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Someone please save Asheville. Lived here for 8 years the first itime in the 80’s and loved it. YES it was a happy place, eclectic, beautiful and truly, everyone got along, no matter what your thing was, it was cool. came back in
the late 90’s and have been here 11 years this time. It was already different then, but in the last 5 years, what are you thinking Asheville. Too many people,too many people with atttitude and yes, they want to kill you with their car. The driving is intense, but what really sucks is people come to Asheville because its beautiful and the lifestyle was good and you could do your thing and as long as it didn’t hurt anybody, it was cool.
But we’re off on the money path now and city councel and all of the money gods who don’t have enough yet want to prostiute Asheville. They upped the rent and ran all of the cool places out of downtown, dug up the reflecting pool, screwed with the roads with those god awful traffic circlesa and allowed people to buy the mountainsides and builded gated communities and huge houses on the sides of our beautfiul mountains. Thing is, people come here for the nature, the beauty. So keep building more houses on the mountains and leaving huge scars in the sides of the mountains. Who wants to come to Asheville to see Gatlinburg? Its hard to find a place to go and have peace and quiet due to the large number of people and the HO– — USES they keep building everywhere.
So yes, please save Asheville. It is not a happy place anymore.
i moved here in oct of 07… i am from south of atlanta, ga… one thing i can find a problem with this city is the cost of living and the road plan out….
OMG at the way the roads are… i have never seen a place worst than this and yes i have been to bigger cities.. lol but that is just it they are bigger cities. you cant compare roads in asheville to places like boston 🙂 they have like what 2.3 million people.. we have 80k at the most…
and i have never been to a place that has such a high cost of living…
yes i understand rent for a 3 bedroom home runs around 1400 here and then it is 1600-1800 in bigger cities yes…
but there is alot jobs here that dont even pay $8 an hr… in bigger cities you can get a job at fast food chains making more than that 🙁
this city is growing so fast and taking so much money. the residents here cant keep up 🙁
About driving conditions….I’ve lived in the Southeast, the Northeast, the Northwest, and the Midwest, and I’ve traveled across the country – driving conditions are anxiety ridden in most cities, small and large. There aren’t too many places left where one can escape the driving blues.
Wow, Clocky completely personified the "love it or get the hell out" attitude I mentioned before.
You know what company that puts you in Clocky? The same redneck mouth breathers that scream love it our leave it at peace protestors.
Becuase there are MORE than two options.
CHANGE is always the third option.
And Virginia Beach is beautiful, and one of the few cities with a half million people that doesn’t feel crowded at all.
There is no downtown, no skyscrapers clogging your view, and each area is its own neat little community (my Dad grew up there, I visit a lot). And it’s also a well known resort destination with some of the best beaches on the atlantic seaboard (Crytal beach is amazing for example).
The fact that a 3 bedroom there runs 220 and here that same house would run about 300 is crazy. Just crazy.
So my response to you is why don’t YOU leave. People like you, with your love it or leave it, if it’s mainly broken don’t fix it, natives rule transpalnts drool attitude are whats killing this city anyway.
"That Data is kind of flawed.
For example, NYC actually has a fairly LOW rate of accidents per population, but would you ever consider NYC traffic safe?"
I was just showing that it’s just as safe in Buncombe County as it is anywhere else in the state of North Carolina.
I hear people complain about stuff all the time, but I rarely hear anyone complain about Asheville traffic being dangerous. When I do hear complaints, it’s a complaint about how a wreck caused a backup on I-240 and everyone crept along at 5 mph until the damaged vehicles were cleared away, and everybody in the traffic jam was 20 minutes late as a result. The complaint is really about the delay, and has nothing to do with safety.
Now let’s move on to New York traffic.
It’s not smart to compare the accidents per resident in the state of North Carolina to accidents per resident in New York City. One reason for this is that a high percentage of NYC’s residents don’t drive. The cities have different densities and NYC has such an amazing public transit system. Comparing NYC and Asheville would be like comparing apples and oranges.
I can understand why New York traffic would make you nervous, and why you would think it’s unpleasant. Heck, that’s my opinion of New York traffic. When I visit New York, I choose not to drive.
But, if the data says (as you assert) that NYC has a very low rate of accidents per population, then I would say that NYC traffic is safe.
"When I can buy a house in Virgina Beach for MUCH less than a similar house in Asheville…something is seriously wrong in the world."
This is so funny that I feel I must reply.
Do you think that Virginia Beach is a better place to live than Asheville? If so, then moving to VB is a no-brainer: it’s better AND cheaper. Go ahead and move to VB, where you’ll be happier.
If you think that Asheville is a better place to live than VB, (and it’s worth the difference), then pay the difference and stay in Asheville.
What’s the problem with that?
Why would this be evidence of "something seriously wrong in the world?"
Clocky
I love that the asheville native response to outrageous housing prices and lack of jobs is basically a polite version of "Well…get the hell out then".
God forbid the city adopt some policies of other areas with high housing costs, like rent control, or spend money promoting jobs…OUTSIDE of tourism! GASP!
And all this while two companies essentially BUY up all of the downtown property that becomes available to turn them into tourist friendly restaruants or overpriced Condos.
When I can buy a house in Virgina Beach for MUCH less than a similar house in Asheville…something is seriously wrong in the world.
As we all know –there are other places where it’s easier to get a job that pays well, buy a house that’s inexpensive, etc.
I just don’t think it’s feasible to expect that you’ll find a place with all of Asheville’s advantages, plus cheap housing and plentiful good jobs. The laws of supply and demand wouldn’t allow such a place to exist for very long. We all know what would happen. Word would get out, the house prices would skyrocket, and good jobs would become very scarce.
In short, Asheville has a lot going for it, and you pay for it if you live here. If you don’t all the special cultural advantages that Asheville offers, (or you don’t feel like they’re worth it), send the resumes far and wide.
That Data is kind of flawed.
For example, NYC actually has a fairly LOW rate of accidents per population, but would you ever consider NYC traffic safe?
It’s just that people there have learned to drive in a state of constant, anxious awareness.
That’s pretty much what happens here. If you live hear long enough, you know to tense up and pay attention when you get near the 240 exits into downtown.
You learn to slow way down and whisper a prayer every time you have to use a ridiculously uncessary traffic circle.
Living in the state of driving anxiety is not bliss. And as someone who has lived here for a few years now, I agree. The Driving here can suck.
It’s beautiful. It’s fucking impossible to live here as an ‘incomer’ unless you’ve got good connections, carve out a niche, retire from an area with a higher standard of living, or are prepared to live a student lifestyle into your forties. And if you fit into those categories, the people born and bred in Asheville will still look down upon you, and will reserve judgements until their grandkids are growing up alongside yours.
But Asheville was probably like that as soon as the trains rain through town, sucking in artisans to build Biltmore, and so on.
You think ‘I can’t stay here’, and you look out at the mountains and downtown and think of the alternatives, and it ties your insides in knots. I’ve spent decent amounts of time in places that deserve the word ‘bliss’, but I’m not sure if I could have made a sustainable, feasible living there.
So I don’t think it’s a happy place: it’s always bittersweet. But that’s quintessentially Asheville.
Thanks Clocky!
Im a sucker for this stuff.
Chef,
I think your problem with driving in Asheville is not shared by people in general.
Or, maybe drivers are more anxious here than they are in other places, but there aren’t more accidents here than there are in other places. At least not in North Carolina.
I compared the North Carolina counties. Buncombe ranks 7th among NC counties in population, and 9th in automobile accidents (data from 2005).
Actually, Durham County and New Hanover (Wilmington’s county) have fewer residents and more accidents. But generally it all pans out as one might expect. Most counties have about the same number of accidents per resident.
I can’t contest the gist of what you’re saying: you are anxious about driving in Asheville.
On the other hand, when you look at the data with some objectivity, a person can determine if Asheville actually has more accidents than other places.
Buncombe County turns out to be about the same (for driving safety) as other places.
A bit more about roads in other places: the roads in (parts of) Salt Lake City are amazingly wide. 132 feet wide, in fact. This was planned so that a cart and a team of OXEN could manage a u-turn.
http://www.untraveledroad.com/USA/Utah/SaltLake/SaltLake.htm
Hail to the Chef,
Everything in our city is where it is because of history.
Let’s compare different US cities layouts and their history
Miami roads were developed mostly in the 20s onward, thanks to the railroads coming in. In was designed in as a grid numbered system along with the canal system.
Highways followed, expanding with the sidestreets south and west.
Boston (to keep it in the arguement) is a dense NE, one of America’s oldest, cities. There are neighborhoods that developed hundreds of years ago with a rail/highway system that was built above the streets.
Asheville was a frontier town. Hard to access until the railroad came through, and Buncombe Highway. trails (first used by hunters) were the natural choice in quite a harsh enviroment for settlers. Coming into these mountains on horse/carriage, according to written accounts, was a nightmare.
Our streets developed after our town had a center, then with a road heading to Sulphur Springs, up to Weaverville, down to where the Biltmore Estate is and out to Haw Creek.
We were late in the nation to create our city and our surroundings made it impossible to design something simple and standard.
hippy??? too damn responsible to be a hippy.
You ARE different,Tom –‘scuse me, "Catnap"–but in the best way!
And no offense judge…but road conditions 100 years ago really don’t mean anything. The current situation is a result of really bad city engineering and planning.
roads aren’t some magic, organic thing that just evolve from indian trails. They are planned out by guys in suits in cramped rooms.
Your gonna a litte hippy on me. I generally like to keep my arguements in the same decade, nevermind the same century, lol.
I have always been happy. When I lived in Asheville it was the first time that I realized I was happy. Before that I just thought I was different.
Ash –
What Frank said. I think a place populated by happy people becomes a happy place. Of course, I realize that not everyone who’s here is happy, but I’ve met more people who are happy to be living here than I met people happy to be living elsewhere over the course of several years.
Also, it seems to me that Asheville is a destination sort of place – a place people go to on purpose, like NYC or San Francisco – whereas the majority of other places are places where you were born to (and don’t or can’t move out) or wind up in by default or lack of options. Likewise, those who are native Ashevillians and don’t care for it would most likely move out, as well. Which means that the majority of people here want to be here because it makes them happy, creating a happier place.
It’s either that, or all those fairies down on Lex (I’m talking about the ones wearing fairy wings, cher) have been sprinkling happy dust all over the place.
a few times.
But the difference is most boston traffic is so congested that your looking more at a frustrating wait or a dinged fender kind of situation.
In asheville you get more of a "Wildly swerving across lanes to make an exit ramp at speeds of 45+ mile per hour" or "Desperatel trying to slam on the breaks as some overly intitled trustfundafarian walks across an intersection in the middle of a light and then glares at you the whole time" scenario.
Boston = Frustration
Asheville = High Anxiety.
It’s not the worst driving city on earth, but it sure isn’t a good one is the point I’m making.
Hail to the chef,
Our roads originated from old native american hunting trails. We live in the heart of the mountains so think about the fact you are lucky you don’t need a donkey anymore. Do some research on the road conditions only a hundred years ago in WNC and you might have some more pride in this beautiful city.
Hope,
you described perfectly why I live here. I ‘smile test’ people, and I have to say everyone (except the clientele at Earthfare South) makes me feel like we all really do matter.
🙂 Great post Ash.
Hail to the Chef,
Have you ever had to drive in Boston?
Whoa! The other 8 entries in the news article were COUNTRIES!
I’d have to agree with just about everything Soni posted. Nice post. 🙂
I only disagree with the ethnic minority thing, but that’s because I was raised in NJ, where there are a ton of different types of people, so it’s just because of my frame of reference.
Ash, I think this makes Asheville a happy place, because it makes those of us who live here happy.
We were happy to find Asheville because of the people, the culture, the food (!!!!), the incredible mountains, and the active community. We can’t imagine living anywhere else now. So yes, it makes us happy being here, and I think that mindset is shared by a lot of our friends.
Take care,
-Frank
Asheville was pretty cool when I first arrived a few years back…but slowly it’s just turning into another tourist trap.
Which is a damn shame.
But the one reason it can never make my top 10 happy list is that it is a TERRIBLE place to have to drive in.
I can’t remember a week where some driver didn’t attempt to kill me with their car. The city has really bad road planning, and if you combine that with a lot of out of town traffic having to change lanes wildly at the last minute, it equals extreme driving anxiety.
As a rule, strangers smile and make eye contact with me when I pass them on the street, or on a run. This isn’t something I’ve encountered anywhere else, and I’ve lived in lots of places: big cities, small cities, the sticks. I get a little jolt of happiness every time it happens. It’s something special to be recognized as a fellow human being.
Asheville is often defined by cultural battles: Left vs. Right. Way left vs. Way Right. Gay vs. Anti-Gay. Pro-Development vs. Anti-Development. The list really is endless. On the whole I view it as signs of healthy discourse. The most vibrant cities in this country are meccas of discussion and disagreement, it’s part of what makes the places so special. People care enough to fuss because what Asheville is makes most people Happy. When they are not complaining about it that is…
Soni, excellent points. Yes, there’s lots to love. But does that make Asheville a happy place?
Well, I’m happy here.
I’m happy here for several reasons:
1. Damn, it’s beautiful. Even the view from the local laundromat kicks ass on anything I’ve seen outside of Asheville.
2. The food. OMFG, the food. Whether I’m eating out or hoovering the stalls at the farmers’ market, I can get amazing, fresh, locally-grown, healthy and organic food with so little effort it makes me downright weepy.
3. The people. Asheville – where everyone’s an ethnic minority of one. Gotta love it. Sure, it means protests in the street and brawls on the Mountain Xpress blogs. But hell, it beats beaten-down, what’s-the-point apathy (which is the norm in SE Missouri where I came from) any damn day of the week.
4. The culture. There’s a festival going on every 30 seconds somewhere nearby. I’ve got more openly gay people living around me in my neighborhood now than I knew about in my home town. (Not that they’re not there, just that they’re afraid to tell anybody.) I’ve seen more ethnic minorities here than I have in my whole life (and I’ve been around). And don’t even get me started on Lower Lex.
5. The politics. Jesus H. Christ on a stick – Mumpower and Brother Christopher in the same room. Need I say more?
Sure, I can see the divisiveness and cynicism, but to me that’s part of what makes it a happy place – the people here care enough to take stands, hold rallies, whip up insta-petitions re: partisan voting, chain themselves to trees and so on.
But I’m living in a place where I can eat locally and well as a vegetarian with an organic jones; see the best views this side of heaven on every routine trip around town; find people who actually care about stuff like greenways, alternative energy and mass transit; attend arts, crafts, music and food festivals (usually for free) all year round; and enjoy being part of a melting pot that keeps getting stirred up but never boils dry and where the local people, ideas and politics come in every color under the sky (and, I think, venture into the ultraviolet and infrared) instead of black, white and a few shades of subtle gray.
What’s not to love?