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Marie B. best-worst

Biggest downsides of living in Asheville?

Hey, Rent is about $1,303/month for a decent place. With a population of 94,369, Asheville is a smaller city. The unemployment rate is 2.5%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Asheville sits at 742.2 per 100K. Average temperature is around 56--F, so the weather is moderate. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.

Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Friendly people
- Easy commute
- Lots of new development

Cons:
- Rising rent prices
- Limited dining options
- Lack of diversity
- Poor road conditions
- Far from major airports
Worth the trade-offs? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
25 upvotes

6 Replies

Jacob Morris
couldn't agree more
37 upvotes
Claire Murphy
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
34 upvotes
Ella
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value job market, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely improving and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (North) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.

My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
27 upvotes
houston_valentina
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
17 upvotes
Mary R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.

I've been here 1 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is underrated.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Gianna Gomez
I've lived in Highland for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good internet infrastructure
- The traffic scene is decent

The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Winters are long and cold

Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
3 upvotes
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