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I'm yet another Central Floridian with a young family that is strongly considering getting out while the getting is good. My wife went to camp in Hendersonville during her formative years and has always dreamed of living in the area. I grew up in small towns and rural areas in GA and TN and would really love to raise my son and daughter in a similar environment rather than an urban world of mega-malls and multiplexes.
My wife and I are both 15 year veterans of the film/commercial production business. I quit "the biz" almost 3 years ago when my first son was born so that I could stay at home and raise him, mainly because my wife was a producer and making far more money than I was as a grip. We have since moved from Miami up to Orlando (again for the kids - her entire family along with 4 young cousins for my kids to play with are here in Orlando) and she has taken a job at her brother's custom home building business. After 2 years though, we are really feeling the "closeness" of her family and the general "meh" of Orlando and are ready to get on with a better alternative.
So, my main concern is employment opportunities. I don't expect there to be a whole lot of film production, plus I'm not looking to get back into the 18-20 hour days now that I have little ones in my life. My wife is doing the construction business because that is the job she could have here in Orlando, but doesn't really love it. However, we are both smart and strong, and will excel in just about any arena we are passionate about.
So the question is (finally), what are those arenas in the Henderson County area? From my research, it seems that construction is the big industry around there. I assume that opportunities in that field will be dropping off as the housing crunch takes hold. What are others that I haven't considered?
Put it this way - if you were a nice guy in my position and with my (admittedly specialized) experience, what would you do for a living in that area?
Thanks for the info, and sorry for the long-winded post. I'll be monitoring this thread and adding more, I'm sure.
Jason
PS - One more question for my own edification: Are you remote enough see the Milky Way in Henderson County? I haven't seen it in 10 years since I was passing through Crestone, CO and I really miss it...
I'm yet another Central Floridian with a young family that is strongly considering getting out while the getting is good. My wife went to camp in Hendersonville during her formative years and has always dreamed of living in the area. I grew up in small towns and rural areas in GA and TN and would really love to raise my son and daughter in a similar environment rather than an urban world of mega-malls and multiplexes.
My wife and I are both 15 year veterans of the film/commercial production business. I quit "the biz" almost 3 years ago when my first son was born so that I could stay at home and raise him, mainly because my wife was a producer and making far more money than I was as a grip. We have since moved from Miami up to Orlando (again for the kids - her entire family along with 4 young cousins for my kids to play with are here in Orlando) and she has taken a job at her brother's custom home building business. After 2 years though, we are really feeling the "closeness" of her family and the general "meh" of Orlando and are ready to get on with a better alternative.
So, my main concern is employment opportunities. I don't expect there to be a whole lot of film production, plus I'm not looking to get back into the 18-20 hour days now that I have little ones in my life. My wife is doing the construction business because that is the job she could have here in Orlando, but doesn't really love it. However, we are both smart and strong, and will excel in just about any arena we are passionate about.
So the question is (finally), what are those arenas in the Henderson County area? From my research, it seems that construction is the big industry around there. I assume that opportunities in that field will be dropping off as the housing crunch takes hold. What are others that I haven't considered?
Put it this way - if you were a nice guy in my position and with my (admittedly specialized) experience, what would you do for a living in that area?
Thanks for the info, and sorry for the long-winded post. I'll be monitoring this thread and adding more, I'm sure.
Jason
PS - One more question for my own edification: Are you remote enough see the Milky Way in Henderson County? I haven't seen it in 10 years since I was passing through Crestone, CO and I really miss it...
Hi Jason,
I don't remember who the poster was but I remember reading that the communications venue was horrible. The single local news channel was a joke as well as the radio stations.
Since you are in a way communiaction specialists, you with your grip experience and some producing on your wifes part. You might dream big and bring Asheville a new station of sorts.
I was a post production sound engineer and foley artist for many years in NY but I needed to raise my girls out of the rat race and long hours so I moved to the Poconos for 15 years.
I miss it sometimes as I'm sure you do.
Best of luck to you and your family.
Starr
First, as a disclaimer, I don't live in the area. But, from reading posts in this forum, doing some research on the area, and visiting there within the last week, I think the 3 major areas of employment are:
1) Health Care
2) Land development / real estate / construction
3) Retail services
As far as the housing crunch hurting the area, it's not as bad as many other areas and probably not as bad as you'd think. The type of people moving there and the type/amount of development are likely to keep the building industry there somewhat recession-proof unless things get much worse than they currently are.
Henderson County is still pretty rural. We're known for tourism, apple farming, children's summer camps, vacation homes and retirement. Limited employment opportunties, but unemployment is below the state average.
Business Profile - http://www2.nccommerce.com/cmedis/countyprofiles/files/pdf/Henderson_2006Q3.pdf (broken link)
No problem, I'll rephrase my question. On clear nights, are the skies dark enough to see lots and lots of stars, or are they illuminated by light pollution from Hendersonville, Asheville, etc.?
It's not a make or break, obviously, but if I'm moving to a more remote area, it sure would be nice to be able to look up on clear nights and see the band of the Milky Way...
No problem, I'll rephrase my question. On clear nights, are the skies dark enough to see lots and lots of stars, or are they illuminated by light pollution from Hendersonville, Asheville, etc.?
It's not a make or break, obviously, but if I'm moving to a more remote area, it sure would be nice to be able to look up on clear nights and see the band of the Milky Way...
Jason
I wouldn't see why not. Too much light pollution in my neighborhood, but some other areas are very dark at night where you need a flashlight to walk around.
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