just recently reloacated to Asheville (Charlotte, Black Mountain: apartments, lofts, crime)

[Mathieu]

Hello
i just recently moved from Charlotte to Asheville and have found it to be beyond wounderful, although there seems to be a lack of affordabel housing for us starving artists. if anyone can help, please respond....
thank you, i hope everyone has a wounderful day

[cabinman]

Can't help with the housing but I'd be curious to learn about your art work. What do you do, how long and how do market yourself? I am an artist, (painter and sculptor) non reresentational abstraction mostly. I have been scratching out a living for almost 30 years and am presently looking to move to Black Mountain/Asheville area or somewhere nearby.

Do you have a web site? I wish you success!

[cooperwx]

Hey,
look for info on the "River Arts District" in the area by the French Broad River near downtown Asehville. There are warehouses that have been redesigned into loft spaces, mainly aimed at various types of artists. You may be able to benefit from lower rents/mortgages and a community of artists as well...

[cabinman]

Thanks! That's good info. I have heard about the "River Arts District", but have yet to visit. It will be at the top of my list when I visit again next month.

Best Regards!

[cindy175]

Originally Posted by Mathieu

Hello
i just recently moved from Charlotte to Asheville and have found it to be beyond wounderful, although there seems to be a lack of affordabel housing for us starving artists. if anyone can help, please respond....
thank you, i hope everyone has a wounderful day

I just returned from trip to Asheville and the River Arts District has working artists studios where visitors can often meet artists and see them at work.

You might also want to check with the University--there are graduate students who are looking to share living space and probably won't be too wild now that their "college days" are over, so to speak.

We also found a smaller artists colony in West Asheville (Haywood Rd); some stores, cafes, restaurants there too. Very friendly people, many newcomers. Spoke with a few artists who say apartment rents are cheaper there than near downtown Asheville. There's some crime in the area but it seems to be restricted to some housing projects.

Here's the website: http://onhaywood.com/

best of luck...

[cooperwx]

Good call on the Haywood Rd area, cindy. There aren't many lofts, or even apartments there, but there is a good possibility of sharing a historic bungalow. The area along Haywood between State St and Brevard Rd is considered "downtown" West Asheville. groceries, coffee, delis, the library, etc all within walking distance.

The river arts district is becoming more self-contained as more people move to the area, and is certainly geared toward the artist community. Good luck, cabinman!