mykarma

Hi all -- My husband and I are now in the Philadelphia region and looking at retirement sites. We'd like to get away from the brutal winters and find a place near a community of compatible people.

My priorities are relative privacy and plenty of room to garden and let our dogs enjoy life -- maybe add some chickens and even a horse. My husband is interested in access to a vibrant progressive community -- walkable, a good library, ideally a Zen center, a food co-op, etc. So ideally we'd like to find a home with some acreage in a semi-rural area that's within easy driving distance of an interesting town or small city.

Asheville keeps popping up in our searching, and we'll explore that. In addition, we're wondering if any of the smaller towns in the area have a similarly interesting, liberal vibe. I'm betraying my biases here, but I'm worried that if we get too far away from Asheville we'd be getting into a more stereotypically conservative Southern area.

So -- long lead up to my question: What can you tell me about Black Mountain or other towns in the Asheville region? Knowing that we're politically liberal Northerners, are there towns you think would definitely NOT be a good match for us? How about some that might?

Thank you very much for any input!

Mykarma

Ackislander

Black Mountain was, of course, the home of Black Mountain College, a notable avant garde center in the 1950's. You should definitely look it up on Wikipedia, and there are fascinating books about it.

I think the town retains a certain artsy flavor, like Brevard for music and Flat Rock for theater, but I honestly can't comment on the situation in any of them currently. But the area is worth a visit.

One problem is that acreage isn't likely to be cheap if it is near the amenities you are looking for and hasn't been since the 1980's. it won't be expensive by Philadelphia standards, but is likely to be more expensive than, say, western PA, which can be equally beautiful. So what you mean be " acreage" is important -- 5, 10, 20?

Dukey1

Simply stay VERY aware of the current state and trend in North Carolina politics regardless of where in that state you might choose to live.

mykarma

Thanks! Oh yes, I'm very aware of the Black Mountain college era -- a dear friend of mine (poet) was a student there back in the day. That association is definitely part of the area's draw for me.

Acreage -- eh, we're thinking 5+ acres. Big garden and room for a chicken coop and maybe a small pasture.

Gretchen

And nearby is Ridgecrest, the Southern Baptist retreat center, and in Montreat is the Billy Graham center. NONE of that means a thing. There are great people who can accept many people as their friends. Depends on BOTH ends, I think.
Black Mountain and the area is beautiful. I am far from a stereotypical conservative southerner. There are others of us around. I have lots of friends of both ilks, and am even related to some of them.
You might look near Penland--a world class arts center with a lot of artisans living in the area, as well as the school. they may or may not fit your politics. I love their art.

mykarma

Gretchen, I'd never heard of Penland! What a fascinating place! Thank you very much for the tip.

starrs

The western NC area is a fabulous area to retire to. Asheville is a very liberal enclave in a conservative state. Statewide politics may be a big shock, but in actuality the mix of more diverse than many believe/think. In the last presidential election, the state was "red" but when you look at the actual voting results it was more "purple" - a mix of red and blue - than most would think. Western NC is gorgeous and Asheville is a great center for music, theater, etc. but anything in commuting distance would work. I do have a friend in real estate in the area who had second homes in the area for decades, moved there fulltime about 10 years ago and is now in real estate. She moved from the most liberal area in the metro Atlanta area and could address a lot of your questions. If you want contact information, my email address is listed on my profile page.

Gretchen said it well - " I am far from a stereotypical conservative southerner. There are others of us around. I have lots of friends of both ilks, and am even related to some of them."

Western NC, eastern TN and north Georgia are full of retirees who have moved because the mountains are so gorgeous and often do not reflect the more conservative sections of their states. I'm a fan of Rabun county, GA, especially their gorgeous mountain lakes. The elevation is a bit lower meaning there will be less snow - although there won't be much snow to deal with in the Asheville area.

Gretchen

I am always so interested in people who think it is all about "them"--that everyone where they move has to be like "them".
I hope you (OP) will be equally friendly to anyone wherever you move. To my experience, in the South (OR in say, Vermont), that may be the MOST important part of meeting folks.
Is it always about politics? I can go months--or years without discussing it with anyone next door or down the block. I DO work for everything I believe in, in appropriate places.
Just my opinion.

starrs

Gretchen, I agree.
But Dukey brought the topic of politics into this thread - and the statewide politics of the south can be both shocking and off-putting for those moving from the more liberal NE.
It can be a big part of the culture shock.

LindainOhio

My SIL/BIL moved to Hendersonville. They moved into a hilly,wooded development with large lots where they have made some very nice new friends. She is a Master Gardener and has totally enjoyed landscaping her yard and volunteering at a local garden.

Gretchen

No, I think the OP did from the get-go. take a look. ;o)
Hendersonville is a nice town. Burnsville just up the parkway is cute and nice. There are some real charmers up that way, and with some acreage, they should be safe. LOL
And by the way, I (big bold underlined "I") am shocked by our current "culture"!!!

mykarma

Starrs, I'd be very grateful to be put in touch with your real estate friend. I must be doing something wrong, but I don't see your email info on your profile page. Mine is [email protected]. Would you be kind enough to send me her contact info?

NPmommy

I worked for a summer in Black Mountain, NC wayyy back when I was in college. I was working at Ridgecrest which at the time (things have changed!) was the main conference center for the Southern Baptist Convention. Even then, I realized how diverse the area was and still is. Asheville is very liberal with a thriving fine arts community. I think Black Mountains is the same. We totally plan on retiring near there.

Gretchen

And if anyone needs wonderful summer camps for boys and girls, there is Rockmont and (I think) Hollymont. Our boys spent many wonderful summers at Rockmont as campers and counselors.

starrs

Another great town to consider is Brevard.

Gretchen

I was JUST going to suggest that too!! ;o)

starrs