Asheville definitely over-rated
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2/13/2015
I have lived here for six months now. At first I thought it was beautiful. All kinds of people here told me I would not have a problem at all with seasonal affective disorder or SAD. Well, there are more grey days and mornings here than I thought possible. The whole town looks pretty dumpy and depressing in this low light and you just feel boxed in if you are from places that you can see horizons and really large mountains and wide open areas. It also rains a lot. I knew this, thought I could handle it coming from Colorado, but I could not. It is often cold and rainy or temperate and rainy.
Health care is hard to find, especially if you find you need a psychiatrist because you got so depressed. Pisgah Institute is the worst, but they will find room for you.
An odd mix of people here mixed in with the locals who have been here much longer is surreal at times to me. Hippies that don't bathe, hipsters, local people in dirty clothes, bible-thumpers, new agers, crunchy vegan types, lesbians and gays, and senior citizens abound. I have nothing against any of these groups of people, but after a while I feel like that is mostly what there is here. It seems mostly this place is for a certain type and mold to fit into.
Dating is probably a wash here from what I have heard and just noticed myself joining many meetup groups. There is a hidden element of desperate crime with home break-ins and muggings in places you think might be safe - especially in West Asheville. Just get on the Facebook WAX group and you realize some of the mentality/predicatments here and how it can get desperate and sketchy. Lots of drug addiction here (I think heroine) and quite the congested place as far as traffic goes (but still easy to get around.)
I wish I had spent more time here or signed a shorter lease. As far as schools go, probably forget it from what I have heard....I would investigate seriously for the sake of your children. Also, this town doesn't even have a "college town" feel, which I was hoping it might.
As someone else mentioned in another review, they feel like this place has been visited by Invasion of the Body Snatchers because many people just seem so withdrawn, non-vibrant, and vacant. At first I thought he was nuts, but then started to get the same vibe myself. Must be the grey gloom and rain around here. Another reviewer likened this place to being in a Twilight Zone and then another one, a Stephen King novel/movie from which there is no escape. I totally get that after six months here.
And most everyone smokes here which is also just so backwards and depressing to me. They throw their cig butts out all over the place too.
The good things are that it is easy to get around here, the people can be friendly, good farmer's markets, there are good restaurants, in spring, summer, and fall it is very pretty and lots of places to hike, but I find hiking too cold and muddy in the winter, though people still go. It is also easy to meet people if you join meetup.com, but I would say dating would be hard here if you are 30'-40's.
Sorry to come off as judgmental, but I am trying to warn people who come from more truly liberal and progressive places with more cultural and industry variety - maybe from out West - to think long and hard and visit for a while before you decide. Visit in the winter as well. The culture shock might be a bit much as well, as it has been for me.
And definitely don't come unless you can bring your own job.
Asheville does have some great things about it, but I see it as a place to come do some soul-searching, personal growth activities, slow down a little, and then leave when you are ready. I had heard that as well - that many people come here, do some soul-searching (as this area seems to promote that in a way) and then leave once they are done. If you are a retiree and can handle a lot of rain and grey for many months, this place would be perfect for you. Lots of active older people doing cool things. They actually inspire me.
Sorry to beat on this place in a way, as I think it has a lot to recommend it otherwise, but living here is hard on some souls and I wish I had taken the reviews I read more seriously and I am trying to sum up what I read and what I experienced to be true. Certain places are very overrated and not for everyone is all I am trying to say. And then there are many people here who feel they have finally found home....
L.C. | Asheville, NC