Best Appalachian Region Overall (live, cost, state, better)
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Which central and southern Appalachian Mountain region is the most ideal, based on this criteria:
*economy and jobs
*growth overall
*cost of living
*schools and universities
*outdoor activities
*mix of ideal smaller towns
*brightest future
*best preservation of nature
Ashville, NC is about 150 miles from the southern terminous of the AT. That region encompasses North GA, eastern TN and West NC, all of which are good choices. I think TN is on an upward trajectory now as a place to live and work. North GA will benefit from this and serves as a retreat for metro Atlanta. Ashville is kind of in the same boat, where it benefits a lot from Charlotte / RT / ATL urbanites who want to get away from summer heat.
I really like the Shenandoah region of VA. While it feels stable, doesn't seem to be growing as fast as TN and NC.
*economy and jobs - Northern AL
*growth overall: Northern AL
*cost of living: Northern AL but if Mississippi were included I would choose it.
*schools and universities: Western Pennsylvania
*outdoor activities: Western North Carolina
*mix of ideal smaller towns: Western North Carolina
*brightest future: Northern AL
*best preservation of nature: Not sure, but likely a less industrialized region would be better preserved.
The Huntsville, AL region has really performed well over the last decade. The region also has a growing minority business community that often goes overlooked in media outlets. The TV show Love and Marriage Huntsville gives a glimpse of the growth and investment going on.
Not sure any region could compete with Washington & Lee, Virginia Tech, Virginia Military Institute, Radford, Liberty, James Madison, Shenandoah, Mary Baldwin, and Roanoke College. It's kinda nuts how many are in the Shenandoah Valley. UVA is just over the mountains.
Economy is strong, stable, and mostly diversified. Roanoke has been an Appalachian success story with notable growth and reinvestment as of late.
Weather is very temperate, with year-round activities. Shenandoah River, Blue Ridge mountains hiking & skiing, hot springs, caves, etc. are good activities.
It's pretty accessible from major metros...even by train! Towns are very quaint and well-kept, with some interesting local and nationally-relevant history.
Nature is very well preserved...Shenandoah National Park and a national forest. The valley and the mountains are very picturesque
Last edited by newgensandiego; 03-13-2021 at 11:28 PM..
I should also point out that Appalachia's only sizable metropolis is located in Western Pennsylvania. Its core city is very much on the mend, but its surrounding region is still in the doldrums, hot having found anything to replace steelmaking as an economic mainstay.
But the region is still lovely country. And thanks to steelmaking's demise, you can see it now.
Not sure any region could compete with Washington & Lee, Virginia Tech, Virginia Military Institute, Radford, Liberty, James Madison, Shenandoah, Mary Baldwin, and Roanoke College. It's kinda nuts how many are in the Shenandoah Valley. UVA is just over the mountains.
Economy is strong, stable, and mostly diversified. Roanoke has been an Appalachian success story with notable growth and reinvestment as of late.
Weather is very temperate, with year-round activities. Shenandoah River, Blue Ridge mountains hiking & skiing, hot springs, caves, etc. are good activities.
It's pretty accessible from major metros...even by train! Towns are very quaint and well-kept, with some interesting local and nationally-relevant history.
Nature is very well preserved...Shenandoah National Park and a national forest. The valley and the mountains are very picturesque
I adore the Shenandoah Valley. I always enjoy my drive down I-81.
County-level growth since 2010 suggests Georgia and Tennessee are doing very well. North Carolina and South Carolina as well. Alabama and Virginia are a bit mixed. WV, PA, KY, and NY are not doing too well...
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