moving to the mountains (Asheville, Henderson: townhouse, job market, neighborhoods)

[teacher33]

My husband and I are planning to move to the Asheville area/surrounding area (politically liberal or mixed area...not too conservative, please). We have been to Asheville many times and love it. We are not looking to spend over $250k for a home/townhouse (at least 3 bedrooms). I know this makes it more difficult, yet we are very determined! I am looking for suggestions for a nice place to raise a family AND job availablity in teaching special needs children and civil/environmental engineering. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for any information you can provide!

[cooperwx]

Malvern Hills and Haw Creek are two neighborhoods within the city limits that fit your price range and political leanings. You should be able to get within your price range in either. Maybe even Beverly Hills which, like Haw Creek, is in east Asheville. You could possibly find environmental engineering at A-B Tech or UNC-Asheville. The city school system would be a good place to start looking for a special needs position.

[teacher33]

Thank you for your response cooperwx! I had to laugh out loud when I re-read my initial post. My husband is looking for a job in engineering, he does not teach it. Would anyone happen to know what firms are in or around the city and if civil/environmental engineering jobs are in demand?

We will certainly check out Haw Creek and Malvern Hills. Are there any towns surrounding Asheville that are politically left leaning or mixed? Thank you!!!

[cooperwx]

Political views shift to the right in the smaller towns surrounding Asheville proper. Mars Hill, up in Madison County, is a small college town that may be for you.

When I think of civil/environmental engineering jobs here, I think of the city of Asheville, green construction companies, or the national forest service.

[teacher33]

Thanks again cooperwx! We are going to visit the area this weekend, again, (yeh!), and will look at the areas you had mentioned. The suggestions you made were excellent..... My husband is very interested in green technology from a civil/environmental standpoint. We're crossing our fingers that Asheville will soon be our new home!

[tkhk3746]

You should have no trouble finding a teaching position. I live "down the mountain....from Asheville. I'm also a Special Needs CC teacher. (Currently not teaching, but the jobs are abundant.) You'll make less money in NC. Pay stinks. I don't care for Asheville. Hendersonville is a much more family friendly community. Good luck!

[teacher33]

Thank you for your reply! I was wondering if it were going to be difficult to find a special needs position. I'm familiar with the pay scale, and agree that we are underpaid for the work we do! )

We just came back from a weekend visit to Asheville. Rainy weekend, but it was so beautiful. We did not take a look around Hendersonville. We're going back in June, I'll make sure it's on our agenda.

[Steelers06]

How's the job market for teachers k-8? I'd love to move to asheville...I'd teach in a private or public school. I don't care about the pay...I'm licensed for Language Arts in the middle school grades, 'case you were wondering...

[teacher33]

I looked on the Buncombe county website, and saw quite a few positions K-8 (not sure about LA). Special needs positions seemed less abundant... But, I've been looking for a few weeks. Not enough time for a fair assessment. Good luck on finding a teaching position!