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Permalink Reply by Jenny on December 15, 2007 at 8:36pm

Asheville, NC?! I strongly disagree. I was just there this week checking out Warren Wilson College, and I definitely did NOT get a safe, cozy, downhome feel from that town. It really creeped me out, lots of gangstas and bums hanging out downtown and people were calling out to me as if I were a street walker despite looking like a completely normal tourist, messenger bag, map and all. I didn't think the bus system was very good or the main station very nice, the library wasn't super nice either. There were some interesting things there, but overall I was very disappointed.

I'm used to the west coast/rocky mountains and had never been to the south or east before, so maybe that kind of culture is totally normal in that region. But I personally wouldn't want to live there. I really liked the school, but the town turned me off so much that I'm seriously debating wether to apply now or not.

I like the small city feel (100-150,000ish pop.), really thriving, positive culture, fun dancing community and music venues, brew/theatre pubs, locally owned businesses, community clubs like running and hiking and ultimate frisbee, bike friendly, active, easily accesible to the outdoors, hippie/laid back wilderness country types, like carhartts and dreads, natural/green/eco minded, progressive, safe, comfy, scenic.

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Permalink Reply by Jenny on December 15, 2007 at 10:52pm

Of course there will be seedy elements in every town, but I got the impression that the seediness of Asheville dominated the overall city and it made me feel really unsafe. Boulder, CO was amazing; it had about 100,000 people and all the elements I spoke of. I know there are places like Boulder out there; I just have to keep looking.
But I appreciate your suggestion and comments.

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