Disappointed in Asheville... (Gastonia, Henderson, Hendersonville: schools, living in, move)

[andybuildz]

Originally Posted by the Parkies

LOL!! What a waste of delicious local tomatoes!

HAHAHA...Bravo...great reply!!

[Podunk12]

App State I'm glad you went through the trouble of dissecting my post to that extent, it was a quick blanket overview of problems. If you want we can sit here for the next two months and go over everything if you would like in more detail.

The city council in the past 20 years has been awful in about everything. And yes, the developers around Enka lake have cashed in on the Biltmore name. Sure the lake is still called Enka Lake, but who that moves there from out of town knows that? To them it IS Biltmore Lake. It's all about perception.

Ok, so Biltmore Park is only about 10 miles south of BILTMORE VILLAGE. And yes, it is within the City Limits, but so is Skyland, Royal Pines and Biltmore Forest, but people with any idea of the area know that those areas are something in themselves. So people coming in and naming everything "Biltmore" is just stupid. And "Biltmore Lake is not even within the City Limits.

And yes, industry left Asheville and went overseas due to a lot of reasons. And yes it is VERY expensive to live in Asheville, it always will be. People want to move there, so there is a high demand and only so much room to put houses on. And taxes have increased GREATLY over the past decade that it is almost ridiculous. My concern is that Asheville will over extend itself and people looking for a mountain retreat will abandon Asheville for places like Waynesville or Swain and Asheville will have grown with the "wrong" kind of people filling it up.

And I'm sure however long ago you were a struggling fresh out of college student working multiple jobs to make ends meet. Well congratulations, I'm glad that you think you were the only one to ever do that. Now, since you missed the point, I'll restate it for you in a simpler manner.

If you are an entrepreneur, let me add successful, you will do great in Asheville. Hell, you will do great anywhere in the world. But you know what? There are only so many people that are good at that. And there simply are not enough good paying jobs in Asheville to keep educated people that grow up there in Asheville. Oh, and I know all about starting your own business, my father started one 25 years ago and is now one of the best in the business by far.

I also wanted to add that your suggestions about people moving and jobs available because of it such as "lawn care, stump removal, etc." are NOT careers. A few you named such as health care and lawyers are careers. But you made my point, there simply are not many careers opportunities in Asheville unless you want to work retail/service. There are not many careers that are for B2B minded people in Asheville.

And as for "forcing people out", you have got to be kidding me. The increase in taxes, cost of living, new housing rules etc. etc. are forcing people out. Also the lack of jobs are forcing people out. Sure, there are plenty of jobs available from all the construction, but who is really that successful working a construction job (Baring GC's, foremen etc.). This is happening in most major cities in America though. And it is because those with money no longer want to live in suburbia and commute. They want to live in/near the city. Most places are calling it an "Urban Revival" which means cleaning out the poor/crime and making room for people with money again. I have no problem with that what-so-ever.

Anyways its late, I just wanted to get back to you since you had that "I know it all" attitude in your last message and let you know that even if you do know it all, you are not the only one.

[Judi Blatchley]

Thank you! I am Cherokee and never felt unwelcomed at Asheville. My foster daughter was VERY black and she noticed not alot of black people there - to which my husband and I faked a surprised look and said "AH, you ARE black!" Color means nothing - it is simply pigment! As for the resteraunts, in 1989 we went to one and came out spending $140 for two - they nickeled and dimed you to death. But there are plenty of resteraunts - for example on the Biltmore Estate and one near the entrance - where prices are reasonable, food good, service friendly! It is an acquired taste - I went to Orlando and was surprised on the beach to see so many - XXX - but in Asheville people have their clothes on and it is a nice family atmosphere.

Anyone wanting to visit Asheville is welcome to email me and ask for recommendations - we stayed there three times a year for 7 years - until the cabin owner's wife realized he was bartering my husbands services for our staying there!

[slaz]

I agree. Not much else to add. One thing I can tell you is I have 9 years of management level work reporting to both government officials and GMs. I find myself very over qualified in this job market. I went sent out over 40 apps and resumes with only one offer.

If anyone is considering moving here, don't. Not unless you are going to start a non service industry business and bring jobs.

Also leave your big city ways behind too. Things used to be nice until the city folk moved in and brought the attitudes with their money. Bring your money but don't push out what you like when you visit and fall in love.

[CosmicWizard]

slaz wrote:

Also leave your big city ways behind too. Things used to be nice until the city folk moved in and brought the attitudes with their money. Bring your money but don't push out what you like when you visit and fall in love.

I have no intention of moving to Asheville, nor do I live in a big city. However, IF I did move to Asheville, and I did live in a big city, I'd probably be bringing my big city ways along with me. How could I not? Big city ways would be the ways that I know. I would be open to acquiring small town ways, but it would take some time to learn the small town ways. I think you'd have more peace of mind if you gave people a chance to adjust rather than expecting them to immediately conform to your preferences.

[slaz]

The problems is that people have not been adjusting. The same thing happened out west when people moved to the high desert to escape their allergies and yet brought all the plants with them that were the cause in the first place (this could be totally false, just heard it once). I moved here and knew that I'd have to adjust to the ways and I agree to give people a chance but it seems like most of the people moving here are not even open to the idea of leaving it the same. They moved here for a reason and now they want to change it. Some move for the reason to change it. But as for the majority of people coming here they need to understand that they like it as it is now.

[CosmicWizard]

slaz wrote:

The problems is that people have not been adjusting. The same thing happened out west when people moved to the high desert to escape their allergies and yet brought all the plants with them that were the cause in the first place (this could be totally false, just heard it once). I moved here and knew that I'd have to adjust to the ways and I agree to give people a chance but it seems like most of the people moving here are not even open to the idea of leaving it the same. They moved here for a reason and now they want to change it. Some move for the reason to change it. But as for the majority of people coming here they need to understand that they like it as it is now.

If you think about it, their not adjusting is THEIR problem, not yours. Why lose your sense of peace over someone elses problem? Why make their problem your problem? It's YOU thinking that THEY need to understand what YOU want them to understand, and that attitude will keep creating problems for you. Things are the way they are. People are the way they are. Accept what is and experience peace.

[Asheville Native]

Originally Posted by slaz

The problems is that people have not been adjusting.

Exactly right, many are adamant that they are not going to change. There are also those that have zero interaction with anything local. Sure they go to the grocery stores, etc. but their social circles are all like minded unchanging transplants. The seclude and separate themselves by choice, then complain about 'locals' and 'rednecks' without ever getting to know them.

The remind me of the people that moved to this country 30+ years ago, yet still have no functional English language skills. What a shame to deliberately isolate themselves from the community. Transplants in their gated communities and social circles of transplants are doing the same thing.

Many appear to have come here for the weather, the view, and to complain.

[CosmicWizard]

Asheville Native wrote:

Many appear to have come here for the weather, the view, and to complain.

For some people, complaining is the activity that brings them the greatest pleasure in life. They would be lost without it. You wouldn't want to deprive them of their greatest pleasure, would you?

[flaortn1]

Just got back from a week in asheville. Went to school in boone at app state and was born and raised in orlando (where i now live - delaney park downtown) so we have a lot in common. it's true that orlando can pack a diverse punch with all of the foreign tourists and residents - it's very impressive. downtown orlando is immaculate - one of the cleanest cities I've ever seen. That's b-cuz it's so young/new. It's also growing furiously in all directions. We are now the 11th most dangerous city in US according to 2006 fbi crime stats. I would cite but too lazy. We have 2 seasons, hot and hotter. We are a transient community here due to tourism and abundance of bad jobs that service the tourism. lack of roots. I could go on and on but won't. You mention lack of diversity in DT asheville. I was so delighted to NOT see a starbucks downtown...or a jcrew, or a pottery barn, or a cheesecake factory. You know what i mean? I do see your point about the hipsters and new age people that won't look you in the eye unless you're tragically hip or obviously vegan. I was only asked for money once in 2 days of walking dt asheville which is on par with orlando.