Nice summary, clear, and very real. For remote tech workers, poor Internet is a no-go. For example, out here in Bellingham, WA (small eclectic city like Asheville), we have close to 1Gbit Internet. Love Asheville though, especially how different it is than the rest of the state of NC (just like you mentioned).
We have plenty of remote tech workers here so I am imagining right in town, we have many internet options. It is when you cross over some mountains it may get a little spotty but let me check. I am doing a FB poll now to find out what is the fastest internet speed people can get here. I will let you know. We also have not forgotten about your cost of living comparison as well... time flies!
I moved to Asheville on the 70's, and it has changed a lot, mostly for the better, but right now the main problems are poor infrastructure in the newer, parts such as South, and West of Asheville, the elephant on the room is the massive amounts of homelessness, (not locally generated) It seems there is always beggars on every main thoroughfares, and a steadily rising crime rate, mostly thievery, and drug addiction, caused by this. The homeless form consortiums, and beg in shifts. If Asheville does not get a grip on this, it could potentially, ruin a beautiful, vibrant city.🤬
Asheville is a friendly city for people experiencing homelessness. It always has been. In my view, this addiction, then homelessness is typically caused by trauma and/or mental illness without proper support. Let's start with the root instead of the symptom.
I agree, Dennis. If Asheville doesn't address the growing homeless situation and rise in crime, it will be to our loss collectively. I read an article that cited that there are 3 cartels here...yikes!!
@@shiva1742 Rampant in Nashville also. At some point the people in charge who make policies that encourage more of it need to be held liable... but that never happens in modern America anymore. Just ask for more committees and more funding. The local news here just showed a video of a dude selling drugs from an ironing board he used as a makeshift table right downtown on Lower Broadway in front of the honky tonks. The insane are running the asylum here. Looks like Asheville is heading that way. Having sympathy for a problem isn't the same as having a solution. There lies the rub.
Definitely depends on what time of year and the weather but downtown is where all the action is, which brings traffic. As locals, we used to hang out downtown often, hoping from one hip haunt to another but now it is mostly occupied by tourists and we have moved over to West Asheville, River Arts District or other smaller neighborhood areas.
Love this! I moved here for the nature & hiking & to get out of the heat & population boom of FL (it’s way worse there). I LOVE the ice & snow way more than I thought I would. I only came to stay a year or two & I’m happy to be here but having gone through this kind of population growth for 30yrs in Florida it makes me sad for AVL. I just pray they don’t mow down the forests too severely. Florida now looks like a giant parking lot 😢
We liked that it was a great launch site to visit the mountains. However, on our last trip we stayed in Waynesville, which was a wonderful location as well.
Waynesville is also very beautiful and a smaller town, but close. Different vibe than Asheville. There are lots of vacation rentals there and a nice retirement community.
I was born and raised in Hickory, lived in Charlotte until ‘08 and now live in Houston. What a difference! Now I’m wanting to try to move back to NC and considering Asheville. Charlotte is just getting too big and Asheville seems to be big enough for amenities but not too big. I’ll be watching your videos to see your perspective on it all! (I’m a Realtor and property manager in Houston.)
Most are not full time and not really up to date with the market- so the few that are professional, capable, communicative and a pleasure to work with are easy to spot. So even though there are many to chose from there are very few, if that makes sense.
I have a question: if Asheville is so damp, as you mentioned with rain, etc, why are so many new homes built with siding instead of brick? I understand that in lower price points siding is cheaper. We love the Cane Creek area and it’s spacious lots and new homes, but even the higher end new homes are all all siding instead of brick. I love the older brick homes with architectural characters of Asheville. Why are the builders not using brick, even in higher end homes? Even the deed restrictions specify siding in those new ‘hoods.
It’s not that extremely humid. Just a couple months of of the summertime. But basements need to be ventilated and dry. The average annual percentage of humidity is: 74%
I remember in the early 2000's watching home shows promoting Asheville. Whoever was in charge of promoting your city did a good job. Maybe too good a job.
Totally agree! When I moved here NO ONE had heard of Asheville..... Then I saw it in every magazine and on commercials all over after that. They did a great job- whoever that was. Man.
Your comment is reminding me of this....“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” ― Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities I like the duality of it all, as life often holds all things at once. Yes, the lush lush greenness of it all! .
People just don’t want anyone else moving there. The whole country can be shit depending how you look at it. Live where you want to. As for me I’m leaving the Northwest. I hate the weather. I’m headed for the sunshine in one of the Carolina’s.
I am a local that has recently moved back. It isn't anywhere near how it was 10 years ago and now we're looking to move away. It just isn't home anymore.
Every time I speak, my mid-Atlantic accent tells everyone “I’m not from here”. My favorite comeback when asked where I’m from is “I’m from EARTH, or “I wasn’t born here, but I got here as quickly as I could”.
Yeah traffic was bad at rush hour years ago. Probably similar now. Going from east Asheville and trying to get over to Merrimon is well, an adventure to put it kindly. Not as bad as trying to get from Chapel Hill to the airport in Raleigh at rush hour though. Years ago many of the ski resorts in the high country had to close for extended periods in the Winter due to a very abnormal lack of snow.
Thanks for the honesty. What do you think about moving to the surrounding villages? Is that something that the locals are starting to do? What's the rent like there?
Asheville is too small there are alot of homeless people all over downtown as if there is no affordable housing in this area. No major transportation such as Amtrak is not available here you have to drive nearly an hour away if you want to take a train somewhere.
Asheville has seen an increase in people experiencing homelessness and we do need more affordable housing. Fingers crossed many of the proposed projects can finish to address some of this.
This is good. Everyone moving here should most definetly watch this video. I do want to say, as liberally woowoo as Asheville is, the strong old undercurrent of the conservatives here are plentiful, they're just not loud. Gentrification is happening in all the coveted cities..
Asheville is killing the surrounding area. It would be nice for Ahsevillians to consider there really are locals here. Suggestion, stay in the city limits. By the way, beer is in Asheville is simply because water rights in Transylvania county were lifted a few years ago and French Broad water is free for the big breweries. Just suck it right out of the river, filter of course, and free raw materials.
I am familiar with this agreement for the breweries. I'd love to make a a video on it. It feels funny to be drinking the water from the river, especially the French Broad! We you raised here? I would imagine I would have a very hard time seeing all the change if I were.
You asked why would I consider moving to Asheville? Ive been to Asheville many times over the past 20 years. Living in Baltimore, the mountains, were the first to draw me, then all the yoga festivals I attended near Asheville and the friendly people, the artist, the music- definitely drew me. Ive lived in Colorado the last 7 years. I moved here for the mountains. I need mountains and friendly community both, not one or the other. So, was wondering.....I ALSO, need accessibility to affordable property and other like minded people who love permaculture, organic farming/intentional community... Colorado is so rural, one cannot afford to be near a farming intentional community and have a job. I don't want to be a farmer, just access to land, helping out and being a part of the stewardship. While working in the city ... am I dreaming? Where oh where are ye...
Yes! I was totally drawn to Asheville for the same reasons. We are bit like Boulder, but a little less expensive. GREAT Yoga here, tons of artists, sustainable living interests, etc. Totally possible. Depending on how far you'd be willing to drive. I know that it is possible to live close, have space and be able to get into the city in 20 min. Check out my video on affordable places to live near Asheville. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-aw0ZuOI1KUU.html
AVL is a unique place to live in many ways. Come check it out for a few weeks and explore before you decide to move here. Top five reason to move here? Nature, live music and art, restaurants/beer, the blue ridge parkway, and nice people. This is a place where you cut a lot of nonsense in your life and focus on important things - family, friends, and yourself. Bonus point? People read actual books. Cheers!
It's true, we are stock-full with book readers and nice folks. I like your idea to come here and sit a spell, soak it in, get the vibe and enjoy the sights.
All I would be asking for is a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom mobile home single long single wide . In the country the outskirts . I’ve been to parts of NorthCarolina before best time of my life
Not sure as it depends on your fixed retirement income. That said you won’t find many cities that are less conservative. Costs and crime is higher but hey, if you want progressive, Asheville is the place!
I just moved my retired parents here on their fixed income. Let's chat. Feel free to reach out. 828-827-5377 and I can explore some options with you. There are more expensive areas and more affordable areas that are both nice around Asheville.
@@aprilclover2429 There are more Hispanic people in Western NC than black people and they are minorities just like less Asian and other groups in this area. You can find a lot of information on You Tube and internet about Franklin, Hendersonville, Brevard, Black Mountain, Bryson City, Saluda, Tryon etc,.... WNC is majority Republican even though there are active Democrats. If you move to a conservative southern state then this is what you get.
I used to be an OTR driver. I liked what I saw from I-40 but I've never actually been in the town. Sorry to hear about the gentrification. That isn't unique to Asheville. Lots of communities around the country are being destroyed by that.
I am doing a video that talks a little bit about crime in Asheville but until then, you can always view our crime stats here. It is very transparent. I also think that it is a matter or perspective from where you are currently living. Asheville is a city at the end of the day..... police-transparency-avl.hub.arcgis.com/pages/crime-stats
I want to move to Asheville from Knoxville, Knox County Tennessee, which is pretty red politically, to Asheville because the county is predominantly democratic. Plus, It just seems to have a good vibe in the air, or at least it used to when I was going over there in the 80s and 90s. But I can see that affordable housing will be a problem, especially for someone like me who is retired. People from other parts of the country have started moving Into our area also because the housing cost have historically been lower than the national average. Unfortunately, that is no longer true.
Our bus system gets you around well int he city limits but once out, it is a bit of a pain. So, the airport, being about 20 min south or town would not be easy.
.......after 45 years in Monterey Ca..........I still want to move to Asheville.........the problems you mention are not unique........here they are worse !!
The distinct four seasons was awesome. I moved from the California desert, where there are only two seasons.freezing cold, or the fires of hell in the summer. The only thing I didn't like about it was the massive homeless population,and the Uber left wing looney toons that occupied the city center.
Overrated area! I’m a native North Carolinian & have never understood the fascination with Asheville. It’s nice but people from other areas are obsessed with it. You’re better off in Wilmington
@@livinginasheville Amsterdam has about 800.000 inhabitants and about 22.000.000 visiting tourists a year. Could you give me some suggestions how to make a video: DONT MOVE TO AMSTERDAM
