OK, Ashevillians....

[Flaxbee]

I've been dithering for years about where to relocate, Northern Virginia doesn't really suit me or my husband very well. We've driven all over the country, mentally tried out many places, and have decided that if we stay along the east coast, we'd like to settle in Asheville. Thing is, the single-home residence and/or land market there has really skyrocketed, and I don't want to buy at the peak of the market and get saddled with a huge mortgage. Last time we were there, it seemed that many of the lovely old downtown buildings were being converted into loft apartments -- does anyone have an opinion on the quality/value of those apts (I'd want to buy, not rent) and what would it be like to live in downtown Asheville? Good neighborhood, bad neighborhood, noisy, nice -- any opinions? Thoughts? Any other nice little NCarolina towns within about 1/2 hour of Asheville that have cool older buildings just ripe to be turned into loft living?

And, what's the job market like in Asheville?

Thanks for any input....

[TriadLeftist]

1. Asheville

the job market is not good ... unless you are in the service industry or geriatric health care. Good luck

[swittersnc]

2. go to black mountain instead

and the job market there sucks. my brother-in-law had to move away from there because of the poor job market and we have a friend there now who hasn't been able to find a steady job in over a year.

[YNGW]

3. Asheville Resident Here

I answered you yesterday. Can you pull up the old thread?

[Flaxbee]

5. weird...

I did post something yesterday, then I hit "refresh" and it was gone, then I got a "page expired" notice so I logged off and back on and couldn't find my post anywhere. Dang.

Sorry if I sound like I"m repeating myself, I just thought I'd see if I was more successful at posting this time! I don't post regularly anymore, first time in "DU2" but not the first time I've had the same problem, the last several times I got the same "page expired" thing I just gave up.

[YNGW]

6. In that case...

....maybe it would be better if you put your questions in my inbox and I'll answer them rather than taking up space on this forum.

[brainshrub]

4. I love Asheville

I live here. Just come on down, we will make room for you.

If you want to visit, PM me. Mi Casa et su casa.

[Lorien]

7. I responded to yesterday's thread too

I'm also thinking of moving to Asheville, after ten years of searching for a new home from Florda to San Diego, from Victoria BC to Burlington VT-but Asheville seems to most suited to my lifestyle as a self employed artist and liberal.

I found this to be a great resource for all things Asheville; www.mountainx.com. Good Luck!

[mlawson]

8. This is what I tell my students here (in Asheville):

The job market is totally saturated, because everyone wants to live here. Employers (in the predominnt tourism industry) have so many applicants, they can quote the wage, and there will always be SOMEone who will take it, even though it is low. For other industries, there is no shortage of applicants, either.

Housing is the reverse, but the same effects prevail. Housing is so much in demand, that owners and landlords can almost name any price they want, You can't talk about a shotgun shack here for under 100K. So many retirees from the affluent suburbs of NY and other big cities can move here, plunk down 250K for a house they couldn't look at up there for that, that the market will continue to go higher and higher.

Now the old downtown buildings are becoming more and more valuable, because they can all be rented or sold, even though they might need extensive refurbishing. Living downtown would be great -- crime is extremely low. You can walk around at 3 am, and not really worry.

Housing in nearby towns is MUCH cheaper, so far. That does not incude Weaverville, which is just 2-3 miles north. Burnsville, Marion, Mars Hill, Hot Springs, Waynesville, are all quaint, but as for a downtown loft, I dunno.. Maybe. Henderson County, BTW, is extremely expensive, especialy Flat Rock.

I hope I haven't rained on your parade, but it would not be a favor, to gloss over the truth. Good luck!!