Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
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Throughout our travels across Appalachia, we kept hearing the same thing: Communities were trying to become the “next Asheville.” While much of the region struggles with limited opportunities, drug issues, and population decline, Asheville has steadily grown to nearly 100,000 residents. We went to see for ourselves what’s driving the hype — and whether the reality lives up to people’s perceptions.
P.S. Shoutout to Thomas Dannelly Brabham, who we spoke with in the video and whose live music we used in the intro.
About Roca: RocaNews is an independent media company started by 3 friends in 2020. Our mission is to cover the news without bias or fear. We deliver daily news to 2M+ people via the products below.
Our Products:
► Instagram: instagram.com/ridethenews
► App: apps.apple.com/us/app/rocanews-unbiased-fun-news/id1630180690
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Our Series:
► The South: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D0R5OH3S3pOqMjOTuoyfqJO&si=gNefb5fKwfePMlSZ
► Pakistan: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D3Dc07Xay6AUtGomrzxE2pZ
► East Coast: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D0kfAVY9wv-ko6eN7TWR-WA
► Appalachia: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D1NPe26BHDdE_6X1pk6UysX&si=3eXpFF7-t_C3S2hi
► Rust Belt: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D2Di5bzXIMrM6Ef_IIiRNYU&si=Q5ewau_4vb0tGkMC
► The Southwest youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D2p0GvEpSo5HoiDdm9tOhR-&si=6O7usDcjlNY6j5if
► The UK youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D3f3SHy6GGx1ZsLl3qbHBmC&si=f3toQ8ta5E6qA03u
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0:00 Appalachia Boomtown
1:30 Barnardsville
3:16 Hurricane Helene Two Years Later
4:50 Current
6:04 Asheville Historical
6:27 Transplants
7:27 Moved Here 20 Years Ago
8:30 Rent
9:24 White People Moving In
11:24 Local Man
12:20 Arts District
12:40 Skater
13:10 Things Have Gotten Better
13:57 Musicians
16:11 Joesph
17:14 Outro
Current is a financial technology company, not an FDIC-insured bank. FDIC insurance up to $250,000 only covers the failure of an FDIC-insured bank. Certain conditions must be satisfied for pass-through deposit insurance coverage to apply. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Member FDIC, and/or Cross River Bank, Member FDIC.
Episode 137
Subs: 769k subs
#asheville #northcarolina #appalachia
Get Current today! Use promo code ROCANEWS for $50 off. Link here: current.com/rocanews?utm_source=inf&utm_campaign=rocanews&utm_adgroup=RocaNews_4_2026
Terms and conditions apply. See current.com/legal_disclaimers for details.
Throughout our travels across Appalachia, we kept hearing the same thing: Communities were trying to become the “next Asheville.” While much of the region struggles with limited opportunities, drug issues, and population decline, Asheville has steadily grown to nearly 100,000 residents. We went to see for ourselves what’s driving the hype — and whether the reality lives up to people’s perceptions.
P.S. Shoutout to Thomas Dannelly Brabham, who we spoke with in the video and whose live music we used in the intro.
About Roca: RocaNews is an independent media company started by 3 friends in 2020. Our mission is to cover the news without bias or fear. We deliver daily news to 2M+ people via the products below.
Our Products:
► Instagram: instagram.com/ridethenews
► App: apps.apple.com/us/app/rocanews-unbiased-fun-news/id1630180690
► Substack: rocanews.substack.com
Our Series:
► The South: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D0R5OH3S3pOqMjOTuoyfqJO&si=gNefb5fKwfePMlSZ
► Pakistan: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D3Dc07Xay6AUtGomrzxE2pZ
► East Coast: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D0kfAVY9wv-ko6eN7TWR-WA
► Appalachia: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D1NPe26BHDdE_6X1pk6UysX&si=3eXpFF7-t_C3S2hi
► Rust Belt: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D2Di5bzXIMrM6Ef_IIiRNYU&si=Q5ewau_4vb0tGkMC
► The Southwest youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D2p0GvEpSo5HoiDdm9tOhR-&si=6O7usDcjlNY6j5if
► The UK youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPeAGR_Bf_D3f3SHy6GGx1ZsLl3qbHBmC&si=f3toQ8ta5E6qA03u
Wants to help us report?
► Sign up here: https://shorturl.at/xPrUx
0:00 Appalachia Boomtown
1:30 Barnardsville
3:16 Hurricane Helene Two Years Later
4:50 Current
6:04 Asheville Historical
6:27 Transplants
7:27 Moved Here 20 Years Ago
8:30 Rent
9:24 White People Moving In
11:24 Local Man
12:20 Arts District
12:40 Skater
13:10 Things Have Gotten Better
13:57 Musicians
16:11 Joesph
17:14 Outro
Current is a financial technology company, not an FDIC-insured bank. FDIC insurance up to $250,000 only covers the failure of an FDIC-insured bank. Certain conditions must be satisfied for pass-through deposit insurance coverage to apply. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Member FDIC, and/or Cross River Bank, Member FDIC.
Episode 137
Subs: 769k subs
#asheville #northcarolina #appalachia
