It’s not a touristy trip. Asheville isn’t an area we’d settle so the most we might do is drive through. We’ve got limited time to explore, but I’ll do a thread about where we should visit and what we should do separate from this one.

Jtedescucci can stop by that thread and tell everyone how terrible anyone from California is and how they aren’t welcome in his state.

quote:

Originally posted by mrw:
If flying American you can go SFO to Dallas DFW and then to Ashville NC. You might be able to do SFO to Charlotte and then CLT to Asheville but that connection might be on a lawn dart with no first class.

Is 75 minutes long enough of a layover in DFW to make a connection to Nashville? Found a flight that looks good, time wise, but I’m a nervous traveler when it comes to things like short layovers.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
Re:Asheville
Let me clear it up for you. Asheville is a shithole. Period. Last time I was there, bums walking around hassling you, trying to get money to watch your car while you ate at a Fridays restaurant. And downtown is worse. My rents live west of there…my dad only goes to the VA now because all the hippies, free-loving, gypsy fucks are crawling downtown and ruin everything…everything.

I took a pic of the fuck hassling me and told him that if anything, a n y t h i n g happened to my truck, I’d find him and eat him (Mrs mike heard part of this conversation and freaked) but he didn’t fuck with my rental.

Go to the Biltmore, then leave town. Don’t waste your time. The PD is down a ton of guys, their new hires are all social justice warriors & they can’t really police anymore and shitbags roam the area.

Just don’t.

I'm going to have to remember the "find him and eat him" line. I'd say its fairly effective.

And 75 minutes should be enough in any major airport if the original flight isn't super late.

If you can do one leg to Charlotte I would do that over a two leg connection through DFW. 75 minutes is plenty of time for the connection at DFW, but CLT is much closer to Waynesville and you avoid the time lost with a connection.

I wouldn't even consider the DFW connection over a direct flight to CLT.

Just one opinion, hope you have a good trip and congrats on the retirement.

quote:

Jtedescucci can stop by that thread and tell everyone how terrible anyone from California is and how they aren’t welcome in his state.

Can't blame him.

Californians should fit right in, Asheville is a lot like a cross of San Francisco with a dose of Portland and Seattle thrown in, while attempting to be a Bend, Oregon.

My wife's from there, her ultra-liberal parents settled there after Vietnam. They get a lot of "bless their hearts" from all the SC family. Which is where we stay, in TR with the sane folks. I like the Rock Hill family, but it's too hot there year round.

Back to the point...Asheville is an absolute shithole on par with Portland Oregon. Biltmore is worth the trip, bypass as much of Asheville as you can getting there and getting out.

I hate driving up from Atlanta, but I prefer that route over driving over from RDU. Asheville is a small commuter hub as mentioned, its a been a few years, but the difference in rental car prices and opportunities Atlanta versus Asheville are significant. Like double the cost significant. I've never tried coming in from the Tennessee side by air, I've driven the route though. This time of year you may encounter actual winter conditions on that route. I've never flown into Greenville, but it is a decent sized airport in a large city. It's a short drive (2 hours) to the Asheville area, check pricing there.

The last time I was in Asheville I came really close to shooting a turd. Cleared leather as he changed his threatening ways and narrowly avoided a trip to the forever box. Local Sherrif I interacted with was professional and even helpful. I appreciated that and was glad it wasn't Asheville PD. That might've cost some money.

quote:

quote:
Originally posted by kho:
I am familiar with the area. I have a home in western NC, Banner Elk, where we plan to live when we retire...

... Depends where in Western NC/Eastern Tennessee you want to explore.


How does the Banner Elk area compare to the Waynesville area, or even over the border into Tennessee? Are there nice little cities in the mountains on the Tennessee side?

From the research I've done it seems like there is likely more economic options on the NC side in the way of jobs and such, but I don't know what I'll be doing, so I'm flexible. We just want a great place to live.

I am under the impression that TN would be more solidly red/conservative, which is a definite plus.

I'd really like to try and have somewhat of an itinerary in mind for this trip, but will probably start another thread, actually.

I am going to be of limited help here. Banner Elk is a very small one stop light town that lies between the popular (for the area) ski resorts of Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain. Main industry is tourism. Its a really nice small town but depending on what type of work you might want to do, limited options. Boone is 45 minutes away and is kind of more like a small city than a big town. Not big enough to have an airport but big enough for a hospital and decent medical services if that matters to you. Definitely more options for work. Its home to Appalachian State University so it has all that a college town generally offers. I really like it, you might find that more suited to your needs than Banner Elk. Both are in the mountains and both areas are are beautiful.

Cant really help you on the Tennessee side of the border.

Thanks for the input, everybody. I went ahead and booked direct flights to CLT and have an AWD Altima reserved for the trip.

We likely won’t even stop by Asheville. This isn’t a vacation/sight-seeing trip and it isn’t on the list of potential settlement cities (not that there is a list, exactly). We only have 3 days to try and figure out of the region, to include over the border in TN, will remain on a list for closer consideration.

And I suspect from a job point of we’ll just maintain some rental properties and my wife potentially may teach.

"SuperDually" - I appreciate your "sticking up for me", but I think if you'll look back over what was written there was actually nothing to defend. Thanks anyway. But isn't it interesting how some folks will jump to conclusions - knowing so little. I only said two little words. Two little words. Next thing I know I find myself having to defend something. All right, here we go.

I live in Tennessee - and I love it. I love it for its variety of landscape; for its variety of weather; but mostly for the type of people who live here. They are the type who will NEVER impose on their neighbors, but will always be there to help if help is needed. It IS called The Volunteer State, after all. And I love that - with the exception of Memphis - the state is overwhelmingly conservative. For some who live in California that means that The People believe wholeheartedly in The Constitution. They believe that it means LITERALLY what it says, and that it is not subject to every change in the political winds. In short, they believe that The Constitution is NOT a "living document" that can be interpreted one way on Monday, and another way on Tuesday.

And another very important thing: They understand the difference between a "democracy" and a "republic", and they know that our Founding Fathers never intended for this nation to be ruled as a democracy - but a Republic. This is important, because it means that all the shenanigans that we see in The Congress almost on a daily basis would NEVER happen IF Our Fearless Leaders governed this country as The Founders had intended. In short, you would NEVER SEE a 4-5 Trillion dollar spending bill pass The House or Senate on a 51% vote. All bills would be supported by both parties or they would NEVER become law. Joe Biden would be stopped dead in his tracks. And the rest of the country would NEVER be governed largely by states like CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK, ILLINOIS, and others. It would be a different day. The country would NOT be 30 TRILLION dollars in the hole... and the American dollar would have VALUE again.

But "Thumper", it seems you are interested in seeking the source of my concern. It is this: I do NOT want to see Tennessee become another "purple" state - as has Colorado and some others. And you and I BOTH KNOW that there have been people in California who have expressed the wish to see other states, Texas for example, become purple. Now you & I both know that according to Our Constitution, and especially Our Bill of Rights, that we ALL have certain freedoms granted to us by God which NO MAN can revoke. And you know (I hope) that I have no business trying to modify or deny those rights to you. You have the right to say anything you wish, to travel where you wish, to connect yourself with ANY political party you wish, and certainly to live where you wish. But the first thought in my mind (see? I can THINK what I wish) when someone says they're moving to Tennessee from California is "Oh, God...". You see, Thumper? Californians have something of a reputation, and according to all I have seen it is not undeserved.

One more thing: It has become fashionable for the major network "talk shows" to speak of the advantages of living in states that don't have income taxes. For YEARS these programs would only speak of Texas and Florida when discussing this. But lately these same talk shows are including Tennessee in that mix. Makes me nervous. I live in a state that believes largely in fiscal responsibility.... and I hate like hell to think of passing on to my kids a state which has lost that.

California has a "rep". Tennessee does too - but of a totally different stripe. So yes, "Thumper". I said it, and I'll say it again: "Oh, God..." (Think I'm gonna take that back anytime soon? Don't hold your breath).

If I have offended you, I apologize. It is in the very best Southern Tradition for hosts NOT to insult their guests. So come on down! I'll move the junk cars out of the front yard and the washing machine off the front porch. Hell, I'll even put in my good teeth so my grin won't bother you. BTW, that reminds me of a joke. Do you know the difference between a Yankee and a Damn Yankee? (might as well offend all our Northern neighbors too!).... A Yankee comes down in a station wagon; a Damn Yankee comes down in a station wagon, pulling a trailer. OK, now that I've offended fully half the forum I guess it's time for me to go... FredT

I’m not offended. I choose to not get offended in life. It’s not worth it.

I just caution you to not be so quick to judge people you know absolutely nothing about other than my location as “Modesto, CA”. You don’t know my background, beliefs, moral compass, political views, or truly much of anything.

I do understand your frustration. I’m sure I’d be leery in your position… another reason for me to choose not to be offended by your otherwise totally unoffensive words. Seriously. Not a concern.

Some might be offended in your assumption that I’m not educated enough to know the difference between a democracy and a republic or that I don’t know which we live in. Not that it’s why if your business, but I do.

You also assume I’m not an originalist when it comes to The Constitution, presumably based on my location. An odd position, to be sure. Again, I don’t need to answer to you, but I will. And I am.

And since you don’t know me you’d have know way of knowing that consideration of others is one of the pillars of my life and one of the most important things I am trying to instill in my children, but you seem to presume that since I currently reside in CA that I can’t possibly help but impose my beliefs on others… and again, beliefs you know nothing about.

But it’s ok. I understand you seem deeply offended by the mere existence of CA. I can’t help your offense.

But I’m not offended by your rude assumptions or ‘holier than though’ attitude, just because my parents parents settled in CA many many decades before I was born or before this state went to hell. I just feel sad that you harbor that angst in your heart, that’s no way to live. I’ll just work my plan, get my pension, find a new home town that is ok with my spending my hard earned CA pension in their (my) community, adding my 5 exceedingly conservative votes to their base, and enjoy my retirement at age 44, living a great and blessed by God life. For all the many many faults that CA has, I will exit it having obtained a great deal that I will happily turn around and use to bless wherever my new home will be.

Bless your heart.

quote:

Originally posted by AKSuperDually:

quote:

Jtedescucci can stop by that thread and tell everyone how terrible anyone from California is and how they aren’t welcome in his state.

Can't blame him.

Californians should fit right in, Asheville is a lot like a cross of San Francisco with a dose of Portland and Seattle thrown in, while attempting to be a Bend, Oregon.

I’d just gently point out that there is far more to CA than San Francisco and L.A. I’d no more fit in in S.F. (or Asheville by the sound of it) than I suspect you would. Just because the state itself is likely a lost cause doesn’t mean we are all Godless commies. Conservatives in a place like NC should want people if my ilk moving in being out of state pensions to bolster your tax revenue and more importantly, deeply red votes to help bolster the conservative voting rolls.

Let’s not fight amongst ourselves. Same team.

quote:

Originally posted by SBrooks:


And 75 minutes should be enough in any major airport if the original flight isn't super late.

Flights board 1/2 hour before departure for domestic flights. That allows 45 minutes for the arriving flight, before boarding time.

I had a connection a few days ago that got delayed on departure by 20 minutes, and had to hold short of the gate for 25. When I got off the flight I had to change terminals, and the arriving flight and departing flight were at opposite ends of the airport. I ran, and was the last to board in the last group before they shut the door. I made it by less than 30 seconds.

I frequently end up with connections on American that are 30 minutes ground time, and it's not nearly enough.

Two hours is more comfortable, and sometimes that's not enough.

There is one site in Asheville we can hope remains faithful to God -- Reverend Graham's retreat.

We were just in Asheville, on the east side, after a hike, and stayed overnight. The place was not the Asheville of old. It was, as best we could tell, a place that has succumbed to those who believe there are no absolutes, and how dare anyone even think there could be.

My only personal experience with Asheville is trying to drive through it on the way to somewhere else, usually the gun show in Fletcher. (Asheville is only ~70 miles from Johnson City, TN.) This is one of the most messed-up freeways in the country, with poor signage, narrow lanes, entrances and exits - some of them on the left - every few hundred feet, a sharp turn, and you have to go from one side of the freeway to the other to stay on I-26 westbound (actually more northbound). And to top it off, perpetually under some kind of construction too.