More people are moving to Asheville than leaving; what's driving the influx?

Will Hofmann, Asheville Citizen Times
·3 min read
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The skyline of the City of Asheville, August 22, 2023.
The skyline of the City of Asheville, August 22, 2023.

ASHEVILLE - Moved to Asheville for the weather? For the national parks? For music? For the food? You aren't alone.

A recent study showed that inbound new residents to Asheville continue to outpace those moving out of the area, where those moving into the area make up two-thirds of all active moving, according to Mayflower Transit, a national moving company.

Mayflower suggested that residents moved to the mountains of Western North Carolina for several reasons, where 91% of movers said cost of living was an important factor, but noted that mid-sized cities like Asheville are often chosen for their sense of community or external aspects like weather.

Out of reported reasons for moving to the area, weather is reported to be the most influential factor in moving to Asheville, with nearly two-thirds mentioning it as the reason they moved to the area, according to the Mayflower Transit survey.

Proximity to parks, green spaces, and nature trails is the second most influential factor, with 61% of respondents mentioning it as the reason they moved to Asheville.

Asheville ranked fifth on Mayflowers "Finding Home" survey of mid-sized cities who have predominantly inbound residents than residents leaving.

The Carolina Mountain Club celebrated 100 years by hiking to Tennent Mountain July 12, 2023.
The Carolina Mountain Club celebrated 100 years by hiking to Tennent Mountain July 12, 2023.

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Which other cities have more moving in than moving out?

  • Wilmington, N.C. (81% of movers are inbound)

  • Santa Fe, N.M. (75% of movers are inbound)

  • Knoxville, Tenn. (70% of movers are inbound)

  • Greenville/Spartanburg, S.C. (67% of movers are inbound)

  • Asheville (66% of movers are inbound)

  • Greensboro/Winston Salem, N.C. (65% of movers are inbound)

  • Fayetteville, Ark. (65% of movers are inbound)

  • Charlotte (64% of movers are inbound)

  • Indianapolis, Ind. (60% of movers are inbound)

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Small business, arts, local shopping

Another reason to move to Asheville, alongside other mid-sized cities, was the proximity to arts, where nearly half of new residents mentioned it as a reason to move to the area.

Additionally, over a third of new movers indicate that they have started businesses on the side, which they maintain while moving. Of those, 37% freelance or consult, 31% own a small business and an estimated 24% engage in content creation, according Mayflower Transit.

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Karen Merritt, who recently moved to Asheville from California, said that her experience was influenced by the weather, along with the accessibility to local goods.

“Everything is attractive here,” Merritt said in the news release. "It's green all the time! There is an abundance of fresh, locally grown food, and the art community is amazing. I have met many Californians here since I arrived, and they are transplants like me — most of them have left for similar reasons.”

Merritt also mentioned the strength of small businesses in the area as a reason to move to Asheville, where she was excited that residents support local organizations and businesses. Buncombe County's current living wage is $20.10 to afford a one-bedroom apartment.

“They are supporting small businesses and the surrounding communities in a big way,” Merritt said. “I want to start a small business here. I'm excited to see a community that supports small businesses.”

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Will Hofmann is the Growth and Development Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Got a tip? Email him at WHofmann@citizentimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: More people are moving to than leaving Asheville; what's driving them?