Asheville, cloudy, wet, horrible traffic
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4/5/2018
I am a corporate pilot based in Asheville. I commute to Asheville from northern Florida and I'm there 10-12 days a month. Believe me, I can't wait to get home to sunny Florida.
First the Asheville weather is cloudy, wet, damp and gloomy most of the time. If you love the sun like I do, forget that in western N.C.
Second the traffic is the worst I've ever experienced in the US. This is because the whole area has been way over developed with little road expansion. In the 7-9 am to 3-6 pm time frame be prepared to have a 15 mile drive take from 1-3 hours, especially anywhere north of the airport along I26-I40 and the surrounding towns.
West of the airport along route 280 is a fairly easy commute.
NC state and property taxes are very high, so be prepared!
Housing and rent prices are also high and the market is tight.
Be very careful before you decide to buy or even rent especially in the mountain areas because there are many run down shacks and broken down trailers and trash dumps very close to some of the newer homes and neighborhoods. And you'll see and "No trespassing" and "Trespassers will be shot" signs in these areas.
The zoning laws are very weak in the whole area and even if they exist, the are not enforced.
When I took this flying job I had planned to move to the Asheville area and retire, but as the old (but true) saying goes, "The grass is not always greener on the other side of the hill".
Northern Florida definatilly has it share of problems, but it really is a far, far superior place to live than western North Carolina.
Here we have mostly great weather, no state income taxes, excellent roads, beautiful wide open beaches. So after spending a lot of time in the Asheville area, you won't hear me complain about Florida living anymore.
My advice is to please take a good look at the western North Carolina area before making the move.
Jack | Palm Coast, FL