Keep the hysteria in check
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8/17/2016
Just wanted to chime in a few thoughts from a native who no longer lives there, but visits family regularly. I was born and raised in Asheville for all of my first 26 years, but have been living in Brooklyn, NY since 2001. Around the time I departed Asheville, the city was surely on the upswing - albeit nowhere near the level of the beer culture, housing/downtown development, and transplant magnet it would become.
As a reader of these reviews, I would take the more extremist histrionics you read in here with a huge grain of salt. My husband and I are looking to move to a new city ourselves, so I came here to see how the outlook on Asheville jives with what I've been noticing or hearing from Asheville friends over the last decade. As with any city you are considering moving to, investigation is critical: visit, talk to locals, walk the city and neighborhoods, check housing/supermarket prices, talk to more locals, and do your due diligence whenever you can.
Firstly, yes, there are huge cons. And be ready for them:
The economy still seems largely service/hospitality oriented, and you will likely not be paid well. I've met transplants who seems to have plenty of mystery money or be able to work remotely - but if you are looking to get a 'good job' in Asheville without much of a plan, then good luck to you.
Housing is expensive. It's true. Esp when you considered the aforementioned wages. I do not consider the supermarket food expensive. Whatsoever. The bigger stores have sales galore and there are also grocery ‘depots’ and plenty of Walmarts, if that’s your thing.
Dating prospects (per my friends who still live in the area) can be bleak. Late 30's individuals with multiple part-time jobs and multiple roommates are not uncommon. Perhaps it's outdoorsy types more content to scrape by on less - or, again, the aforementioned wages/economic situation, who knows. However, I don't want to overgeneralize, as there are likely many transplants or locals with stable (or, gasp, lucrative) livings. But probably not 'the norm'.
On the other hand:
I've read several hysterical complaints about the 'cold/grey/dreary' weather. This seems a gross exaggeration. Firstly, I'd be careful about moving anywhere for 'perfect weather' – or somehow hoping for it to impact your general happiness in life. But that is a personal aside. In truth, the winters are relatively mild by most standards with plenty of sunny days (some snow, but not 'snow dumps' as I read in other posts. My parents often complain about the lack of snow). Yes, the summers can be a bit muggy, but 300% better than then rest of the state, most of the south, and many of the other states I've lived in such as MO and NY. There are definitely NOT spiders and snakes everywhere in the metro area (or thankfully, the dreaded flying palmetto bug). I'm still impressed with NC's lack of 'bugginess' compared to other places. I've never been forced off a hiking trail due to mosquitoes or biting flies (as I have in my husband's home state of WI).
I would *not* describe Asheville as a 'college town'. Yes, I attended UNCA myself, and it's an excellent academic school - but it is a small school of ~3500 students (many of whom are nontraditional/commuter students), and no football team. Lack of sports was always a plus for me, but the town does not really have that sporty collegiate vibe about it.
The beauty of WNC is undeniable. Maybe not at the level of say, MT, the Eastern Sierra, or the PNW, but the Blue Ridge Mountains are stunning and full of trails and swimming holes which you will likely have all to yourself on a hike. Years ago, I took a 5 week cross-country trip with my folks and was flabbergasted at the beauty of The Badlands, Grand Tetons, California Coast, NM deserts, Rocky Mts, etc. But returning to NC via the Nantahala National Forest has me truly surprised at how well my home state 'stacked up' to some of the beauty I'd just seen across the country. I've never felt 'closed in' or sad about our mountains. They are smaller, yes, but I love the Appalachians on their own merits.
I cannot speak for some of the comments on crime, lackluster schools, or ‘friendliness’ (Ashevillians do seem quite friendly to me, but even native New Yorkers have described me as ‘reserved’ so perhaps it’s in my blood too ?). For crimes/school info, please look up stats whenever possible and talk to locals or police before moving to a new area.
Now, the main reasons I have little interest in returning to Asheville to raise my son (despite having family in the area) are the lack of diverse economic opportunities in the area (my husband works in tech and I fear there is little going on in WNC), the bad car traffic (which is not NY level, but getting fairly congested) and lack of public transit, and, finally, the fratty beer culture / bachelor party vibe you often see downtown these days. I’ve had several friends move to Brooklyn from Asheville in recent years, and they too do not seem too keen on returning to Asheville, even with all of NYC’s problems and ‘bad weather’. But there are plenty of people moving from Brooklyn to WNC, so who knows. If I had to return, I would explore options about 45 to an hour outside of the city.
Good luck everyone!
Anne | New York, NY