Where to go? (Charlotte, Asheville, Waynesville: apartments, rent, living in)

[doglover6524]

Hi
I'm new to this...it was suggested by my mother who is a member. Looking to relocate to NC in a year or so and have heard that the Asheville area is great. I'm young (26) and single and would like to relocate to an area where there are things to do and allow me to be involved in the community but not with too much of a big city feel. I like originality and uniqueness in where I'm living. The other thing is that I'd like to be relatively close to my job which would be in the social service system. Does Asheville sound like it would be a place that I would like to live?

[cooperwx]

I think Asheville fits the desires you stated. The city has its own personality. There's a good music scene here, and you'll be especially happy if you like the outdoors. There are apartments close to downtown that would be close to work.

[doglover6524]

So, what about all the homelessness that people are talking about? And that it's very hippeeish? Maybe I'd have to see it for myself?

[gigimac]

Dear Dog Lover,
Every city of this size will have its homeless, crime, bad parts of town, traffic. While Asheville is not as large and unwieldy as, say, Charlotte or Atlanta, it is nevertheless big enough to attract the scary side of life. Mostly bad stuff happens at night and to people who are alone. Therefore, if you want to live here or anyplace like this, you should have a roommate, you should always have someone who will go out with you at night, and you should avoid some parts of town after dark.

As for the hippie scene, yes, there are modern young people who "look" different to regular conservative folk. Some see this as diversity, some are annoyed by this. If you don't like to see dreadlocks, facial piercings, and unique clothing, you will not like downtown Asheville. Then again, there are plenty of ordinary people everywhere with lots of interests in common with yours. I myself am comfortable in Asheville, but I grew up in the Sixties with liberal lifestyles. It's the cold weather and high cost of living that bothers me.

If anything like what I've mentioned here worries you, then look at smaller towns in North Carolina. There are many to choose from, all over the state and up here in the mountains, and they will tend to be more "Southern" and easier to handle crime-wise. Also, if you live within an hour of a big city, well, you get all the benefits without the minuses. And with your job interests, you should do fine financially wherever you go.
GG

[Asheville Native]

One thing others have failed to mention is the 'cost' of living in Asheville. Rent will be much higher for comparable apartment than other cities in NC. Higher on the order of $150 - 300 a month.

[jwgraves2]

Originally Posted by doglover6524

So, what about all the homelessness that people are talking about? And that it's very hippeeish? Maybe I'd have to see it for myself?

Might check out Waynesville...much of what Asheville offers, with fewer of the challenges.

[miokie]

Originally Posted by doglover6524

Hi
I'm young (26) and single and would like to relocate to an area where there are things to do and allow me to be involved in the community but not with too much of a big city feel. I like originality and uniqueness in where I'm living. The other thing is that I'd like to be relatively close to my job which would be in the social service system. Does Asheville sound like it would be a place that I would like to live?

My mid-twenties offspring LOVE Asheville...... for a week or two, then they're bored stiff.
Have you visited Asheville? Stayed there a week, or two, or a month?
I'm sure your mom means well, but WNC is not for everyone, and only you know what you mean by ~uniqueness~ and ~originality~.

[loveswnc]

Asheville reminds me of Seattle, just smaller. My daughter lives there and loves it. There is plenty of music, hiking, social life. I'm a country person, or I'd live there. You might want to visit first. Moving is such a pain.