Asheville, NC is a unique mountain town about 90 miles from Knoxville, TN and 100 miles from Charlotte, NC. The Blue Ridge mountains are beautiful and the Parkway provides days of exploration opportunities. It's a great place to live, or visit. Asheville is progressive and historic at once. The people, the vibe, the scenery are great. There's art of all kinds, culture, great vistas and phenomenal food. Asheville is home to some of the best restaurants on the East coast. Twelve Bones barbecue restaurant was recently voted one of Good Morning America’s “Best Bites in America”. The Laughing Seed is consistently voted best vegetarian restauarnt in WNC. If you want Indian, Italian, Caribbean, Mexican, Japanese, Vegetarian, Vegan, WHAT EVER it's within walking distance and done with excellence. Google Mela, Laughing Seed, Salsa's, LIMONE's. Restaurants that aren't great do not survive in this town.
Asheville's destination Belgian Bar is The Thirsty Monk located at Coxe and Patton in the basement of the Purple Building. Step inside and the feel is pure abbey. The staff are knowledgeable, professional and enthusiastic about Belgian beer! There are typically 150 bottled belgians in the cooler and about a dozen on rotating tap. If you're new to Belgians the flights are a great way to go. Try any Saison but especially (whether on tap or bottled) the Foret Saison. The Monk features local pub fare and American craft brews in the upstairs bar. Anything by Bell's (Kalamazoo, MI) is good and pairs nicely with the smoked trout baguette.
Why would a Southern California Realtor write about North Carolina? I used to live there, and it's "all that." I visit at least 4 times a year. The best time to visit is of course the fall. Spring is also beautiful there. If you're interested in NC Real Estate contact Barry Bialik at Dirt & Sticks (828) 254-5450. North Carolina never went crazy like the rest of the hot Real Estate markets. Values have remained intact and have room to rise. Like other reasonably priced areas the biggest impediment to their market is the banks, but that's a whole other blog. Visit Asheville, do some Blue Ridge Parkway touring and enjoy the beautiful, walkable downtown.
Cheers Y'all.
Steve Mauer
agent@liveridecondo.com
562.900.4392
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Expensive oil not all bad
Dear Southern California Commuter
Is it just me or has $4 gas taken a few cars off the road?
While oppressive to truckers, limo and taxi drivers - $4 gas has helped a lot of commuters by reducing traffic volumes. Sure you still see a few Expeditions and Yukon Denalis on the 405 but that's because they can't be sold. No-one wants a gas hog these days. It seems even the Detroit of the West is falling out-of-love with cars. It wasn't two years ago that SoCal Hummer dealers were expanding and doing brisk business. Now the GM dealers who carry Hummer are downplaying the brand and basically trying to get rid them. To be fair Hummer is not the worst-mileage car on the road, just an easy target in the current energy/economic environment. While Politicians volley about whether or not to drill in the Gulf or the Pacific cooler heads prevail. The ANSWER is to stop using so much of a non-renewable resource. Once gas hit $4, the first thing everyone did was consolidate trips and eliminate unnecessary ones. One way to save gas to stop driving so much, whatever the car. Taking the train to work, even part-time can lower stress, increase reading time, decrease pollution and limit urban sprawl. It is possible in Los Angeles and Orange County and it's now significantly cheaper than driving and parking. You can buy a home within walking distance to commuter rail for less you might think. Remove a car payment, gas and insurance and you've just received a fat raise. Maybe this means you can buy more home. Maybe a first home! As a Realtor sometimes I have to drive but even in my business there are ways to save fuel. That's part of the reason my site offers MLS access. You can see what looks good to you, contact me and we can go look at a more targeted set of properties. If you're interested in homes close to the Gold, Green, Blue, Red or Purple lines or the Metrolink system please call me today. I'm here to help.
Thanks.
Steve Mauer
agent@liveridecondo.com
562.900.4392
www.liveridecondo.com
Is it just me or has $4 gas taken a few cars off the road?
While oppressive to truckers, limo and taxi drivers - $4 gas has helped a lot of commuters by reducing traffic volumes. Sure you still see a few Expeditions and Yukon Denalis on the 405 but that's because they can't be sold. No-one wants a gas hog these days. It seems even the Detroit of the West is falling out-of-love with cars. It wasn't two years ago that SoCal Hummer dealers were expanding and doing brisk business. Now the GM dealers who carry Hummer are downplaying the brand and basically trying to get rid them. To be fair Hummer is not the worst-mileage car on the road, just an easy target in the current energy/economic environment. While Politicians volley about whether or not to drill in the Gulf or the Pacific cooler heads prevail. The ANSWER is to stop using so much of a non-renewable resource. Once gas hit $4, the first thing everyone did was consolidate trips and eliminate unnecessary ones. One way to save gas to stop driving so much, whatever the car. Taking the train to work, even part-time can lower stress, increase reading time, decrease pollution and limit urban sprawl. It is possible in Los Angeles and Orange County and it's now significantly cheaper than driving and parking. You can buy a home within walking distance to commuter rail for less you might think. Remove a car payment, gas and insurance and you've just received a fat raise. Maybe this means you can buy more home. Maybe a first home! As a Realtor sometimes I have to drive but even in my business there are ways to save fuel. That's part of the reason my site offers MLS access. You can see what looks good to you, contact me and we can go look at a more targeted set of properties. If you're interested in homes close to the Gold, Green, Blue, Red or Purple lines or the Metrolink system please call me today. I'm here to help.
Thanks.
Steve Mauer
agent@liveridecondo.com
562.900.4392
www.liveridecondo.com
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