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Starting to think about relocating from "Joisey" & have heard good things abut the Ashville area. I'm into outdoor pursuits....hiking, fishing, hunting, shooting sports & of course, Corvettes. Any input that anyone would care to share would be appreciated....especially about the 'Vette scene in the area.
I lived in Asheville about 5 years ago. I had a 96 Collectors Edition. I almost never saw another Vette on the road. There was no local club. After a long while I met a couple other Vette people, but in general it's a pretty lonely Vette experience there. On the other hand, lots of people were into Hot Rods and Classic muscle cars. These guys had quite a few meets and shows, and they did like the Vette, but I was usually the only one.
Remember my info is 5 years old, and things could have changed...
I lived in Asheville about 5 years ago. I had a 96 Collectors Edition. I almost never saw another Vette on the road. There was no local club. After a long while I met a couple other Vette people, but in general it's a pretty lonely Vette experience there. On the other hand, lots of people were into Hot Rods and Classic muscle cars. These guys had quite a few meets and shows, and they did like the Vette, but I was usually the only one.
Remember my info is 5 years old, and things could have changed...
Forgot to say that there IS a Corvette club in Greenville, SC just about an hour south of Asheville. I only did one event with them, but there were quite a few guys in it...
Well down here we do Corvettes at Biltmore, i've not done it but plan on doing it.... plus living in the south > than living in jersey!!!!
Can't argue with your 2nd comment....I'm getting pretty tired of $10,000+ in property taxes, 5% state income tax, 7% sales tax, insurance premiums that are thru the roof, traffic jams wherever you try to go, etc, etc.
Ashville is a beautiful place, and surely a better bet than the taxes and cold of NJ. The local environment is very liberal, and that is perhaps the reason why you don't see many Vettes or a club there. They probably have a Prius club though!
As is the case with most urban areas down south, you will find that as soon as you get out of any city proper, you will find the political winds change toward the conservative.
I would say it's a good move by all means...but be sure to consider weather you want to live with the intown or out of city crowd.....
I'm in NC (near Charlotte) and travel to Asheville quite a bit on both business and pleasure. There are many Corvette owners in Asheville (I personally know at least a dozen) and the surrounding communities, plus many great clubs within 2 hours' drive in NC, SC and East TN. The roads are wonderful and tight, a full range of driving options and experiences based on your skill level.
Be sure to check out the Hendersonville/Fletcher/Skyland/Flat Rock areas as well. About 70-90 rain/snow days per year and the rest is sun & fun, cool mountain temps, etc. The BRP is a strong highlight, but the range of local roads will keep you up on your game.
My local club, Metrolina Corvettes of Charlotte will be having a playday on Saturday, July 12 in the area around Saluda, Bat Cave and Hendersonville. If you're down in the area checking things out, please come join us!
Get out of "Joisey" and come to the Carolinas. Next to buying your Vette, it'll be the best thing you've ever done for yourself..
Im in Franklin about an hour to the west of Asheville. I wouldn't mind living there at all. Its got the stuff you need from a big city, stores, resturants, decent jobs, night life, stuff to do etc. and it still has the feel of a small town.
Plus there is plenty of stuff to do outdoors. You can find about anything you mentioned within an hour drive or less.
Can't argue with your 2nd comment....I'm getting pretty tired of $10,000+ in property taxes, 5% state income tax, 7% sales tax, insurance premiums that are thru the roof, traffic jams wherever you try to go, etc, etc.
I traded my $28k property tax bill in Summit NJ for about $5k here in Huntersville NC. Also bought a very nice house here for 28% of my NJ sales price. No mortgage now. State income tax is just as high in NC, sales tax is higher, and they tax food here, and they tax your cars too! It is fairly congested here - too many people moving here from NJ!! But if you do well selling your house in NJ you can typically get a lot more house here in NC. We only moved here in early June and I am so happy we did!!
We looked at Asheville and thought it was very nice, enjoyed the restaurants and live music but it was just a little too small for us. We needed a bigger city nearby and also wanted to be near Lake Norman.
I see many more corvettes here on a daily basis than I did in NJ.
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Ashville is a beautiful area and surrounded with "Great Roads" for the true Corvette driving experience. I met up with a group of people while at Vettes in the Valley that belong to a club in or near Ashville. I live in Charlotte but I travel to Ashville quite a bit .... just to drive!