Asheville is a wonderful city. There's an endless list of restaurants, galleries, and activities to explore, and the outdoors and neighboring towns expand that list tenfold. Despite all there is to see and do, it's essential to remove the rose-colored glasses after visiting and note the city's pros and cons before moving here. Every town has its ups and downs, but what those entail will vary.

• Homelessness is one of the city's top issues, and it's apparent in every part of the city. You'll notice displaced people roaming, gathering, and sleeping in more trafficked areas. It's a regular topic in the news, with an ongoing list of proposed suggestions from the community, lawmakers, and city officials.
• There is a lack of infrastructure and roads. The influx of people moving here and ongoing construction have created traffic congestion that is crippling to this small city and neighboring towns.
• Following this point, the mountains dictate how roads in this area flow. Due to the terrain, we are limited in where roads can go. Mountains don't like straight lines, so the roads are long, curvy, and a bit out of the way. Bring a map with you as you learn the area because it's easy to get lost, and your GPS might not get reception.
• Be prepared to have a low-paying job. Tourism and hospitality are the two main industries in Asheville. The medical field is probably next in line. If you aren't bringing your work when you move to Western North Carolina, your job options are limited.
• Medical care is controversial. In recent years, the city and region's top medical provider was sold, changing from a nonprofit to a giant business. There has been a decline in customer care and numerous issues. While there are other hospitals in the region, Asheville's main source of medical assistance is now a questionable resource.
• Asheville is not a racially diverse town. Opposed to other large cities, it is a predominantly white area, and because of this, we lack some cultural diversity as well.
• There isn't much for kids to do. Families are limited to activities explicitly geared toward children. There are several spots to take kids if you're visiting on vacation, but if you're moving here with children, you'll need to get creative or ensure they have special interests or are in extracurricular activities.

Don't worry! It's not all bad, we promise. Be sure to come back for highlights of the good things Asheville has to offer! 

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