So we're thinking about moving to a small town around Asheville...

[NCN]

When I hear the word "education" the town that comes to my mind is Brevard. Find the job first and I should think the housing would not be a problem. You could always buy a lot and build your own.

[fotogo3]

Thank you for the info. I will check it out.

[NCN]

Originally Posted by fotogo3

I too am thinking about moving to the Asheville area. But after reading Wikipedia's description of Asheville as being the "New Age Center of NC" I'm beginning to re-think. I tend to be conservative, and am wondering if I'll fit it. Anyone have any suggestions or opinions?

North Wilkesboro is "Key to the Blue Ridge" and ultra conservative. There are several schools in that area and Wilkes Community College.

[jstubbspt]

Have a solid job lined up, bring your own, be independently wealthy or don't move here.

[Jim37680]

You might want to take a look at the forum for the Tri-City area of eastern Tennessee. This metro area is about 60-80 miles from Asheville north on I-26.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/kings...-city-bristol/

The cities of Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol (VA/TN) are in the 40,000+ size and there are several other outlying towns of slightly smaller population such as Abingdon (VA), Elizabethton, Erwin, and Greenville. Employment issues are problematical here as everywhere in the nation, but we have been surviving better than average according to local media (for how long?). As always advised, it would be best to secure employment before relocating. There is a large class of education majors graduating from ETSU in Johnson City every semester so the local education field is usually "well supplied".

[herbroberson]

fotogo3 ... just be aware that Asheville is a small "blue dot" surrounded in a sea of red. Most of the area's in the county and surrounding areas are very consevative. So far the earth muffins have not expanded much outside of the city limits.

[LPnerd]

having moved here 3 yrs ago, I agree it is more moderate than I thought, but you are talkig about ashville and I live near Raleigh, most of the people are fairly well educated in these areas. have observed that the more education , the more moderate thinking, hence we voted Democrat sen for the first time in yrs.
you still have pockets of strong religious right, and some areas of plain ole apathy but for the most part, as an outsider standing back and taking it all in, I have to go with a more moderate view. Also, many folks are moving here as retirees as well that used to go to Fl. and they saw what happens when you let one party have its way for to long. Fl. has been ruined by politicians lifting rules and laws to benefit the buisness that got them elected. If there was ever a case for banning lobbiests from Gov. Fl. is it believe me. and as one that was there and lived it, YES, Gore won Fl. No question at all. ( ROFLMAO)

[LPnerd]

far the earth muffins have not expanded much outside of the city limits.... Herb roberson



earth muffins? LMAO. You people kill me. If 40 phd scienctists most with high awards in there field say it time to do something to save our ability to be able to exsist on this planet...perhaps you should at least listen. My guess is you don't have a clue in this field, let alone a doctorate.so how about this, you don't call folks names and belittle a good cause, and I won't let on that your one of those hard headed fools that is to lazy to change, so they choose to ignore facts. how about it?

[5states4me]

I'm a Christian and conservative - I also found Asheville proper to be a little too 'new agey' and 'hippy' for my taste. However, I live about 30 minutes outside of Asheville and have found that both influences tend to weaken as you move away from the city, itself. I love the small town feel of where I live and would recommend it to anyone. The best description I can give is of Andy Griffith's "Mayberry" - 40 years later. Still with the small town, 'family' feel - but larger and with access to the interstate and cities. I'm about 1/2 way between Asheville and Johnson City, TN. We get snow - last winter something like 20" -- all total, with every snowfall added together. The deepest single snowfall we got was 8". Usually something like 4 - 6".