Is Asheville right for me? (warning: Florida resident) (Charlotte, Raleigh: low income, apartments)

[MrXpress]

I realize this is probably a question that has been asked many times, but my situation seems a little out of the norm for the typical person moving to Asheville, so the advice might be a little different.

My situation is basically that I am 25, single, with nothing really to fill a resume other than 3 yrs. of A/R and finance experience and a B.S. in Finance from one of the fine (hah!) public Florida universities. I have no desire to start a family anytime soon, no desire to become the CFO of a company at a rapid pace (or at all, really), no real need for a hopping nightlife. I just want out of Florida, because for as much as I realize every city will have problems with crime and traffic, I don't really want to have to deal with suffocatingly humid 95F heat and drab, flat scenery to boot. My interests are mountain biking, photography, and sports, if that matters.

From a career standpoint, it seems that Raleigh or Charlotte would be a better option, but my dad, whom I trust completely, told me that if I were looking to move to North Carolina, that Asheville would be his choice (perhaps biased, considering he lived there and went to UNCA, but a valid opinion nonetheless). The idea of a city that isn't quite as riddled with traffic and crime as Orlando and Tampa is also appealing, and the location seems ideal considering I would likely travel to Atlanta and Chapel Hill fairly often as I have friends and family there.

I guess my main question is whether or not it would be a good place for someone in my situation to relocate to. I know the job market is probably the biggest barricade, but I'm not really looking for an elite position, just an entry point where I could get my foot in the door and work my way up from there, not necessarily in finance either.

Thanks in advance.

Oh, and from some reading it does seem like there is a level of disdain for FL residents amongst the Asheville...ites, but if it soothes the sting a little, I was born in Charlotte and have always considered NC to be my 'home' state.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by MrXpress

I realize this is probably a question that has been asked many times, but my situation seems a little out of the norm for the typical person moving to Asheville, so the advice might be a little different.

My situation is basically that I am 25, single, with nothing really to fill a resume other than 3 yrs. of A/R and finance experience and a B.S. in Finance from one of the fine (hah!) public Florida universities. I have no desire to start a family anytime soon, no desire to become the CFO of a company at a rapid pace (or at all, really), no real need for a hopping nightlife. I just want out of Florida, because for as much as I realize every city will have problems with crime and traffic, I don't really want to have to deal with suffocatingly humid 95F heat and drab, flat scenery to boot. My interests are mountain biking, photography, and sports, if that matters.

From a career standpoint, it seems that Raleigh or Charlotte would be a better option, but my dad, whom I trust completely, told me that if I were looking to move to North Carolina, that Asheville would be his choice (perhaps biased, considering he lived there and went to UNCA, but a valid opinion nonetheless). The idea of a city that isn't quite as riddled with traffic and crime as Orlando and Tampa is also appealing, and the location seems ideal considering I would likely travel to Atlanta and Chapel Hill fairly often as I have friends and family there.

I guess my main question is whether or not it would be a good place for someone in my situation to relocate to. I know the job market is probably the biggest barricade, but I'm not really looking for an elite position, just an entry point where I could get my foot in the door and work my way up from there, not necessarily in finance either.

Thanks in advance.

Oh, and from some reading it does seem like there is a level of disdain for FL residents amongst the Asheville...ites, but if it soothes the sting a little, I was born in Charlotte and have always considered NC to be my 'home' state.

Asheville has a lot to offer, but not if you need a job when you get there. For a young person with your degree you'll find it harder to find one there for sure. I can't steer you to Charlotte either as the unemployment rate there is extremely high due to so many relocating there and too few jobs to support them all. My suggestion would be for Greensboro or Raleigh.

[Cofga]

OK, so if anyone asks you were born in Charlotte and they'll love you. As for whether it is right for you, only you will be able to answer that. You're either going to have to spend a little time in town to find out or just go cold turnkey and move--but get a job first unless you have a trust fund. I'm not sure that Raleigh or Charlotte would be better right now--there must be a lot of financial types on the sidewalks that used to work for Waccovia and my daughter in Raleigh has been looking for about a year now. So don't quit a paying job to move to Asheville unless you have 6 months of cash to live off of and/or have experience waiting tables. Good luck

PS: If you do move to Asheville and it doesn't wok out you can always blame your dad for bad advice

[organick]

Just be prepared to survive for 6 months before you have income and then it will likely be less than you wish for. The industry is tourism, thats it. But good luck.

[lew j.]

tourist tourist worst than st. armands key in fl. if you are young and healthy and love the outdoors and not afraid of snakes it is great---only you can decide and why not

[Halo_in_reverse]

I've got to agree with the other posters about your resources and having enough cash to live off of for 6-12 months. If you have that then I say go for it. You have no ties and nothing holding you down. Just be realistic about your options here and know that it may take you 6-12 months to find a job. But, if you've got plenty of savings and you can find some roommates then you should be all right.

Besides, most of the things you said you like to do (mtn biking, taking photos, playing sports) typically don't cost money to do.

Good luck and I hope it works out for you.

[Asheville Native]

Originally Posted by Halo_in_reverse

I've got to agree with the other posters about your resources and having enough cash to live off of for 6-12 months.

6 - 12 months has been a long time recommendation, but is it sufficient in today's economy and still rising unemployment?

[The Mule]

Originally Posted by Asheville Native

6 - 12 months has been a long time recommendation, but is it sufficient in today's economy and still rising unemployment?

I certainly think 6 months is optimistic. That will put you on edge starting about 3 months into things.

What is worse than people not chasing their dreams is people doing so from weak positions that set themselves up for failure.

[Halo_in_reverse]

Originally Posted by Asheville Native

6 - 12 months has been a long time recommendation, but is it sufficient in today's economy and still rising unemployment?

That's a very good question. I'm not sure I really know what the answer is. I'm no economist. I think maybe if you stayed on the side of caution and went closer to 12 months might be a better option. At least that would be enough to cover your rent for the term of a lease It sounds as if the OP has family on which to rely. If it didn't work out then at least he could go back to his family in Florida without a broken lease or ruined credit following him.

[Jellobiafra]

Originally Posted by Asheville Native

6 - 12 months has been a long time recommendation, but is it sufficient in today's economy and still rising unemployment?

From what I gathered of the OP's position, he's not really expecting much, at least at first. A single person can live on very low income in the Asheville area, which allows for a crap job to pay the bills. I'm not talking necessarily about living inside Asheville, but there are many communities in the area where rental sharing/rooms for rent/tiny apartments/small trailers would allow a person to live quite cheaply for a while.

At least that's what my recent research has uncovered. That lets a person move to the area with enough to keep him going for a little while, whilst looking for even a part time or low paying full time job to survive. And doing that, gives him time to find a job better suited for him.

This is, of course, if patience is limited, and one is ready to move quickly. Nothing is a sure thing, but if you limit yourself to a meager existence for a while, in the name of living somewhere new and exciting...or at least new then you can pull it off relatively easy.

We are packed and ready to move ourselves, sitting in near 90 degree weather (again), waiting for a full time, day shift respiratory therapist job to open for my wife. With three boys, we don't have the options of just winging it

Good luck!