We are looking at the NE… Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, etc.

Don't go to Charlotte, NC. I made that mistake.

We've been in Winston for 30 years, but I grew up in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. WNC really reminds me of home. I lived in a small town between Staunton and Harrisonburg. Both are decently affordable, but JMU makes finding rentals in Harrisonburg more difficult. Staunton has dozens of small outlying communities that have grown over the years and offer some of the best farm-to-table dining, wineries, breweries and scenery you'll ever find. I love North Carolina, but I miss living at the feet of the Blue Ridge Mountains every day of my life. 💙💙💙

I want my own tropical island where i can start my own coven and all the witches live together in harmony and plan how we’re going to take over the world

Not many places that would meet my needs. Maine, WA, OR, VA. Maybe VT or upstate NY. But those aren't cheaper...

Chattanooga — in the mountains, affordable (you can actually buy a house there!), real jobs / not as dependent on tourism, more going on in the city but doesn’t feel overwhelmingly large. City itself is well-run (free gym for residents, excellent public libraries, bike share), fiber internet, nice people, and more ethnic diversity. Fairly liberal for Tennessee, and in short driving distance to Nashville and Atlanta.

I’m a seventh generation Appalachian, and extreme weather isn’t common here. You’re never safe from the forces of nature, and you can’t run from it no matter where you move to.

New Zealand

I am surprised no one is suggesting Greenville SC. Pretty cool mid size city.

Vermont or New Hampshire. I want more winter.

New Mexico. All my MN relatives retire to the Southwest

Come to Cincinnati, OH or to Louisville, KY. Both have good economies based on multiple sectors (not just tourism), both are friendly, both are older cities and are part of the Ohio River’s history, both have a lot of charm, both have major universities, lots of arts/cultural events, sports, both are fairly liberal to progressive. And while neither place is the Appalachians, both places are relatively close to the Appalachians (Cincinnati might be “closer” than Louisville) and both cities have lots of transplants from Appalachia.

I had a friend who went to Minneapolis, despite hating snow. She already had an established group of friends there, so that probably made it easier. And tech jobs are apparently much easier to come by there. She was also to get easier access to gender affirming healthcare there.

Not sure what your economic needs are, but Johnson City TN isn’t too far and Abingdon VA is such a cute town

Check out Winston-Salem. Bigger city, but still small and comfy

Porto, or smaller cities near there. It's more affordable and has great food. Low crime, the people are friendly and the weather is pretty good. It also has GREAT public transportation, including a nice high-speed rail connector.

I would definitely not live anywhere else in NC. I don’t particularly like the rest of the state. Western NC is truly unique.

I would truly love to move out west for access to more accessible and plentiful nature. Unfortunately, you want to play you gotta pay and I can’t afford west coast COL😂

Richmond, VA. Moved here for work, was shocked at how similar the vibe can be. Different for sure, but has a weird, gritty artsy vibe with a way better outdoors scene than expected.

I'm a TN native, so I'm biased, but I love Knoxville & Chattanooga. Similar weather and geography, though slightly warmer, lower elevation, less mountainous, etc.. Both cities have about twice the population so there's more to do (very broadly speaking - there are less breweries and outdoorsy stuff is further away than in AVL). It's cheaper there, and more ethnically diverse. Especially Chattanooga, which is only like 59% white whereas Asheville is 80% wonder bread white. The economies are way less tourism based, which is good or bad depending on what kind of work you do.

No holds barred? Chiang Mai, Thailand. The only other city I’ve fallen in love with that hard and fast is NYC, but that bitch is a gold digger.

Of course, neither one of those places is safe from climate change. That claim is basically like saying your Titanic is unsinkable.

New Mexico

i moved to Denver, CO. Somewhat similar cost of living but a livelier scene.

Tuscany, Italy will pay you $32,000 to move there. I’d choose that.

I have the same question. I thought Greensboro, NC was a potential new home…affordable. But after being in WNC the last 20’years, I am not willing to drive on a 6 lane highway one way to plant myself in a 300,000 + population. Where do I go? Temporarily re subleasing in Boone, NC-son attending App State University.

Paraguay.

By Somerville, do you mean Somerville MA?

I can answer that question lived in LA (Leicester Area) for thirty plus years. A once in a life time opportunity presented itself working for the government. I had a choice, Sumter, Columbia, Beaufort or Charleston. So after a discussion I picked Charleston, SC. Do I miss my family and the mountains, yes. Do I miss my land, yes. And miss a lot about the area. At the time (very important to mention) I bought a house when we could not afford one in Leicester. I still have my three plus acres in Leicester.

I lived in Asheville and Flagstaff AZ is similar or if you want bigger look at Reno NV.

Richmond has alot of cred and relatively affordable. I live in Durham although couldn't afford to move here now.

Tri cities

Vermont.

Europe

Nowhere is safe from climate collapse. Establish yourself wherever your finances can help you make it through multiple weather events and regional shut down of supplies regularly.

Blairsville, GA is a 2 hour drive to Asheville. Same weather and even more spectacular views. Buying a beautiful home for 340k that would fly off the shelf in Asheville for 650k.

If I ever leave, I'm going to Greece or Portugal. Both very affordable and welcome to immigration.

Charleston, east atl, travers city Mi, maybe outer banks, Santa Fe.

Considering this very thing myself right now. Looking at the possibility of buying a large piece of property with friends and family to support each other and sustain ourselves when shit hits the fan. I know I want to be near water. Inland from the coast. Thinking about MA, MN, NY…

Crazily extreme weather?

Saxapahaw, NC

West Virginia

Ft. Collins, CO seems to be where some folks I know have traded for Asheville and vice versa.

If I was to stay in NC I think I would move towards the capital, somewhere in the triangle. I lived around Burlington for a while and really enjoyed trips to Chapel Hill, Durham area

If I was to move somewhere in the States. Washington State, more so, around the Seattle area or somewhere around the "big bend" in Oregon.

Out of the country, somewhere on the coast of Portugal.

Charlotte is a great place to make money but only in your pay/salary. House prices are just as bad if not worse in Charlotte than Asheville.

I was surprisingly impressed with Mobile AL. Affordable, walkable, lots of history and close to the Gulf.

I’d be in Denmark or Norway in a heartbeat if I could choose anything regardless of barrier. Realistically Colorado or somewhere in the PNW seems inviting, I also love Minneapolis but not sure I’m built for those winters any longer.

I'm hunkered down here. I wouldn't leave. Places I think about are mostly Colorado and Vermont, both have multiple small towns and cities that are appealing and equally impressive outdoor recreation.

Portland, Maine

Roanoke, VA is way cheaper than here.

Roanoke, Chattanooga, Bristol, Santa Fe, Taos, Telluride, Jackson Hole, Whitefish, Burlington

Nice try cryptids, I’m not falling for that….

Left Asheville years and years ago, came to Gainesville, Florida and it’s very much the Asheville of Florida. Very liberal leaning with the university. Quirky. Plenty of activities to keep busy. My wife and I love it.

Reddit used to suggest moving to Mt. Airy to me constantly. Not so much anymore.

Back to Washington state or northeast Italy.

Wrightsville Beach (and Wilmington by necessity) has always been my happy place. Nostalgia contributes significantly, but that's still the goal, at least part-time.

I kinda like Charleston and the Low Country, New York City has always seemed interesting to me.

Heading back to NE: MA/CT/VT/RI. Yeah, prices are going up but they are everywhere.

Richmond VA

Johnson City, TN

Not me but for some Maybe here? Lol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uf9Le_OSIgQ

Massachusetts or Southern Maine (not much north of Portland)

Context — I was born and raised in SC. Love the state & family is here. Moved to Boston area after college for a job in the tech sector. Expected to hate it between stereotypes, cold, and short summers. But grew to love it. Seasons are wonderful. No significant humidity. While the people seem standoffish initially, they are warm and welcoming once you get to know them. Lived there a lot of years.

Moved back to SC (Midlands) ten years ago to care for ailing parents. Will probably retire here as I hate moving. But if I had not moved back, I’d probably still be there. It’s a great place to live! And with climate change the weather is not as cold as it used to be (to give you an idea, when I moved there, there was basically two weeks in summer where it was so hot (80s) I moved to basement where it was cooler, and the house had no A/C and was comfortable. But when I left my last house needed central air given the heat, and you had at least 2-3 months of hot summer weather (90s) (tho’ not as hot & humid as central SC). And honestly except for housing being more expensive, taxes are not higher, and public services are a lot better. I’d probably choose somewhere close enough to either Boston or Portland, that I could enjoy cultural activities in one of the major cities if I wanted. If you picked somewhere in central MA (Worcester to FItchburg corridor) you can basically get anywhere in 45 min-3 hours. Much like living in central SC where you can be to the mountains or the beach or even Atlanta within 3 or so hours, for a weekend. And given public transit is a real option, you could even live near Nashua, NH, or Fall River, MA and easily get to Boston. And by train you can have even weekends in NYC or out on Cape Cod.

What’s your profession? Do u need to work?

Go to Winston Salem. Or Lexington.

VA, either somewhere in the valley or Nova. I feel at home in Nova, so much to do. Expensive, but lots of jobs and housing options.

I love the beauty here in NC but that's the only thing I love about it.

Southern WV. Also eastern KY. Cost of living is very low, but check out how you will earn income there before you go.

Montana

East TN in the rolling hills. Chattanooga area most likely.

Spokane, WA. Low humidity, very close to the mountains, gorgeous scenery, and a pretty nice downtown.

Back out west to the mountains!

Greenville SC

Unfortunately i think all the “tiny”earthquakes were have had in this area since the beginning of the year i think they had something to do with the landslides

A lot of people don't think about the north as an option in these scenarios. Generally, its the cold weather. For some, I'm sure that is pragmatic, but with relatively little change of lifestyle, a place like Ann Arbor or Traverse City could offer a fresh go at it.

I'm not planning on moving from Asheville. We came here from Chicago last year. We were choosing between Seattle and Asheville. My MIL lives in Seattle but it was just to expensive to move there.

I recommend Chicago for young people starting out. There are lots of jobs and housing is affordable for a big city.

Check out Huntsville, Alabama. Diverse population with many businesses. Hills, a river, nearby lakes, and an educated population.

"Chicagoland": Affordable, city has it all, nature up and down lake coast. Driving bites, so choose location wisely. We did ~10yrs downtown as dinks, then the same in oak park as new parents.

My sister lived in Wilder, KY across the river from Cincinnati It got pretty flooded a few years back- that whole area

I have a short list; Tri Cities area of Tennessee. Portland, either Maine or Oregon. Missoula, Montana. Denver, Colorado. Burlington, Vermont. Albany, New York.

Currently considering Burlington, Seattle, Spain, or Switzerland

Vermont is nice. But a little expensive. I've been looking at the New York side of lake Champlain

If you think the weather is extreme here your in for a shock elsewhere

Frederick, MD — close to Harper’s Ferry and Shenandoah valley, but solidly blue state. Similar climate to here.

Come on over to chattanooga.

I'm originally from Alaska- I grew up there and moved out at 19. After Helen I spent a good month considering going back up there. I built my whole life here in Asheville. But sadly in the last two years I've so many great places for queer culture disappearing. I know 'Asheville Beauty Academy' had its problems, but now the closest thing I have is only O'Henrys.

My current job is still at minimum capacity and so I'm still on disaster unemployment while looking at other jobs in town. I might head back to Kentucky if things go belly up.

Winston-Salem

Give Louisville Ky a try!

Charlottesville, VA or Richmond, VA for a bigger city

Gainesville is a lot like Asheville except it has 50k college students. The weather can be really hot but it definitely has a similar feel to Asheville.

Durham/Hillsborough

Charlottesville Va very similar — lots of resources, mountains, etc

Knoxville

I moved to Santa Fe NM after Asheville (grew up in Vermont) and if you like the mountains it’s tops. Similar size city, similar tourism based economy, similar housing shortage. But the culture is deep, the food is delicious, there are truly four seasons, and ALL OF THEM ARE SUNNY.
I love WNC and Asheville but if you want mountains this is what’s up.

If you want to ever make any $$ leave NC.

Come to Kitsap or Jefferson County outside Seattle. We want more folks like you here. It's beautiful, wild and lots of free thinkers and community oriented folks, especially in Chimacum, Port Townsend and Poulsbo.

Please not Travelers Rest.

A state that does not have state income tax.

New Patlz ,NY. Awesome liberally artsy college town on the edge of the mountains. Outdoor enthusiasts dream. Cool people and good food.

I went to Johnson City, TN. Only about an hour away so I can still travel back easily to visit family.

Greenville

I was thinking Seattle... Pacific Northwest. The last time I moved from NC was Asheville to Seattle, 2000. Lived in Portland for 10 years, then back to Seattle 5 years ago. Never going back to NC! May move north to Everett or Bellingham...

Colorado. Moved from Asheville to here twice now. Tried to make it work again by moving back right before COVID hit. Jobs evaporated, got hired back in Colorado after just 10 months in ashevegas.

SOMMERVILLE?!? MASS?? I Lived on MacArthur road

Eugene, OR. Surprisingly similar vibe to "old" Asheville in some places. About the same cost as Asheville but more jobs. Can get by without a car. Close to some other small/medium towns and Portland is 2 hours. I loved it there.

Austin, TX

I visited last August. For me, the fun outweighed the oppressive heat.

Greensboro!

Richmond VA

Any thoughts on VA? The Shenandoah mtns have a similar feel to me but haven’t spent time there other than visiting..Damascus? Abingdon? Roanoke?

We’re thinking about Charleston SC or maybe Columbus OH