As a small-town girl from Forestville, New York, moving to Denver for my dream job after college felt electric. I enjoyed skiing (when I could justify the three-hour drive to my favorite slopes), hiking, and seeing many shows at Red Rocks Amphitheater.
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But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the city’s shine quickly wore off. Hiking trails became more crowded, live music all but disappeared, and suddenly, I felt very alone on the other side of the country.
Visiting my family back East wasn’t easy without expensive flights or long days on the road, and I started to feel closed in, with no way to reset or reconnect.
After sticking things out in Denver for a few more months, I moved to Salt Lake City for work. At first, it felt like an upgrade: world-class skiing was just 30 minutes away, rugged desert trails were within reach, and there was a stunning mountain backdrop.
Eventually, though, I realized what mattered most to me was being close to my family.
So, after three years of living out West, I decided I was ready for a change and settled in Asheville, North Carolina — a city that still gives me proximity to nature but has made family, affordability, and everyday ease feel more accessible.
Since moving, my quality of life has really improved
Mikala Lugen
Now that I’m back on the East Coast, I don’t feel as cut off from my loved ones.
When I was living out West, the flights were so expensive that I only ended up seeing my family once a year for Christmas. Now, however, I can somewhat easily drive up to New York multiple times a year for birthdays, graduations, and other gatherings.
Being closer to my family hasn’t been the only perk of moving here, either. I’ve also found that the pace of life feels much more natural. There’s a collective ease here in the way people pause to chat, hold doors, and make everyday interactions feel more personal and less rushed.
Southern hospitality feels present in everyday interactions, especially when I go over to a friend’s house to sip tea on their porch.
The landscape seems to shape this rhythm, too. I can step onto a hiking trail or into a river within 15 minutes of leaving my house, and enjoy four distinct seasons — including mild winters — without the extremes of high-altitude living.
Now, my life feels much more balanced
Mikala Lugen
At the end of the day, I don’t think Asheville is “better” than the other places I’ve lived. The Rockies and Appalachians both offer breathtaking landscapes, endless opportunities to get outside, and ways of living that aren’t found in other parts of the country.
However, moving to North Carolina has allowed me to better align my life with the things that are most important to me.
And a bonus? I’m finally able to save for my future in a way that felt impossible when I was living in bigger cities.
Now, I’m paying less than $2,000 a month for a three-bedroom, two-bathroom rental with a fenced-in backyard. Meanwhile, comparable options I saw in Denver and Salt Lake City could run at least $3,000.
This breathing room has allowed my partner and me to save money toward buying land and a home.
Overall, moving to North Carolina shifted more than just my address — it changed my relationship to affordability, time, family, and what “living well” actually means.
