Thank you! My family and I have been seriously considering a move to Asheville and as such have been doing a lot of research on the area, but as we've recently read some negative forums, it has made us question the idea. I've been looking for the "truth" about Asheville and have found that to be a bit like trying to find a proverbial needle in the haystack. This answered most of my questions and I imagine it has helped others. Most appreciated.
I live in Black Mountain -- East of Asheville but the same County. What a wonderful place to live. I lived in New York for 33 years and did not have a problem with safety. I have live in Black Mountain since 1999 and frequent Asheville and never had a problem with safety. Racism, yes! I was born in South Carolina in 1948, therefore it's nothing new. However, here I got a lot of you ain't from around here, and you're a outsider. Why you come here? You can make friends with people, like yourself, who comes here from other places. No, the hillbillies here will not welcome you. COME ON! There is no where else I would rather live. If i can help, let me know.
I'm glad ,I ruined into your video.Thank you for giving a realistic Opinion of what Asheville is really about.Very grateful.Hugs of Luck,light and love.From Coral Gables and Oceanfront Florida🕊💐🌻💐🌺💐🌹💐🏵💐💮💐🌸💐🌼💐
Newcomers are funny ne just don't try to change what you came here in the first place for. We have been here and we like it this way. We welcome all folks . We do not welcome people who try to turn our city into some Florida town or a West coast place we are country and we are mountain folk. Some of he best people you could ever meet
visited in 2017 and fell in love with the city. fast forward two years and I have a phone interview with a company there tomorrow morning. I could jump out of my skin I'm so excited. maybe I'll be bumping into you in Asheville soon.
Did you get the job? We are thinking of moving to the SE from the SW (Arizona) We are retired. Just want an acre or so, outside of town where we can have a nice garden, chickens .. Country life.. Not enough rain for a garden here.
@@NorthtoHopeDesert_Hues actually I did not get the job. they called and yanked the rug out from under me about two weeks before I was set to move. big time bummer. so I remain in MS. tons of very cheap spots in MS with plenty of room to grow a garden AND we get more rain here than just about anywhere in the country. of course there's no gorgeous scenery like the Appalachians, but ya know.
I'm a born and raised local, 6th generation actually, and all the transplants (mostly from Florida, new York and California) are driving the housing market sky high where many locals move out of state and either can't afford to be here or just don't want to be. The influx of people moving here is causing DESTRUCTION to the very mountains you all come here for because of the apartments and hotels being built. This is why many TRUE locals aren't very friendly to transplants. Please don't move here. We're beyond full. The traffic is horrendous compared to what it was, the drug problem is RIDICULOUS, homelessness is RAMPANT, crime is high, prices are high and it takes two plus jobs to survive. Sounds like heaven right?
I've been here all my life and I agree to everything you say definitely the People Are Awesome don't worry about finding a job you can fly sign here and make $200 a day
I find those young white people panhandling here irritating. Why don't the cops do something about that? If it was black people, they would. They Got the nerve to have a dog with a homeless sign. I told one lately to get a job, and that they were giving Asheville a bad rap. I throw one, who said they were hungry, a banana. Another had a sign stating I am dreaming of a hamburger. I brought food from burger King for that person-- they didn't want it, wanted money.
Thank you for making this video me and my family are planning relocating in 2019 and Asheville NC seems like everything we are looking for our family!!!!!!
My fiance and I have lived in Providence RI, San Diego CA (which we absolutely loved), and now Ft. Lauderdale FL. We are so tired of the crime and the traffic and the sprawl. We miss being out in mature so much. Thank you for the video, its so hard to find info on what its like to relocate to another city.
Yeah I have been close to weaverville which seems beautiful. Some parts are rich and some parts are rural. It's not far from Asheville which is nice. You will probably have pretty bad phone and internet reception. So keep that in mind.
Great vid. Thought about moving to Asheville. Visited and loved the area. This year has really rained a lot. When looking at the weather channel it seems it is raining everyday. How bad is it? Any areas to recommend?
Thanks. Yeah it rains about once every three days but its mainly light rain. It is known as a rainforest. I think south Asheville and west asheville are the most fun to live. I lived in fairview where it was cheap but kind of boring.
Rob Coelho Hey, when are you moving? You'll love Asheville. Will say this, it doesn't feel like a typical North Carolina city, which I feel makes it very unique. Trust me I'm from TEXAS and I've been to Greensboro, Charlotte, and Wilmington and Asheville has a European feel. Lol. Good luck on the move.
@@jamesgaszak3685 do you still like it in ashville? also you stated you use to live in nashville and sarasota. which of these three areas do you prefer?
@@infoguy1978 I moved to charleston SC then to austin texas. Its all subjective to which is better. I move around a lot and enjoy different scenery. Asheville is beautiful but most of the people who live there are backwards in their thinking and wont accept any type of change even if it makes the city better. Lots of rude people with poor manners and every store seemed to overprice items by 30 to 40 percent because it does cater to many tourists during the summer months.
@@infoguy1978 I prefered Austin because of the bigger city amenities. There is no 24 hr gyms in Asheville. Charleston was very segregated. Austin has a ton of mindless hipsters but the music is good and there are many new healthy restaurants.
I used to work for FedEx. I had a 2-ton container particular fall on me and leaving me disabled. I am on a small fixed income now. How is the low-income housing situation in Asheville?
Sorry to hear about your accident. I know there are low income housing but its not going to be as easy to get around the city if you are in a wheelchair because of the very sloping gradients. Im not saying you cant do it but it wont be very easy. The surrounding cities like fairview and Arden will be less expensive and still close to the city.
@@jamesgaszak3685 Thank you, James, for your response, I have an all-terrain powered chair so I am not worried about the surrounding area. How is the public transportation situation?
I would look at fairview NC which is a very affordable area to live. There is Lake lure very close where you can feed the ducks and geese by hand. Its also only 15 minutes into downtown Asheville and 5 minutes from 2 grocery stores. Lots of older folks with families live out that way.
I like asheville I moved here from Houston Texan and I love the mountains I hike camp here often. I've been here about 14 years and there is tons to do.
I was born and raised here, 6th generation Ashevillian actually and there's literally nothing to do besides sit in all the transplant traffic and go eat somewhere. Not sure where you're going that's so much fun lol. You can see a movie, eat somewhere, hike a trail that someone has defecated on or littered on or swim or raft in e.coli river aka the French broad....
It has a small punk scene. Nothing to brag about though. I know charlotte has way more kickass live music but thats about 2 and a half hours away from Asheville.
The rent on the outskirts of Asheville is very affordable. Asheville is small so just know this going in. The weather is very rainy. And its freezing rain during most of the winter. But it's a neat little town and for a couple it would be a great place to move to.
Hi James, now that you have lived in Asheville, NC a little longer do you still feel the same way about moving there? We are making plans on taking a trip to NC to check out the town vibe. We still have not pin pointed where we will like to move to. Any information will be greatly appreciated.
Hi James, thank you for your informative straightforward videos. I'm out of state, and 2 visits in Asheville, I fell in love with the area. I'm strongly considering moving near Asheville in an affordable decent rental like you mentioned in Fairview. What resources did you use apartment hunting? Did you live in a private rental or a complex? Any areas you don't recommend after living there a while? Similar to your experience don't know the area, etc.. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thank you.🌞
Honestly most of the areas are safe compared to a big city. I lived in private houses and just went on craigslist and facebook market to rent rooms. Most of the surrounding towns were very fun and friendly. Asheville has a lot of maturing to do as a city. The police are pretty corrupt. The people are not very forward, or independent thinkers, Lots of hermits who despise any change. But the good news is many new faces and companies are giving the city a resurgence and rejuvenation it desperately needs. Just be adaptable to your job preference and you will do just fine.
Great video man. I've been looking for an unbiased take on Asheville as my wife and I are considering relocating there from Charleston. Have you explored much of West Asheville? Based on some of my research online it's descried as a cool, artsy, little hub with it's own downtown area with a creative vibe. Appreciate the info!
So west asheville is very small with maybe 3 bars, a coffee shop 2 pawn stores, grocery store and a kmart. West asheville is a little dirty and run down looking yet rent is like 900 to 1100 for a one bedroom. Nothing in Asheville will blow your mind but there are a couple fun spots. I really loved hiking and trout fishing in the citys outside of asheville.
@@jamesgaszak3685 Gotcha. What part of town would you recommend for people like us looking to buy a house based on what you've seen in your time there? Our budget would prob be around 250-300k.
@@jarredhoelle8253 so value for your money is not good in Asheville plus the taxes are very expensive so the best thing i can recommend is getting a house on the outskirts of asheville like just north in woodfin or just south in Arden. Both places are safe and literally 15 minutes from everything in Asheville.
@@jamesgaszak3685 You may be interested in this ranking. Both Asheville & Honolulu are top 10. www.kitv.com/story/40600904/honolulu-deemed-best-small-city-in-america-according-to-new-ranking
Great review of a nice city. North Carolina is a beautiful place. All of you socially awkward geeks and weirdos can come down to Florida. We have plenty of work for you!!
Canoeing The Edge Of The World Exactly. Florida is a shithole and everytime you count to 1 there's a crime happening. Florida is full of lowlives, weirdos and very dangerous.
James what Time ? Year di you live in Sarasota ? Because when I lived there 2000 to 2004 After You passed Venuce then it got country Isolated Today Sarasota is Popping
From Miami and moved to Asheville from 1992-2000 During my 20's...the best times of my life. Eventhough I'm back in Miami I keep in contact with all my life long friends that I made there. According to them Asheville lost it's soul. Too many new comers and gentrification. I can't stand Miami and still want my ashes spread on the Blue Ridge Mountains.
James, thanks for the video. I just got a job offer in Asheville. We currently live in Sarasota, Fl. When I heard you also lived in Sarasota I was super surprised. I am having some second thoughts on leaving Sarasota. We love the beach and siesta key. We have two homes here is Sarasota (one rental), and it's going to be a big deal to re-locate. My wife is a nurse and will have to find a new job if we go through with this. My 18 y/o daughter will also have to re-locate. So you can see why I am hesitant. I'd be interested on how you compare Asheville to Sarasota? Do you regret leaving Sarasota at all? The main impetus for the move, is that for some reason I can't get hired here, but have gotten a job offer in Asheville. We love the mountains and all the things you mentioned. Not a big fan of cold winters. We will miss the beach, but love the mountains. IDK, since you know about both places, just thought you could give me some insight?
Sarasota is a terrible place to find consistent work because it really depends on tourism. Asheville is a huge tourist place as well but i feel it has more steady jobs. Both places rain every other day. Asheville gets, really cold rain, and its dark and cloudy for 5 months during winter. Literally no sun for months at a time. Asheville and its surrounding cities have way more to offer in outdoor activities than Sarasota. Asheville people are from the mountains so they are way behind the times in many aspects. Most people still smoke and gyms are few and not 24hrs. If i had to choose. I would rather be in Asheville.
Its now a great scene for it jobs from what i saw. Maybe a graphic designer would do ok. Asheville is a real small city. I think Austin Texas would be way better for you. If you have any other ? Just ask.
Hi James, Thank you for your input on Asheville. I've been thinking of relocating there next year in 2020. Do you have any updates over the past year of your experience living there? Cecilia
Its a fun city but it is small. You get freezing rain with very little sunshine for winter. It does have amazing wildlife, nature, hiking, fishing, and fantastic waterfalls. Its growing and getting better every month. Its a wonderful place to raise a family. If you have any questions just ask.
How long are the winter months? I am currently living in Chicago. I have been trying to keep track of the weather difference between both locations. Are mosquitos a big issue? I used to live near the Gulf of Texas and they were waiting for you to exit or enter your car or home. Are there restaurants of Indian cuisine? Any recommendations on neighborhoods to consider living in? Have you visited Winston-Salem?
@@ceciliabryane5894 there is next to no indian food or indians from india. There are native american indians. The winters are a solid six months of freezing rain with very little sunshine. I moved because the winters are terrible. Im in south carolina now.
The homeless population is absolutely out of control, the reason for this is the abundance of drug rehabilitation centers, which you would think is good , but only 1 out of 15 people complete these programs, the majority of the ones that don't end up on the streets of Asheville, which creates the huge huge drug culture, also their is a VA, which also brings it's population of homeless veterans, which I'm not knocking, I'm myself am a veteran, and I think he's wrong about the cops, very progressive city,
Thank you for posting. This video was very positive and informative. I was curious how you found your apartment? Craigslist, newspaper or word of mouth? As for the rental rate you mentioned, is that price with you living with roommates or on your own?
I have this urge to move this next fall... and Asheville is what keeps coming up in my head... idk why?! But im coming to visit in April 2020. For whatever reason I'm being called to this place. I live in Iowa currently.
The Applachains are among the oldest mountains in the world, so not many natural lakes (any natural dams would have been washed out eons ago.) There are a few reservoirs, however, but now many. You can't swim in Lake Julien just south of downtown--it's an artificial cooling pond for the city's coal-fired generating plant, but you can boat on it.
I've been in nc my whole life. but I live on the eastern side of the state. I love my trips up to nc mountains. going up for a week to stay with my brother. super excited. I also live an hour from the beach. our coast is so great. shallower waters. lots of boating. the outer banks have really cool places like Ocracoke.and lighthouses and wild stallions. just come be a North Carolina resident LOL
Spokane has lots of cold snow in the winter but is nice and warm in the summer--dry heat, no humidity, few bugs. Trouble with Spokane is that the downtown is old and ratty and has very little culture outside the colleges (Gonzaga, etc.). Potential for forest fires is an issue as well. It is isolated (five + hours to Seattle), but within a day's drive of western Montana and Banff Nat Park--about 90 minutes to Canada. Yes, I've been to Asheville, which has far more personality.
Spokane and Asheville are starkly different. Spokane is more conservative and has a bit of a meth and homeless problem. But housing is super affordable. Asheville is more liberal and has more going for it culture wise, but it’s a bit more expensive.
thinking of moving, any thoughts/comments on areas to look in surrounding areas? I'm left politically, retired, and looking for rural/woodland property.
Fairview Nc is rural but cheap. Tons of cheap land in Marshall NC. Hendersonville is a cute little city with potential. Asheville is very overpriced if you are looking for rural affordable land.
The cost of living is a bit expensive for a small mountain town. Rent is around 700 to 850 per month for a 1 bedroom unless you have a place near downtown which then it might be 1200 to 1300 for a 1 bedroom. Besides rent gas is a bit higher and the cops are the worst.
@@jamesgaszak3685 I appreciate the reply! Under 1k would be ideal for me. Still looking for a job. Asheville just looks so appealing. Not big but not too small either.
Greatly appreciate the video, super helpful and you seem like a nice guy. :) I think the rental prices have increased since this video was made. My family is looking to relocate and we were surprised it was so high. Rentals for $600-700 aren’t great, few and far between. Maybe more is available when you’re there thru connections, etc.
Yeah the outskirts are much more affordable. Checkout fairview or Arden. They are super cheap and 10 minutes to Asheville. You are probably seeing west ashville or downtown prices..
Is rental property high? My husband and I want to re locate to Asheville in a few months. Hendersonville is our other choice. We currently live in Newberry, SC. My husband drives a Rollback for AAA.
James, I am considering moving to Asheville in May of 2020. We both have careers I am a property manager and he’s in manufacturing. Do you know if these are in demand in or around the surrounding areas? I find some every now and then on Indeed but not to many. I was just curious if you knew? Any information would be appreciated. Thank you, Colette
James gaszak Thank you. I hate to bug you again but I was just curious do you think there are more job opportunities in Wilmington NC Than Asheville NC? We are going to be leaving Colorado in May and I am just trying to make sure I’m going somewhere that at least has job opportunities. Thank you
@@colettebarnes5876 never been to Wilmington. But you need to understand colorado is huge with massive amounts of opportunity. Moving to a small city like Asheville or wilmington will cut your job opportunities into maybe 1/6th of what you are use to.
James gaszak yes, I do understand that but I’m originally from Houston Texas and people here are rude so I definitely miss the hospitality in the south and it’s extremely expensive to live here.
Hey James! Thanks for this vid.. I’m thinking of moving to Asheville! I would love if you did a video about moving! You said you’ve moved several times. This will be my first move and I would love to hear your experiences! I’ve been looking at jobs in Asheville and I’m wondering if I should wait to apply until I get my NC license? Does that make getting jobs easier? Thanks so much if you decide to do a video like this!
thanks, James - I am very seriously considering moving there within the next 6 months. I am searching for a job and saving money. I am a practicing mental health therapist and want to work at a college as well. Sound's like I will need to change my plates.
I love your video, I am relocating to Asheville to retire in a year. I am making plans now. Thank you for sharing really enjoyed. What are the price range for one bedroom apartment.
Moving from Austin to Asheville post Covid for a new job. Would love to hear your advice on monford area. Houses for rent for $1000!? Seems too low to be true. Any suggestions on a good area? Thanks for the video.
Houses for rent dont cost that much. 1000 to 1500 seems about right. Its not a big city so you have to keep that in mind. But you do have all the essentials and the crime is very low despite the lies you hear on the blogs and old reviews of the city.
Austin is way more fun all year round. Asheville is fun for 6 months then winter hits and it gets freezing rain for 6 months. Austin has better music, better looking people(Sorry Asheville but its true). Asheville has way better hiking and outdoor things to do. Austin has a superior economy that doesnt rely on tourism. Better nightlife in Austin. Asheville has way more wildlife.
@@jamesgaszak3685 thanks for the response. it sounds like your saying austin has better culture and economy but ashville is prettier? is that right? is ashville overall in the same league as austin taking all categories into consideration? thanks for the feedback. great video. **** oh last thing. are there any good paying tech jobs in Ashville? sorry that will be my last question
Asheville is like Austin 20 years ago way before Austin evolved into a thriving city. Asheville does have tech jobs but Austin has 15 times more tech jobs. I am not sure about the pay though. If you want small city life then choose Asheville. If you want a big city with all its amenities and economy then choose Austin. I am just about to move to Charleston SC because Asheville winters are pretty cold. Good luck Man.
Thank you! Looks awesome! I wanted to ask you: I Know i would have to take a regular job at first, but i'm a photographer and video editor, do you think there is a good chance for "audiovisual" people? (pardon my english) Thank you!
There are a bunch of movies that were made in asheville like the hunger games, and cold mountain was filmed there also. It would be much easier to get a video editor job in a city like austin, dallas, houston, or LA. Asheville is small like really small.
I was born and grew up in Asheville. Moved when I went away to college in 1986. The police have always been an issue in Asheville. I don't quite understand why, but the APD seems to attract the worst people in the community.
@@jamesgaszak3685 One thing I can say though is that they are equal opportunity harassers. I haven't lived there full time since 1986, but my friends and I growing up had many unnecessary encounters with the police. The Sheriffs department is not much better either. So as a native, I would say that your experience as a newcomer really isn't any different than if you were a native. However, I do love the city and its a much better place than when I grew up there, when it was basically dead with boarded up buildings downtown. The only thing to do downtown in those years was picking up a prostitute on Lexington Ave. or drugs on King Street. The fine arts theater used to be a porn theater when I grew up there.
Just because a bunch of citidiots move to the mountains doesn’t automatically mean they are going to improve the place. Maybe! The mountains are awesome because a lot of people DONT live there.
They’re small town cops. That’s how they are lol well at least where I’m from and it’s a small mountain town in Cali. I appreciate your informative video. Not a lot mention everything you mentioned about stores and extra things to do. Thanks!
Thanks James for this informative video I am a father 4. 2 kids and 2 teenagers We are planning to visit USA (for the first time) in July and we will go to NYC/Orlando/Asheville Safety is my top priority but your video is really reassuring I have 2 questions How is the weather in Asheville in July? Does it get packed with tourists in July? Regards, Nasser
Hey James, Very nice of you to make this video..and well done..:) Sorry for the kill joys..they are everywhere. I just had a quick question. Are there any super clean lakes to swim in ? I live at the Jersey shore and swim in the bay..it's wonderful. In Austin I swam at Barton Springs and Hamilton Pool..My best friend lives there. I didn't take to Austin though for various reasons. I am a singer/artist in several bands here in NJ. I know the art scene is good but how about for Abstract Art? Any good galleries selling work for decent (higher prices) ? My work went way up in value after i received a big award from the previous director of the Guggenheim/LV. What about a music scene ? I looked on Craigslist and couldn't find too many openings for lead vocalists. I also recall hearing something about gangs there..Have you encountered any of that ? Sorry there are so many questions! :)
Hi. So there are no gangs in Asheville that i have even heard about or seen. The music scene is very weak compared to Austin. I use to live in Austin and have swam at hamilton pool and Barton creek. There are lakes and rivers that you can swim in plus waterfall slides like sliding rock. The art scene is decent. Nothing on the scale of Jersey or new york. I have a video called the river arts district you should checkout. It shows a couple of galleries in Asheville. If you have any other questions just let me know😀
Hey James! I'm entertaining the idea of moving the Asheville (From NYC), I work from home as a designer, Asheville comes up as a "walkable city" online but could you share more in regards to getting around and not having a bar? I understand you live outside of the city center but any light you can shed on this topic is very appreciated :)
Asheville is a tiny city and is not walkable at all. I lived in NYC in the city and that is as good as it gets for being a walkable city. You wont survive in Asheville without having a car.
@@jamesgaszak3685 Hm, bummer to hear! This is why I ask around instead of just showing up haha. I feel to some people having one Main Street means it's "walkable" in their minds.
Honestly if you want more to do live north or west. But rent is like 1400 to 2100 a month for a two bedroom. If you want to live cheaper go southeast to fairview or Arden. The two bedrooms out there are like 850 to 1400.
Its a great place to retire. Just know that instead of 6 months of snow its 6 months of freezing rain. The cost of living is about average for a popular city. Just live in the surrounding cities and you can live really close to everything for cheap.
Lived in New Bern, NC since 2003. Recently quit my job after 7 years. Lost pretty much all my friends. Numerous bad dating situations. No kids. I have nothing holding me here. This whole decade has been a waste for me. 28 years old and just looking for a clean slate away from this godforsaken boring town lol. Asheville looks like a place I should just pick up and move to. Seems vibrant but not too big to where I'll get overwhelmed. That socially awkward dig hurt a little because I am very quiet around people I don't know lol. But a clean slate would allow me to change that too and just be a completely different person.
Cool video! It may be a long shot but would you know if it's possible to buy a home in a relatively safe area in Asheville with a budget of 150k? Asking for a friend. Cheers!
I think thats possible. It might not be a big house and it might be a fixer upper but yeah that should be doable. There are many great cities that are safe just 5 or 10 miles from Asheville like fairview or hendersonville that have great neighborhoods also.
James gaszak Thanks for the info! And just being in a good area is much more of a priority than the house size, not to mention the beautiful mountains.
There is a decent gay scene. More downtown. It's a small city so be prepared. The dating scene is a bit rough for all people since the town is not very tech savvy. You meet most people on trails and doing outdoor adventures.
@@u2fkeys665 It will be night and day from Cali. The fashionally challenged live in Asheville. Its a liberal city but kind of not in a good way. They say they want change but the city is 98 percent white people and the police aim to keep it that way.
Thanks for posting this, James. I wish every city I was looking at relocating to had such a comprehensive and *real* guide! I know this video is 8 months old. Are you still in Asheville? Any new thoughts/comments positive or negative?
I just moved to Charleston Sc. I found the winters to be too harsh and cold. Asheville is a good city but it does need some refinement. Its small and cute in the summer, but the fall and winter it is freezing rain for 6 months. Feel free to ask me questions.
Hai james, how are jobs over there. Me and my husband we are think to relocate from miami to nc. We have a mobil dog grooming. I would like to hear what your opinion is?
I would say move to charlotte cause there are a lot of poor people in Asheville who are very tight with their money. Charlotte people seem to have more money to spend.
Thank you so much for making this video James ❤. I am actually in the process of becoming an FA and have to relocate but was worried about finances. Online I cant find any cheap apartment listings. May I possibly know the name of those apartments in Fairview?? Or any around the same price??(: thank you!
I wish if i knew some apartments around here but i havent seen many. Honestly everybody uses craigslist to find places to rent. Keep in mind this city is a little behind in the times. Haha. If you need any other questions answered i will do my best to help you out.
@@brianmallia4042 that does matter for me (: And thank you for the help! I'm looking for something under $800/month at least but preferably cheaper of course.
@@mirandawheeler4957 I think the cheapest they have is around $900 but I could be wrong but tons of amenities & they're going to have a very large dog park pretty soon. I'm paying over $1100 for my floor plan but it was the nicest place I found for the $$$ and brand new. I think i have 2 other people in my building right now so I pretty much have the place to myself for now.
Thanks for the feedback yall. My future will be near the mountains. But i think Willmington is a good start. I have my family 2 hours away instead of Asheville which is like 5 hours. Didnt get a chance to check Asheville too much but it did pretty great. Willmington is also really nice and has a lot of things at reach. Well see what happens :) . Thanks
Asheville has the same vibe as Austin. Very laid back and chill but Austin is the cooler older brother that rules the world. Asheville is trying to be like Austin but just isnt grown up enough. Asheville is more expensive than Austin which doesnt make much sense. But still a fun outdoorsy city😎😎😎😎
You say something is crooked with the cops but yet, it's an AMAZING place to live. They don't let it get "ghetto" ...you think that's why they are so tough on people? So it DOESN'T become ghetto? So it remains a great place to live? I'm just saying...Smh... Leos, keep up the great work 👍🏻
The cops have a limited budget and have to make quotas i guess. I even had a guy comment that he lived in Asheville all his life and the cops have always been sketchy.
Girl I'd rather deal with asshole cops than ghettoizing of entire neighborhoods. I'd gladly handle cop harassment and profiling in lieu of a Los Angeles, San Francisco, NYC, NOLA, or Houston "sanctuary" model ;)
@@jamesgaszak3685 Crime has DRAMATICALLY increased in the area! Don't fool yourself or lie to others! There are more gang members here than you can possibly imagine. Ask ANY member of law enforcement. It is just not public knowledge and officials want to keep it that way. (And by the way, I am not " ignorant mountain folk" as you like to accuse people of being.)
Hi, I'm thinking of moving there and thanks for this video. You pat $450? for what? How big is your living space? Sorry had to ask cause it knocked me over. Please let me know as I'm trying to make decisions now. Thanks, also many gray haired folk out there?
450 was rent for a 12x15 room in a 5 bdroom house 2 bathrooms. It was a nice place. Yeah there are older folks out here but there is also young folks. Its a good mix.
The average rental cost of a 2 bedroom apartment in Asheville is almost $1200/mo + utilities. It is difficult to find more affordable housing as real estate developers cater to those coming from other places who see a $300,000 - $400,000 home as a bargain. The median yearly household income here is about $45,000 which is well below the US national average of about $55,000. Asheville’s economy is tourism driven thus most available jobs are in the low paying service industry. There is work in healthcare and some manufacturing. The Asheville area is losing a lot of what drew people here...it’s natural beauty to gross overdevelopment . There are fewer of those down to earth, friendly and kind native mountain folks as they are being marginalized and squeezed out. Yes, Asheville is “sweet “. but with continued growth, it will be just another bland, charmless, faceless urban mecca in another 20 years .
I'm a born and raised local and all the transplants are driving the housing market sky high where many locals move and either can't afford to be here or just don't want to be. The influx of people moving here is causing DESTRUCTION to the very mountains you all come here for because of the apartments and hotels being built. Please don't move here. We're beyond full.
We loved Asheville, we were there in June and visited the Biltmore, that house is a must see, my family and I live in Florida and was wondering about jobs, my husband is a decorative artist, we don't know if there are jobs there, that is our only concern, would love if you can comment back and give us some feedback, great video.
Being a decorative artist your jobs will be limited and it might be hard to have a steady income through the entire year. Its possible but i might recommend Charlotte, San Diego, or maybe one of the bigger cities for that kind of work. I dont want to discourage you from coming but i wouldnt want you to come out here and struggle either. Best of luck!
@@jamesgaszak3685 Thanks for your input, we are thinking of coming back again in March to make some more connections with the local artists, plus we love all the food, we loved also Brugger's Bagel I think is on route 26 they have amazing bagels and of course White Duck Taco is our favorite in downtown, have a great day.
Thanks. Im kind of a gypsy at heart. I think everybody should travel and experience amazing people and their cultures. Are you thinking of moving somewhere special Jill?
@@jillmorton3096 Why not Charleston SC? Thats where I live now. There is tons of jobs and a growing economy plus its way more cultured than Greenville.
I thought of Charleston too, I am on the fence if leaving a company I have worked for for 15 years. I have heard that North Charleston has a high crime rate..not sure how far away that is from Charleston
@@jillmorton3096 th-cam.com/video/HzV-5MwvkeA/w-d-xo.html That is a link to my video on moving to Charleston. Just like any town there is always a bad part, and the bad part of Charleston is north Charleston. I was told the same thing and im glad i didnt listen to those people cause charleston is really amazing. Full of museums, parks, beaches, shopping and restaurants.
I need to add the music scene here is dead now. The city has gotten rid of the buskers (street musicians) so you won't hear all of that when going downtown anymore and instead it's been replaced with homeless people constantly and aggressively asking for money. This place is terrible.
Thank you! My family and I have been seriously considering a move to Asheville and as such have been doing a lot of research on the area, but as we've recently read some negative forums, it has made us question the idea. I've been looking for the "truth" about Asheville and have found that to be a bit like trying to find a proverbial needle in the haystack. This answered most of my questions and I imagine it has helped others. Most appreciated.
I live in Black Mountain -- East of Asheville but the same County. What a wonderful place to live. I lived in New York for 33 years and did not have a problem with safety. I have live in Black Mountain since 1999 and frequent Asheville and never had a problem with safety. Racism, yes! I was born in South Carolina in 1948, therefore it's nothing new. However, here I got a lot of you ain't from around here, and you're a outsider. Why you come here? You can make friends with people, like yourself, who comes here from other places. No, the hillbillies here will not welcome you. COME ON! There is no where else I would rather live. If i can help, let me know.
I just recently moved here and have been binge watching videos. This is the best most realistic I have watched.
Thanks, James, Looking to retire to Asheville, NC in the next few years. Your video is so spot on.
Thanks. All the locals dont like me much for putting out this video. But if it helps other people make an easier transition it was worth it.😄
Is this a deleted scene from a scanner darkley
I'm glad ,I ruined into your video.Thank you for giving a realistic Opinion of what Asheville is really about.Very grateful.Hugs of Luck,light and love.From Coral Gables and Oceanfront Florida🕊💐🌻💐🌺💐🌹💐🏵💐💮💐🌸💐🌼💐
Thank you for making this! About to move soon. Great info.
Thank you for the info Have a good week
You are so welcome!
Really well-rounded helpful assessment! Thanks dude!
You are welcome dude😁
Newcomers are funny ne just don't try to change what you came here in the first place for. We have been here and we like it this way. We welcome all folks . We do not welcome people who try to turn our city into some Florida town or a West coast place we are country and we are mountain folk. Some of he best people you could ever meet
visited in 2017 and fell in love with the city. fast forward two years and I have a phone interview with a company there tomorrow morning. I could jump out of my skin I'm so excited. maybe I'll be bumping into you in Asheville soon.
I hope it all works out great for you😎😎😎
Did you get the job?
We are thinking of moving to the SE from the SW (Arizona) We are retired. Just want an acre or so, outside of town where we can have a nice garden, chickens .. Country life.. Not enough rain for a garden here.
@@NorthtoHopeDesert_Hues actually I did not get the job. they called and yanked the rug out from under me about two weeks before I was set to move. big time bummer. so I remain in MS. tons of very cheap spots in MS with plenty of room to grow a garden AND we get more rain here than just about anywhere in the country. of course there's no gorgeous scenery like the Appalachians, but ya know.
I'm a born and raised local, 6th generation actually, and all the transplants (mostly from Florida, new York and California) are driving the housing market sky high where many locals move out of state and either can't afford to be here or just don't want to be. The influx of people moving here is causing DESTRUCTION to the very mountains you all come here for because of the apartments and hotels being built. This is why many TRUE locals aren't very friendly to transplants. Please don't move here. We're beyond full. The traffic is horrendous compared to what it was, the drug problem is RIDICULOUS, homelessness is RAMPANT, crime is high, prices are high and it takes two plus jobs to survive. Sounds like heaven right?
Burn and raised, still living in Trash ville. You are spot on.
Thank you for the detail information.
I've been here all my life and I agree to everything you say definitely the People Are Awesome don't worry about finding a job you can fly sign here and make $200 a day
ASHEVILLE MOVING COMPANY what do you mean fly sign? Panhandle?
@@TheAngeliaMusic
He means stand in front of a building and wave a sign at traffic advertising the business within (e.g., CBD oil, income tax, etc.)
@@TheAngeliaMusic he didn't mean panhandling. He mean twist and flip the signs in front of the business.
I find those young white people panhandling here irritating. Why don't the cops do something about that?
If it was black people, they would. They Got the nerve to have a dog with a homeless sign. I told one lately to get a job, and that they were giving Asheville a bad rap. I throw one, who said they were hungry, a banana. Another had a sign stating I am dreaming of a hamburger. I brought food from burger King for that person-- they didn't want it, wanted money.
Thank you for making this video me and my family are planning relocating in 2019 and Asheville NC seems like everything we are looking for our family!!!!!!
Glad i could help.
Josebeth Agostini I’m 14 but I’ve lived here my whole life it’s the mos tamarind place on earth good choice
My fiance and I have lived in Providence RI, San Diego CA (which we absolutely loved), and now Ft. Lauderdale FL. We are so tired of the crime and the traffic and the sprawl. We miss being out in mature so much. Thank you for the video, its so hard to find info on what its like to relocate to another city.
If you love nature this is the city to be in. Great trails, hiking and fishing everywhere.
I’m from NY and lived in SD and now FTL. Thinking about Asheville next.
Great video James!
That was a lot if help! Thank you!
Have you visited Weaverville? We are thinking of moving there to be close to the city but also not directly in it.
Yeah I have been close to weaverville which seems beautiful. Some parts are rich and some parts are rural. It's not far from Asheville which is nice. You will probably have pretty bad phone and internet reception. So keep that in mind.
There is 250 restaurants in Asheville NC.. And about 20 Tailgate markets! I'm on my way from Charleston SC
Great vid. Thought about moving to Asheville. Visited and loved the area. This year has really rained a lot. When looking at the weather channel it seems it is raining everyday. How bad is it? Any areas to recommend?
Thanks. Yeah it rains about once every three days but its mainly light rain. It is known as a rainforest. I think south Asheville and west asheville are the most fun to live. I lived in fairview where it was cheap but kind of boring.
@@jamesgaszak3685 Thanks.
Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for the succinct breakdown. I'll change my Utah plates as soon as I get there.
Rob Coelho Hey, when are you moving? You'll love Asheville. Will say this, it doesn't feel like a typical North Carolina city, which I feel makes it very unique. Trust me I'm from TEXAS and I've been to Greensboro, Charlotte, and Wilmington and Asheville has a European feel. Lol. Good luck on the move.
It's terrible here..... please don't. :(
Great review and very helpful...thanks
Thank you so much!
Thanks so much for the video. Very informative
You are welcome.
James gaszak- can you provide an update on your experieneces?
What are some things you would be interested in hearing about?
@@jamesgaszak3685 do you still like it in ashville? also you stated you use to live in nashville and sarasota. which of these three areas do you prefer?
@@infoguy1978 I moved to charleston SC then to austin texas. Its all subjective to which is better. I move around a lot and enjoy different scenery. Asheville is beautiful but most of the people who live there are backwards in their thinking and wont accept any type of change even if it makes the city better. Lots of rude people with poor manners and every store seemed to overprice items by 30 to 40 percent because it does cater to many tourists during the summer months.
@@jamesgaszak3685 did you prefer charleston over ashville and austin?
@@infoguy1978 I prefered Austin because of the bigger city amenities. There is no 24 hr gyms in Asheville. Charleston was very segregated. Austin has a ton of mindless hipsters but the music is good and there are many new healthy restaurants.
I used to work for FedEx. I had a 2-ton container particular fall on me and leaving me disabled. I am on a small fixed income now. How is the low-income housing situation in Asheville?
Sorry to hear about your accident. I know there are low income housing but its not going to be as easy to get around the city if you are in a wheelchair because of the very sloping gradients. Im not saying you cant do it but it wont be very easy. The surrounding cities like fairview and Arden will be less expensive and still close to the city.
@@jamesgaszak3685 Thank you, James, for your response, I have an all-terrain powered chair so I am not worried about the surrounding area. How is the public transportation situation?
@@burtonh1 public transportation is not good. There is a few buses but they dont run often and are very sporatically placed.
thank you for sharing. Great information. I am a 70 yr old widow looking to relocate. Is there a section that you think would be better for me??? thx
I would look at fairview NC which is a very affordable area to live. There is Lake lure very close where you can feed the ducks and geese by hand. Its also only 15 minutes into downtown Asheville and 5 minutes from 2 grocery stores. Lots of older folks with families live out that way.
I like asheville I moved here from Houston Texan and I love the mountains I hike camp here often. I've been here about 14 years and there is tons to do.
Glad you enjoy Asheville!
Glad you enjoy Asheville!
I was born and raised here, 6th generation Ashevillian actually and there's literally nothing to do besides sit in all the transplant traffic and go eat somewhere. Not sure where you're going that's so much fun lol. You can see a movie, eat somewhere, hike a trail that someone has defecated on or littered on or swim or raft in e.coli river aka the French broad....
Raven Black sounds like you need a change of scenery. A little stagnation has set in...
@@ruev503 I'm a true local and I'm not letting transplants run me out of my own town.
How's the punk and metal scene?
It has a small punk scene. Nothing to brag about though. I know charlotte has way more kickass live music but thats about 2 and a half hours away from Asheville.
Thanks for the video. So rent is affordable then? How do you feel about the weather
The rent on the outskirts of Asheville is very affordable. Asheville is small so just know this going in. The weather is very rainy. And its freezing rain during most of the winter. But it's a neat little town and for a couple it would be a great place to move to.
Thx bro, am seriously thinking bout it.
I wanna know Asheville and to live forever in this beautiful place.
Thank you.
Hi James, now that you have lived in Asheville, NC a little longer do you still feel the same way about moving there? We are making plans on taking a trip to NC to check out the town vibe. We still have not pin pointed where we will like to move to. Any information will be greatly appreciated.
Read the comments below. I have answered that question about 20 times already😃😃😃
Hi James, thank you for your informative straightforward videos. I'm out of state, and 2 visits in Asheville, I fell in love with the area. I'm strongly considering moving near Asheville in an affordable decent rental like you mentioned in Fairview. What resources did you use apartment hunting? Did you live in a private rental or a complex? Any areas you don't recommend after living there a while? Similar to your experience don't know the area, etc..
Any input is greatly appreciated. Thank you.🌞
Honestly most of the areas are safe compared to a big city. I lived in private houses and just went on craigslist and facebook market to rent rooms. Most of the surrounding towns were very fun and friendly. Asheville has a lot of maturing to do as a city. The police are pretty corrupt. The people are not very forward, or independent thinkers, Lots of hermits who despise any change. But the good news is many new faces and companies are giving the city a resurgence and rejuvenation it desperately needs. Just be adaptable to your job preference and you will do just fine.
Great video man. I've been looking for an unbiased take on Asheville as my wife and I are considering relocating there from Charleston. Have you explored much of West Asheville? Based on some of my research online it's descried as a cool, artsy, little hub with it's own downtown area with a creative vibe. Appreciate the info!
So west asheville is very small with maybe 3 bars, a coffee shop 2 pawn stores, grocery store and a kmart. West asheville is a little dirty and run down looking yet rent is like 900 to 1100 for a one bedroom. Nothing in Asheville will blow your mind but there are a couple fun spots. I really loved hiking and trout fishing in the citys outside of asheville.
@@jamesgaszak3685 Gotcha. What part of town would you recommend for people like us looking to buy a house based on what you've seen in your time there? Our budget would prob be around 250-300k.
@@jarredhoelle8253 so value for your money is not good in Asheville plus the taxes are very expensive so the best thing i can recommend is getting a house on the outskirts of asheville like just north in woodfin or just south in Arden. Both places are safe and literally 15 minutes from everything in Asheville.
@@jamesgaszak3685 Thanks for the advice man, appreciate the info!
@@jarredhoelle8253 So how is it ?
Thanks man. Very helpful. Let me know when you want to move to Honolulu. But be warned gas is $3.41 per gallon!
Thanks. I actually thought about moving there but i heard shipping things to Hawaii is crazy expensive.
@@jamesgaszak3685 You may be interested in this ranking. Both Asheville & Honolulu are top 10. www.kitv.com/story/40600904/honolulu-deemed-best-small-city-in-america-according-to-new-ranking
Grew up in Jersey, went to college in South Carolina. Got 6 tickets in the first 5 months I lived there. They did not like Yankees.
Great review of a nice city. North Carolina is a beautiful place. All of you socially awkward geeks and weirdos can come down to Florida. We have plenty of work for you!!
Canoeing The Edge Of The World Exactly. Florida is a shithole and everytime you count to 1 there's a crime happening. Florida is full of lowlives, weirdos and very dangerous.
Canoeing The Edge Of The World we are coming to Florida!
James what Time ? Year di you live in Sarasota ?
Because when I lived there 2000 to 2004
After You passed Venuce then it got country Isolated Today Sarasota is Popping
I lived there around 2008 and it was a ghost town. It was beautiful though.
Great video!
From Miami and moved to Asheville from 1992-2000 During my 20's...the best times of my life. Eventhough I'm back in Miami I keep in contact with all my life long friends that I made there. According to them Asheville lost it's soul. Too many new comers and gentrification. I can't stand Miami and still want my ashes spread on the Blue Ridge Mountains.
James, thanks for the video. I just got a job offer in Asheville. We currently live in Sarasota, Fl. When I heard you also lived in Sarasota I was super surprised. I am having some second thoughts on leaving Sarasota. We love the beach and siesta key. We have two homes here is Sarasota (one rental), and it's going to be a big deal to re-locate. My wife is a nurse and will have to find a new job if we go through with this. My 18 y/o daughter will also have to re-locate. So you can see why I am hesitant. I'd be interested on how you compare Asheville to Sarasota? Do you regret leaving Sarasota at all? The main impetus for the move, is that for some reason I can't get hired here, but have gotten a job offer in Asheville. We love the mountains and all the things you mentioned. Not a big fan of cold winters. We will miss the beach, but love the mountains. IDK, since you know about both places, just thought you could give me some insight?
Sarasota is a terrible place to find consistent work because it really depends on tourism. Asheville is a huge tourist place as well but i feel it has more steady jobs. Both places rain every other day. Asheville gets, really cold rain, and its dark and cloudy for 5 months during winter. Literally no sun for months at a time. Asheville and its surrounding cities have way more to offer in outdoor activities than Sarasota. Asheville people are from the mountains so they are way behind the times in many aspects. Most people still smoke and gyms are few and not 24hrs. If i had to choose. I would rather be in Asheville.
Thinking about moving from New England. How is the information technology scene there for jobs?
Its now a great scene for it jobs from what i saw. Maybe a graphic designer would do ok. Asheville is a real small city. I think Austin Texas would be way better for you. If you have any other ? Just ask.
@@jamesgaszak3685 Thanks!
Charlotte is huge for Information technology. You’ll make a great salary. However...... Charlotte and Asheville are 2 different worlds.
Hi James, Thank you for your input on Asheville. I've been thinking of relocating there next year in 2020. Do you have any updates over the past year of your experience living there? Cecilia
Its a fun city but it is small. You get freezing rain with very little sunshine for winter. It does have amazing wildlife, nature, hiking, fishing, and fantastic waterfalls. Its growing and getting better every month. Its a wonderful place to raise a family. If you have any questions just ask.
How long are the winter months? I am currently living in Chicago. I have been trying to keep track of the weather difference between both locations. Are mosquitos a big issue? I used to live near the Gulf of Texas and they were waiting for you to exit or enter your car or home. Are there restaurants of Indian cuisine? Any recommendations on neighborhoods to consider living in? Have you visited Winston-Salem?
@@ceciliabryane5894 there is next to no indian food or indians from india. There are native american indians. The winters are a solid six months of freezing rain with very little sunshine. I moved because the winters are terrible. Im in south carolina now.
The homeless population is absolutely out of control, the reason for this is the abundance of drug rehabilitation centers, which you would think is good , but only 1 out of 15 people complete these programs, the majority of the ones that don't end up on the streets of Asheville, which creates the huge huge drug culture, also their is a VA, which also brings it's population of homeless veterans, which I'm not knocking, I'm myself am a veteran, and I think he's wrong about the cops, very progressive city,
Thank you for posting. This video was very positive and informative. I was curious how you found your apartment? Craigslist, newspaper or word of mouth? As for the rental rate you mentioned, is that price with you living with roommates or on your own?
With roommates
I have this urge to move this next fall... and Asheville is what keeps coming up in my head... idk why?! But im coming to visit in April 2020. For whatever reason I'm being called to this place. I live in Iowa currently.
Hey James. Living near water is a huge item on my check list. Does Asheville have a lot of places to jump in lakes or calm rivers?
Oh yeah. There are creeks, rivers, lakes, pools that you can swim in. Plus its a great canoeing/kayaking scene as well.
The Applachains are among the oldest mountains in the world, so not many natural lakes (any natural dams would have been washed out eons ago.) There are a few reservoirs, however, but now many. You can't swim in Lake Julien just south of downtown--it's an artificial cooling pond for the city's coal-fired generating plant, but you can boat on it.
@@Greatdome99 isnt lake lure around there?
No gators
Trying to decide between moving to Spokane Valley, WA or Asheville, NC? Been to Asheville, loved it! Haven't been to Spokane Valley.
I dont know much about Spokane WA but i know Ashevilles weather will be much warmer especially in the winter. Im sure Spokane is a cool spot also.
I've been in nc my whole life. but I live on the eastern side of the state. I love my trips up to nc mountains. going up for a week to stay with my brother. super excited. I also live an hour from the beach. our coast is so great. shallower waters. lots of boating. the outer banks have really cool places like Ocracoke.and lighthouses and wild stallions. just come be a North Carolina resident LOL
Spokane has lots of cold snow in the winter but is nice and warm in the summer--dry heat, no humidity, few bugs. Trouble with Spokane is that the downtown is old and ratty and has very little culture outside the colleges (Gonzaga, etc.). Potential for forest fires is an issue as well. It is isolated (five + hours to Seattle), but within a day's drive of western Montana and Banff Nat Park--about 90 minutes to Canada.
Yes, I've been to Asheville, which has far more personality.
James gaszak I'm moving to Asheville!
Spokane and Asheville are starkly different. Spokane is more conservative and has a bit of a meth and homeless problem. But housing is super affordable. Asheville is more liberal and has more going for it culture wise, but it’s a bit more expensive.
Awesome video
Thanks man!
thinking of moving, any thoughts/comments on areas to look in surrounding areas? I'm left politically, retired, and looking for rural/woodland property.
Fairview Nc is rural but cheap. Tons of cheap land in Marshall NC. Hendersonville is a cute little city with potential. Asheville is very overpriced if you are looking for rural affordable land.
Really liked the video man. How is the cost of living? Easy to find a place at or under 1k per month?
The cost of living is a bit expensive for a small mountain town. Rent is around 700 to 850 per month for a 1 bedroom unless you have a place near downtown which then it might be 1200 to 1300 for a 1 bedroom. Besides rent gas is a bit higher and the cops are the worst.
@@jamesgaszak3685 I appreciate the reply! Under 1k would be ideal for me. Still looking for a job. Asheville just looks so appealing. Not big but not too small either.
Greatly appreciate the video, super helpful and you seem like a nice guy. :) I think the rental prices have increased since this video was made. My family is looking to relocate and we were surprised it was so high. Rentals for $600-700 aren’t great, few and far between. Maybe more is available when you’re there thru connections, etc.
Yeah the outskirts are much more affordable. Checkout fairview or Arden. They are super cheap and 10 minutes to Asheville. You are probably seeing west ashville or downtown prices..
Is rental property high? My husband and I want to re locate to Asheville in a few months. Hendersonville is our other choice. We currently live in Newberry, SC. My husband drives a Rollback for AAA.
Great video, thank you!! Are you still in Asheville? We’re considering leaving Florida. We are originally from Alaska and miss it
Yes im still in Asheville. If you love nature you will love it in Asheville. Hopefully you give this city a shot.
Florida is becoming over populated and lots of crime ...can’t wait to get out.
jaasun71 I agree with you.
Also me too I'm trying to get out next year from Florida to Asheville
Same from Florida to ashville..im worried about the rent cost there and finding employment
Housing is very expensive here. Not trying to discourage, but check that out first.
James,
I am considering moving to Asheville in May of 2020. We both have careers I am a property manager and he’s in manufacturing. Do you know if these are in demand in or around the surrounding areas? I find some every now and then on Indeed but not to many. I was just curious if you knew? Any information would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Colette
Wish i could tell you but i am not in those fields and didnt hear much about it. Sorry.
James gaszak Thank you. I hate to bug you again but I was just curious do you think there are more job opportunities in Wilmington NC Than Asheville NC? We are going to be leaving Colorado in May and I am just trying to make sure I’m going somewhere that at least has job opportunities. Thank you
@@colettebarnes5876 never been to Wilmington. But you need to understand colorado is huge with massive amounts of opportunity. Moving to a small city like Asheville or wilmington will cut your job opportunities into maybe 1/6th of what you are use to.
James gaszak yes, I do understand that but I’m originally from Houston Texas and people here are rude so I definitely miss the hospitality in the south and it’s extremely expensive to live here.
@@colettebarnes5876 Austin is an amazing city with opportunity for growth. Thats where i am living now.
Hey James! Thanks for this vid.. I’m thinking of moving to Asheville! I would love if you did a video about moving! You said you’ve moved several times. This will be my first move and I would love to hear your experiences! I’ve been looking at jobs in Asheville and I’m wondering if I should wait to apply until I get my NC license? Does that make getting jobs easier? Thanks so much if you decide to do a video like this!
All Praises due to the Most High God
thanks, James - I am very seriously considering moving there within the next 6 months. I am searching for a job and saving money. I am a practicing mental health therapist and want to work at a college as well. Sound's like I will need to change my plates.
We definitely have at least three Walmarts here.
What’s express, buckle and coach?
Those are designer brands for shopping. Mostly at the factory outlet.
I love your video, I am relocating to Asheville to retire in a year. I am making plans now. Thank you for sharing really enjoyed. What are the price range for one bedroom apartment.
Thanks. Prices go from 450 to 1100.. There are many resonable prices everywhere if you are looking.
Moving from Austin to Asheville post Covid for a new job. Would love to hear your advice on monford area. Houses for rent for $1000!? Seems too low to be true. Any suggestions on a good area? Thanks for the video.
Houses for rent dont cost that much. 1000 to 1500 seems about right. Its not a big city so you have to keep that in mind. But you do have all the essentials and the crime is very low despite the lies you hear on the blogs and old reviews of the city.
Or should I say how much to buy a home there
How did you find your rental?
Craigslist
ames gaszak
- what do you like better austin or ashville? i stayed in austin for 7 months so i'm trying to compare
Austin is way more fun all year round. Asheville is fun for 6 months then winter hits and it gets freezing rain for 6 months. Austin has better music, better looking people(Sorry Asheville but its true). Asheville has way better hiking and outdoor things to do. Austin has a superior economy that doesnt rely on tourism. Better nightlife in Austin. Asheville has way more wildlife.
@@jamesgaszak3685 thanks for the response. it sounds like your saying austin has better culture and economy but ashville is prettier? is that right? is ashville overall in the same league as austin taking all categories into consideration? thanks for the feedback. great video. **** oh last thing. are there any good paying tech jobs in Ashville? sorry that will be my last question
Asheville is like Austin 20 years ago way before Austin evolved into a thriving city. Asheville does have tech jobs but Austin has 15 times more tech jobs. I am not sure about the pay though. If you want small city life then choose Asheville. If you want a big city with all its amenities and economy then choose Austin. I am just about to move to Charleston SC because Asheville winters are pretty cold. Good luck Man.
@@jamesgaszak3685 So you didn't stay there long then?
@@joez3706 i was there for a full year.
Thank you! Looks awesome! I wanted to ask you:
I Know i would have to take a regular job at first, but i'm a photographer and video editor, do you think there is a good chance for "audiovisual" people? (pardon my english)
Thank you!
There are a bunch of movies that were made in asheville like the hunger games, and cold mountain was filmed there also. It would be much easier to get a video editor job in a city like austin, dallas, houston, or LA. Asheville is small like really small.
No, family members with degrees and experience are unable to find substantial jobs in that field.
Lol. No weirdos in Asheville. Stay in Florida people. Nothing to see here
I was born and grew up in Asheville. Moved when I went away to college in 1986. The police have always been an issue in Asheville. I don't quite understand why, but the APD seems to attract the worst people in the community.
Amen brother. I always try to be polite with them but they are not friendly or understanding.
@@jamesgaszak3685 One thing I can say though is that they are equal opportunity harassers. I haven't lived there full time since 1986, but my friends and I growing up had many unnecessary encounters with the police. The Sheriffs department is not much better either. So as a native, I would say that your experience as a newcomer really isn't any different than if you were a native. However, I do love the city and its a much better place than when I grew up there, when it was basically dead with boarded up buildings downtown. The only thing to do downtown in those years was picking up a prostitute on Lexington Ave. or drugs on King Street. The fine arts theater used to be a porn theater when I grew up there.
How much are the homes there ?
Is it diverse with different cultures of people of different ethnicities?
Its almost all white people. Very few other ethnicities. A few indians, a few asians, a few black people. 96 percent white people though.
Hi James, I lived in NYC, Fort Lauderdale and now Austin, thinking about Asheville now. Can you get in touch with me?
I am living in Austin now too. What do you want to know?
Thank you. I hope someday soon to move to that area. ✌🏻
You are welcome😀😀😀
Just because a bunch of citidiots move to the mountains doesn’t automatically mean they are going to improve the place. Maybe! The mountains are awesome because a lot of people DONT live there.
They’re small town cops. That’s how they are lol well at least where I’m from and it’s a small mountain town in Cali. I appreciate your informative video. Not a lot mention everything you mentioned about stores and extra things to do. Thanks!
Thanks James for this informative video
I am a father 4. 2 kids and 2 teenagers
We are planning to visit USA (for the first time) in July and we will go to NYC/Orlando/Asheville
Safety is my top priority but your video is really reassuring
I have 2 questions
How is the weather in Asheville in July?
Does it get packed with tourists in July?
Regards,
Nasser
Nasser Alharbi it’s so hot in July! It could get to 80s so often.
It rains alot in july but its beautiful. It does have traffic but its not bad at all. You will have fun!
Hey James, Very nice of you to make this video..and well done..:) Sorry for the kill joys..they are everywhere. I just had a quick question. Are there any super clean lakes to swim in ? I live at the Jersey shore and swim in the bay..it's wonderful. In Austin I swam at Barton Springs and Hamilton Pool..My best friend lives there. I didn't take to Austin though for various reasons. I am a singer/artist in several bands here in NJ. I know the art scene is good but how about for Abstract Art? Any good galleries selling work for decent (higher prices) ? My work went way up in value after i received a big award from the previous director of the Guggenheim/LV. What about a music scene ? I looked on Craigslist and couldn't find too many openings for lead vocalists. I also recall hearing something about gangs there..Have you encountered any of that ? Sorry there are so many questions! :)
Hi. So there are no gangs in Asheville that i have even heard about or seen. The music scene is very weak compared to Austin. I use to live in Austin and have swam at hamilton pool and Barton creek. There are lakes and rivers that you can swim in plus waterfall slides like sliding rock. The art scene is decent. Nothing on the scale of Jersey or new york. I have a video called the river arts district you should checkout. It shows a couple of galleries in Asheville. If you have any other questions just let me know😀
th-cam.com/video/LukGXFVi75k/w-d-xo.html
My river arts district video in asheville link
Thanks so much for your reply and videos!! Awesome!!
Great and informative video, just what I was looking for. Ty
You are welcome.
Really honest video .. What about for latinos?? Im in Uruguay.. Been in Miami,Nj but planing to go back ever. Canton,Georgia or ashville,Nc
Yeah some of my best friends are latinos and they live in Asheville just fine. I think you will do great here.
@@jamesgaszak3685 thanks for the fast answer hahaa
James gaszak haha just fine I like you because ur very honest
Hey James! I'm entertaining the idea of moving the Asheville (From NYC), I work from home as a designer, Asheville comes up as a "walkable city" online but could you share more in regards to getting around and not having a bar? I understand you live outside of the city center but any light you can shed on this topic is very appreciated :)
Asheville is a tiny city and is not walkable at all. I lived in NYC in the city and that is as good as it gets for being a walkable city. You wont survive in Asheville without having a car.
@@jamesgaszak3685 Hm, bummer to hear! This is why I ask around instead of just showing up haha. I feel to some people having one Main Street means it's "walkable" in their minds.
A nice apartment complex with amenities 2 bedroom 2 bath? How are prices and best place in Asheville to live
Honestly if you want more to do live north or west. But rent is like 1400 to 2100 a month for a two bedroom. If you want to live cheaper go southeast to fairview or Arden. The two bedrooms out there are like 850 to 1400.
James gaszak thank you James 🌟
I’m transferring to Asheville, how’s the driving and traffic (I’m in west Texas Driver are horrible here)
AWFUL TRAFFIC.
Do you think it's a good place to retire? I plan to do so in the near future. What about the cost of living?
Its a great place to retire. Just know that instead of 6 months of snow its 6 months of freezing rain. The cost of living is about average for a popular city. Just live in the surrounding cities and you can live really close to everything for cheap.
Lived in New Bern, NC since 2003. Recently quit my job after 7 years. Lost pretty much all my friends. Numerous bad dating situations. No kids. I have nothing holding me here. This whole decade has been a waste for me. 28 years old and just looking for a clean slate away from this godforsaken boring town lol. Asheville looks like a place I should just pick up and move to. Seems vibrant but not too big to where I'll get overwhelmed. That socially awkward dig hurt a little because I am very quiet around people I don't know lol. But a clean slate would allow me to change that too and just be a completely different person.
You might love it in Asheville. Also checkout Austin Tx both great cities!
@@comradefired1260 i dont think you know what a hippie is! Haha.
@@comradefired1260 Forgot about this comment. Not sure if hippy would describe me at all. Obviously I won't take your comment to heart buddy lol.
@@comradefired1260 Aaaaaaaaand what do you do with a joke? Not take it to heart right lol. What's the problem?
Cool video! It may be a long shot but would you know if it's possible to buy a home in a relatively safe area in Asheville with a
budget of 150k? Asking for a friend. Cheers!
I think thats possible. It might not be a big house and it might be a fixer upper but yeah that should be doable. There are many great cities that are safe just 5 or 10 miles from Asheville like fairview or hendersonville that have great neighborhoods also.
James gaszak Thanks for the info! And just being in a good area is much more of a priority than the house size, not to mention the beautiful mountains.
I'm a Realtor if you need help. Best shot might be outside the city limits but it depends on what your looking for.
You may want to consider one of the outlying towns, like Leicester. Homes are much more affordable and the drive to AVL is short.
Not in asheville but farview and woodfin would be doable. I lived there for 10 years
Do you know if there’s a vibrant gay & lesbian scene in Asheville?
There is a decent gay scene. More downtown. It's a small city so be prepared. The dating scene is a bit rough for all people since the town is not very tech savvy. You meet most people on trails and doing outdoor adventures.
Any big companies moving to Asheville, hows the economic future looking like?
Its not booming but its steadily growing. I can imagine many people from California will be moving to Asheville and Austin.
@@jamesgaszak3685 yes I'm from cali and looking to move there
@@u2fkeys665 It will be night and day from Cali. The fashionally challenged live in Asheville. Its a liberal city but kind of not in a good way. They say they want change but the city is 98 percent white people and the police aim to keep it that way.
@@jamesgaszak3685 well im looking to buy real estate to rent out dont really care about race majority to be honest.
@@jamesgaszak3685 do you still live there?
Thanks for posting this, James. I wish every city I was looking at relocating to had such a comprehensive and *real* guide! I know this video is 8 months old. Are you still in Asheville? Any new thoughts/comments positive or negative?
I just moved to Charleston Sc. I found the winters to be too harsh and cold. Asheville is a good city but it does need some refinement. Its small and cute in the summer, but the fall and winter it is freezing rain for 6 months. Feel free to ask me questions.
Hai james, how are jobs over there. Me and my husband we are think to relocate from miami to nc. We have a mobil dog grooming. I would like to hear what your opinion is?
I would say move to charlotte cause there are a lot of poor people in Asheville who are very tight with their money. Charlotte people seem to have more money to spend.
Thank you so much for making this video James ❤. I am actually in the process of becoming an FA and have to relocate but was worried about finances. Online I cant find any cheap apartment listings. May I possibly know the name of those apartments in Fairview?? Or any around the same price??(: thank you!
I wish if i knew some apartments around here but i havent seen many. Honestly everybody uses craigslist to find places to rent. Keep in mind this city is a little behind in the times. Haha. If you need any other questions answered i will do my best to help you out.
I'm in a brand new apartment in Skyland. Dog friendly if that matters. What's your price point?
@@brianmallia4042 that does matter for me (: And thank you for the help! I'm looking for something under $800/month at least but preferably cheaper of course.
@@mirandawheeler4957 I think the cheapest they have is around $900 but I could be wrong but tons of amenities & they're going to have a very large dog park pretty soon. I'm paying over $1100 for my floor plan but it was the nicest place I found for the $$$ and brand new. I think i have 2 other people in my building right now so I pretty much have the place to myself for now.
@@brianmallia4042 ohh wow :O Thank you for the great insight! I wonder why its so expensive lol. Apartments here in Texas are pretty cheap
I live in eastern Carolina and thinking of getting out. Perhaps to Wilmington or perhaps to Asheville
I heard wilmington is super small.
@@jamesgaszak3685 Population: 119,045
Thanks for the feedback yall. My future will be near the mountains. But i think Willmington is a good start. I have my family 2 hours away instead of Asheville which is like 5 hours. Didnt get a chance to check Asheville too much but it did pretty great. Willmington is also really nice and has a lot of things at reach. Well see what happens :) . Thanks
How does Asheville compare to Austin?
Asheville has the same vibe as Austin. Very laid back and chill but Austin is the cooler older brother that rules the world. Asheville is trying to be like Austin but just isnt grown up enough. Asheville is more expensive than Austin which doesnt make much sense. But still a fun outdoorsy city😎😎😎😎
Austin has 200 bars and tons of alcoholics .
@@tt55k Asheville has breweries, and just as bad!
You say something is crooked with the cops but yet, it's an AMAZING place to live. They don't let it get "ghetto" ...you think that's why they are so tough on people? So it DOESN'T become ghetto? So it remains a great place to live? I'm just saying...Smh... Leos, keep up the great work 👍🏻
The cops have a limited budget and have to make quotas i guess. I even had a guy comment that he lived in Asheville all his life and the cops have always been sketchy.
Definitely.
Girl I'd rather deal with asshole cops than ghettoizing of entire neighborhoods. I'd gladly handle cop harassment and profiling in lieu of a Los Angeles, San Francisco, NYC, NOLA, or Houston "sanctuary" model ;)
@@jamesgaszak3685 Crime has DRAMATICALLY increased in the area! Don't fool yourself or lie to others! There are more gang members here than you can possibly imagine. Ask ANY member of law enforcement. It is just not public knowledge and officials want to keep it that way. (And by the way, I am not " ignorant mountain folk" as you like to accuse people of being.)
@@rjones9600 yea, KKK and proud boys.
Hi, I'm thinking of moving there and thanks for this video. You pat $450? for what? How big is your living space? Sorry had to ask cause it knocked me over. Please let me know as I'm trying to make decisions now. Thanks, also many gray haired folk out there?
450 was rent for a 12x15 room in a 5 bdroom house 2 bathrooms. It was a nice place. Yeah there are older folks out here but there is also young folks. Its a good mix.
thank you for getting back to me!! el@@jamesgaszak3685
The average rental cost of a 2 bedroom apartment in Asheville is almost $1200/mo + utilities. It is difficult to find more affordable housing as real estate developers cater to those coming from other places who see a $300,000 - $400,000 home as a bargain. The median yearly household income here is about $45,000 which is well below the US national average of about $55,000. Asheville’s economy is tourism driven thus most available jobs are in the low paying service industry. There is work in healthcare and some manufacturing. The Asheville area is losing a lot of what drew people here...it’s natural beauty to gross overdevelopment . There are fewer of those down to earth, friendly and kind native mountain folks as they are being marginalized and squeezed out. Yes, Asheville is “sweet “. but with continued growth, it will be just another bland, charmless, faceless urban mecca in another 20 years .
Can you speak on the ratio of locals to tourists? Are a lot of locals moving?
I'm a born and raised local and all the transplants are driving the housing market sky high where many locals move and either can't afford to be here or just don't want to be. The influx of people moving here is causing DESTRUCTION to the very mountains you all come here for because of the apartments and hotels being built. Please don't move here. We're beyond full.
@@RavenBlack_7 thank you for saying it!
I totally agree with you!! I was born and raised here as well.
We loved Asheville, we were there in June and visited the Biltmore, that house is a must see, my family and I live in Florida and was wondering about jobs, my husband is a decorative artist, we don't know if there are jobs there, that is our only concern, would love if you can comment back and give us some feedback, great video.
Being a decorative artist your jobs will be limited and it might be hard to have a steady income through the entire year. Its possible but i might recommend Charlotte, San Diego, or maybe one of the bigger cities for that kind of work. I dont want to discourage you from coming but i wouldnt want you to come out here and struggle either. Best of luck!
@@jamesgaszak3685 Thanks for your input, we are thinking of coming back again in March to make some more connections with the local artists, plus we love all the food, we loved also Brugger's Bagel I think is on route 26 they have amazing bagels and of course White Duck Taco is our favorite in downtown, have a great day.
It sounds like you have lived in alot of awesome places ( all on top best places to live)😁
Thanks. Im kind of a gypsy at heart. I think everybody should travel and experience amazing people and their cultures. Are you thinking of moving somewhere special Jill?
Yet to be determined ha. I have been eyeing Greenville SC which I could do a job transfer to. Time will tell😁
@@jillmorton3096 Why not Charleston SC? Thats where I live now. There is tons of jobs and a growing economy plus its way more cultured than Greenville.
I thought of Charleston too, I am on the fence if leaving a company I have worked for for 15 years. I have heard that North Charleston has a high crime rate..not sure how far away that is from Charleston
@@jillmorton3096 th-cam.com/video/HzV-5MwvkeA/w-d-xo.html That is a link to my video on moving to Charleston. Just like any town there is always a bad part, and the bad part of Charleston is north Charleston. I was told the same thing and im glad i didnt listen to those people cause charleston is really amazing. Full of museums, parks, beaches, shopping and restaurants.
How are the hotels?
The hotels downtown looked charming but i never was inside the rooms.
Is it a hippie or more hipster type city?
This is more of a hippie city! Hipsters are much cleaner and have less B.O. Lots of nice people that live here!
That’s the vibe I’m looking for! Thankyou
@@TheAngeliaMusic me too
Thank you for that information! Very helpful! Can you one on Greenville SC also? Or maybe even a comparison? TIA
I would love to do one on greenville but i just moved to Charleston SC. I did do a video on moving to charleston.
You didn't stay in Asheville long, did you still like it? I'm looking at moving my fam to possibly Greenville or Asheville
@@firelagful i loved Asheville but the winter was freezing rain for 6 months.
Thank you! Been in Northern California all my life; feeling drawn to Asheville for a change in scenery, lifestyle, and the MUSIC.
It's not that great. Born and raised here and I don't get what the hype is. We're overcrowded.
I need to add the music scene here is dead now. The city has gotten rid of the buskers (street musicians) so you won't hear all of that when going downtown anymore and instead it's been replaced with homeless people constantly and aggressively asking for money. This place is terrible.
@@RavenBlack_7 are you really a raven?