While working with someone new to the area today, I was reminded of when I first moved here to the mountains of Western North Carolina 25 years ago. I remember thinking "How will I ever find everything I need in this new place?".
People moving here from large metropolitan areas really are mystified as to how they will be able to access all of the services they are used to. Make no mistake, small towns are different...but for many people, they are different in a good way. Believe it or not, just about everything you can find in a big city, you can find here. The quality is here, maybe just not the quantity. The trip to get those items could be right in town, or you might have to travel just a little further - but the views that accompany you on your trip are incredible.
So, like with this woman I worked with today moving here from the Ft. Worth, Texas area (hi Karen Anne Stone!) to Sylva, I want to reassure her and others like her ...it really is all here, just relax and take a deep breath - you'll find it.
Health is important to all of us. We have an incredible network of physicians and hospitals with the MedWest Health Care. MedWest services not only Sylva's own Jackson County but also Macon, Haywood and Swain Counties. Most of our physicians are here from other places in the country. One of the country's finest cardiology care units is just 40 minutes away in Asheville, Mission/St. Joseph Hospital System.
Ease of travel is crucial to a lot of people. The Asheville Airport, while small, is a very efficient and friendly airport. Again, just 40 minutes from Sylva. There are also small county airports in Jackson and Macon counties.
Driving traffic is great also. I remember when I lived in St. Pete, Fla there didn't seem to be anyplace you could drive without 3 or 4 other lanes of noisy traffic and the inevitable 2 or 3 traffic light wait. That just doesn't happen here. The roads are in good shape and for better or worse, NC pays serious attention to earmarking tax money to the upkeep of roads.
We have it all in this area...restaurants, theaters, movies, arts, festivals, grocery stores, veterinarians (lots of them), great medical care and don't forget those awesome mountain ranges. What we don't seem to have so much of are the traffic jams, high crime districts, non-stop sirens, ridiculous light and noise pollution, or concrete jungles.
So, don't give it a second thought. As long as you aren't completely addicted to all things big city (and there isn't anything wrong with that), don't worry a moment. You will find everything you need here in Sylva and the other small towns in the area. You'll find it, because everyone here is ready with an open hand to help you find what you need.
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