Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post

josie · 09-27-2005, 11:02 PM

Hey Flatland Flier - Just saw this thread. I concur with Asheville as a really nice place to live. In terms of outdoor activities, you've got the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Smokies are nearby and there are rivers to raft on, etc., etc. The downtown has been revitalized and is a fun place and it's become a center of Appalachian culture and music which is fun. The housing used to be really cheap - but is rising now - so now would be a good time to get in there - and the schools are pretty good as far as schools in NC go, so if you're thinking of having kids in the future you'd be all set. Not a lot in terms of winter sports though - you'd have to travel to West Virginia for that.

I lived in Asheville, and in Chapel Hill in NC (known as the Triangle, along with Durham and Raleigh). I went to graduate school at UNC- Chapel Hill and loved Chapel Hill at that time, but moved back there four years ago and it's just a different place now- word got out about how great it is to live there and it's become pretty much a yuppie haven - totally overdeveloped and has lost that little village feel it used to have, which made it such a great place. Now it's gated communities and traffic everywhere - I might as well have been living in NJ (which is where I grew up and never wanted to live again- too urban for me). Don't know much about Charlotte - except that it's cheaper than Chapel Hill in terms of housing - but yeah you should be able to find a job there.

I didn't see Maine on your list at all. Beautiful scenery, four seasons (well, almost- if you blink, you'll miss Spring - in fact it's called "mud season"). But housing is very affordable, great quality of life, always something to do outside in every season (great winter sports) and summer and fall are just exquisite. We moved there from NC for what was supposed to be a two years stint. I was really negative about moving, but ended up loving it and we lived there twelve years. If you are planning to have kids - greatest place in the world to raise them - very down to earth people with real common sense and values. It doesn't have a lot of large cities, except Portland, which is a fun city and is a little milder (in terms of climate) in the winter than the more northern, inland portion of the state. I've lived in Texas, NJ, NY, Pennsylvania, NC and Maine, and out of those - if (when) I have the option, I'll go back to Maine to live-it's just got it's own distinct flavor to it that is different than any other place in the US, I think, and I loved it.

Just as an aside - I'm living in the UK right now in Somerset. Love it as well- in fact it reminds me a lot of Maine. If anyone ever has the opportunity to live abroad - grab it - it's the best decision I've ever made.

09-27-2005, 11:02 PM	#24 (permalink)
josie Upright Location: UK	Hey Flatland Flier - Just saw this thread. I concur with Asheville as a really nice place to live. In terms of outdoor activities, you've got the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Smokies are nearby and there are rivers to raft on, etc., etc. The downtown has been revitalized and is a fun place and it's become a center of Appalachian culture and music which is fun. The housing used to be really cheap - but is rising now - so now would be a good time to get in there - and the schools are pretty good as far as schools in NC go, so if you're thinking of having kids in the future you'd be all set. Not a lot in terms of winter sports though - you'd have to travel to West Virginia for that. I lived in Asheville, and in Chapel Hill in NC (known as the Triangle, along with Durham and Raleigh). I went to graduate school at UNC- Chapel Hill and loved Chapel Hill at that time, but moved back there four years ago and it's just a different place now- word got out about how great it is to live there and it's become pretty much a yuppie haven - totally overdeveloped and has lost that little village feel it used to have, which made it such a great place. Now it's gated communities and traffic everywhere - I might as well have been living in NJ (which is where I grew up and never wanted to live again- too urban for me). Don't know much about Charlotte - except that it's cheaper than Chapel Hill in terms of housing - but yeah you should be able to find a job there. I didn't see Maine on your list at all. Beautiful scenery, four seasons (well, almost- if you blink, you'll miss Spring - in fact it's called "mud season"). But housing is very affordable, great quality of life, always something to do outside in every season (great winter sports) and summer and fall are just exquisite. We moved there from NC for what was supposed to be a two years stint. I was really negative about moving, but ended up loving it and we lived there twelve years. If you are planning to have kids - greatest place in the world to raise them - very down to earth people with real common sense and values. It doesn't have a lot of large cities, except Portland, which is a fun city and is a little milder (in terms of climate) in the winter than the more northern, inland portion of the state. I've lived in Texas, NJ, NY, Pennsylvania, NC and Maine, and out of those - if (when) I have the option, I'll go back to Maine to live-it's just got it's own distinct flavor to it that is different than any other place in the US, I think, and I loved it. Just as an aside - I'm living in the UK right now in Somerset. Love it as well- in fact it reminds me a lot of Maine. If anyone ever has the opportunity to live abroad - grab it - it's the best decision I've ever made.