Greetings! I too am researching NC and TN as possible relocation. Also VA and even Socorro NM. It all depends on jobs for hubby which really limits locations as he is in a very specialized industry. He may need to change careers and is close to retirement age so it's a huge challenge. We have a child in elementary school and the issue is mainly terrible education here. Also water quality problems with treatment causing serious health issues for me. For him the criteria is a mountain location or an area close to mountains with lower humidity. We are not skiiers so snow is not on our list...the less the better! But four seasons is something we really miss. We have heard SO much about Asheville and Boone. One friend came back from there, loves it and wants to go. She said it is full of NY'ers who are driving up real estate costs (she's in NY!) Yet another friend just came back and oddly enough said it's not for her but that I would like it?! weird. She described it as beautiful but a small hippie town in the mountains; nothing to do for her kids (boys into motorcross and hockey). I was assuming it was a BIG mountain college town, now I'm confused! I also looked into Knoxville but have read an awful lot about soil problems/clay? and weeds on this website. Lastly we are researching Charlottesville/Staunton area of VA. Close to mountains, but then I read it's flood zone! YIKES. help. Bottom line, we live at a high elevation in Hawaii, an unusual location similar to N. California/bay area, but dry. We would like dry as opposed to humid location though another friend says she is heading to Lake Norman near Charlotte! So many choices. BUT I know what I want in my future and last home: I am a garden nut. We are in a microclimate here so lavender thrives but too much clouds so roses and tomatoes do not. Not cold enough for even descanso lilacs. and What I want is to have LILACS which I miss desperately. And roses and herbs like I had in NY years ago. My husband can't tolerate the sticky humid summer weather of inland and coastal areas (naturally there are jobs for him in DC but he hates that climate!)We both want some acreage minimum of 2 acres and GREAT soil for gardening and milder winters. I killed myself here for the last 8 years fighting weeds which thrive 365 days year. Heavy snowfall and elevation seems to rule out Boone though we hear it's gorgeous? Grassisevil-any suggestions? I considered southeastern W VA where my Scottish ancestors settled back in early 1700; my NY snob mom tells me she has been there several times, around Greenbank/Pocohontas and that I will hate it, too redneck nuthin to do nobody to talk to. No culture. Too far from medical etc. Lastly-I want to be in an area where my daughter can learn her Irish and Scottish culture-and can get lessons in step dancing, bag pipe, violin. I play harmonica and would love to hook up with people to jam. SO that's a tall order I know, any suggestions would be so much appreciated. I spend hours online researching and I have learned so much from this website that realtors don't tell me! THanKS again and sorry to ramble.

Get serious..When you post "Moving to NC,but where???" are we to presume you are retired,independently wealthy,empty-nesters with pristine credit(mtgs are stricter now) and are Baptists who have a wild taste for any kinds of foods. Most people have to find a job. Have kids and care about their schooling. They want to make the transition in moving as smooth as possible. Site yourself here in a little burg and prepare yourself to find none of the foods and brands you are accustomed to. The bigger cities have had nearly 30 years of people transferring in so that their stores stock other than Southern brands. Of course, anyone coming from NYC/Long Island will be accustomed to higher taxes than what NC/SC charge. Comparatively, the highest tax areas in NC are still way below what people pay in the North. Up north, those higher taxes are paying for older infrastructure,denser population/more crime, schools that pay a higher wage to teachers etc. If you situate yourself in an area close to where there are the most jobs for your skill sets then you will be happier. Even the biggest cities have outer ring towns and counties that are more affordable. Beach/mountain should be your last consideration if you need to find a job here and get your kids into a halfway decent school (don't get me started on that). If you really like gardening and like the ease of planting in the sandy loam of Long Island you're going to face a chore of amending most soils you get here unless you've bought the house of a gardener. It's a lot more complex a process when you seek to move to an entirely different region of the country. Granted, this is a great region. I'd sooner go from there to here than here to there but where you locate depends on a lot more than its proximity to the beach/mountains.

We stayed at the Grove Park Inn and loved it. We rented a car and drove to a couple of small towns closeby and I can't remember the names. But enjoyed it, they were small and had lots of antique shops, old time soda fountains, just little old time towns. I thoroughly enjoyed Ashville. Hope you have a good time!

They finally called with a number for someone else to call. They will be here this evening. There is another short term motor home here, and several that look like full timers. One came to see if he could help us get set up yesterday. Still doesn't make us very happy that it took so long to talk to someone. Will call for help if needed. We get 1-2 in lakes around us that recede when the rain lets up. I'ts official. My rain gauge is 1 1/2 inches. DH emptied it once. It refilled in an hour. So we have had well over 3 inches, probably 6-10. Will get worse by the news in about an hour, then get better. Keep us in our thoughts. We will be ok. Tami