Asheville, NC vs. Charlotte, NC (Full-Time Work for Mid-50s) (living, cost)

[JeanneVanderbilt]

I'm leaving the Cincinnati area now that my youngest has moved out (college sophomore). Husband and I are separating/divorcing. I'm somewhat familiar with Asheville, having several family members who live there. I've visited often over the past 10 years. However, I'm not liking the range of pay I'm seeing out there for my line of work (HR Assistant/Recruiter/Admin. Asst./Scheduler). I work full-time and have been with my current employer for 17 years.

Starting over in your mid-50s is challenging.

Would I have better luck in the Charlotte area? How about the quality of life in Charlotte as compared to Asheville? Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Mutiny77]

You should post this in the NC forum to get more feedback but you'd definitely do better in Charlotte.

[Serious Conversation]

Charlotte is going to have a significantly better job market. Asheville housing costs are generally the highest in the state. You pay for the pretty mountain views. I would rather live in Charlotte unless I was retired or independently wealthy.

[Metal To The Core]

^Agreed with all of that except I'd rather live in Asheville than Charlotte. Asheville also has colder winters, if that means anything to you.

[Port Pitt Ash]

Originally Posted by JeanneVanderbilt

Would I have better luck in the Charlotte area? How about the quality of life in Charlotte as compared to Asheville? Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

The leap from Cincinnati to Charlotte is going to be the most comfortable and comparable size-wise. Plus anytime you want to visit Asheville you can on a day trip. Charlotte's a nice city, but not really my thing. Then again I did live in Charlotte, but wouldn't live in Cincinnati (visited several times though).

If you really want to be close to Asheville, but still need to hold down the 9 to 5 your looking at Greenville (assuming you're okay with smaller areas, otherwise it's Charlotte all the way).

Once upon a time the biggest downside to Charlotte vs Asheville was the traffic, but these days it's more a moot point.

Both Charlotte & Greenville jobs will pay you more and have a cheaper cost of living.

A few of the TN &/or other NC cities would probably work too depending on what you're looking for in a city.

[JeanneVanderbilt]

Excellent advice, thank you so much!

Jeanne