Moving South. Asheville, Charlotte or Greenville
 

Hi!

I know there was a very similar post and it had great responses, so I wanted some more input here! I am also from the North, PA and the winters here are killing me and the rest of the seasons are just too short. I am originally from Maine, and there is way too much snow for me. I can handle 1-2 feet a year, that's tops though:)

SO the 3 places I have researches extensively are Greenville, SC, and Asheville and Charlotte, NC. Asheville reminding me the most of home with the mountains and the laid back people, and the summers are already similar to here. I would most likely live in an outskirt small town, but 30 min or so to the big city. I would like to still be able to walk to things in a small town...

SO my question is which should I look more seriously into? My husband could find work in all 3, and we are starting a young family with a toddler so far, so I'd like to be in the neighborhoods with lots of young couples (20's and 30's). Plus we have 2 dogs. But we love the outdoors-hiking-biking-swiming etc. All 3 cites have similar activities, I can't choose! THANKS:)

Asheville - by far.

Do you live there? What little areas around there would you suggest? I need a big fenced yard for the dogs, but not much else! Or would you say right in downtown? I want to think about safety also...

I always thought I'd live there. A very good friend moved there to raise their daughter. Asheville is very safe. It's a great town. Very liberal, great music, great vibe, great restaurants, great big town/small city vibe. You could live 30 minutes away (and there are plenty of options) but I'd live right in Asheville. Nice homes (some old) with yards. There are some downtown condos/lofts, but you'll want a yard. Very safe.

Look at the signings at the downtown bookstore -
http://www.malaprops.com/

Atlanta doesn't even have this.

Look at the music available -
http://www.exploreasheville.com/what...dar/index.aspx

Even Atlanta doesn't have that wide of a variety.

Performing Arts -
http://www.exploreasheville.com/what...ent/index.aspx

Ditto

I'd also recommend checking over at the city-data.com website, which is a great resource for these kinds of questions.

Thanks guys,

I have actually been to all of those websites! I have done a lot of research, now I feel I need personal opinions:) I would never consider Atlanta. ? Is that just a know place to move to? Too much traffic, too many people, and too humid...plus all the storms come up through that way. Starrs do you live in NC?

I really only want to in the Carolina's or even possibly TN. But I am not sure if I can even live that far inland, since I have always been close to the coast. I also love the heat.

Does anyone live in Charlotte or Greenville? I have heard so much good stuff about Asheville, but not as much with the other 2 (not even here, but other places).

Forgot to mention, someone said the west side of Asheville was a great family friendly place? And the North was tough b/c of the traffic from tourism. Are there neighborhoods that anyone knows of that are nicer but still affordable?

I'll repeat...Asheville - by far.

To pick a neighborhood, come down and visit. I think all of Asheville is a "great family friendly place". I have no idea what the north side/tourism traffic thing is about. Asheville is not very big. It really doesn't have a traffic problem. I wasn't recommending Atlanta for you. I was comparing how much Asheville has going for it as far as music, performing arts, etc.

There are several threads on this forum about different areas. Do a search to see what you can find and hopefully others will answer. IMO Asheville is definitely the best of the 3, especially given your preferences.

The reason I'd recommend you look closer at Charlotte or Greenville is your mention of wanting to be within 30 miles of "the big city". As great as Asheville is, it is much smaller than Charlotte or Greenville.

But only Asheville will provide you with weather significantly different from Atlanta - Charlotte and Greenville are just as humid in the summer.

Charlotte, by far the largest of the 3 is a good place to raise a family. While people do complain about the traffic, it is nothing like Atlanta. We have our issues with budget cuts (specifically regarding schools) but I'm guessing most places are experiencing the same.

I've been hearing a lot of good things about Greenville. If I was looking for a medium sized city to settle down in, I'd give it a good look.

I don't think Starrs will let you move anywhere else!!
Yes, I live in Charlotte. And yes Greenville is really quite a nice town with a very fine mid-size university with all the perks that would bring. Asheville is surely getting it "clicking". You will miss snow in Charlotte and Greenville. Fenced yards are available anywhere if you look. I'd take a look at schools, taxes, other things you like besides the music scene. I would also rent in wherever you choose for 6 months, let alone visit before making a decision. There is just not much way to know what you will like, not like, want, not want.
Charlotte is a "little big city"--or maybe vice versa. A big town that still feels small and accessible. It has a lot going for it, a lot to do, a lot of opportunity. But whether it is for "you" is hard to say.

LOL, Gretchen!

I rarely comment on Charlotte or Raleigh or other NC towns/cities. I have my opinions, but can't really quantify them so I remain quiet (hard to believe, I know).

But, if THIS doesn't describe Asheville, I don't know what does :-)

<i>"Asheville reminding me the most of home with the mountains and the laid back people, and the summers are already similar to here. I would like to still be able to walk to things in a small town...so I'd like to be in the neighborhoods with lots of young couples (20's and 30's). Plus we have 2 dogs. But we love the outdoors-hiking-biking-swiming etc"

</i>That is SO Asheville. It's a perfect match!

No, I don't live there but always thought I would...and maybe will one day.

I love Asheville too. But sometimes people are surprised how not cheap it is.

I agree that it's not cheap.

Small towns within 30 miles would include Hendersonville, Brevard, and Black Mountain (but I'd still pick Asheville).

And you'd be surprised at how neighborhoods in a large city do the same thing--places to walk to, laid back, lots of young people. EVEN in NYC. I do wonder long term about work, but if DH can find work anywhere, that's good. And thank heavens, Charlotte is NOT Atlanta!!
Small town close to Charlotte are Fort Mill and Rock Hill SC (take a look at the taxes), Davidson (college town) and Cornelius, and others to the north. Prime real estate, but still probably attainable.
Will you be looking for a house--oh yeah, with a yard.
Can you say "road trip"!!!! LOL

And there's always my hometown Albemarle, lolololol!

Albemarle would be good. They could get a lake house.

Asheville without a doubt, but if you want a big city I think Charlotte is great as well. Asheville still has that "personality" that so many other places have lost. Very laid back and family friendly.....really accepting of most lifestyles.

Living in CLT I'll muddy the waters some more if she wants to be w/in 30 minutes of Uptown/City life - http://belmontcommunity.net/ http://www.matthewsnc.com/ http://www.noda.org/ http://www.plazamidwood.org/ http://www.dilworthonline.org/

That being said, I too, love Asheville. But if I were moving over that way (in the Mts.) I probably go Hendersonville or Black Mt. (just me)