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I am looking to be somewhere with lots of outdoor activities, great schools, housing available for under 150k, hometown charm (4th of July parades, etc), a strong Catholic community/contingent. Any suggestions? We are originally from the Washington DC area and love it there but it's way too expensive. We are currently in Nashville area but find it much too insular and judgmental compared to Washington. I am pretty moderate in my political beliefs and miss the diversity that was so "normal" in DC.....much too homogenous in Nashville.
South Asheville it the best area in Asheville to live. I have lived in north and west Asheville. South is the best for schools and has some of the nicest homes, but something under $150K? Asheville is THE most expensive place in NC to live. I have been looking for a rent that is cheaper then $1050 a month that is not a dump or not in a bad area. We have to have 3 incomes in order to afford living here.
As for churches I can not help you there, but everyone thinks their church is the best. Ummm, hometown charm? Well any parades that go on here are in downtown Asheville. The only parade I have seen so far was the Christmas parade. Asheville is pretty diverse to a point, but even here I find people to be pretty judgemental. I am from CT anf have lived in NC for 11 years (3 of them in Asheville) and still don't have any real friends here. I am actually looking to go back to CT.
Outdoor activties.....There is a lot of hiking you can do on the blue ridge parkway, Chiminey Rock is nice. The parks are nice, but there really is not much else to do besides walking downtown. A couple of nature centers. The beach is 4 hours away. The zoo is about 2 or so hours away.
One more thing, my boyfriend earns about $40K a year with 2 jobs and it's hard for us, but then again, it all depends on the lifestyle you want.
I wish you all the luck and hope you find happiness here.
I'll put in a word for East Asheville, which often gets forgotten. You can find some relatively inexpensive homes in Haw Creek and Beverly Hills and nearby areas, and Haw Creek Elementary is excellent. I actually disagree that South Asheville is the "best" place to live - each area has its own feel, and South Asheville happens to be my least favorite (feels very typical suburban/strip mallish to me, which is what I moved to get away from. But to each his/her own).
Asheville definitely has diversity of thought, and I haven't found it to be judgemental at all. If you don't like the vibe downtown you may enjoy the charm of Weaverville or Black Mountain (the latter will be prohibitively expensive to live in, but East Asheville will get you close enough to visit for holiday parades and the like, which are indeed charming in BM). I can't help you with a Catholic community, but a quick search turns up 9 Catholic churches in AVL so I'm sure you can find one that suits you.
Best of luck! Single mothers have all my respect. Not sure I could manage it.
(Christine7910 - I'm also from CT, and sorry to hear you've not found a community here. It's a shame to lose you.)
Christine, Thanks. I am on disability for chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, and while I am hopeful I'll be able to return to work in another year or so, current income is in the neighborhood of 30k or so, so I fear we may be priced out of Asheville.
Noctiluca - thanks. We are trying to get somewhere that is family oriented, has all four seasons (including some snow), affordable, fun, closer to family (closest will be in Myrtle Beach and Beaufort SC, but can't get much closer and still have winter). I'll do some research on East Asheville and see what turns up. Thanks for providing a starting point for me.
You may want to consider the greater Greenville, SC area. Definitely 4 seasons, an easy drive to Asheville and the mountains for day trips, and a little closer to your family. Most important, great place to raise a family and more budget friendly than Asheville.
Roadpony - spartanburg/greenville was second on my list. do they get enough snow to go sledding/build a snowman, etc? I appreciate any insight into neighborhoods/schools/etc there. Thanks!
no guarantee you could find either in Asheville area (steep hills driveways, etc depending upon where you live) although you could go to a place to sled and there would be room for snowmen in your yard - when it snows. Some years more snow than others.
I feel for you with your health and second Greenville Spartanburg areas. It has everything you might need and would be a good place for your family. And odds are you would find better specialists for your health problems there. based upon experience.
but less likelihood of snow than Asheville. Asheville less likelihood of snow than TN. Nashville better health care than either. Look at a topo map, and at citydata logo at top left for the individual cities. See if that helps you any.
Christine, Thanks. I am on disability for chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, and while I am hopeful I'll be able to return to work in another year or so, current income is in the neighborhood of 30k or so, so I fear we may be priced out of Asheville.
Noctiluca - thanks. We are trying to get somewhere that is family oriented, has all four seasons (including some snow), affordable, fun, closer to family (closest will be in Myrtle Beach and Beaufort SC, but can't get much closer and still have winter). I'll do some research on East Asheville and see what turns up. Thanks for providing a starting point for me.
Camathai, how about putting your questions on the SC forum, in the Greenville Spartanburg thread, there should be many folks who can give you some suggestions. You will have a much better opportunity to get employment in that area, and housing costs and taxes are considerably lower than Asheville. Greenville is actually in the foothills of the mountains, very nice area, plenty to do. Asheville and its surrounding areas are highly populated with retirees. It may not be what you want after all. The best of luck and good health to you in the New Year.
I live in Swannanoa, which is between East Asheville and Black Mountain. If you are so inclined, another option is to rent/buy a mobile home. It's generally not an option most people consider, but it is much less expensive than an apartment or a house. That would more likely put you under budget. Swannanoa is a nice little unincorporated area (not a town or village), but it has community activities and hometown charm, along with everything you need. You're almost smack dab between Black Mountain and Asheville, and I believe that your kids would attend school in Black Mountain (Owen).
There are a few discount grocery stores in the Black Mountain/Swannanoa area, which would help budgetwise.
I live in Swannanoa, which is between East Asheville and Black Mountain. If you are so inclined, another option is to rent/buy a mobile home. It's generally not an option most people consider, but it is much less expensive than an apartment or a house. That would more likely put you under budget. Swannanoa is a nice little unincorporated area (not a town or village), but it has community activities and hometown charm, along with everything you need. You're almost smack dab between Black Mountain and Asheville, and I believe that your kids would attend school in Black Mountain (Owen).
There are a few discount grocery stores in the Black Mountain/Swannanoa area, which would help budgetwise.
It might be worth a look anyway.
Unless she can pay cash, or owns the land as collateral, it's about impossible to get a mortgage or loan on a mobile home.
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