Not what I was hoping for.
-
5/13/2015
In moving to Asheville from a Los Angeles beach community where I'd lived all my life, I was hoping for some-
thing considerably different. I had previously visited the city in 2002 and found it pleasant and slow-paced. I
thought that it would be a nice place to retire to. Since then, development and revitalization have created a bustling city like so many others. People here are astonished when I tell them that the vibe is now very much like
Los Angeles except, of course, on a much smaller scale. People here are intolerably rude when rushing around in their vehicles--many talking on their cell phones which North Carolina law allows them to do. Traffic is terrible in the afternoon and early evening. In essence, the stress of getting from one place to another is similar to that in L.A. When out and about, it's hard to appreciate the beauty of the mountains. Naturally, many are attracted to
Asheville because of the amenities it now offers--many restaurants and entertainment venues. Personally, I don't like going out that much and prefer quiet evenings at home. If you're looking for Southern hospitality and
graciousness, you'll have to excavate to find it. After almost two years, I hardly know any of my neighbors and have found that those who have stepped forward to befriend me were only users. Finally, getting contractors to do work on my house has been a nightmare. Nobody returns calls or will commit themselves. Though I've been
researching smaller North Carolina towns where the winters are milder than here, I've not started packing yet until I'm absolutely certain that Asheville isn't for me.
Kirk | Asheville, NC