relocating to western NC (Charlotte, Asheville: homes, schools, camping)
Western North CarolinaThe Mountain Region including Asheville
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My husband and I have been talking about relocating to NC. We are both from the boroughs of NYC and moved upstate NY for a better place to raise our family. Well... after years of this we have come to realize it's not really worth it. The school system is ok, but there is little else to do. I'm tired of the weather. Taxes are rediculous. There just doesn't seem to be any living in this place.
Can anyone give me a little info. regarding what it is like in the western part of NC? We have been looking at the Asheville area. Plan on making a few trips to feel it out, but your input would be greatly appreciated!
My husband and I have been talking about relocating to NC. We are both from the boroughs of NYC and moved upstate NY for a better place to raise our family. Well... after years of this we have come to realize it's not really worth it. The school system is ok, but there is little else to do. I'm tired of the weather. Taxes are rediculous. There just doesn't seem to be any living in this place.
Can anyone give me a little info. regarding what it is like in the western part of NC? We have been looking at the Asheville area. Plan on making a few trips to feel it out, but your input would be greatly appreciated!
Do I take it you have not visited the area yet? You should do that before any further consideration of moving there. Asheville is the obvious place to start, then venture out into the smaller areas. But you can't choose a place to live from the Internet alone.
What made you pick this area if you've never been?
Fwiw, we worked in/out of NYC office for decades, worked all around metro NY/NJ, and lived in Warwick, (Orange County), for ~15 years. We migrated south to western NC in 2001.
Great place to be and live, especially if one is retired, and not counting on well paying employment.
'Asheville' pops up on everyone's juke box, because it has become a well know place name; there are many very good areas & towns in western NC, in addition to Asheville or Asheville area.
But your needs and budget and job situ need to be considered/better defined, imo. And, I agree with Francois: you really need to make a trip, or a half dozen trips to A'ville/western NC area,
in addition to just picking a 'good place you might want to live' from the map.
GL, mD
NY to NC is a big change in many ways so plan to visit several times before deciding. Asheville has a lot to offer and with more and more people from other places coming here has given it a more cosmopolitian yet laidback vibe. But still a small city and some things can be hard to find here if you are used to a huge selection. But if you hanker for a big city and its multitude of choices Charlotte, NC. is 2.5 hours and if you really want big Atlanta is 4.5 and offers a beautiful easy drive if you go west and then drop south. Both are easy for weekend visits. Summers can be hot and sticky but most times tolerable, spring and fall are fantastic, winter can be cold and snowy or fairly mild. You will need a variety of clothes as it can change pretty rapidly from cold to mild to cold again and vice versa. Wonderful outdoor activities close by and at times the beauty just takes your breath away. Lots of very attractive smaller places near Asheville if you want a more small town atmosphere: Weaverville, Brevard, Black Mountain, Hendersonville to name a few. There are only a few places I would consider living and the Asheville area is one of them! Hope you find it to your liking.
We have driven through, but not enough to get a good feel for it. We have 2 trips planned for this year. I have been looking at the Black Mountain area. Will be checking out the schools.
My husband and I have been talking about relocating to NC. We are both from the boroughs of NYC and moved upstate NY for a better place to raise our family. Well... after years of this we have come to realize it's not really worth it. The school system is ok, but there is little else to do. I'm tired of the weather. Taxes are rediculous. There just doesn't seem to be any living in this place.
Can anyone give me a little info. regarding what it is like in the western part of NC? We have been looking at the Asheville area. Plan on making a few trips to feel it out, but your input would be greatly appreciated!
Upstate NY is rather ambiguous since it covers a narrow or large area depending on who you talk to.
Nature wise I think NY has more to do especially with respect to fishing, canoeing, camping, and hiking. The Adirondacks and Catskills MTNS are really hard to beat with their vast acreage and lack of crowds, minus Old Forge, NY during the 4th of July weekend. But I digress.
Asheville is different. Politically Asheville leans heavily left of center. The area is getting quite crowded these days. Lots of pubs, restaurants and surrounded by Blue Ridge MTNS, that get very busy, especially during the Autumn. It is a pretty area, though. Getting crowded though. They need to work on their roads too. Money seems to focus on certain areas or people, while the majority of Buncombe county seems neglected. Many of the locals live in or near poverty while they work 2 or 3 low paying service type jobs.
Asheville is a good place to visit...check it out. To live?...nah. I'd move back to Central/Western NY if I could. I miss the Adirondacks and Old Forge area. Not to mention the shores of Lake Ontario. But then again I'm a nature type(miss good diverse fishing) and don't like crowds of people.
Do I take it you have not visited the area yet? You should do that before any further consideration of moving there. Asheville is the obvious place to start, then venture out into the smaller areas. But you can't choose a place to live from the Internet alone.
What made you pick this area if you've never been?
I agree with the above poster. Must visit first and not just a couple of days. Travel around during the week and weekend. Visit surrounding counties, especially south of Asheville, like Hendersonville and Transylvania counties. Nice areas down there. South Asheville (Arden and Fletcher) areas are really nice, with the more affluent types. North Asheville has very affluent areas too.
NY seems to have very high taxes...there are many beautiful rural areas in WNC, I suggest you look at homes online and if you find something that captures your heart...then RESEARCH! Good luck
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...there are many beautiful rural areas in WNC, I suggest you look at homes online and if you find something that captures your heart...then RESEARCH! Good luck
