Information on Asheville and Bele Cher (Black Mountain, Brevard: sales, how much, homes)

[Terry Ray]

I've been looking ot relocate and your city was recommended. I'm astounded by the number of festivals I have read about. I would like to know more about the music scene in Asheville. Are there open mics? Can the locals play at the musical festivals? One thing I noticed on a couple of posts is that some transplant residents have talked about "being treated rudely". I take a lot of negative criticism on the boards worth a grain of salt. If i'm a friendly laid-back person there shouldnt be any problems right? Everyone meets a rude person now and then...its life. The city seems great. Are there good colleges in the vicinity? Affordable cost of living? Thanks for any responses.

[mm34b]

University of North Carolina at Asheville

[Researching Retirement]

Affordable cost of living is a very relative thing. Depends on job/income level and what type of housing you'd consider acceptable. In general, based on what I've seen and many posts on this forum, Asheville is not really considered all that affordable. I'd say it's definitely expensive compared to the average wages in the area.

However, if you have more specifics about what you'd be looking for I'm sure others living there could give you a more detailed answer.

[Flat2MT]

A-B Technical is the area's community college.
A-B Tech, The Community's College, Dedicated to Student Success

[meredith71402]

The average sales price of single residential homes is $270K right now. "Affordable" really depends on what you are looking for and how much you are able to spend. There are lots of local colleges and universities... AB Tech, UNCA, Montreat, Mars Hill, Western, Blue Ridge Community College, Brevard College... all fairly local. Asheville is an artsy community... lots of festivals, music, outside events. There are also a lot of spots with live music in the downtown Asheville area. Hope this help

[Zooropa]

It's not affordable unless you have already made your money or are in a medical profession. I went to UNCA and stayed when I graduated and quickly figured out that my choices were stay and be broke (which foolishly I have) or get out and try to make a decent living. This is becoming a wealthy retirement mecca for better or worse(depending on your perspective) As for Bele Chere...as a relatively young person (29) I love it, and hope they do not downsize it as some locals have proposed. I'm not sure about locals playing there but I think a local act could play at many other festivals and the like. And yes there are plenty of open mic nights around town. I will add though, as someone who previously played in a local alternative/modern rock band here, some of the open mic nights do limit what genres they allow. If you're the singer songwriter type, folk, blues or jazz (reel books nothing original), or into jam bands and even some funk there is plenty here for ya. If you're more into modern rock, alt rock, mainstream rock, or more original jazz and blues then it might be harder to find what you're looking for. Check out the Town Pump in Black Mountain though....they have a great open mic night on Wendesdays that has been one of the few that allows all types of music. I haven't been there in a while but when I frequented that place on any given night you could hear folk, jam band, punk, classic rock and alt rock all in the same venue which seemed rare to me.

[Terry Ray]

thanks zooropa good to know. I did hear it was becoming expensive.