Some questions about the Asheville Area (Biltmore Forest: insurance, how much, townhomes)

[llalka]

I've been reading these forums for some time now and finally decided to post. My husband and I live in South Florida and we are looking to relocate to either South Carolina or North Carolina.

I have a few questions for those who live or know about the Asheville area....

1. What is the range in housing costs? And what do you pay for taxes and insurance? For example in Broward County, we must have three insurances: property, flood and windstorm that total almost $5,000 plus our property taxes are almost $5,000 as well.

2. My husband is in IT...and works for a major hospital system. What does the job market look like for those in the computer industry?

3. Are there any laws or ordinances against developers? One of the reasons why we wish to leave, is that there is no more Florida. Every square inch of empty land will eventually have more "luxury townhomes" and "upscale shopping". Does the state and local government have anything in effect to stop this in the Asheville area?

We are planning a trip this summer to have a look and see what we think, but I would appreciate any insight. Thanks!

[cooperwx]

1. Housing costs range from around $100000 (doublewide) to about $2 mil. or so for a higher end Biltmore Forest home. Homes in the new planned communities start at about $350000. Tax rate for the city is 42 cents/$100 appraised, and the county is 53 cents/$100. The school tax is additional and is 15 cents/$100. If you are in the city you pay all three, bringing it to $1.10/$100 appraised.

2. Interesting combination with IT and hospitals. Jobs in the computer industry are hard to come by here, but the hospital/medical sector is big and is growing.

3. Asheville is working as hard as it can to control the rapid development that is happening all around the area. The county's challenge is bigger since there isn't that much undeveloped area in the city itself. There are steep-slope ordinances in the works in both jurisdictions. It can't come soon enough!

[llalka]

Thanks so much for responding. What about insurance? If you are a homeowner, what does it run...and do you need anything besides homeowners?

How long have you lived in Asheville?

[EnglishCream]

Previous poster is correct about the IT jobs, I work for a software company (probably the only decent sized one in town) and if I were to lose my job, I'd definitely have to move. There just isn't much for tech jobs in the area. There is a lot of new retail growth in the area, especially in the South Buncombe County area.

[cooperwx]

I lived in Asheville for 4 years at UNCA in the '90s, and my wife and I moved back here in '03. I'm embarrassed to say I don't know how much my homeowner's insurance is, but I do know that I don't need any other coverage. Those in flood plains would be well served to get flood protection.

[gypsychic]

My HOI with Allstate is about $522 per year for $150,000 of coverage on structure and $100,000 on contents. I don't need flood or any other coverages.

[Bye Bye Florida]

Can you give us some estimates of your electric and heating bills if you also use ac in the summers?

[cooperwx]

I have a heat pump. The electric bill for my 1700sf house is roughly $220/mo. in winter and $140/mo. in summer.

Incidentally, this is as cold a climate (winter) as I'd recommend a heat pump. They aren't very efficient when temps are well below freezing (<25°)

[Bye Bye Florida]

Ah..I get it. More electricity used in the winter than the summer there. Will love those kind of bills. My year round elec. bill in Florida averages $275 a month over a year. Summer prices are killers. I noticed most homes I've looked at in NC do have heat pumps.

thanks!!