llwil2003

Thanks for answering everyone. I made the mistake of posting my post at work lunch. What I meant to ask about politics,! Is Greenville liberal enough since I am living in the Bay Area and I am a very liberal Democrat? My daughter says more and more liberals are moving in.

My daughter was happy there in Greenville (her politics are liberal). She misses the city and wants to move back. She lived in Asheville and liked Greenville more. I am also looking for mild winters. Everything pleases me (what I can see online) except for politics. Is the city turning purple as my daughter says?

I love idea of a nice healthy downtown, the walkablity, farmers markets, trader joes, whole foods, parks, culture,the trolley, art and music festivals. Online the city looks like a nice place to live! I have not been ther just doing scouting work online for retirement planning. Thanks Linda

Gretchen

Well, we live practically ON the SC border. You may need to look at SC politics, not just Greenville's. I won't get started, but I will say that a politician in the 1860's named Pendergast I think pretty much nailed SC these days--it's too small to be a republic and too large to be an asuylum. LOL

Gretchen

But I will add that everything I have heard about Greenville is great--and Furman is a wonderful university. There is a real first class retirement/golf community there--can't remember the name. SC taxes are "good".

suewoo

Wait Greenville NC or SC?

starrs

A Fodorite almost retired to Greenville after doing a lot of research. She moved someplace a bit more exotic but Greenville is getting better all the time. Personally, I'd pick Asheville -especially if liberal neighbors were a priority. Asheville's the closest you are going to get to a California vibe in the SE.

palmettoprincess

I wouldn't move to Greenville for liberal politics! Asheville is far more progressive.

Personally I wouldn't pick an area based on politics though. Walkability, weather, are more important to me.

JamieAnn

Hi,
I have lived in Asheville for 5 1/2 years (moved from NYC). I love Asheville. People are warm and friendly, mountains knock my socks off, weather for four seasons is great. Short winters and the summers are bearable because it gets cool in the mornings and evenings. However, there is the granola contingency, the mountain folk, who to this day, I don't understand a word of what they say and the grunge looking students. But coming from NY, I like the mixture. If you are outdoorsy (hiking, mountain biking, rafting, etc., this is the place. They're building four new hotels downtown so tourism is huge but jobs scarce. I had to reinvent myself from a corporate interior designer to a dog groomer.

Asheville is divided into four neighborhoods (north, south, east, west). North has 1920's homes and five food markets. They must eat a lot. East, where I live has one market but soon to get Whole Foods. West was grungy but getting very popular - mostly renovated bungalow style homes. It has its only little village whereas other three areas don't. South is closer to airport if that matters to you.

My problem with Asheville is the limited amount of direct flights from the airport. Also, city is funky looking.

Greenville, on the other hand is beautiful. They must have the smartest, savviest, forward thinking city planners. Its about as perfect a small city as you can find. However, too many republicans for me. I wonder if they get MSNBC from their cable company.

Charlotte has great neighborhoods surrounding the core city, which they call uptown as oppose to downtown. Just three miles from the core, in a circumference are wonderful neighbohoods with lush foliage, parks, and their own village vibes. And of course, they have a great airport.

Gretchen

Very nice overview.

tom42

My brother (and now my parents ) live in Greenville SC. I've visited several times. It's a very pretty area and I love their downtown. Downtown isnt huge but thriving and attractive.

starrs

Great recap by JamieAnn!

thursdaysd

If you want liberal politics in the Carolinas you should probably be looking at Chapel Hill, especially if you want warm winters. Of course, you'll have to cope with hot and humid summers, but that's true of anywhere out of the mountains. Excellent hospitals and a good airport.

asdaven

I love Asheville a lot. But in the winter, it might not be that much milder. I'd imagine Greenville and Charlotte would be milder , Charlotte being the mildest. Asheville is going to be a smaller city than the too. To get milder winter temps, you'd have to look closer to the coast like Charleston, SC. Summer temperatures are probably best in Asheville.

gigi69

Mt.holly NC is a great small town on the opposite side of Charlotte from Rock Hill.20 minutes to Charlottes city center.
7 minutes to the whitewater rafting center.And to the west Chimney Rock in 1 hr 20 minutes.

Austin

I really want to visit Asheville and even considered moving there. The crime rate, according to Sperlings (bestplaces.net), is not that great. The US average being 4 for violent and 4 for property crimes, rates a 7 for both in Asheville.

Here in Austin just a few years back it was 3 and 3. Our fast growth rate we are now 5 and 8.

Austin

I really want to visit Asheville and even considered moving there. The crime rate, according to Sperlings (bestplaces.net), is not that great. The US average being 4 for violent and 4 for property crimes, rates a 7 for both in Asheville.

Here in Austin just a few years back it was 3 and 3. Our fast growth rate we are now 5 and 8.

starrs

Asheville? High crime rate?
I am very surprised.
Don't really believe it.

Gretchen

I was really surprised also but if you google, it seems to be true. There are a number of different stat sites.
One statistic was "how safe" is Asheville with 100 being the safest, and Asheville was 8!!

starrs

I used city data to look at other towns/cities that I consider "safe" and their numbers were along the lines of Asheville. I understand stats are stats but there are safe/unsafe areas of almost any town/city in this country. I know folks who have moved to Asheville in the last decade and are very happy with their choice.

gigi69

I still vote for a small town with quick access to Charlotte.
3 hrs to Charleston SC. 1 hr to mountains. Lakes and rivers abound.Lots of good jobs as it is not a tourist town.

goldengrain

I read somewhere that the crime, most of the time, is rather low. The problem is when tourist season opens, along come the criminals (a lot of pickpockets, maybe). I think this is why there exists the discrepancy in posts.