OK, Ashevillians... I have some questions

[Flaxbee]

I've been dithering for years about where to 'settle' because I just don't feel at home here in Northern Virginia, neither does my husband. We've driven all over the Midatlantic & South, having ruled out the southwest (though abso-freaking-lutely gorgeous, too many water (or lack thereof, or future lack thereof) issues - I'll admit to being paranoid about corporate ownership of water. We've been to Asheville many times and like it, but the housing market for single residence homes there is ridiculous, and I refuse to buy a home now at the peak of the market and get saddled with a huge mortgage. Last time we were there it looked as if many of the lovely old downtown bldgs were being converted into loft apartments, and I wonder if anyone has any info on them, prices, city taxes, etc. I'd want to buy, not rent. Any opinion on living downtown? Are the apts. a ripoff? Thoughts? Any other cute Western NCarolina towns within about 1/2 hour of Asheville with cool old buildings just aching to be turned into lofts?

Comments truly appreciated, many thanks.

[Lorien]

1. Hey, I'm thinking of moving to Asheville too!

Just visited for the first time in October and loved it! I've been searching for a decade for a new place to call home. I've literally gone from Victoria, BC, to San Diego, to Burlington, VT, and down to West Palm beach looking for a place to "settle". As an artist and a liberal, I feel right at home in Asheville. :-)

You might try www.mountainx.com. I have some other links somewhere and will post them when I can.

[Catholic Sensation]

2. fuck western nc

The Triangle is where it's happening!

[supernova]

3. Now, Now

no need to get testy. Asheville is very nice. Or, in the words of a very prominent Lounge Lizard:

"Fifty thousand lesbians can't be wrong!" :D

[YNGW]

4. answer

I'm a mortgage lender in the area.

The market prices for SFR's will remain high. Not aware of any apartments being converted into apts downtown but check some real estate offices. Asheville City and Buncombe County taxes are high for the services you get. Apartments are higher in the area, too. This area has a higher cost of living than most people would think it to be. The only other town nearby would be Hendersonville, which is 20 miles south. County taxes are much more forgiving there than in Asheville. I don't know about city taxes in H'ville but they've got to be better than Asheville. Only other town nearby is Waynesville which is approx. 20 miles west, but a real small town.

Any other questions?

[supernova]

5. There's also Black Mountain

which is about 20 miles away. I'd live in the Black Mountain area as well.

[YNGW]

6. true

Black Mountain is nice, as is Montreat, but she specifically said she didn't like the price of SFR's in the area, and that's all there is there.