yes or no to asheville (car insurance, homes, find a job)

[myaustin55]

we have heard asheville is beautiful...going check it out in september but in the meantime can anyone give us any info on what it is like to live there? we are in our mid 50's, retired, have a dog, love to bike and hike and just enjoy the outdoors. thought about florida but this area looks mighty inviting on the net. any help would be appreciated!!!!

[graterdaze]

I dont know about Asheville, but Florida it is really hard to find a job right now, for the first time in a long time more people are leaving the state than moving in.

[chickenshackrob]

Even thought Florida is having challenging times, new construction is everywhere. Stores are still busy selling and people are still busy buying. Families are still taking vacations. They’re just enjoying what Florida has to offer. Lots of beaches. My family is very much outdoorsy. We spend most of our weekend out there. We are located just outside of Tampa in a town called Oldsmar. This is a fairly new city; therefore, shops are new and beautiful. The town is very clean, (very clean) and located too many activities. Orlando is only about a 1 1/2 away for all its attractions (Disney, SeaWorld). Honeymoon Island is a beach and one of the prettiest you'll see in Florida. It's about 15 mins to the West of . The water is perfect and so are the white sands. You have parks, Zoos, Lakes, Bush Gardens, Restaurants, Shops, Fairs, and just about an hour away from Seminole Casino if you’re into that. I have never been so can't give any personal experience. If you are looking for a small town with little traffic then this place isn't for you. 9:00 traffic is busy along with 5:00 rushes. In between times are pretty clear. You'll need to Google the area to get a better idea. But if you can think it you can just about do it here. Oh and prices on homes have fallen 25% just from last summer. We are moving out of the state because we miss the cold winters. Wearing shots on Christmas Eve has finally worn on us. We have been in the area since 1985. Heading north and considering Asheville. Good Luck. Do your homework. Oldsmar is a wonderful place to live.

[LookinForMayberry]

We loved Asheville, and would move there were it not for the economics -- the place is reported to have a history of no jobs, basically a great artist, tourism place.

Still, if you don't have to work, go, by all means. We loved all the recreational opportunities there and in the surrounding areas, it's a very scenic place, and it has an eclectic quality about it that reminded me of Seattle before it became "yuppified."

If you do go, keep us posted on your observations.

[louise50]

Please read the Western North Carolina forum. You will find much info there. You will be most welcomed in WNC!

[myaustin55]

Thank you for all your thoughts and observations! I think we might go back and focus on Florida..we really love the beach and can always vacation in the mountains!!

[Catrick]

Originally Posted by chickenshackrob

Even thought Florida is having challenging times, new construction is everywhere. Stores are still busy selling and people are still busy buying. Families are still taking vacations. They’re just enjoying what Florida has to offer. Lots of beaches. My family is very much outdoorsy. We spend most of our weekend out there. We are located just outside of Tampa in a town called Oldsmar. This is a fairly new city; therefore, shops are new and beautiful. The town is very clean, (very clean) and located too many activities. Orlando is only about a 1 1/2 away for all its attractions (Disney, SeaWorld). Honeymoon Island is a beach and one of the prettiest you'll see in Florida. It's about 15 mins to the West of . The water is perfect and so are the white sands. You have parks, Zoos, Lakes, Bush Gardens, Restaurants, Shops, Fairs, and just about an hour away from Seminole Casino if you’re into that. I have never been so can't give any personal experience. If you are looking for a small town with little traffic then this place isn't for you. 9:00 traffic is busy along with 5:00 rushes. In between times are pretty clear. You'll need to Google the area to get a better idea. But if you can think it you can just about do it here. Oh and prices on homes have fallen 25% just from last summer. We are moving out of the state because we miss the cold winters. Wearing shots on Christmas Eve has finally worn on us. We have been in the area since 1985. Heading north and considering Asheville. Good Luck. Do your homework. Oldsmar is a wonderful place to live.

While I agree that Florida still has much to offer the problem there is the high insurance rates on home and car, and the general cost of living. When we were looking to leave south Florida we checked around the rest of the state and still couldn't get passed the insurance issue. Most people buying homes now have to get their insurance through the state.

North Carolina offers great beaches and the mountains and it has been cheaper for us to live here semi-retired. If we were still in Florida we would still be working full time.

Good luck in whatever you choose.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by myaustin55

Thank you for all your thoughts and observations! I think we might go back and focus on Florida..we really love the beach and can always vacation in the mountains!!

Florida is great, and despite what some say about the expense, overall one can live here very reasonably (some areas are cheaper than others). Homeowner's insurance is the only really high expense, car insurance rates are by county, ones' age, age of car, etc. so it varies greatly for each individual. We have NO state income tax, and no tax on groceries. Overall it will be the same or less than most places in NC.

I love living near the beach (I'm in Sarasota) we have the most awesome beaches in the country, and are always near the top of the nationally ranked list.

Good luck to you!

[willbo1]

I have owned 3 homes in the last 6 years.

Home #1 - Nassau County, NY
Purchase price - $620,000
Taxes and HOI -Approx $9,500

Home #2 - St. Petersburg, FL
Purchase Price - $345,000
Taxes and HOI - Approx $8,900

House #3 - Asheville, NC
Purchase Price - $350,000
Taxes and HOI - Approx $2100

Tough pill to swallow in FL and I was not in a flood zone. The no state income tax really did not come close to off-setting the significantly out of whack taxes and insurance. In addition, the public schools were unbearable so I was really getting little for my astronomical tax bill.

[myaustin55]

That is one real hard pill to swallow!!