Please help! like to relocate to quaint safe small town, I am a portrait photograper (Asheville: sales)

[pretty_in_pink4]

Hi and Thanks for looking!
We are a small family of 3, we are currently on the Eastern shore of Mobile , AL and would like to relocate to a mountain view home.
I have a successful small portrait studio here at my home, but my hubby wants to move north.
Unfortunately...according to city-data stats most of the small towns have income levels around half of the state average and much lower than where we live now.
It took me many years to build my business to a "upscale" clientele.
I am very scared to let that go, but we would like to go someplace that has art, antiques, kind hearted people and a slower pace of life.
Can anyone recommend a very pretty small town in North Carolina or the North Ga area that could use a fine portrait photographer?
Thanks in advance for the info!!!

[hymnsinger]

Hi Vicki,

I admire your courage! What does your husband do for work? You should head for an area that can pay both of you. With that slower pace and relaxed lifestyle comes a sharp reduction in earnings, no matter how or where you end up.

First thing I would do is work up a new budget. Figure up everything you spend now (for the past year), then cut it by at least 33%. Do you have any savings? You need to have enough money to support your family for at least 6 months with no additional income.

Do you have car payments? Can they be refinanced to a lower rate? You may need to dump a vehicle with a high payment for a good quality used vehicle with a lower payment.

Will you be selling and/or buying a home? If selling, you may have a problem. Wherever you go, I would rent or lease until the market stabilizes, unless of course you are financially able to buy. It's a buyers market!

I know you didn't ask for any of this, but before you ask about which of 100's of quaint towns to settle in, you need to make sure that you won't end up houseless and jobless in what turns out to be the boondocks!

Also, most residents in quaint towns are highly unlikely to want (or afford) their portraits taken. High school graduations and weddings will be about it. I know a portrait photog here in Boone if you'd like to talk to her. As a matter of fact, she just delivered a baby on Wednesday! Keep in mind that while Boone is small, it is NOT quaint! I will be glad to get you in touch with her.

While you're exploring, I would look at Hendersonville (a small city near Asheville), Toccoa, GA, Waynesville, NC, and Gatlinburg, TN.

For smaller and "quainter" I like West Jefferson, NC, a bit further north. It's a beautiful place to live! The best employment in the area (Ashe County) is to be self employed as lawn & landscaper in spring & summer and snow removal in winter. Handyman, plumber, auto tech, and firewood sales are also possibilities. Gardening also helps to make ends meet, and having a few chickens doesn't hurt either!

The art and tourist scene is taking off there, and it is quickly becoming a summer tourist destination for Eastern North Carolinians. It's an hour to an hour and a half to major shopping, but all the ammenities can be had locally, or within 30 minutes. It is the Christmas Tree Capital of the World, and a gorgeous place to live.

Let me know if I can be of further help.

Tracey
Nursing a cold in this very nasty winter storm!

[Cofga]

I'd say stay put until the economy starts to recover. NC is already at 8.1% and I doubt that there will be a lot of extra money flowing out the door for portraits. Once things do start moving again Asheville might be a good option. There are a lot of retired folks used to a higher standard of living than the locals plus there are the wealthier segment that have second homes there. Just look at the real estate listings and you'll see that there has to be some extra cash floating around in Beaver Lake, Grove Park, Biltmore Forest, Reynolds Mtn, etc. It will definitely take a while to rebuild your business but since you already know how to do that it shouldn't be a big problem. I would think that if you could develop a business plan that brings in the tourists that could be a plus. I know a fellow in Alaska who has a successful photo business and in addition to weddings and studio portraits he does a lot of outdoor settings. Good luck

[pretty_in_pink4]

Thanks so much ....you have really made me think .
We cant afford the Asheville area...Ive already checked and its saturated with photographers.
We found some really pretty cheaper places around a town called Murphy. I think its just above the Ga line?
anybody know about that area?

[pretty_in_pink4]

forgot to add...my husband has been a chemical worker for 30 years...they might be closing his plant next year?
He is not at all a handy man but he loves yard work.

[Catrick]

Originally Posted by Vicki the portrait photog

Thanks so much ....you have really made me think .
We cant afford the Asheville area...Ive already checked and its saturated with photographers.
We found some really pretty cheaper places around a town called Murphy. I think its just above the Ga line?
anybody know about that area?

My sister lives in Murphy. She is retired so a job was not a priority for her. She loves it there but the ecomomy there has fallen on hard times just like everywhere else. She shops the local Wal-Mart but goes to Chattanooga or Atlanta for her main shopping. I haven't visited yet but I understand it is a small town. I agree with other posters thinking right now might not be a good time. Perhaps you could wait until the ecomomy picks up?

Good luck in whatever you decide.

[tkhk3746]

I have relatives who owned a campground there in Murphy. Some type of State law passed that no longer allows large vehicles on many of the roads up the mountain and it literrally wiped out that community. Don't know the particulars..but unless you plan to retire..I would stay away.