Great place to live if you like the outdoors.
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8/15/2017
Asheville overall is an amazing place to live. I was surprised to see so many negative reviews on here. So I figured I would write a review to provide another side of the city.
I moved to the area in 2013 after living in Austin, TX which is hardly a slouch town (Live Music Capital of the World!) and Colorado Before that.
1) Weather - you get 4 seasons which is more than you can say about many places in the US. You don't have to deal with the Southeastern humidity, the southwestern heat, the Northwestern rain, or Midwest and Northeast Cold. Additionally - the foliage is otherworldly.
2) Outdoors / Fitness - If you like to run, ride, kayak, white water raft, climb, paddleboard, hike, yoga, swim, camp, ski, snowboard, etc. There is something for you. Bent Creek has 40+ miles of trails and is in Asheville. Pisgah National Forrest is 40 minutes away and is free to camp in. The cost for all of these activities is on the low side and there are ample opportunities and most are able to be done year round (minus winter sports).
3) Craft Beer - With over 50 breweries in WNC area you are set to have some of the best beer you can find in the USA.
4) Health food / Healing / Local Vendors - Many health food stores in town and co-ops. Many opportunities for healing, health, therapy, meditation and more natural living. CSAs are widely available no matter if you want veggies, cheese, meats all from the source from local farms. Additionally - if you are vegan or vegetarian you have many options for food that you may not find in other cities.
5) Unchained- Asheville: Asheville has a huge population of unchained businesses that are locally run meaning your support people who live in the town.
6) The Mountains - Enough said. The Blueridge Mountains are beautiful.
7) Music and Festivals - There always seems to be a festival downtown every couple of weeks with local vendors, live music, and just general fun. Speaking of live music there are great intimate venues (Mothlight, Grey Eagle) Solid mid sized venues (Orange Peel) and a larger more traditional 'stadium-esque' venue - Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. Many indie bands and indie vintage bands (think Morrisey, New Order, the Pixies) have come through here.
8) Jobs - People say its hard to find Jobs here, but I found one within 5 weeks of moving then I moved onto a bigger company 8 months after that. My salary alone is near the US median family income. Which is more than enough here. I think if you are in your 20s, have a college degree, have a high degree of responsibility and good work experience its not hard to find a job.
9) Dog Friendly. Every place is so dog friendly. we have two dogs and they are welcome everywhere - breweries, restaurants, stores, work occasionally, etc.
I know that may not be everyone's idea of a perfect place, but I love it. If you are outdoorsy, healthy conscious, love dogs, enjoy beer, and like laid back people Asheville is a great place to live.
RC | Asheville, NC