Visit Asheville. Think twice about moving there.
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2/3/2018
I've lived in Asheville for about three decades. When I arrived I found a youthful, quirky, funky little town full of weird and artsy people. Asheville was cheap. Asheville was cool. Word got out. Then the tourist boom happened. Many decided to move here.
Asheville is both a retiree and a tourist town. It can be a difficult place to make a living, particularly if you're young. Most work is in the service industry and pay is generally poor. Rents are high and on the rise, and the cost of most everything is higher than average. Healthcare costs are high as well, and even if you can afford to pay it can be tough to find a provider.
The once-cool downtown scene has become overrun with tourists and is mostly avoided by locals as the prices go up and parking gets scarce. Restaurants and hotels are popping up everywhere and in the process overshadowing what brought visitors here in the first place.
If you're thinking about moving to Asheville because you want to get into the service industry, a healthcare profession or open a business, do your homework and take your chances. If you're coming to Asheville because you think it's cool or pretty, you ought to think twice. It can be a tough place to start from scratch.
Greg | San Antonio, TX