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Nova Smith living

Living in Waynesville -the reality

I work in real estate and With a population of 10,408, Waynesville is a small town. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
12 upvotes

4 Replies

Autumn Green
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a sales manager, 39, moved here 11 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Westside and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The dating scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Nashville, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K here.

**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
35 upvotes
Roman C.
noted, appreciate it
18 upvotes
Vivian Davis
big facts right here
3 upvotes
Noah Green
Came here for family and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The job market is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
3 upvotes
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