Finally Making the Move to Buncombe County (Asheville, Henderson: best neighborhoods, lease)

[TexasRoadkill]

I am in the final steps in relocating south east Texas to the Buncombe County area.
I think my job will take me to the Arden/Fletcher area, and I need to get serious about finding a new home.

• I would like to keep my commute to 30 minutes or less, but no more than 45 minutes.
• It would be great if I could find a 2/2 home (less than 1500 sqft) for under $250K and since we are planning for this to be our final retirement home (we are both in our 60's and our children are all grown) the lower the cost the better.
• I know from my searching that an area bounded by Woodside Hills up to Woodfin over to Swannanoa and down to Hendersonville should be my search area.
• We would like to be close to the amenities of Asheville, but I worry about areas that are safe.
• Its not necessary that the home be on acreage, as I have cut all the grass I ever care to!

On the dream list would be some place with mountain views and walkable neighborhoods.


I also know to steer clear of the Canton area and undeveloped mountain areas with water wells and septic tanks.


I have found some nice candidates in Arden, Fletch, Hendersonville and Asheville, but not being from the area, its hard to tell about the best neighborhoods to look at.




So any suggestions - or am I dreaming?

[QuilterChick]

Originally Posted by TexasRoadkill

I am in the final steps in relocating south east Texas to the Buncombe County area.
I think my job will take me to the Arden/Fletcher area, and I need to get serious about finding a new home.

• I would like to keep my commute to 30 minutes or less, but no more than 45 minutes.
• It would be great if I could find a 2/2 home (less than 1500 sqft) for under $250K and since we are planning for this to be our final retirement home (we are both in our 60's and our children are all grown) the lower the cost the better.
• I know from my searching that an area bounded by Woodside Hills up to Woodfin over to Swannanoa and down to Hendersonville should be my search area.
• We would like to be close to the amenities of Asheville, but I worry about areas that are safe.
• Its not necessary that the home be on acreage, as I have cut all the grass I ever care to!

On the dream list would be some place with mountain views and walkable neighborhoods.


I also know to steer clear of the Canton area and undeveloped mountain areas with water wells and septic tanks.


I have found some nice candidates in Arden, Fletch, Hendersonville and Asheville, but not being from the area, its hard to tell about the best neighborhoods to look at.

So any suggestions - or am I dreaming?

My suggestion would be to zero in on Henderson County; specifically some of the subdivisions on the border of Henderson over in Fletcher off Butler Bridge Road and the surrounding areas. Closer to the airport, but people I know who live in there don't complain. You will have proximity to just about everything you need and there are some nice well cared for subdivisions. Get a good Realtor soon. Homes don't stay on the market here very long unless they have "issues".

[beckycat]

Originally Posted by TexasRoadkill

I am in the final steps in relocating south east Texas to the Buncombe County area.
I think my job will take me to the Arden/Fletcher area, and I need to get serious about finding a new home.

• I would like to keep my commute to 30 minutes or less, but no more than 45 minutes.
• It would be great if I could find a 2/2 home (less than 1500 sqft) for under $250K and since we are planning for this to be our final retirement home (we are both in our 60's and our children are all grown) the lower the cost the better.
• I know from my searching that an area bounded by Woodside Hills up to Woodfin over to Swannanoa and down to Hendersonville should be my search area.
• We would like to be close to the amenities of Asheville, but I worry about areas that are safe.
• Its not necessary that the home be on acreage, as I have cut all the grass I ever care to!

On the dream list would be some place with mountain views and walkable neighborhoods.


I also know to steer clear of the Canton area and undeveloped mountain areas with water wells and septic tanks.


I have found some nice candidates in Arden, Fletch, Hendersonville and Asheville, but not being from the area, its hard to tell about the best neighborhoods to look at.




So any suggestions - or am I dreaming?

Your budget is going to be tight but that's not saying it can't be done. Walkable neighborhoods are probably going to be out of the question unless it's in an HOA. Walkable to restaurants and stores is not going to happen. The house most likely will need work with your budget. Would you consider building a home? I am just throwing another idea out there. I don't know much about Henderson County but I am speaking of Buncombe County. I do know Henderson County costs slightly less. You need to be ready to buy as homes in this price range don't stay on the market long. What specific amenities are you speaking about?

[TexasRoadkill]

Typical city stuff, like restaurants, shops, movies, grocery stores etc...nothing much but I have lived where everything was a 30 minute drive and that gets old real fast.

[beckycat]

Originally Posted by TexasRoadkill

Typical city stuff, like restaurants, shops, movies, grocery stores etc...nothing much but I have lived where everything was a 30 minute drive and that gets old real fast.

You bet it does. I totally agree. Well you can definitely get those amenities in Hendersonville and Buncombe County. Are you OK with a fixer upper or want move in ready? Can you rent for a little while to see what areas that you like? I think that always works best and gives you time to make the right decision. The areas that you mentioned are all good choices. These are all things to keep in mind.

[QuilterChick]

Originally Posted by TexasRoadkill

Typical city stuff, like restaurants, shops, movies, grocery stores etc...nothing much but I have lived where everything was a 30 minute drive and that gets old real fast.

Check the property tax issue relative to city v. county when you are searching. Makes a big difference if you live within city limits; you will pay both city and county taxes. If you live in the county, you pay only county taxes. Most of the time we are talking double the $. There isn't anything in the city limits that you can't easily get to from county locations. Best wishes.

[DLM2000]

Rent. You may be able to get a 6 month lease and that might be enough time. It's never a good idea to buy under pressure and especially when you are not familiar with the area. Get here, explore, make some contacts and let anyone you meet know what you are looking for. The more people you meet the more chances you have to find someone who knows someone or has a friend thinking about selling. Don't limit yourself to the MLS, join every local Facebook group you can and get the word out there, too. There are places out there but you have better opportunities if you get creative. Good luck.

[hardluk1]

Check out Zillow for homes avalible or realtor .com then google map for a better general view that will show schools grocery ect . and even road side views many times . Good luck with your job search and relocation . When you think you may have a good location picked out contact LE about drug issues and crime in general .

[saucystargazer]

If you want to only commute 30minutes I’d stay around the south side of town/Hendersonville. I26 will be under construction for the next 5+ yrs and if you have to go anywhere north of I40 daily you will hate your life. On the plus side that’s definitely the cheaper area these days. Fletcher and mills river are probably the cheapest at the moment.

[TexasRoadkill]

Is this the road work?





If so, it appears that staying clear of the north-west corner of Buncombe county would be a good idea.


Will this ultimately improve property values in Candler?