So we're thinking about moving to a small town around Asheville... (Greenville: low crime, how much)

[dtmoney]

We need your help! My fiancee and I are thinking about moving to the Asheville area. We'd like to move to a somewhat small town--40,000 people or so. Something with a real hometown kind of feel, but still within about thirty minutes of Asheville. We also want to be able to buy a nice house for under $200,000. 3/2 at least, 1800+sf, 1+acres, 2 car garage.

I'm a teacher (middle school language arts) and she currently works in retail, but may be looking to do something else like secretarial work, etc. How hard will it be for us to find work there?

We're planning on starting a family in a few years so we'd like to live somewhere with decent schools and low crime.

One of the big reasons we want to move out of Florida is the weather. We hate it here and really want to be somewhere with seasons. Changing leaves, snow, warm summers, etc. How much snow does this part of NC get? My fiancee is used to it because she's from Wisconsin, but I'm going to be nervous if you say more than 10-20" or so.

Help! Additionally, please don't hesitate to tell me if you think what I'm looking for can't be found in the Asheville area! And let me know if there's anything else you think we should consider. I'm not looking at this with rose-colored glasses, I know there are things about Asheville itself I'm not thrilled about. Particularly being accosted by homeless people and hippies!

We're also considering areas around Nashville, but friends of ours are relocating to Asheville so it is making us reconsider. Thanks in advance!

[cooperwx]

I don't think anyone likes being accosted. Anyways, there aren't any towns within a 30 minute drive of Asheville with anything close to ~40000 population:

Hendersonville: 10,420
Waynesville: 9,232
BlackMountain: 7,511
Brevard: 6,789
Fletcher: 4,606
Weaverville: 2,405

Hickory (one hour east): 37,222

North Carolina Bigger Cities (over 6000 residents)

[gigimac]

Well, Asheville city limits is about 70,000, but it seems bigger and busier because the surrounding county areas are well-developed and interconnected, lots of commuters. No other town exists up here within the 30 minutes you suggested that reaches population of 40,000. We're it.

But there are smaller towns within 30 minutes that sound similar to what you want, like Hendersonville which is south of Asheville, 10,000 city population, best parts to live are west Hendersonville and south on into Flat Rock, cute little downtown, low crime. I think you could get a house in your range and both work there in any of the positions you mentioned, but do a job search before you make any decisions, of course, to include the pay grade.

Snow has declined in Asheville over recent years, just a few inches a few times in winter. The higher elevations get more snow. But the blizzard of '93, and it was in March, is still fresh in many people's minds, where the snow drifts were so high, my neighbor's dogs just walked out of their fenced yard at night and were never seen again.

The closest city with 40,000 is Hickory, North Carolina. But it's farther than you wanted, about an hour east of Asheville, down a steep freeway mountain, not considered part of our area, really. Has some nice views, and plenty of forest and lake type activities. Then there's Greenville, SC, about 55,000 people, but maybe worth looking at, it's river oriented, and it's an hour and south of Asheville, down a little less steep mountain.

[dtmoney]

Thanks a lot for the suggestions. Honestly it isn't that I particularly need there to be 40000+ people, I'm just assuming I will have a hard time finding a teaching position without that many people.

[cooperwx]

I don't know that this assumption is true. The smaller towns have schools too. In fact, Henderson County (where Hendersonville is the largest town) has FOUR high schools.

[Asheville Native]

If you are considering the Asheville area, you need to double your housing allotment or even triple it.

[gigimac]

There are a half-dozen homes right now in southeast Hendersonville within $50k of your price range, all in a nice area just blocks to lakes and golf (off Kanuga), some almost an acre, some within city limits, some have more bathrooms, 1500 to 2200 sq.ft., garages, every one a pretty home with a pretty yard...

Asheville is indeed a different story, though.

[gigimac]

Oops.... meant to put "southWEST" Hendersonville up there. Sorry!

[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?

[mm34b]

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?

Henderson County is still pretty politically and socially mainstream.

Cities and towns:

Balfour
Barker Heights
Bat Cave
East Flat Rock
Etowah
Flat Rock
Fletcher
Hendersonville (County Seat)
Laurel Park
Mills River
Mountain Home
Saluda
Valley Hill

from: Hendersonville, NC to: Asheville, NC - Google Maps