Asheville and surrounding areas (rental, crime, house)

[rachel711]

We have lived in Houston 18 years and made a temporary move to Avon Colorado. We want something with 4 seasons and less snow. I am interested in cost of living costs. In Houston, we are very comfortable with the prices of housekeeping, childcare etc. We have found Avon to be 50-100% more in those types of costs. We have two children and would like to send them to public school.
Please send information on schools, cost of living, housing costs and rental costs as we would rent until we sell our house in Houston.
I have also heard that gangs and drugs have moved into the area, what do you know about these topics? As Houston had gangs and drugs, but being a large city we didn't see much of it. There were lots of safe areas in Houston.
Are the hiking areas safe? Is it congested driving to beach areas and what is the best beach. Is it expensive to have horses? Is the town horse friendly?

My husband works from home so we have flexibility on moving. Other ideas on areas in the Carolinas much appreciated. Proximity to regional airport important.

Thanks in advance for your answers.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by rachel711

We have lived in Houston 18 years and made a temporary move to Avon Colorado. We want something with 4 seasons and less snow. I am interested in cost of living costs. In Houston, we are very comfortable with the prices of housekeeping, childcare etc. We have found Avon to be 50-100% more in those types of costs. We have two children and would like to send them to public school.
Please send information on schools, cost of living, housing costs and rental costs as we would rent until we sell our house in Houston.
I have also heard that gangs and drugs have moved into the area, what do you know about these topics? As Houston had gangs and drugs, but being a large city we didn't see much of it. There were lots of safe areas in Houston.
Are the hiking areas safe? Is it congested driving to beach areas and what is the best beach. Is it expensive to have horses? Is the town horse friendly?

My husband works from home so we have flexibility on moving. Other ideas on areas in the Carolinas much appreciated. Proximity to regional airport important.

Thanks in advance for your answers.

Bringing your own job with you is the most important thing you can do - there are not many in Asheville. But, the four seasons are lovely, the winters are not too severe and hiking is pretty safe Driving to the beach wouldn't be like what you'd see up north with people going to "the shore", but on a holiday weekend you'd have plenty of company on the roads as you got closer to the beaches. Hard to say which beach is "best" - that would depend on how you define "best" (some people prefer solitude, others want lots of "stuff" to entertain the kids). Suffice it to say we have some great places to visit at our coast. Oh, and there is a nice regional airport just south of the city.

[Cofga]

Don't mean to be nast but first, learn to use Google to find things like cost comparison websites, etc. Second, look for the Asheville Citizen Times newspaper website and read it regularly to get a feel for the area. Read about the murder of the week, or the rash of robberies, house breakins, house invasions, gang activity, etc. There are many websites with housing info, costs, etc. Also, spend some time reading the posts on here for the last 6 months--everything you've asked has been written in that time.

[rachel711]

point taken
I have more specific questions:
What does it cost for in-home child care or house cleaning? (per hour)
Do you notice the crime in the area or do you feel safe?
Is it crowded during peak tourism times?
Where did you move from and why Asheville?
Has it been what you thought or have you learned more now that you are here?
In the winter, do people stay inside or are they out and about? What about those with small children? Does the snow and cold weather keep you indoors?
Are people friendly or keep to themselves?
What do you like best about Asheville, what would you like to have changed?
Thanks!!