Young intelligent people leave as soon as possible. Those who remain must work 2 and 3 low paying service jobs in order to barely survive. Food prices are insane and how a family of 4 can pay food costs is a mystery. The WNC area is dirty, poor, and dangerous. As the wealthy retired people move here to age and die, basically, the rest of the area suffers more. There is no middle class -- extreme poverty and extreme wealth, no in between. Visit but do not be misled. After about 3 days of driving around the area reality sets in and one quickly sees this area fir what it is -- a poor, ignorant and dangerously overpriced area with an economy that can't support a single person, never mind a young family. Look elsewhere as this isn't nirvana by any stretch. It's a shocking trash heap.
Martin | Hendersonville, NC | Report Abuse

Further, extreme pollution. Air, water, soil are all badly contaminated with pollution from Tennessee power plants and NC Duke Power dumping into air and water. Water and soil are dangerously polluted with high chemical levels from unregulated dumping, overuse of pesticides, and man made lakes with septic flowing directly into the water. Lake Lure, L as ke James, rivers, creeks are polluted and one should not swim in or drink the water. Lakes are literally drained due to high eColi and other bacteria and parasite counts. Ground water is fouled and well water tastes horrible. Don't drink well water, get a whole house water purification system or bring in bottled water. Good luck breathing if you have lung issues. Heavy smog and foul smelling air. There is no real regulation of anything in this area. It's a free-for-all and everything goes. There is something terribly wrong with this area with no redeeming quality visible.
Martin | Hendersonville, NC | Report Abuse