I often think of your review after living living here for six months. I moved here from Colorado. You are so right in so many ways. In Denver, most all of my neighbors were friendly. Where I live now, hardly anyone smiles or waves to you except a couple of folks. During the winter, everything revolting, as you say, seems to be worse. After you mentioned the "Invasion of The Body Snatchers" look, I realized that is the feeling I get from a lot of people here. I think it may have to do with all the rain and grey in winter at times. I don't find this place very beautiful after living out west for so long. In spring it is really pretty, but the rest of time, forget it. Revolting is about right - people who smell, don't even comb their hair when going out. Yuck.
L.C. | Asheville, NC | Report Abuse

I have been here for six months and totally get this after this time of observing and interacting here. It's a weird vibe and I think the grey, barren, wet climate may have something to do with this - plus lack of vibrant economy. I have come to find it "revolting" as well.
L.C. | Asheville, NC | Report Abuse

"Yankees"?? The war was over a long time ago. We visited there recently and found everyone to be happy and friendly. We travel all over the country. Have you considered your sour point of view maybe because you are not happy with yourself? It is apparent you measure people based on what they wear...wow talk about arrogance. By the way the last serial killer I read about was BTK and he was from Witchata...not Asheville.
Abhd | Charleston, WV | Report Abuse

There's much truth in this review--see my write-up "Not what I was hoping for" 5/13/2015. However, Michael's attitude is so antiquated and his viewpoint so narrow that he'd find it impossible to be happy outside of a small Southern town where people were still fuming over the Civil War. Always striving to be open-minded, I fully understand how devastating the War and Reconstruction was to the South, it's economy and it's attitude towards the industrial North. But, if an ex-California beach boy like me can be so accepting and tolerant, why can't "true Southerners"? It is true that Asheville has grown into a crowded and diverse city that can be rather wearing on those seeking a slower pace to their lives. It's hard for people to connect when they're struggling to get from one place to another and trying to get things done in this environment. That's the reality that I've had to accept. I've had to also realize that it's my responsibility to greet and hold out my hand to strangers. Though it's paid off, I think that at some point I will move to a smaller town. I love the deep South aesthetic and, in my early teens, read a lot of books on Southern history. But, if "true Southerners" are going to regard me with contempt as being an outsider, I might as well stay put.
Kirk | Asheville, NC | Report Abuse

HEY!!! New Jerseyans DO have personality! It's attitude to the nth degree. I know because I AM a New Jerseyan, BUT we're nowhere like you're describing here. The NJ people you're describing are the NORTHERN NJ people...I live in the middle, near the ocean; we don't come with the attitude, which is inherited by the NNJ's via NYC.
Marlene | Brick, NJ | Report Abuse

HEY!!! New Jerseyans DO have personality! It's attitude to the nth degree. I know because I AM a New Jerseyan, BUT we're nowhere like you're describing here. The NJ people you're describing are the NORTHERN NJ people...I live in the middle, near the ocean; we don't come with the attitude, which is inherited by the NNJ's via NYC.
Marlene | Brick, NJ | Report Abuse

Yankees? Pleeeease. The war is over,we are Americans! Get a grip,some people just like living in the past. The Civil war is long over,and if it's not for you, remember the Yankees WON! Florida Trash? You generalize a lot, don't you? I think your a pain,and a whiner.
Laura | Taylors Falls, MN | Report Abuse