North Carolina

Mike Best wrote:Everyone's hit the high points of Asheville, I'll just say I agree with almost all of them. Way better live music scene (Orange Peel) way better downtown and cultural vibe than Charlotte, but it all depends on your style. Jobs wise it sounds like you'll be better served there than Charlotte. I've been in Charlotte for 8 years and the best thing I can say about it is that it's an easy city to get out of (3 hrs to Charleston for beach/flatwater, 2ish hrs to Asheville/Brevard, 2 hrs to any of the NC Climbing areas and you've got an airport with a direct flight everywhere). Outdoors wise you've got Crowder's close by, InnerPeaks is one of the better climbing gyms in the SE, and the whitewater center is also here, but if given a choice I'm almost always getting in my car and driving to better destinations. As to Coffee, you've gotta like the corporate stuff in Charlotte as Starbucks and Caribou are about it.

What about The Not Just Coffee Shop or Central Coffee Co?

Brian Abram wrote: What about The Not Just Coffee Shop or Central Coffee Co?

Fair point. There are pockets of the city that have a good vibe.

Same probably goes for Dilworth Coffee, all are just a bit out of the way for me. Not Just Coffee Shop is a new one to me. Gotta check that out. Also as an aside it's way better here from a Restaurant, Live Music, culture etc perspective now than when I first moved here and it gets better every year.

I lived in Charlotte my entire life up until about two months ago. I now live in Brevard. Having lived in both areas this is what I have concluded.

Charlotte is great because it is Central to all the climbing in the state, its about 2 hours to 90% of the climbing in NC. The biggest drawback is the very little outside climbing in Charlotte.
Bottom line: Charlotte is great if you are a weekend warrior and don't mind driving an hour or 2 every weekend to get on real rock.

Brevard is great because you have Cedar Rock and Looking Glass in your back yard allowing you to climb a 5 pitch route after work some times of the year. Rumbling bald, Laurel Knob, Big Green 45 min away, Linville Gorge about an hour and half way. The only main drawback to living in the western part of the state is that you are farther away from the climbing in Northern Piedmont Region with Moore's Wall and Stone Mountain.
Bottom line: Brevard/Asheville is to place if you want to be able to climb after work and not have to drive far to get to climb.

If you make a trip to Brevard. I would glad to give you a tour of all the awesome climbing in the area.

Brad

I suppose I'll chime in as well, even though most of it has been covered.

I go to school in Charlotte and live in Asheville so I might have some unique insight.

One response said Asheville had a "a few cool coffee shops". That doesn't even begin to cover it. Asheville has an amazing and thriving downtown restaurant scene. Most are independent restaurants covering the full variety of styles from Indian to French to Southern. The downtown brew pubs are amazing (Asheville was named Beer City USA the last 2 years in a row). The job market, however, is not that great for skilled jobs. You might be able to land a restaurant or retail gig fairly easily though.

It's been covered but the climbing nearby is amazing, Looking Glass, Cedar, Rumbling Bald, and other lesser known Pisgah crags are less than an hour from my driveway. Linville Gorge, Whitesides, Laurel Knob, etc. are within two hours.

Mountain biking at Bent Creek 15 mins from downtown, trail running, hiking, backpacking trails, you name it, we got it.

On the other hand, Charlotte is a classic big city. Urban sprawl out the wazoo and a fairly good job market. Downtown is nice but expensive , and there is a growing indy sector a few miles from downtown at North Davidson street. The outdoors opportunities suck compared to Asheville and are limited to the occasional dirt trail to run on and the massive pile of sharp quartzite that is Crowders Mountain. It's got some of the state's worst rock but there are a few gems in there, especially if you're into hard sport.

My two cents.

Edit: Coincidentally just saw this posted on Facebook:
abcnews.go.com/Travel/best_…

I grew up in NC, went to Uni in Raleigh. I will raise a family in NC, grow old there, die there. Absolutely no question about that. I've lived in three other US states and three other countries and have traveled all other have never found a place that comes close to NC.

As for Asheville and Charlotte - well, no one has said anything so far that I'd argue with. Asheville is obviously a great place to live with reasonably good weather for most of the year and the best weather in the world for about a quarter of the year. Also some of the best climbing you'll find anywhere.

I do love the Piedmont though. Better bbq, fewer weird people, better access to the outer banks and, of course, Moore's Wall.

Brand nails it.

Like Brad, my wife and I recently left Charlotte. We both liked Charlotte; it a nice enough for a big city. Take a look at the NODA neighborhood if you are planning on relocating. The Smelly Cat has great coffee and there are a number of cool restaurants, bars and galleries in the area. IMHO, this is one of the few neighborhoods in Charlotte with genuine character. YMMV. BTW, the gym in Charlotte is pretty nice. The owner actually takes pride in his facility and continues to invest and expand.

There is lot's of good information on Asheville in other posts. I have never lived there, but have spend a lot of time in the area. All other things being equal (job, property, personal concerns) I would choose to live in Asheville over Charlotte.

Best of luck with your move.

Adam,

Just a few thoughts from a person who recently relocated from slc to Winston-Salem. It seems really difficult to compare living in NC to UT. I will say that they are two of my favorite locations. I really really love SLC and just Utah in general. The amount of climbing, biking, skiing, and just outdoor activities in the state are phenomenal. Not to mention its proximity to world class places like the Winds, the Tetons, Moab, and Zion. The climbing is top notch and the proximity of the crag or resorts to downtown is about as good as it gets. The gyms are also top notch. Probably a better job market for your line of work, as well. However, NC is an equally great place to live.I love it here and when the time comes to head home, it will be difficult. I can't speak for ashville, but in the state in general, it requires more travel time to access the outdoors but it is always worth it. The community is great, the weather is better, and you will not be disappointed. You would be extremely lucky to live either place. Rock quality in Joe's, Little Cottonwood Canyon, and Triassic is amazing and the quality of rock here is just as good. Each has qualities that are not to be missed.

Cool man, thanks for the info. As far as climbing goes, 2 hours is nothing. Pretty much looking at at least 3 hours minimum from my front door to Yosemite on the weekends, 2ish to Castle Rock, and 5 to Bishop. So 2 hours to 90% of the climbing in the state is nothing, hell I've been driving that to climb choss in Tahoe. Definitely looking for a gym with not only solid bouldering, but a good training area as well (campus/systems board, descent free weights and the like). The gyms in SLC are pretty good, although I found Momentum to be pretty soft in their grading. Routes were fun though. Thanks alot of all the feedback guys, this is proving really informative!

Can't say much for the gym's in WNC, I finally just decided to build my own home woodie for training. The gyms are much better in Charlotte, and for good reason...

Good luck with your re-location!

Good: climbing quantity and quality--bouldering and trad, mtn biking, kayaking, hiking.

Bad: no skiing worth mentioning, limited ice climbing, humid climate, limited sport climbing (though within striking distance of the obed, red, and the new)

Nc is a great place, but if you're into skiing or ice, go with out west.

I just thought I'd add that SLC is one of the only cities that is not in the east that I'd actually live. I hate the cities out west but SLC is pretty cool if you're wanting to spend a lot of time out doors. Little Cottonwood and Lone Peak blew my mind on the climbing front and there really is no skiing in NC when compared to SLC. I used to be a snows sports guy and SLC is one of the best places to be in the lower 48. Great access to bigger climbing than you will get in the east.

Just reading about Asheville is making me want to move back! I really miss it there.

I chose Asheville because I'd prefer be on West Coast but want to stay close to family on coast of NC and Asheville is about the closest to a West Coast culture as you're going find east of the Mississippi. Coffee shops on every corner. Lots of "buy local" oriented type people. Numerous dreadies around town as well as outdoor type folks mixed in with good ol boys. Every one seems to blend in and get along well. Tons of great breweries. Check out the Orange Peel's web site to get an idea on national bands that come to town. Great music scene overall with all kinds of music. Actually the streets of Asheville are a venue upon themselves. Tons of great buskers. As far as climbing culture, I've found everyone to be quite friendly and helpful. Actually the two biggest dicks I've had run ins with recently were from out of town. One from Florida, one from DC. I got a job here making $10,000 more a year than I was making in another area of country and pay $200 less a month in rent. Not sure if you're field has jobs in area. I never have trouble finding parking downtown even during major events such as Bele Chere. The local weekly rag is Mountain Xpress. Check out their web site mountainx.com. Yes there's negatives, but isn't there everywhere? Oh and a foodies dream. So much great food here!

Great info BreauxKev, thanks!