“Undoubtedly one of the kindest places on the East Coast. Nice nuggets, a lively and experimental music scene, and the overall friendly atmosphere make this town a must for nomadic freaky friends! I’ll see you when I roll through town.”
“One thing i have noticed over the past few years is that the hippies have gotten richer. a lot are weekend hippies now! there are a lot of unique and awesome people here, and then again there are a lot of rich people too…”
I have lived in Asheville for seven years. I felt safer in downtown New Orleans than I do in downtown Asheville. Every time I go to downtown Asheville, I am harassed by some drunken nut. When a new “Staples” store opened up, and the store manager was interviewed on TV, the manager said she would do something about all the graffiti — I guess that’s not the mayor’s priority.
Biltmore doesn’t give a damn about its employees — it fires loyal and longstanding employees at the drop of a hat. Don’t think that just because Biltmore has been around a long time, that you will be around a long time with Biltmore.
First, though I tried, I can’t really read the comments, the screen is way too wide. Too bad, it looks like a fairly interesting exchange.
I live in Asheville. Some great people here. What we need to do is get a city-wide living wage in place. We have a more progressive City Council now so it is worth it for the people who live here to try to get involved.
The wage and housing situation is a serious problem. It is hurting us badly.
OK, SECONDLY if you live here and like ‘Dead’ style jam music, try to catch Phuncle Sam. http://www.phunclesam.com
Although the jam style is reminisant of the Dead and we do some of their stuff, we are mostly original.
While bands like Dark Star Orchestra and Cosmic Charley come here all the time, we are the home team, a bit more original, and could use local support.
And we are GOOD. Check us out
IWET IS REALLY SAD LISTENING TO ALOT OF MEAN AND HATEFUL COMMENTS COMING FROM A PLACE THAT LOOKS LIKE MAYBE HEAVEN WOULD. CHRISTIANS TALKING THE TALK BUT NOT WALKING THE WALK.YOU QUOTE GOD BUT DO YOU REALLY FEEL IN YOUR HEART GOD DISLIKES PEOPLE FOR WHO THEY ARE. DO YOU REALLY FEEL GOD APPROVES OF HOW YOU TALK ABOUT GAYS ETC… LEAVE THEM ALONE…WHEN YOU LIVE THE PERFECT LIFE THEN WE W OILL LISTEN TO YOU. ANOTHER THING IS NIGGER WORD IS NOT JUST USE FOR BLACKS I AM NOT BLACK I AM ITALIAN OK ANYONE WHO ACTS AND TALKS LIKE YOU DO IS A NIGGER. PLEASE THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK. NOW MY INTRO TO ASHVILLE WAS THIS STORE THAT LOOKED LIKE IT HAD NOT BEEN CLEAN IN WEEKS A MAN WITH MISSING TEETH READY TO HAVE SEX WITH HIS WOMEN IN THE PARKING LOT,YES ITS BEAUTIFUL BUT I REALLY DO THINK PEOPLE PUT IT UP TOO FAR…LISTEN LIFE IT WHAT YOU MAKE IT….NO PLACE IS PERFECT SO YOU LOCALS WHO DISLIKE US NY,FOLKS COMING DOWN FINE I WOULD NOT WANT TO LIVE THERE,I BOUGHT A BEAUTIFUL HOUSE IN A GREAT AREA FOR 89,OOOO IN ASHVILLE DONT THINK SO AND YOU KNOW JOBS ARE MUCH EASIER HERE I DONT EVEN THINK I WOULD VISIT ANYMORE BESIDES A LOCAL TOLD ME THE TRUTH YOU FOLKS LOVE US TO VISIT,BUT PLEASE LEAVE WHERE IS THE SOUTHERN HOSPITIALY YOU ALL CLAIM YOU HAVE. SHAME SHAME SHAME ON YOU LITTLLLLLLLLEHIPPIS
This place is a complete joke. My husband and I are in our early 20’s and moved to Asheville with plans to finish school, buy a home and start a family. We had visited Asheville before and thought it was beautiful and had a nice vibe…. WRONG!!! What we didn’t know is that we moved to the land o’ bumper stickers where wanna-be hippies and gutter punks roam freely. Seriously… real, true hippies are a thing of the past. Let it go. What in the hell are you trying to prove by not bathing, asking me for my leftovers when I leave a restaurant, or following me into the gas station in your dirty t-shirt and nappy hair asking me to buy you a gallon milk??? A gallon of milk?! The funny thing is… when I politely declined the guy’s request he said, “C’mon! It’s only $2.00!?” Well, you know what??? If it’s only $2.00 then get off of your lazy ass, wash yourself, get a job and buy your own damn milk! I’ve never seen so many able-bodied people who act like they are “owed” something. One day while visiting an art store downtown I was approached by a guy my age… He struck up a conversation and since I’m a naturally friendly person, I stopped to chat with this complete stranger. We spoke a bit about music and I told him that I had to get going… and before I walked away he asked, “Hey… can I sleep on your couch?” Seriously… WTF?! Can you sleep on my couch?! Do other people really let complete strangers just move on in with them? I was totally shocked that this guy felt that because we’d had a 5 minute conversation we were “friends” enough to shack up together. Please. As for jobs… good luck. I eventually landed a fabulous teaching job at a child care center that I adored and truly miss. The pay wasn’t bad either. However, when we first moved to Asheville I called the local Greenlife to see if they were hiring. I was told by the manager that they were definitley hiring and to come in for an interview a few days later. So I show up for my scheduled interview and wait for 45 minutes by the cash register while someone “goes to find” the manager. Finally the manager approaches me… looks me up and down… and quickly tells me that he has no positions available!!! Maybe it was because I took a shower that morning and actually brushed my hair… maybe it was because I didn’t “look the part” or didn’t have that certain something about me that would allow me to “fit in” with the Greenlife crowd. I had never experienced discrimination until that occasion… and it sucked. As for education… good luck with that too. I’m an early childhood education major and had about a semester of classes left before receiving my degree (at the school I was attending in Maryland). I spoke with several advisors at AB Tech who assured me that all of my credits would transfer into their program upon my arrival in Asheville. Lies… lies… lies. After registering for fall semester, I was informed that I needed another 22 classes before receiving my degree. The classes that I did take at AB Tech were absolutely sorry. The instructors were horrible and the overall quality of education was pitiful. I hated AB Tech… it was eventually what drove us out of Asheville. Another lovely thing about Asheville is that NO ONE KNOWS HOW TO DRIVE!!! Driving down Merrimon Ave. during any part of the day is literally like trying to dodge missiles with your car. I’ve lived and drove to work in the DC metro area for over 5 years and never feared for my life the way I did just driving to Ingles on Merrimon Ave. Seriously people… where did you learn to drive?!?! I could not wait to get the hell out of Ass-ville. I do not miss the gutter punks that walked down my street at 3 am playing musical instruments. I do not miss the friendly protests at Starbucks. I do not miss $625/month apartment with no air conditioner, no washer/dryer, no hot water, and windows that you had to beat with a shoe to force them to close. Thank God I made it out of that place… and if anything~ nasty Asheville taught me to truly appreciate what I have.
what up. I just graduated community college and got a job in asheville making great income. I am in healthcare and there are healthcare jobs everywhere in world. I know some really great people in asheville and you can’t beat the mountain vibe. So, there are definately fun and kind people there. Hoping to meet more since I’m new here. Hit me up to hang out. spacekid44@yahoo.com
Hippies are always Welcome in Asheville. The more Hippies the better. I guess I just had my first Hippie relationship. It was okay. He seemed a little bit irresponsible for me. That Free love stuff kind of got on my nerves too. Seems like an excuse not commit yourself to a person that really cares.
I guess there is alot of pot around here. God knows there is enough Crack.
We have rivers you can swim in with clothes or without. You can use soap too if you want.
Lots of open places to explore. There really seems to be an entire hippie subculture here. We have everything from the Maharaji to Namaste Yoga….Tons of Pizza and Home Brew Beer.
Hippies usually do not need big jobs. There are a ton of service jobs and Homesteading is getting more and more popular. lots of Granola Grocery stores. Great Big ones. Two of them even.
Lots of Music and Drumming. Well. Next to Colorado or Mount Shasta we are right up there.
Great place to start a family.
lots of Rosta’s and Dred-locks.
Just don’t pick up the local girls if they are not hippies. The bloodlines to the natives run deep.
Drum Circles too.
Let’s see did I forget anything.
Oh well. Come See us.
PEACE OUT!!!!
Im from Eureka California Humboldt county Northern Ca. and its hippie town. I came to asheville last month and I was very Impresses, the hippyness was very much alike, I saw the university there in asheville and the potanitcal garden trail , Humbold state universitys Arcata Humboldt is like Asheville NC in hippy wise , I couldent belive it was a Ontrapanoower capital, weird Little metro kinda ,130 grand people, they keep the corporate in south asheville on the south tunnel side, the rest dosent have one corporation not one, drive for 20 miles and u dont see no starucks, the people have strange belifes and that not bad , Its good to give your money to the private bussiness because its neet to see people make money and help there familys make it, california isent far off from asheville NC, eny ways My grand parents lived in asheville grandma died so I wanted to see it, and thot it was neet town, carolinas are very nice AND VERY VERY GREEN and almost tropical and green all the time, We drove to greer & Greenville SC. about hour half away from asheville, I love the southern feeling,,,,,, we went myrtle beach and I was Impresses, The carolina are very beautifull and good quality, we ate at the Waffle house and loves it but it got to greasy after a while, Well I recomend to u Hippies come to Eureka or Arcata Northern California Humboldt Most Far north to the tip of california, there a Humboldt state University, and a College of the Redwood in south Eureka, Most dont come that far north but there beauifull Oregon looking beaches, but its in california, most of u probly did live in california in the past or maybee not, But I recomend Humboldt cunty to u guys. Green and foggy coast, Seeya Asheville ,Imight come back well wait and see, it takes lots Money MOney Money Money awwwwww,money is there for your needs only
Im from Eureka California Humboldt county Northern Ca. and its hippie town. I came to asheville last month and was very Impresses, the hippyness was very much alike, I saw the university, Humboldt state universitys is like arcata Humboldt, I couldent belive it was a Ontrapanoower capital, weird metro little metro kinda 130 grand people, they keep the cororate in south asheville on the south tunnel side, the rest dosent have one corporation not one, drive for 20 miles and u dont see no staruck, the people have strange belife and that not bad but differnt, people do buissness with private owners and man Humboldt california isent far off from asheville NC, eny ways My grand parents lived in asheville grandm died so I wanted to see it, and thot it was neet town, carolinas are very nice AND VERY VERY GREEN and almost tropical and green all the time, We drove to greer & Greenville about hour half away from asheville, I love the southern feeling,,,,,, we went myrtle beach and WOW hippies
I WANT TO COME THERE REALLY BAD. PROBLEM: I NEED SHELTER. I HAVE INCOME BUT I WOULD NEED TO GET MY FEET ON THE GROUND. I AM 34. AND WANT TO RELAX AND BE ME, THE WILD AND LOVING ME.
IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED OR NEEDS A ROOMATE LET ME KNOW. PAYING IS NOT A PROBLEM. YOU CAN CONTACT ME AT,(karrie_edwards@hotmail.com). TY
PEACE, LOVE, AND LIVING LIFE THE WAY MOST PEOPLE WISH THEY COULD. HAPPY AND FREE!
hello, i have lived in asheville for about 10 years, and its a great place, lots of hippies and weirdos that for sure, and thats what makes it so good, thats why people from California should stop moving here, because its getting less and less like its suppost to be every year, so don’t move if you’re one of those people, plenty of people from cali are cool so just, not all of them
asheville is what you make it.
By far, moving to Asheville has been one of the worst decisions ive made. Unless your life’s aspiration for employment is working at the local grocery store the job offerings for people fresh out of college are dismal. As far as “diverse music scene” goes- its diverse if you consider 20 different bluegrass/rockabilly bands diverse. The price of living like others have said is inflated for what you’re getting, the job options are slim, the music blows. And you’ll have some dreadheads and hippies who dont know what the fuck is going on to complain to about it. Just my 2cts =p
Asheville is a great place. As for the negatives comments by so many, no matter what town you go to, there are going to be awesome people and lame people. I have met many wonderful people here. Yes there are a few pretentious hippies but that is bound to happen in a hippy town! Just ignore them and move on. As for jobs, my husband and I moved here without any and are both working good jobs. We just bought a house!
goddamn, i just got back from up there, plastic funny people, i’m seeing robots. If you visit, just say what ever you think the retard your talking to wants to hear and sit back and watch them make an idiot out of themselves.
Im selling my home in western NC…only an hour at most away from Charlotte and Asheville…Small town living near big city life.And without the high price tag you’d have to pay at those 2 cities.
Anyone interested? email me at lintru63@yahoo.com
To all my Asheville friends..do you remember “You must speak straight so that your words may go as sunlight to our hearts.” by Cochise. This is straight – may these words go as sunlight to your hearts and protect you…A 51 year old man has moved to your town of Asheville. I urge you to look out for him. He prays on single women especially those just newly divorced. He passes himself off as newly divorced as well though he is married. He is a predator. Some people are just pathological and cruel, gaining power in their minds with deception and getting over on others. He speaks of the the Tao de Ching and is well read biblically, he offers great spiritual sayings and knowledge, but he follows Napoleon, in his heart – “to succeed promise the world, deliver nothing”. I don’t know if I can legally speak his name on your site – but I have no fear of libel charges – my words can be proven as true.
Did u know they filmed Dawsons Creek in Wilmington, I really do injoy that Tv show & it reminds me of a Organic type city, Natral looking city, Asheville looks very Organic natral city too. The earth tone is so beautifull, & the people are really nice. I live In Eureka n. Ca. Last city North & there not many people 28,808 population thats very small with Hippys collage people, & redwood trees. eureka is growing very slow, because it so far north. I was in asheville the people are kinda a lot alike, California is very bad, all the good citys up north are changing ,city people moving to the country town north, no feature things are staying the same, asheville is where my Grand parents lived, came there injoyed it, il keep it in mind as a place to move, not too many people from one place but people from all over coming to asheville should keep it neet
crime is is not tolerated. keep it crime free, people show there, cool,express your self, beeds, music, cooking, thats one way to solve the that. is to be happy
don’t move here there are enough people ruining it for the rest of us find a small town and build it into what you want
I moved to Brevard, North Carolina not long ago, hoping that I could build a life there. I have to say, there is something very strange about this place. I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily evil, but it’s a very closed community. From what I’ve gathered from a number of people, folks move here to die, essentially. There are no real jobs, beyond low paying restaurant positions. The social circles are small. There is this hard core conservative community, filled with Christians who are very unfriendly. More open minded people tend to move here, struggle and move to asheville or elsewhere. The center of “alternative life” is a coffee shop called the Essence of Thyme. It is filled with nuts. The owner seems to be some kind of self styled spiritual leader, but upon closer look he’s a bit of con man. I am moving. Don’t move here. Go to Asheville. There is something very wrong in Brevard. Very wrong.