Posted on 06/13/2006 1:19:15 AM PDT by goldstategop
I'm thinking of the Carolina mountains as my next place to live. Would you consider Asheville, with its art deco feel as the place to live or would you go for Greenville with its more settled ambience? I've lived in California on the coast all my life and I'd like to try something different. Low cost of living, affordable housing, a safe place to live and having that view outside the window without the price tag. I know Colorado is expensive because every one goes there but no one seems to know the Blue Ridge Mountains are just as stunning. If any one has any other ideas about mountain living in the South or elsewhere, please free to throw in your opinion. Thanks.
Am debating whether to share my opinion. . .or message you privately! Will check back later ; '^)
I'm only seeking knowledgeable views about mountain life. For me, its virgin territory. But if any one wants to take a pass on this thread, I'm not in the least offended. ;-)
I moved to WV after a life in the Apple. Too many NYers in VA and the Carolinas for me. RE and PP taxes are less than a month's rent in my rent stabilized apt in Queens.
My only complaints are the reliability (read lack thereof) of Allegheny Power and the humidity. I solved the first with a 6500 watt generator. Still working on the second.
The mountains shouldn't be THAT humid. If you wanted to soak in the warmth, Florida beckons. Don't you have air conditioning?
If you can handle the liberals, Ashville's a nice place. Particularly some of the smaller communities that are nestled in the valleys around the city.
*Asheville.
Bah, too early in the morning.
They say its a beautiful city but for all the dirty hippies. Greenville is somewhat laid back. But one has to admit, the views are just grand. Its the Carolinas' hidden treasure.
Southwest Virginia.
NC has the highest tax rate on the east coast, and the Dim controlled government is pitifully corrupt.
Isn't South Carolina run now by Republicans? The more I think about it, the more I like Greenville. Its practically on the same latitude as Los Angeles.
It's a lovely area....the best of both worlds, so to speak.
Also, the low country of South Carolina is desirable-(Beaufort area)....more humid, I guess, but I like the coast.
Colorado I love dearly, but the cost of housing is almost comparable to California.
I have been looking south over the border for some time now--unfortunately we like our house and our small town in NC.
I moved to Greensboro from TN. No mountains here, but I spent a lot of time in both Greenville and Ashville. Ashville is beautiful, but a typical liberal college town. Not much work either, the economy is quite limited. Of the two I would think Greenville is a better choice.
Also NC taxes are outrageous.
You could look at SW Tennessee also. Around the Kingsport area. Low taxes, beautiful mountains, wonderful people.
I moved to Greensboro from TN. No mountains here, but I spent a lot of time in both Greenville and Ashville. Ashville is beautiful, but a typical liberal college town. Not much work either, the economy is quite limited. Of the two I would think Greenville is a better choice.
Also NC taxes are outrageous.
You could look at SW Tennessee also. Around the Kingsport area. Low taxes, beautiful mountains, wonderful people.
Only if you call Lindsey Graham...a Republican :^(
Our 'ambience' is being ruined by outsiders that have suddenly discovered our affordable living and stunning vistas, both of which are rapidly diminishing due to the influx of city slickers, damnyankees and/or retiring baby boomers that move down, wall themselves up in gated communities and then decide that they need more 'services' which the rest of us are now paying for through increased taxes.
Hell, as a matter of fact, I'm only planning on staying a few more years.
The ruination of the South is, once again, under way and being done, once again, by the northern invaders. And now their western cousins are looking to flank us. We're doomed.
BTW, I live about an hour west of Greenville, SC. It used to be quiet out where I live. Not anymore.
We're considering that area as well for retirement, but have not narrowed it down to a specific place yet, so I think this thread does have more than just private interest. :)
That area of Tennessee is truly awesome...and there were no state taxes. I don't know if that is still the case, but it was just a few years ago.
We didn't notice "hippies" when we visited Asheville, just trendy restaurants that charged nearly-Washington DC-level prices. We also liked Hendersonville and Flat Rock.
We went down to Greenville one day during our visit and the temperature climbed almost 15 degrees in that short drive! I'll take altitude over heat any day.
What about counties farther to the north, like Watauga and Ashe counties? There seem to be some pretty areas there too but we have not visited them yet.
I'm a FL guy, and I own a mountain lot in northern Georgia, near the apex of TN and SC. I'm not sure about NC and SC, but the political climate in Georgia is pretty sensible- Cynthia McKinney notwithstanding.
Be aware that overhead power lines are a problem in the mountains. Ice storms are notorious for outages. Look for a place with buried powerlines.
I'll say one thing- southern people are the best folks to be around. The manners, the friendliness, you can't beat it.
Well, in all fairness, they are not alone. When you combine the influx of yankees with the invasion of illegals, the south is becoming virtually unrecognizable.
And once again, the northern invaders are the ones with the money..... :)
The beauty of northwest Georgia, north of Dahlonega and near Blairsville is very appealing also. Lots of green valleys with farms and cabins dotted in them. Clear water streams running through the mountains and hills and into the meadows. It doesn't get any better than that. I think it's one of the prettiest areas I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is absolutely spectacular this time of year, there's no doubt of that.
Ah yes...the ubiquitous illegal alien. How could I have overlooked the border jumpers? Still early, I guess.
So all that's left for the South to be completely surrounded is an amphibious invasion from the stinking Europeans.
Big Irish sigh................
Being assisted by the homegrown scalawags that gleefully trade away our heritage and sell off our land for a pittance.
Those who purchase, and own, the land have the option to develop and sell it at a profit. You refer to "our land" - if it's yours, you are of course welcome to keep it as you wish, but if it does not belong to you, you can't prevent development. That's just the way it works.
Don't encourage them. I know it's hard to resist bragging about our beautiful Southland, but once they've completed their invasion, it will look just like what they left behind. A cesspool.
It's been discovered already; it's not a secret! :)
Recently spent 3 nights at the new Biltmore Estate Hotel. A local informed my wife and I Ashville has a large gay population ... for what it's worth.
Are you a Southerner or transplanted yankee?
I was born in Pennsylvania, went to school in Massachusetts and in England, have lived in Northern Virginia for 25 years, and am thinking about where to go for retirement. Like most Americans these days, I'm peripatetic. I think of myself as an American, not a Virginian, Pennsylvanian, etc.
OK. It's been discovered. But don't encourage them. I do everything that I can to discourage yankee immigration.
Hell, I'd rather have the border jumpers than the damnyankees!
Is this a leftover Civil-War thing, or just a reaction to development?
Asheville is a great little town. . .(*largest New-Age population east of Colorado, I believe; but that is not ALL bad!). . .but Greenville is thereal gem here. Beautiful city; beautiful down-town. . .and award-winning redevelopment on-going. . .big on community/activities/celebrations-festivals; even has baseball team.
(We are used to Atlanta prices and when husband went to game in Greenville and ordered food for family; handed the lady forty dollars anticipating bill. . .she gave him twenty-three dollars back in change.)
So in addition to your topo maps, your demographic studies, your road maps, etc., study up on micro-climates. A very few miles can make a huge difference.
oops. . .sorry.. .that was twenty-six dollars back in change. . .
Another 'good town'. . .is Waynesville. . .but have only driven through; suppposed to be a 'great place'; just depends on how small. . .how far you want to go. Highlands, Brevard. . .lots of small towns with great views. . .in the Carolinas. . .but 'city' still speaks to gem. . .Greenville.
Oh please. Spare me the liberalish rhetoric.
Let me tell you a little something about the South, yankee girl.
When I was a kid, you could walk through the neighbors yard without harassment as long as you didn't pick too many apples off his tree or walk through the flower garden.
When you went hunting, you just pulled over to a likely spot and went in the woods.
Fishing was free. No license required. And pretty much all water was public water.
You could ride your horse down the road and people would slow down and give you a wide berth.
That's what I mean by our/my land.
The South is my land. My home. It's where at least 6 generations of my people lived and are buried.
I may not own it all, but it's still my land and that's a concept that the yankee will never understand.
The yankee only understands deeds, titles, paper, etc....because that's your only connection to the land.
The Southerner, like the American Indian, is a part of the land.
Yep, that's it! I'm for border control. Not on the US-Mexico border, but rather a big wall that stretches from VA to TX. Oklahomans get a free entry pass but the rest? We've got plenty, thank you, don't need anymore (yankees that is)...matter of fact can we pay to send some back?
A combination. See post #42.
I had a childhood very much like that, in Pennsylvania. It is hardly unique to you.
So, if I move to your area on legally purchased land, will you call me those names, or just shoot at me? :)
So you didn't go downtown near the old convention then I take it?
What about counties farther to the north, like Watauga and Ashe counties?
Please, could you leave North Carolinians a few pristine counties? Damn yanks have all but ruined Asheville, Brevard, Hendersonville. We're trying to contain 'em and stop the spreading. I can see it now. West Jefferson gets a Starbucks....
Yes, I thought Watauga and Ashe looked nice, too. That northern area had its cover blown when Jan Karon wrote her series of "Mitford" books.
Sorry, what's the "old convention" you refer to in Asheville?
Old convention center in downtown Asheville. The two streets just up from it (forget the name, it's been 7 years since I lived there) used to be filled with hippie bookstores, restaurants, etc.
I must have missed that. We saw the usual - Pack Square, the Thomas Wolfe house, etc. And Biltmore, of course, but we're not thinking of anything QUITE that big since it's just the two of us. :)
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