Good Morning

I am sort of been a lurker for some months but have decided today I would like to introduce myself to you all.
My name is Lisa and I mostly hang out in the upper midwest forum since I live in IL for now.. I have a friend that raves about Asheville,NC..I remember as a child driving through the Smoky with my folks and saying someday I would love to move here.My DH wants the mountains of the southwest and no more 4 seasons although I am not fond of winter I would miss it.

I'm a country lady who enjoys simple this to make me happy.I am interested in a small homestead and like to support local farms in the area. As for gardening I am still a novice that is becoming addicted to daylilies..I went to the store and got 2 more that I saw..1.Strawberry Candy 2.Prairie Blue Eyes
We have some of the orange ones and a few red but don't know what their names are.
I bought an Earthbox and will be trying my hand at vegetable gardening this summer.
When I am not online or outside I enjoy cooking and reading a good book from one of my Christian authors.

Well Later friends;
Lisa

Welcome Lisa! I doubt you'll find anyone on this forum who would recommend against the Asheville area. It's a lovely part of the world ( as are all parts of the Carolinas, she said in a biased way). :)
Deb

Lisa, I lived in Asheville until 3 years ago. I miss it... it's a wonderful small cosmopolitan area. Housing/land there is very pricey now which is why my sis and I moved to the SW Virginia Appalachians. Cost of living is comparable to most places except the New England areas down to NY. Only the housing is high because Asheville draws so many people.

Asheville has 2 huge organic/natural food stores, and 2-3 farmer's markets (local) as well as the large commercial farmer's market just off the interstate. I still go every month or two just to grocery shop. There is a LOT of diversity in the Asheville community and downtown you will find everything from business suits to dreadlocks or punk hairdo's.

The weather is 4 season but the winter's are not really bad. Occasional snow up to about 4" with the exception of the blizzard of '92 or '93 (I forget which) when 3 feet of snow shut down the city (and most of the SE down to Atlanta) for a week. Because the temps are borderline during winter there's more likely a thin layer of ice than snow, but melts quickly.

The growing season is marvelous. There's better soil in parts of Hendersonville or Horseshoe, SE of Asheville about 30 miles and housing there is somewhat more affordable. Going north from A'vl towards Tennessee, prices drop a bit more but the land in general is steeper and rockier.

We also have cheap living in Pamlico County and I will be moving permanently in a few years as I am retiring there. Flowers and daylillies grow great in the climate. Wish we had got Darius there before she went to VA.

Lavina

Lavinia, I LOVE the mountains and refuse to give them up if I don't have to. I lived once in Elizabeth City (my dad was stationed in Weeksville) and hated it. Too flat, too hot and too many bugs.

Darius- Too flat, too hot, too many bugs- that's the charm of
northeast NC. But I still love it!

LOL well you will have to come for a visit.
My DILs parents are at Nathalie , VA and they feel the way you do.
Lavina

Carolinablue how far are you from Grantsboro/ Kennel's Beach ?

Lavina

LavinaMae- About 2 hours. I'm up here in Hertford County but I do
have some family in Martin County ( a bit closer to
Grantsboro). Never been there though.

Darius- I look forward to the day when we might met..Being a homesteader wannabe I have enjoyed reading about your new life and the challenges you have overcome..
There are some days when I really wonder if homesteading is for me because I enjoy the city life also..but hate the crowds..
Lisa

As my young niece says, "Cool Beans"...

Hey..
U got me lost now:)) LOL
do u have yahoo messanger?

Yes, but I never turn it on. I hate being interrupted by an IM...

The "Cool Beans" was that I'd like to meet you too.

Ok..Great..
Well if you ever do turn it on you can find me as ldk7290