How is Asheville? (Madison, Hot Springs: transplants, condos, home)

[James9283]

I have been doing research on the Asheville area lately! Is there anything positive or negative that I should now? Is there a teacher shortage in this county much like the rest of the state? Please reply....

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

I don't live in Asheville, but I visit it often. It is a great area with a fun downtown and a lot of eclectic people. Many people have moved to Asheville over the years, and finding affordable housing there is very tough if you make just an average income.

[FeyRey]

I am going to insert the same thing I told jbob regarding his earlier post:
I live in Asheville, where my great-grandmother spent the last of her years (she moved here from Hot Springs, NC, about 30 minutes away now, but it was two hours 45 years ago!) The air in WNC has reached the point where it got an F rating from the American Lung Association for ozone, and personally I can tell you my asthma is so bad my doctor has me on three different types of inhaler now. Years ago an environmental science professor at UNC Asheville told me that WNC's environment could not sustain the kind of growth that the business community was trying to encourage, and now I understand why. Besides that, as development rolls like a juggernaut out into the surrounding hills and valleys, the beautiful vistas are being spoiled, and erosion, runoff pollution of streams, and invasive species are threatening many wildlife communities, not to mention attracting coyotes (a self-propelled invasive species!).
So, sadly, I need to say to you, please don't move here! WNC does not need to go the way of Florida, Arizona and other places which have become "hot destinations" for idyllic living. After enough people move here, it won't be idyllic anymore!

Best wishes wherever you go,
Fey Rey

[goldfire99]

Asheville is a gorgeous and fun place, but it has changed drastically. I moved there in '92 and the development that has happened makes me sad. People come to visit and want to move there. As a result mountains are getting blown up to make way for McMansions and housing. Downtown has changed with the closing of Beanstreets (a beloved coffee shop by many) and Vincent's Ear (another beloved place to hang out for some). Many people are moving there and bringing snotty and self righteous attitudes with them. It's like they're trying to make Asheville something it's not.

I spoke to my dad last night who still lives there and he said it's heartbreaking to see what's happened to this town and he plans to move before it all goes to hell.

Others may have a different opinion, but I'm guessing they're pretty recent transplants. Many that are natives or have lived there for a long time will more than likely tell you that most of the town is NOT happy about all of the transplants. It's going to destroy what Asheville once was and that's undeniable. I lived in Asheville for 14 years and saw such drastic changes (and not for the better IMO) I had to leave. I couldn't stand to sit by and watch one of my favorite cities get turned into a "Atlanta in the mountains".

If you move there be sure to have a job lined up and your eyes wide open. Some tend to idealize Asheville. Why do you think it's grown so fast?

[goldfire99]

Originally Posted by FeyRey

I am going to insert the same thing I told jbob regarding his earlier post:
I live in Asheville, where my great-grandmother spent the last of her years (she moved here from Hot Springs, NC, about 30 minutes away now, but it was two hours 45 years ago!) The air in WNC has reached the point where it got an F rating from the American Lung Association for ozone, and personally I can tell you my asthma is so bad my doctor has me on three different types of inhaler now. Years ago an environmental science professor at UNC Asheville told me that WNC's environment could not sustain the kind of growth that the business community was trying to encourage, and now I understand why. Besides that, as development rolls like a juggernaut out into the surrounding hills and valleys, the beautiful vistas are being spoiled, and erosion, runoff pollution of streams, and invasive species are threatening many wildlife communities, not to mention attracting coyotes (a self-propelled invasive species!).
So, sadly, I need to say to you, please don't move here! WNC does not need to go the way of Florida, Arizona and other places which have become "hot destinations" for idyllic living. After enough people move here, it won't be idyllic anymore!

Best wishes wherever you go,
Fey Rey

Ditto. I'm sure someone will vehemently disagree with you, but it will no doubt be a recent transplant. I've yet to hear a native of WNC say, "Sure! Move here!" I spoke to a friend the other day, an Asheville native and he is planning to move in a few years. He's grown up and seen what Asheville used to be and it angers him that transplants think all of the changes, development, etc, etc is a great thing. Good way to start off with the natives, ya know? *sarcasm*

I read somewhere that someone described Madison County as diverse. They obviously don't know Madison County all that well. Heh.

[roxors]

Originally Posted by goldfire99

Asheville is a gorgeous and fun place, but it has changed drastically. I moved there in '92 and the development that has happened makes me sad. People come to visit and want to move there. As a result mountains are getting blown up to make way for McMansions and housing. Downtown has changed with the closing of Beanstreets (a beloved coffee shop by many) and Vincent's Ear (another beloved place to hang out for some). Many people are moving there and bringing snotty and self righteous attitudes with them. It's like they're trying to make Asheville something it's not.

I spoke to my dad last night who still lives there and he said it's heartbreaking to see what's happened to this town and he plans to move before it all goes to hell.

Others may have a different opinion, but I'm guessing they're pretty recent transplants. Many that are natives or have lived there for a long time will more than likely tell you that most of the town is NOT happy about all of the transplants. It's going to destroy what Asheville once was and that's undeniable. I lived in Asheville for 14 years and saw such drastic changes (and not for the better IMO) I had to leave. I couldn't stand to sit by and watch one of my favorite cities get turned into a "Atlanta in the mountains".

If you move there be sure to have a job lined up and your eyes wide open. Some tend to idealize Asheville. Why do you think it's grown so fast?

Couldn't agree more. I've been here five years and seen major changes in just that short time span. We're leaving in mid 2008 after my son finishes high school. If I were to lose my job for some reason, we'd have to leave sooner. I could not find a new one making 2/3 of what I make now, in my industry. The growth in the area has led to spiraling home prices yet wages and decent paying job availability have not increased. Sure, there are more jobs due to the newcomers, but I'd say 3/4 of them pay less than $10 per hour. That doesn't cut it with the ridiculous cost of housing. Traffic is worsening, yet environmentalists are fighting such necessities as widening freeways. There are so many anomalies here. I've read recent posts about people liking the eclecticness of downtown Asheville. I agree...I work downtown and enjoy it. But wealthy, older new residents who have purchased downtown condos are fighting and complaining about those eclectic individuals who have made downtown Asheville what it is. Those same retirees are the ones pushing up the home prices making it nearly impossible for young families to buy a decent home here. Developers are placing ads on local TV the last couple of weeks speaking out against environmentalists fighting rampant development, which is destroying the beauty of the mountains. You can't have it both ways...

I really like Asheville and will miss it, but I'm afraid it's gone past the tipping point.

[Ed&Betty]

All of the above are opinions of the individuals, and I respect their viewpoint, but also respectfully disagree...Of course no place can have the growth and new found popularity that Asheville is receiving without accompanying problems, etc.

For all you old-timers, think back to Asheville of the late 70's and early 80's...in full blown urban decay/decline. I think by embracing tourism Asheville has become a unique enclave in a world of mock, pseudo downtowns. All looks, high rises and offices but no life of their own.

Who can point to another city Ashevilles' size and claim anything near as unique and vibrant....There is not a city in Florida (27 years here) anywhere even close close.....Georgia? maybe Savannah could be suggested...

So stop knocking a good thing and look around ....Asheville is special...not perfect.

[goldfire99]

Originally Posted by Ed&Betty

So stop knocking a good thing and look around ....Asheville is special...not perfect.

Never said it wasn't special. You're a transplant so of course you have a different view. Talk to us about five years from now. *shrugs*

[dreamofmonterey]

Originally Posted by James9283

I have been doing research on the Asheville area lately! Is there anything positive or negative that I should now? Is there a teacher shortage in this county much like the rest of the state? Please reply....

I am an hour from Ashevillle and have considered it. It is an eclectic college town so there is alot more to do (than most other areas around here) Not sure about jobs though- The Asheville Citizen Times is based there- there are probably a few. Re; the other post about air quality- there is a paper mill in western NC which has a weird smell- not sure about the ozone issue though- Anything west of Asheville- stay away-there is nothing there. I would check the classifieds in Citizen Times. Hope this helps!

sunny

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

Originally Posted by roxors

Traffic is worsening, yet environmentalists are fighting such necessities as widening freeways.

Sadly, this is a problem that faces many growing areas, but the sad truth is that widening roads and freeways rarely has any long term positive effect on traffic and always has long term negative effects on the environment. Freeways create their own demand. Expand a 4-lane freeway to an 8-lane freeway and five years from now the 8-lanes will be bumper to bumper and people will be screaing fro 12 lanes and so on and so on! Good land use planning and improved public transportation are the best solution to traffic congestion. Widening of freeways is just a temporary fix to a permanent problem.