Plan before you move
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1/15/2017
Before giving my two cents. I read all of the positive and negative responses. I have vacationed Asheville many times. I have been here in Asheville for almost two years. Reality check for those moving here looking for work without education or experience and looking to get rich. Without prior preparation you will have a hard time. So if you are coming here with a high school diploma with high expectations? Don't do it. It is expensive and you will experience alot of part time service work. Rent is high. Groceries are not high and they are normal. They seem expensive because you are not making enough.
If you are a medical professional or any other professional such as myself you will be just fine. Just like any other city in America. Your ease of life is determined by your choices in life. You can always change your out come. It is up to you and everything else is an excuse. I hear locals say their are no jobs. What they are really saying is their are no good paying jobs. Most work part time. Service/hospitality/tourism is what Asheville is about. So where are the bread and butter jobs? Hospital, Attorney, Lawyer, CPA, Local government, Utilities or public servant such as fire or police. Or finally if you are a successful business owner. If you are a average joe their are retail and fastfood or various hospitality jobs that have plenty of part time. You can make a decent amount in tips during peek seasons. Real blue colar jobs in manufacturing, oil, minerals, steel and auto with some small textile companies in the surrounding towns are too far in between. Hints why I mentioned if you are not educated in what the area has to offer in good jobs. You will have a hard time.
Is Asheville like a college town? Yes. Locals will disagree with me. In ways it has a 40s vibe. With art hub and the different hippies mentality. Outdoor buffs and tourist. Really it is no different than any other city or college town. You have a ton of part time jobs. And their are no inbetween jobs for the complaints. Negatives want to make it the worst place to live. It is not. It will be if you are not prepared. It will be like that if it were anywhere else other than Asheville.
I live in the South and Midwest before moving here to Asheville. Illinois is a dump in comparison to Asheville. Don't get me wrong. When looking for a home in the area. The homes the realtor showed me were a joke and in need of serious renovations. I settled on a home near Arden. Homes in the city are over priced and some are in disrepair for high prices. Their are nice homes in Asheville but be ready to pay big bucks for small space. Best to look outside city limits.
I don't see anyone or experience anyone attempting to rip me off. The locals are normal conservative people. They work hard and play hard. I do enjoy their hospitality. Their are some big dreamers here. My advice.... If you are not already established, experienced, waiting for something or a company to make something happen for you. It wont happen. So if you have a high school diploma wanting to make a rich life here with no plan. You will find out it is hard here and anywhere else. You have to have a plan. Don't come without preparation and a plan. If you are a professional like me it will be easier.
This area is beautiful. It has its ups and downs like any other city. Coming from Chicago it is small. I moved here on a job offer. After prospecting Asheville for five years prior to being here almost two years. Its a nice place to live. Not gonna lie living is expensive if you dont make enough. With no abundance of real blue colar work. Life is what you make it including your career.
Lastly. Come prepared before you move. Visit the area. Talk to the locals. Research the hell out of Asheville before you move here. If you are a average worker. You will struggle. Just saying
Twinky | Asheville, NC