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Asheville 101: Our guide to becoming a resident

What are your pro tips for living in Asheville? | Photo by @overasheville

Picture this: You just moved to Asheville, NC and you need some help with the practicalities of life (we can’t just kick back and hike all day, unfortunately). That’s where we come in. Keep reading for Ashevillian 101, our guide to all things Asheville citizenship.

Voter registration

Make sure you’re eligible and registered to vote, find your polling location, and preview upcoming elections and sample ballots here.

Driver’s licenses and vehicle registration

New residents in need of an Asheville driver’s license will need to provide a document that proves identity and date of birth, a Social Security document, one document proving liability insurance coverage, and one document confirming your residential address.

Individuals not born in the US will also need one document proving legal presence or lawful status. Need a NC REAL ID? We have a guide for that, too.

car asheville blue ridge parkway — We live for drives like these on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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Photo by @orlando.visuals

To register your car in the state of North Carolina, first you’ll need to get a safety and/or emissions inspection. Then, you’ll need to bring a valid North Carolina driver license or ID and a vehicle title that proves NC residence. Initial registration fees vary based on the vehicle.

Make an appointment at any DMV office to obtain a NC driver’s license and register your vehicle.

Healthcare

Establishing yourself with a primary care provider is one of those things you’ll be glad you did when you need one. Reach out to the professionals at Range Wellness, Lantern Health, or MAHEC, to name a few. Pro tip: Websites like DocSpot filter physicians by location, patient reviews, insurance, language, and more.

FIND MORE LOCAL INTEL

Asked

Approximately what percentage of people fail their drivers’ exam on the first attempt?

A. 16%
B. 32%
C. 44%
D. 52%

TAKE THE WHEEL

Events

Wednesday, March 22

Fringe Festival Artists Pop Ups Party | Wednesday, Mar. 22 | 6-9 p.m. | Tyger Tyger Gallery, 191 Lyman St., Asheville | Free | Check out pop-up performances from some of the Asheville Fringe Fest’s top talent and learn more about this year’s lineup.

Thursday, March 23

Stone Ashe Local Wine Dinner | Thursday, Mar. 23 | 6-8 p.m. | Buxton Hall Barbecue, 32 Banks Ave., Asheville | $150 | Gorge on a special menu designed by Buxton Hall’s Executive Chef Nick Barr, featuring the bounty of North Carolina and six terroir-driven wines.
Hops Around Comedy: Nik Cartwright | Thursday, Mar. 23 | 7-9 p.m. | Ginger’s Revenge- South Slope Lounge, 32 Banks Ave., Asheville | $12 | Laugh along with comedian Nik Cartwright, who’s known for being a regular at legendary comedy clubs like Laugh Factory and Zanies.
Varietease on the Move | Thursday, Mar. 23, Saturday, Mar. 25 | 9-10 p.m. | The Magnetic Theatre, 375 Depot St., Asheville | $16 | As part of Asheville Fringe Fest, troupe Varietease presents a dynamic dance performance that spans from Beethoven to Florence + The Machine.

Friday, March 24

Queer Studies Conference | Friday, Mar. 24-Sunday, Mar. 26 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | UNC Asheville Campus, 1 University Hts., Asheville | Free | UNC Asheville’s biennial Queer Studies Conference brings together scholars, artists, and activists for workshops and presentations focusing on the theme “Blooming: Metamorphoses and Seasons of Queerness.”
One Last Night with Mary Maclane | Friday, Mar. 24, Sunday, Mar. 26 | Times vary | House of Kismet, 27 Foundy St.#40, Asheville | $16 | Nora Bonner performs her original-one woman acoustic rock musical, based on the life and mysterious death of Mary Maclane (1881-1929), a historical outcast famous for a diary she published at age 19.

Saturday, March 25

AVL Clothing Swap | Saturday, Mar. 25 | 1-4 p.m. | Hi-Wire Brewing RAD, 284 Lyman St., Asheville | $25-$50 | Purchase a ticket ahead of time and bring up to 20 pieces of adult clothing to swap with your neighbors.
All Bodies Movement and Wellness New Studio Grand Opening | Saturday, Mar. 25 | 6-8 p.m. | All Bodies Movement and Wellness, 211 Merrimone Ave., Asheville | Free | Celebrate this studio’s brand new gym space over mocktails and appetizers.
Southside Community Clean Up | Saturday, Mar. 25 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St., Asheville | Free | Each volunteer will be provided gloves, masks, and trash bags or recycle bags to help pick up trash and recyclables — free refreshments will be provided at the Grant Southside Center afterwards.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

Click here to have your event featured.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Finance

Average retirement savings by age: Are you on track?

SmartAsset matches you with vetted financial advisors in your area. | Photo by SmartAsset

Many Americans worry they’re not saving enough for retirement, and rightfully so. Do your current savings meet the recommended amount for people your age? Find out. 👀

The amount some people have saved may be shocking, but it’s not too late to seek advice. A financial advisor could help increase your returns and alleviate stress. Try this free tool to get matched with up to three vetted financial advisors serving your area.*

FINANCIAL KNOWLEDGE = FINANCIAL POWER

News Notes

Weather

54º | Showers | 90% chance of rain

Coming Soon

Pack Square Artisan Market, a weekly pop-up marketplace, is launching in downtown Asheville. The rain-or-shine market will showcase local handmade goods every Friday from 1-5 p.m. It kicks off Friday, May 5 and aims to run through Friday, Oct. 27.
Fast-casual chicken franchise Huey Magoo’s is slated to open near Long Shoals Road in Arden this June. The Florida-based company prides itself on serving stellar chicken tenders, plus healthier, keto-friendly and gluten-free options that are made fresh to order. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Holiday

This evening marks the start of Ramadan, a month of reflection and fasting in Islam. Observe and learn more by checking out these events with the Islamic Center of Asheville. We wish you all a peaceful month, and we’ll see you on Eid al-Fitr starting Friday, April 21.

Trending

The ‘6 Degrees Of Kevin Bacon’ principle is alive and well. The legendary actor, best-known for his roles in Footloose and Apollo 13, was spotted this week at the Asheville Music Academy. According to academy director Dena Clark, he donated three signed guitars. Have you seen him around town, too? Let us know where.

Active

Cultivate Climbing has launched a new outdoor rock climbing program that invites climbers of all skill levels to explore the WNC wilderness while receiving guidance and instruction from certified guides. Offerings include top-roping, single-pitch, and multi-pitch trips.

Community

Dr. Perry Stamatiades of Zoe Dental will offer free dental care to the community on Saturday, April 22. The Servants of Smiles event offers patients a choice between a free cleaning, extraction, or filling. Last year, the clinic served a total of 105 patients.

Ashevillians

Congrats to A-B Tech Community College’s culinary students, who were awarded best student team, student chef, and student pastry chef in the Southeast Region at the American Culinary Federation competition. Next up, the team will head to the national finals in New Orleans this July. (Mountain Xpress)

Try This

No one has time to feel bad. Whether you’re battling a cold, migraines, or you’re jet lagged, Hydrate Medical offers personalized IV drips to help you feel great fast. Bonus: First-timers can score their First Drip for $89. See how City Editor Brook’s first treatment went.*

Edu

Got a high schooler thinking about college? Hear from a UNC Asheville freshman and peer mentor about their experience with IGNITE — a first-year program that helps new students build connections + develop skills while fostering a sense of self and community. See what they had to say.*

Featured Home

This newly decorated, shabby chic-style 3 BD 2 BA home offers a cozy fireplace, wood floors throughout, and an abundance of charm. Located in the heart of Black Mountain (minutes from downtown and Lake Tomahawk), the home boasts several updates including paint, light fixtures, a farmhouse sink + countertops. See inside.*

Seasonal

Has spring sprung in your home yet? If you’re looking to get outdoors, this wipeable tablecloth is just begging for some alfresco dining, and these garden and herb labels will get you in a planting mood. Plus, this viral birdfeeder practically brings the birds inside with you.

Correction

Our apologies to anyone who experienced a faulty link in yesterday’s pizza bracket poll. The link has been updated online — cast your votes now through Monday, March 27.

CIVIC

The latest on the single-use plastic ban

Weigh in on Asheville’s single-use plastic plan

Plastic bags may not be an option at local grocery stores a few years from now. | Photo by AVLtoday

Remember the single-use plastic ban we discussed last September? Over the last few months, the proposal has become more official.

Starting this August, the use of plastic bags for curbside leaf litter will be officially prohibited. And now, after conducting a few internal focus groups, the city is exploring additional single-use plastic reduction strategies, paying special attention to plastic used at point-of-sale situations and for to-go food containers.

To that end, the city has launched a short, seven-question survey for residents and business owners that will run now through Sunday, April 30. The survey is available in English, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Russian.

This feedback will help inform the city’s next steps on a potentially more widespread single-use plastic ban (expect that to roll out in Fall 2023). For more context, check out the city website.

CHIME IN

The Wrap

Todays Edition By:
Laura

From the Editor

In June, the Asheville Music Academy plans to raffle off the Kevin Bacon guitars. Proceeds will support the academy’s Give to the Music scholarship fund.

Quiz Answer: 44%

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