towns outside of Asheville (Boone, Blowing Rock: wealthy, retiree, area)

[Music]

I like the Franklin and Sylva area of WNC but I don't think any of these small towns are to liberal.

[jemm]

So it sounds like towns that fit my criteria that have an Asheville vibe (liberal, educated, in the mountains – and WARMER than PA) are Black Mountain, Mars Hill, Sylva, and the intentional community of Celo, with Boone being probably the closest to what I’m looking for. Thanks so much for your suggestions! Jemm

[mm34b]

Historically, Western NC as a whole is politically and socially conservative. During this past presidential election, the only mountain counties won by Obama-Biden were Watauga (52%), Buncombe (56%) and Jackson (52%).

[jemm]

I'm not familiar with the counties of NC - are any of the towns or communities mentioned in this thread in those counties? Thanks

[mm34b]

Originally Posted by jemm

I'm not familiar with the counties of NC - are any of the towns or communities mentioned in this thread in those counties? Thanks

Asheville (Buncombe County)
Black Mountain (Buncombe County)
Mars Hill (Madison County)
Sylva (Jackson County)
Celo (Yancey County)
Boone (Watauga County)
Marshall (Madison County)
Spruce Pine (Mitchell County)

[coxe]

Originally Posted by jemm

So it sounds like towns that fit my criteria that have an Asheville vibe (liberal, educated, in the mountains – and WARMER than PA) are Black Mountain, Mars Hill, Sylva, and the intentional community of Celo, with Boone being probably the closest to what I’m looking for. Thanks so much for your suggestions! Jemm

jemm...of those towns listed above...It would be my opinion that Boone is definitely the most politically progressive...MUCH more so than the Cullowhee/Sylva area and Mars Hill....not sure about Black Mountain...but Black Mountain is not a college town...Boone has much more of a college town feel than any of these places.

[organick]

asheville isn't big population wise.....its the 25k (literallly) tourists that invade town every weekend 45 weeks a year that makes everyone think its big. maybe 1 in 5o people you see downtown live in asheville

[NCN]

You might want to check out Lake Lure.
I don't usually think in terms of liberal or conservative, but if I did, I would think that Davidson is just about as conservative as a town could get. Now Shelby is another story. Western Carolina is a state supported college, but I don't know about their teaching needs.

East Carolina University is just about the most liberal college I can think of. It is in Eastern North Carolina in Pitt County. Ever heard of something being the Pitts. Sorry, bad joke. My daughter went to the East Carolina University art school for one semester and came home. She told us she was not going back after we had already paid for the next semester. Well, college is a learning experience. She said, "Mom the people down there are crazy."

[coxe]

Originally Posted by NCN

You might want to check out Lake Lure.
I don't usually think in terms of liberal or conservative, but if I did, I would think that Davidson is just about as conservative as a town could get. Now Shelby is another story. Western Carolina is a state supported college, but I don't know about their teaching needs.

East Carolina University is just about the most liberal college I can think of. It is in Eastern North Carolina in Pitt County. Ever heard of something being the Pitts. Sorry, bad joke. My daughter went to the East Carolina University art school for one semester and came home. She told us she was not going back after we had already paid for the next semester. Well, college is a learning experience. She said, "Mom the people down there are crazy."

Greenville, NC more liberal than Chapel Hill...Absolutely Not...and Davidson may not be "liberal" in the strict sense but it is DEFINITELY very progressive...why anyone would want to live in Greenville, NC is beyond me...very FLAT and very BORING.

[willbo1]

Brevard may be another option.