Asheville, North Carolina (anyone from there.. can anyone answer a few questions I have) (Northwest: rental)

[Chigaco]

I'm from Chicago, under 22 years old... and I'd like to move somewhere anywhere by next week... Chicago doesn't seem to have much opportunity for me.. anyway Asheville caught my eye.

Here's the thing about me... I only have $500 ( a bit crazy but I know people have made a life for themselves on less) and I really need to make this work for me.. I'd stay in Chicago but can't find a job.. older people and college graduates, keep getting them.

Anyone know where the cheapest place to stay in Asheville is (motel, camping place.. heck I have a tent, bob's house, hostel)?

Is it really hard to find a job there (I'd take any job.. janitor, grave digger, fast food, cashier) are people hiring? Do you think I can be employed in a week or two?

I've been reading about west Asheville, there are a lot of negative stuff about it.. is it really that bad?
(I'm from Chicago, I know bad.. but I'm only used to "Chicago Northwest" bad.. not "Chicago South side" bad, I can't handle "Chicago South side" bad)?

Is this "Asheville drug problem" obvious?

Is The food good?

Are there a lot of young people?

Tell me about some of the great things about Asheville, your favorite stuff?


I know I've asked a lot, thank you for your time

[motordavid]

Strictly imo, as an old guy:
-at 22 one can make anything happen and be tolerable. And if it isn't tolerable, one can move on.
-$500 isn't much dough to get out of town let alone 'move' 700 miles, but who knows...
-There are jobs in A'ville, though few pay decently.
-No opin on West Asheville; from my cursory knowledge of A'ville area, there really isn't any ghetto like one may find in Chitown or other big cities.
-'Drug problem' is smoking grass, and the strung out gang using oxy, et al. Not a problem in my view.
-Good food, but it isn't hanging from the trees, and not esp cheap.
-Lots of 'young people', though the younger pop seems to reduce slightly in the 'winter months'.
-Lots to do, esp if one likes outdoor activities, club scene, music scene, etc.
-No idea on where to coop...
Give this a read on employment, rooms, classified, etc:
Mountain Xpress | Asheville, NC

GL, mD

[RVT]

Just a thought, while it is not Asheville, Cherokee NC is about 45 min away and is still hiring people for its (sort of) casino expansion, and they have plans to build more, along with an indoor amusement park. Rent in that area would be cheaper but you'd have to be willing to live in the sticks for awhile. And find some way to get to work ( you didn't say if you had a vehicle or not). I have seen people hiring in this area. If you can show up on time and work you should have no problems.

[saucystargazer]

I think its a pretty bad idea personally. You are going to easily spend $200 of it on gas if not more and most rental places require a hefty deposit. Even if you got a job RIGHT away you aren't going to get a paycheck for 2+ weeks. How will you feed yourself and buy gas? If you had 2k, I think you could be ok and or if you had a job to come to. But anything else... I just think you will get into a situation that you can't get out of. Even retail jobs are hard to get here. The thing about Asheville is that those jobs you are complaining about being taking in chicago by recent grads... well here they are all the retail. There are very few other jobs here. 2 years ago as a recent grad, it took me several months to get a restaurant and I only got it because I knew the owner. Do you actually have this kind of experience? What is your background? If you are serious about trying to move, get off city-data and head to indeed to apply to any and every job you find.

[artistic.maze]

If it has to be Asheville..look on craigslist..there are plenty of people looking for room mates..that is where I would start. I live in West Asheville..other then weed Ive never seen any drug problem. Asheville crime in general is NOTHING like Chicago crime...there is a hostel on Haywood Road in West Asheville I believe. For jobs also try the temp agencies. Good Luck!

[mm_mary73]

If "...Chicago doesn't seem to have much opportunity for me...", you probably won't fare much better here. Sorry.