Too expensive, getting too crowded
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4/23/2007
When I moved my family to Asheville 2 yrs ago, I thought it would be the last move I'd ever make. I was so wrong! Within the last 2 yrs, the population has increased by 20% and the beautiful mountains surrounding A'ville are scarred with outrageously priced condos and million $ (+) homes, so you don't get the great views once promised by realtors (and purchased when you paid top $ for homes/land). Asheville is over-run by out of state developers and the local community seems not to care about what was once a gem in these mountains.
As far as climate goes - it's hot here too! High temps in the 90's aren't unusual in July/August -- but my biggest gripe is it is very expensive to live here! Wages are below average (state and nationally), and for me, there's just not enough to stay here (we've recently purchased a home in Greenville, SC). For us (retired military, who still need to work for a living), Asheville just has lost it's charm with the influx of the "half-backs" (that's what the locals call the Yankees that move to FL, then move "half-ways back" when they're tired of dealing with the hurricanes).
Traffic snarls are common daily now (almost unheard of 2 yrs ago). When we moved here to the quiet neighboring town of Weaverville (north of Asheville), we rarely heard a siren or ambulance or police siren. Now, it's common to hear 4 or more a night. I'm so glad we didn't (couldn't afford to!) buy here. You can't touch a house for less than 180K here. (A trailer, yes, but a 'stick built' house or even a modular will run you at least 180K). Too rich for our budget, esp. on the poor wages offered here.
Also, I've found out the hard way that A'ville has extremely poor medical treatment/doctors. Largely due to the population explosion, the medical community just hasn't been able to keep up.
I have had no problems dealing with the 'largest lesbian community in the US", nor the "New Agers", or the Fundamental Baptists -- what I have had an issue dealing with, is the increasing rudeness and "northern mentality" that has flooded this once gentle, moderate city. Now, it's rush, push, shove and 'hurry up', just like in the northeast. (We lived in NJ for 10 years before moving back to the South). For me, this has been the biggest disappointment besides the lack of a moderate economy and decent wages.
Holly | Weaverville, NC