are closing because working class families can't afford to live there anymore.

I had feeling Ashland was like that...