First Impressions...

A few random observations about Asheville:

- We've discovered there's a reason they call this "God's Country". Few areas are as naturally beautiful as the Blue Ridge Mountains, and -- at 2,360 feet elevation -- Asheville is nestled in the heart of them on a plateau divided by the French Broad River and surrounded by lush mountains, many with elevations above 5,000 feet. If you drive here from the north or west, there's a section of I-40 between Asheville and the Tennessee state-line where you drive right through Smoky Mountain National Park and the Pisgah National Forest. It's a slow-go because of all the hills and twists and turns, but at every bend there's another stunning view. Another great drive is the Blue Ridge Parkway, which passes right through Asheville. They are great views year-round, but apparently the best times for these scenic drives are in the spring and particularly in the fall, when the colors add intensity. One of the things we like most about our neighborhood and yard is that the builder did such a good job integrating this development into the surrounding environment. Even though our house is less than two years old, we are surrounded by seventy-foot trees towering ten feet from the back of deck. Our neighbors have spotted deer, fox, and black bears(!) in the ravine behind our house. We can actually see a mountain view right from our back deck. It's like a serene mountain retreat. To me, mountains convey a sense of peace and spirituality--in scripture people often went up into the mountains to commune with God. They provide an inspirational and fitting backdrop for my favorite scripture text: "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). People who live here say that you never get used to seeing the mountains--it's not something you stop noticing after a while. I hope that's true.

- Culturally, this is a community that somewhat defies all labels. In many ways it has all the best attributes of the Carolinas and the South. "Friendly" is a term that is probably overused to the point of sounding like a cliche, but it's the word that keeps coming back to me when trying to describe the community here. Friendly and laid back. For the most part, it is a family-oriented, conservative Christian community, much like you find in any other small to medium-sized sub-urban southern community (or in West Michigan, for that matter, except it's dominated by Southern Baptists rather than Christian Reformed). People here are eager and willing to get to know you and to lend a hand. That's particularly true in the neighborhoods and outlying communities. Interestingly, the people here hail from all over. Only a small minority seem to actually "come from here". That probably adds to the eclectic diversity that is a big part of both the milieu and the identity of Asheville. Though primarily found in the central city, unusual elements can also be seen sprinkled about the surrounding communities. The first time we met our neighbor to the west, for instance, after some perfectly normal neighborly small talk, she then went on to tell us how she trained her dog by "mentally projecting her thoughts and attitudes into the animal's sub-consciousness". Uh-huh. The funny thing was she said this in the most matter-of-fact manner. The other day we passed by a man standing on the side of a side-road. He was hitch-hiking in a bright red honky-tonk suit, black cowboy hat, white cowboy boots, and a pink floral backpack. With some people around here, that's probably "normal" enough that someone probably eventually picked him up. Whether because of or resultant from this eclecticism, the city's culture reflects this diversity. There's a thriving arts community that has developed a national reputation. There's a dynamic independent music scene with a nationally known venue called the Orange Peel that Rolling Stone magazine has rated one of the Top 5 clubs in the country. Restaurants can be found offering every kind of cuisine imaginable. Downtown has a walkable, somewhat European character with a collection of art deco architecture, antique stores, art galleries, boutiques, and a very diverse selection of people--from artists and musicians (and the occasionally bizarre) to corporate executives, merchants and entrepreneurs. The health system was ranked ninth in the nation in a recent survey. All this in a city about the size of Sheboygan nestled in the mountains in the rural south.

- Known for its mild year-round climate, with winter and summer temperatures tempered by the surrounding mountains, we're quickly beginning to understand why Asheville has become a popular destination for those seeking relief from the extremes of both southern summers and northern winters. The first day we met our neighbors to the east they said hello and goodbye -- they were heading back to Florida where they live nine months of the year. Apparently this is just their summer home! The doctors have a name to describe the seniors who have settled here--they call them "halfbacks" because many of them came from the north, moved to Florida, but found it too hot and too crowded down there so they moved half-way back, settling here in Asheville's mild mountain climate. This is a growing contingency (60% of the MN's group's practise is Medicare funded). Winters here are sunny and mild, with occasional snow but an average winter temperature that hovers around 50 degrees. Summers are similarly sunny and mild, with average temperatures in the high 70's and low 80's and very low humidity. We like four seasons but aren't keen on either high summer humidity or heavy winter snowfalls so we feel like we've found our nirvana! One thing we particularly won't miss is the long, damp, dreary West Michigan winters. According to the National Climate Data Center, at 29% average winter sunshine, Grand Rapids is tied with Seattle for the second dreariest winter place in the nation (at 25.2%, only the 600 residents of Quillayute, WA receive less sunshine in the winter than Grand Rapids).

- Finally, I'm discovering how central this area is to so many places. Charlotte is only a couple hours' drive east. Atlanta is four hours south. Knoxville is about an hour-and-a-half east. Greenville-Spartanburg is an hour south. The ocean is an easy weekend destination, with Charleston being an easy 5-hour drive down I-26. Raleigh-Durham is four hours away. In fact, on one tank of gas you can get to most places in eight states--North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Alabama. From the standpoint of a traveling consultant in an era of declining air travel, that's a big plus!

Admittedly, we've only lived here about a month so far, so take these observations for what they are -- first impressions and heresay. But if you want to experience it for yourself, our door is open and our guestroom is ready. Come see us anytime and experience a little of this "southern hospitality" for yourselves!