True colors of Asheville... (Fairmont: houses, employment, buy)

[livinlife7]

Hey all : )

I'm a 24-yr old soon-to-be grad. looking to move to North Carolina, hopefully Asheville. I'll be ready for employment in about a month, and a friend of mine and I are interested primarily in this area because of it's unique nature and culture. However, after looking at some of Asheville's reviews on this forum, I'm a little confused about what it's really like, and whether or not I'll really be satisfied moving there...

I would consider myself an interesting, eclectic, personable person with a ton of untapped interests just waiting to be explored. To give a colorful picture, I think my ideal situation for life after school would be this:

Graduate, move to Asheville... buy a guitar, learn to play the guitar, then go to a park and play my guitar... take a pottery class, make some pottery, and decorate my house... read a LOT, have a nice chat with someone about it at a coffee shop, maybe join a book club, read and chat some more... go to church every sunday (I'm Catholic), help out with a youth group or sunday school class... Volunteer somewhere, probably Habitat for Humanity, build some houses, maybe clean some out, whatever's needed... Go whitewater rafting, hiking, biking... etc., etc...

I have lived in Wheeling, WV for 6 years, and grew up in Fairmont, WV - both with not a whole lot to do. Basically, I am tired of living in the "nothing to do" towns. I don't mind living in a smaller-sized city, but I would really like to go to a place where my interests could be explored. I'm not looking for the whole "go out every night" and wild partying scene, I just want to find an interesting place with interesting people who can have some interesting converstation.

I've heard some here say that Asheville is great, and there's no other place like it. Others say there is absolutely nothing to do and they can't wait to leave.

How is Asheville, REALLY...? And can a girl find some things to do to satisfy her intellect?

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. I am scheduling an interview in Asheville tomorrow, so I'll be making a trip down soon...

[soundforlanguage81]

I mentioned this in another thread, Asheville seems as if it has everything and nothing going on. However from what you've listed it seems as if you just might find a niche there. Compared to other cities in the state and very few in the south it's a unique place, but definitely not for everyone. There are always threads on these forums about how someone had a preconcieved notion about Asheville, hastily moved there and wound up hating it for some reason.

If you're as active as your post makes you out to be you'll have absolutely no problem with Asheville life. Whatever you're looking for it's there, it just might take some time to find it.

The main complaint I hear (on these forums and from friends back home) is that the cost of living is on the rise, while jobs seem to remain stagnant. So if you wind up lucky in those aspects, you're in good shape.

Whatever happens, I hope you find what you're looking for.

[Skyliner]

My first question is, who will pay for this lifestyle? I apologize for sounding critical, but you neglected mentioning a real career or need for a job. Are you an artist? If so, there is certainly a market for your talent in Asheville, although you will face plenty of competition, depending on your style.

[Asheville Native]

You really seem to be brushing off employment, other than "I'll be ready for employment....."

Not a good plan moving to Asheville, even in the good times, and a really bad plan in today's economic environment. Obviously you are graduating with a 'degree'. That's good, but a 'degree' is in no way a ticket to a job, regardless of what your college may have told you. The restaurants are full of people with degrees, waiting tables.

[Cofga]

Yes, just what is your degree in? If you're not in a medically related field then as said above I hope you're good at waiting tables adn can get support checks from home!

[mm_mary73]

Physical therapy, I think....

[pslamp32]

Originally Posted by Asheville Native

You really seem to be brushing off employment, other than "I'll be ready for employment....."

Not a good plan moving to Asheville, even in the good times, and a really bad plan in today's economic environment. Obviously you are graduating with a 'degree'. That's good, but a 'degree' is in no way a ticket to a job, regardless of what your college may have told you. The restaurants are full of people with degrees, waiting tables.

As a restaurateur I can confirm that you are correct sir. I will also say that many of my employees are making a fair living and quite enjoying themselves as well. In my years in the industry I've known quite a few people who have left for 'real jobs' only to return because they hated the monotony and rigidness of those jobs. Yes it is true, you can be a simple waiter or other restaurant employee and live a fulfilling life nonetheless...I promise you.

[pslamp32]

To the original poster I say that yes you can easily find your niche in Asheville. From the sounds of your post you will find what you are looking for here. There are many like-minded young people who appear to have exactly your ideals living here. I would venture to say that I have never lived anywhere that had more intellectually stimulating young people per capita than Asheville. Now if you mentioned you were looking for an awesome nightlife with an amazing single scene etc., I might say Asheville is not the ideal though not bad. I moved here to 'settle down' and actually evolve from the more 'party' phase of my life. Asheville has been perfect for me. Plenty to do, though not as much as a true city. Great place to make great relationships with very high quality people IMO.

[NC_Paddler]

Originally Posted by pslamp32

As a restaurateur I can confirm that you are correct sir. I will also say that many of my employees are making a fair living and quite enjoying themselves as well. In my years in the industry I've known quite a few people who have left for 'real jobs' only to return because they hated the monotony and rigidness of those jobs. Yes it is true, you can be a simple waiter or other restaurant employee and live a fulfilling life nonetheless...I promise you.

You can always tell someone who has never worked in the restaurant biz.

Helll, I took a pay cut when I traded in my waiter/bartender job for my "professional" career. Ok, that was a long time ago, but still. I'd be willing to bet that a good full-time waiter or bartender in the nicer restaurants in Asheville makes more than many teachers, social workers, and other professional jobs.

Not that salary is everything, but it's good to know you can make a living at it.

Actually, I was just thinking the other day . . . I'd like to pick up a 1-night a week Waiter job at a nice restaurant and only wait on one large table per night. That way I could provide exceptional service to the customers while enjoying the job more since paying the bills wouldn't depend on it, and probably getting much better tips as a result. They would have my undivided attention. It's a win/win.

Anyway, that's off topic . . .

[NC_Paddler]

Originally Posted by livinlife7

Hey all : )How is Asheville, REALLY...?

Not to evade your question, but how Asheville REALLY is depends on the person who is doing the observing. From what you've written above, it sounds like you would have every reason in the world to have a positive, happy experience there.

Disclaimer: I'm not a resident yet, but I spend quite a bit of time there, and it sounds like it would be up your alley.

And can a girl find some things to do to satisfy her intellect?

Absolutely.

For example: Asheville, NC Meetup Groups - Meetup.com