Colorado mountains to Western NC (Asheville, Boone: ski resorts, rentals, crime)

[Morton Kraus]

We have lived in the mountains of Colorado for 20 years and are pretty much retired. We're considering western NC because we need to go to a lower elevation but want to be near mountains and skiing. We're used to world class ski areas but age and some health problems have slowed us down. We're still active (skiing, hiking, mountain biking). We've looked at the ski areas in NC and think they will be OK but a little more info, especially the best bumps, could be helpful. Going from dry to humid could be a problem. We're wondering about medical services. We will probably rent so some clues on that would be nice. Our needs are pretty basic; 2 dogs, no kids (living with us) and fixed income (I hate that term but I think it gets the point across). We're looking forward to any advice we can get.

[saucystargazer]

If you are looking for skiing, you'd be better off somewhere in VA or further north. NC's ski area's are really just bunny runs, especially compared to CO. You don't give a possible price range for rentals either which makes it difficult to tell you if you could even afford to live here. WNC's average rentals would be about 750 a month not including anything and if you have to be near medical centers, your best bet is going to be asheville because its the biggest city in WNC (its really the only city IMO...) But asheville is really low in elevation. Anywhere higher and you are going to be in the middle of nowhere.

And you're right, the humidity is going to be awful for someone coming from the west, especially in the summer. Transylvania county is the most humid in the state.

[Morton Kraus]

Saucy,
Thanks for your response. We are not rich but anybody who can afford to live in a Colorado resort area can afford to live almost anywhere. From what I've gathered so far North Carolina is similar. Apparently the rents in the Boone area are higher than in other parts. I don't know yet much about cost range for housing but would like to know more. We are currently paying $1500 a month for a tiny 3 bedroom, 1 bath house with a funky 2 car garage. That is at the low end of rents in Silverthorne which is the lowest rental cost area in Summit County, CO.
I would also **** to know more about crime in Asheville and whether or not hurricanes ever make their way that far west.
Mort

[Tanya Donaghy]

This might give you a better idea of what the rent prices are in the Asheville area... IWANNA

[motordavid]

Hurricanes: much of western NC got its fanny kicked pretty hard via Hurricanes Ivan & Frances, in 2004. But, that was due to the direction they came in on: from the ESE. We live at 5,000 ft on a mtn ridge and we were SOL for a few days, but the home gen kept us going. We had to cut our way out with chainsaws. But, in 10+ yrs in Waynesville, at 5,000 ft elevation, that hurricane situ is pretty rare, imo, though weather here is also more extreme/windy/cooler at higher alts...

It is all very dependent on 'elevation' in western NC, much like you have back in CO: Asheville area is warm to hot in summer, with a couple months of real winter, (not CO-like winter). As you get into 3500 ft to 5,000 ft, the summers are maybe 79 in the shade, but winter is more weather severe.

We have ridden through your CO 'area' a few times on m'cycle trips; very dramatic and beautiful country. Quite a move from the real mtns of CO to the eroded 'mtns' of the Apps.
GL, mD

[DFGSP]

I grew up skiiing in Western NC, with a week or two out west, mainly Jackson, WY, each year. NC skiing is what it is. There is no "best place for bumps" because there are no bumps. Despite what the sites say about 18-20 runs at each resorts, there is really only one long run at each resort. It is ok to get some turns in for a few hours, but you are going to find it brutal after CO. Look at WV or New England if skiing is important.

[gigimac]

Dear Morton,
I think Boone is really your best bet, for many reasons, and also as relates to skiing, plus they have a very good hospital system. While our WNC ski resorts are nothing compared to the Rockies or some in the Northeast, one of several up there is Ski Beech/ Beech Mountain Resort and is where occasionally Olympic skiiers will do special timed events for fans and training, so it's not the worst place to ski, but pretty crowded. There's a little "village" to shop up there and a great big lodge, elevation is 5,000 ft, the highest ski resort in the East, nice views above the clouds. A goodly number of people live in the Boone area, altho it is still very much a "small town," but I think the most beautiful outlying spot is Valle Crucis, it's in between Boone and Ski Beech, lots of hilly areas with trees, little creeks and nice homes...stop at the Mast Store out there.

Now, there is a good hospital in Boone, they cover most needs, including having a cancer center and the expected specialties. Boone is pretty snowy, up-close mountains everywhere, temps quite coolish and humidity less as compared to the rest of the South in summer. Also, tornadoes in the mountains of NC are rare, this is because the mountains break up most storms that come over them. Even tho Boone is small, it's got a bunch of really interesting shops, ASU is in the middle of it, and it does have the basics in grocery, Walmart, Lowe's, Sears and Belks, farmer's markets, movies, that sort of thing. Homes in general are modern rustic in style, big windows for views, with fireplaces or some form of alternative heat, which generators are becoming more common, and A/C is not as expected, altho more homes get that now. All the trail hiking, mountain biking, river rafting, and ice skating (up at Beech Mt) that you could want is there, and while our mountains are "eroded" and not as sky-high and rugged compared to the Rockies in Colorado, you have to realize that with all our trees, rolling "hills," ridges, waterfalls, views, and rushing water everywhere, our mountains have their own comfortable "feel" that is most definitely not like living in the flatlands. Also, things are a lot greener here east of the Mississippi, you can tell from a jet airplane how everything changes color over this way.

If Boone seems too small, check out Asheville, takes several hours to get down there, could be its size will be more to your liking, it's many, many times larger than Boone, it is almost ten degrees warmer, but the closest ski resort Wolf Laurel is small and takes well more than an hour to get there. Asheville is in a valley, surrounded by mountains on all sides, so the horizon views are nice, but since it's kind of flat, some neighborhoods are very normal, and yet there are hillside gated communities with mountain homes and views. The health care system is even better, too, Trauma Two, every specialty imaginable available, people drive from many distant counties in the mountains to get to it. Asheville also has its own TV station and radio, airport, minor league baseball stadium, a few big malls, theater and symphony. And one other thing, the entire WNC area has so many trees, that it is truly beautiful in spring, summer, and especially fall when the leaves turn multicolors, lots of tourists come from everywere to drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway to look at them in October.
GG

[QuilterChick]

Several hours to get from Boone to Asheville ? The city is not flat, it is a fairly small city which meanders through the hills, more like a plateau. Takes about 1-1/2 hr. to get to Asheville from Boone depending on which route you take. A bit isolating for many if you want/need the culture found in the city.

[LLN]

As others have hinted a bit more subtly, if skiing is high on your list of priorities, pass up NC. There is nowhere here, that is even close to world class. NC has lots to offer, and some beautiful areas, and I live here, but it is not for skiing.

Clearly the areas around Boone, Asheville, and maybe Sylva, when you put medical into the equation, are the most promising, with Asheville, by far having the most of all services.

Good Luck.

[Morton Kraus]

Thanks for all the feedback. I only mentioned Boone because of the similarity to Colorado resort areas having higher housing costs than in the non-resort areas. We actually have Asheville in mind or more likely within 15 or 20 miles of Asheville but in the direction of skiing. We need the amenities, convenience and medical care available within a reasonable distance. We are a couple with 2 dogs in our senior years, still active and will likely rent. We prefer a single family home with a garage, not too big nor luxurious. A large yard would be nice so would a fence. We're probably going to visit the area in May. Again, THANKS!