Review of Asheville, North Carolina

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Reality doesn't always live up to reality

- 4/7/2007
Asheville has a great public relations department and it tends to exaggerate many things about this city. I have been living here for a year and I feel a bit deceived. Asheville is in a beautiful location and you can hike for miles outside the city. The people are friendly and it has a energized downtown. However, it's "liberal" image is overly touted. It is liberal compared to the rest of the state and compared to all the little towns that surround it- mainly due to the influx of outsiders. But it is in the Bible Belt and there is a big redneck contingent here in attitude and action. You tend to have to be careful of expressing your opinion on any subject. There is a small gay population that is mostly closeted during the working day out of safety. The only "out" people are ones who have money and don't need to rely on working with the civilian population. The job situation here is miserable and the property values outrageous. I wil be leaving this summer to return to the Southwest where people are more accepting of diversity and change. I leave with mixed feelings. I write this just so that if you are considering moving here you have to visit for several long visits so that you are not enticed by the physical beauty of this place only to find yourself unable to live here. Asheville falls into that "nice place to visit" category for me.
Paul | Asheville, NC