Asheville NC, the good, the bad, and the ugly (Boone: hardwood floors, apartments)

[Asheville Native]

Originally Posted by Jcat

Crime in Asheville needs to be addressed.

Local law enforcement is too busy arresting and harassing people that still believe they have the right to exercise their freedom of speech. They will trump up charges of all sorts for someone that dares hold up a 2 foot by 2 foot sign that suggest that Bush be impeached.

If you are a victim of property crime, you can hardly get them to take a report, and you usually have to go to the PD to report it.
If you are a victim of violent crime, they will do the report, and if you know someone with influence in the city, they might even work the case.

Most of the violent crime, shootings, stabbing, cuttings, either occurs in the immediate vicinity of one of the many housing projects around the city, or involves those who reside in these housing cesspools, and revolve around drugs, which are sold in the open in these projects.

[geogirl]

I will be relocating to the Asheville area in the next few months from S. Florida (Broward). I'm not too worried about the drug problem, having grown up in Miami during the 70s and 80s (remember Cocoaine Cowboys). Where are drugs not a problem in the U.S.? I can't wait for the change of seasons, people, etc. We have been vacationing in the area for over a year now, and really like it. A very diverse crowd, but I think that is a good thing. We are currently looking to purchase property in Black Mountain and build. My husband is being transferred, so I will need to find employment. I can teach secondary education Science, so I am hoping to get part-time employment doing that. Thanks again for your insight.

[Hyperkp]

My boyfriend and I are currently living in Durango, CO. We like it here but I am getting antsy and want to move. We are both orginally from upstate NY and I went to college in PA. We are 23 and enjoy going out to eat, love the outdoors, and love music. So we are looking for a place similar to Durango and Asheville looked perfect. I currently teach preschool but have my degree in Elementary Education. My boyfriend works for Wyndham resorts and can be transferred to a new site. I guess I am wondering how the area is. How are the schools and are they available jobs. We would rent a place probably like a 2 bedroom. What are prices like? How about the weather? I am so sick of this Durango dry heat! I have been checking some places out online but I really have no idea where to look or what street to look for? So what are some good areas to live. We would also love to get a dog...We currently don't have one bc our roommate is allergic to them! So any info would be great. We also wouldn't be moving until Summer of 2008. We might not even get a chance to make a trip out there. I have been to NC a couple of times but they have all been to the outer banks. Thanks!

[mm34b]

Originally Posted by Hyperkp

How about the weather? I am so sick of this Durango dry heat!

ASHEVILLE WSO AP, NORTH CAROLINA - Climate Summary

Southeast Regional Climate Center

[roxygirl]

Originally Posted by geogirl

I will be relocating to the Asheville area in the next few months from S. Florida (Broward). I'm not too worried about the drug problem, having grown up in Miami during the 70s and 80s (remember Cocoaine Cowboys). Where are drugs not a problem in the U.S.? I can't wait for the change of seasons, people, etc. We have been vacationing in the area for over a year now, and really like it. A very diverse crowd, but I think that is a good thing. We are currently looking to purchase property in Black Mountain and build. My husband is being transferred, so I will need to find employment. I can teach secondary education Science, so I am hoping to get part-time employment doing that. Thanks again for your insight.

hey, i moved from Fort Lauderdale to Asheville in Sept 2004. it has been such a nice change from S FL. i don't notice the drugs, i guess i have been around them so much living in FL. Changes of season are so refreshing. i have struggled with the job market, i am a fitness instructor and barely make it. i am actually selling my house and considering moving out to Montana, been here 3 years, have loved it, but i am ready for my next adventure. Good luck to you and your move.

[capeannoceangirl]

Hello,
I am thinking of moving to Asheville area from Northern New England, (Massachusetts) The Job situation is what I was worried about. I didnt know there was such a crime problem. Is that why there are so many gated communities?

[mm34b]

Update on crime from the State Bureau of Investigation.

Statewide Crime Index Rate per 100,000 Persons for comparison - 4,649.8

Asheville Metropolitan Area
Buncombe County - 3,715.5
Henderson County - 2,921.6
Madison County - 1,313.6
Haywood County - 3,283.0

NC SBI Report

http://sbi2.jus.state.nc.us/crp/publ...%20Summary.pdf

The Crime Index includes the total number of murders, rapes, robberies, aggravated assaults, burglaries, larcenies and motor vehicle thefts.

[capeannoceangirl]

Originally Posted by treehouse51

How affordable is housing and are there any old sections?... Google Montford, NC - they have their own web site. West Asheville does, too. There are a bunch of old sections - I forgot how many historical neighborhoods there are. Some are expensive and some not terribly - expensive and cheap are very relative.

Some people who come here think it's outrageously expensive and some think it's so cheap! If anyone would like me to send them the weekly real estate market overview for the Asheville area, I would be happy to. It usually comes out weekly. It breaks down all the price ranges and give info about each one like how many houses are for sale in that price range right now, average days on the market before selling, number of closings in the last 6 months, etc.

Its'a buyers market right now because there are lots of homes on the market, but in general they are only for sale for about 3 months before they sell and the average selling price this week is $304,771. There are a total of 2,303 homes on the market and they range in price from under $50,000 to well over a $1 million.

Usually the less expensive ones are manufactured homes. Once you get over $225,000 you can find some pretty nice places. Under that, they are either small, just one bathroom, in a funky location, have a strange floorplan or something like that. But if you are patient and keep a very close eye on what is coming on the market you can find something under that. Or if you don't mind small or one bathroom. Or if you don't mind a townhouse or condo.

They are actually taking reservations now ($1000 - refundable) for some "lofts" right downtown to be completed in 2008 in a new building from just $122,000. They are only about 500 to 900 square feet. The buiding is going to comply with "HealthyBuilt" green standards and even have a live roof.

There are also some other fairly affordable "green" options being built right now like some townhomes in West Asheville that should be ready this fall fro about $197,000. They are about 1000 square feet.

Whew, I got a little long winded. I hopw this was helpful. Feel free to ask more about this stuff and don't forget to let me know if you want me to Moderator cut: Realtor soliciting

Hey I am form new england as well , I am thinking of moving to asheville. From a New Englander's perspective how is it different culturally?

[pap/paws]

Is MMCCOOL1719 (Melissa) still reading these posts? I noted earlier that you were from Naples.

I also am from Naples, and have been visiting the "greater" Asheville area for about 8 years during the summer. I love it all, Bryson City, Waynesville, Franklin, Brevard, Highlands, Spruce Pine, Black Mtn., Hendersonville, (where my neighbors moved to last year)etc etc.. Getting ready to put my house up for sale. You probably know how THAT goes.

Anyway, since I have a 15 yr. old daughter, I decided that the best approach would be to check out the schools first, (rather than the prettiest towns). She and I (single mom) like small, private schools where there is a "family" feeling, (as opposed to government run public. I myself have been a teacher at both public & private).So I make the $ sacrifice, for her. She attended the school here on Goodlette (if you know where I am refering to). Do you know anything about Asheville Christian Academy? Its near to Black Mtn. And they say on their website that their families attend 70 different churches, so that is somewhat diversified. Also, now that you've been there awhile, hows it going? How was the transition from Naples? Very hot and bright out here tonight!!!

Also, are you (or anyone else) familiar with the Kenilworth Inn? It is an apt. complex (historic bldg) in So. Asheville on Caledonia Rd. It looks nice, but I have no idea as to what its really like. I have 3 small dogs,and a cat, & it will be difficult to find a rental (I believe in renting always first for awhile before buying). They say they welcome petS, (and I stress the "S"). Don't know how many other places do this. Anyone have any suggestions as to other places?

Also, to gypsychic, I love reading your posts. Your thinking seems to be a lot like my own. I really laughed when, after that guys LONG letter, you answered with...."glad I amused you!" Ha!! Well, for now I remain an "arm-chair traveler". Couldn't make it up to NC this summer.

[gypsychic]

Hey there, Pap/Paws - thanks for the compliment! I had totally forgotten about that reponse I gave - hehehe!

I don't personally know much about that Kenilworth Inn, other than it is a great looking place, and a bit pricey. I do believe that pets seem to be more readily accepted up here in Asheville, check on Craigslist sometime. In my neighborhood of Kenilworth Forest, there are several rental houses, and the tenants ALL have pets, it is especially a dog neighborhood it seems. We don't really get to spend much time up there in that house. I am hoping to spend a couple months there next summer.

I was just reading another of your posts about all the stuff available for kids to do in South Florida through the parks, etc. It is the same where we live in Lakeland, now. The amenities for families and people of all ages are unbelievable. But it seems that there is plenty to do in Asheville, too. It's just a different lifestyle. Might take some getting used to for some people who are used to a totally different vibe. I love both places. You mentioned Black Mountain, I love it there. That was on my list of areas to find a place, and I love it more everytime we go - there is a special magic there, IMO, hard to describe.

Anyway, I didn't get to spend my months in A-ville this summer, either, since we ended up moving our Florida residence (to Lakeland) but we do long weekends when we can, and I want to be there for next Spring! Hopefully we don't get that late spring freeze like this year which knocked back my pretty little Japanese maples!