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gillespialfredoe01806ld · 8 years ago

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Top 10 Most—and Least Expensive—College Towns, 2017 Edition

What’s so great about living in a college town, long after the days of nootropics, Kegerators, and miserable dorm food have begun receding in your rearview mirror?

Simple, really: College towns aren’t just for college kids. They’re hot tickets for those looking to buy a house, too.

“In the same way that department stores serve as anchors in shopping malls, colleges and universities operate as anchors within a city,” says Michael Harris, director of the Center for Teaching Excellence at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. TX. “Cities with colleges receive tremendous benefits, from a better-educated workforce to improved arts, culture, and leisure.”

That’s why these towns “tend to attract the young and old alike, and everyone in between,” says Libby Morris, director of the Institute of Higher Education at the University of Georgia, in Athens. “Where can you hear a Pulitzer Prize-winner lecture, view contemporary art, attend a musical performance or a sports event—all, or most, for free—but in a college town?”

And did we mention that colleges and universities are huge job generators, off campus and on?

But not every community with an institution of higher learning offers equal value when it comes to buying a home. That’s why the studious data team at realtor.com® stepped in to rank college towns on our homeowner-centric grading curve. We looked at median home prices to find the 10 blessed with the least expensive homes—and for buyers for whom money is no object, we also tallied up the 10 priciest college towns.

In selecting “college towns,” we chose places where 20% of the population is enrolled in an institute of higher education—at the undergraduate level and beyond. The total number of students in the town needed to be greater than 2,000. We limited the final results to two cities per state, to provide some geographic diversity.

Going with the theory that it’s best to break the good news first, here are the 10 least expensive college towns.

10 least expensive U.S. college towns 1. California, PA

Median home price: $73,500

Student population: 39.9%

Who knew there was a college town called California in Pennsylvania? Or that it would hit our vaunted No. 1 spot? Minds: blown. But of course, the people who live and work in this picturesque place about an hour outside Pittsburgh, or who attend the 165-year-old California University of Pennsylvania, are well-versed in its charms.

“California is your typical all-American small town,” says local Realtor William Brahler of Century 21 Belle Vernon. He notes that most of the jobs in the area are associated with the school, but there are a variety of other employers nearby, including a steel mill. “The prices here are very reasonable for first-time home buyers.”

For those seeking a bit of R&R, there’s the Monongahela River, with plenty of boating and jet skiing. Yearning for a less wholesome rush? Check out the three—count ’em, three—casinos in the vicinity.

2. Muncie, IN

Median home price: $74,9002

Student population: 25.6%

The Bracken Library at Ball State University

lydiabilby/iStock

Muncie is not only the home of Ball State University, it’s also a regional health center, thanks to Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital. It’s a definite plus for young families and seniors—even for those students who get a little carried away on Saturday nights.

The university has had a substantial green influence on the community. Starting in the mid-2000s, all building projects here were required to be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified. The university is setting an example by working to reduce its carbon footprint, with the construction of one of the largest geothermal energy conversion projects in U.S. history.

To enjoy all that extra-fresh air, residents can explore the Cardinal Greenway, a 62-mile trail on an abandoned railway corridor. There’s also the Minnetrista, a nature, history, and arts museum, and the Muncie Children’s Museum.

Buyers can nab single-family houses for less than $10,000. But be warned: These houses need some serious TLC. Maybe home buyers can take a continuing education class in carpentry?

3. Charleston, IL

Median home price: $82,500

Student population: 38.5%

Far from the hustle and bustle of a major city, Charleston is located about an hour outside of fellow university town Champaign, IL, and two hours from Indianapolis. This small town, home of Eastern Illinois University, has long worn its college pride on its sleeve. They’re long sleeves: The school was originally established as a teachers’ college back in 1895.

Sports are a big deal here. The university’s NCAA Division I football program has fostered a number of NFL stars, such as Tony Romo, former starting QB of the Dallas Cowboys, and head coaches Sean Payton (New Orleans Saints), Mike Shanahan (Washington Redskins), and Brad Childress (Minnesota Vikings). Phew! That’s a lot of high-flying gridiron firepower.

The real estate market is a bit lower-key, and reflects the town’s small population of just more than 21,000. That means there are usually only about 150 homes on the market at any given time. However, there’s good variety among the mostly single-family homes available, ranging from to a $7,900-four-bedroom house that needs some updating to a $749,000 four-bedroom abode on the Charleston Country Club golf course.

4. Pittsburg, KS

Median home price: $84,500

Student population: 26.5%

If your family traces its roots to Southeastern Europe, you’re likely to feel right at home in Pittsburg. The town is known for the Little Balkans Days festival, which includes entertainment, a parade, competitions, and arts and crafts. Grab some tasty Sremska Kobasica and chill!

Pittsburg State University is the major institution of higher learning here, with about 7,500 students. The school is home to the $30 million Kansas Technology Center, touted as one of the most prestigious tech schools in the nation, and partners with local businesses to create a pipeline of skilled future employees. Nearby, the $80 million Kansas Crossing Casino + Hotel opened this spring, bringing about 400 jobs to the community.

The abundance of penniless students (the median age of Pittsburg’s residents is only 26.5 years old) may be one reason that housing prices are so low. It may also explain why the majority of locals are renters (about 57%), rather than homeowners, who account for nearly 43%, according to NeighborhoodScout.

There are plenty of homes under $30,000 on the market, but buyers need to act fast. Anything under $60,000 in relatively good shape is likely to fly off the market quickly, says local realtor Barbara Koch of Pro X Realty. The main buyers for these homes are investors, who rent out the properties to students and first-time homeowners.

“By the time you’re going to show cheaper houses, they’ve already sold,” she says.

5. Alfred, NY

Median home price: $89,000

Student population: 90.3%

You won’t find a more committed college town than Alfred, NY, in Allegany County. It is in the far western part of the state, and students here make up more than 90% of the population. Three institutions of higher learning are located in this town: Alfred State College, Alfred University, and the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. Yes, ceramics.

Residents interested in continuing their education might want to look at Alfred State (officially known as SUNY College of Technology at Alfred), where tuition is only $6,470 per year for in-state residents. That’s a whopping 69% cheaper than the average New York tuition of $20,710 at the state’s four-year colleges. It’s a good place for getting a second (or third, or fourth!) degree.

If you’d rather channel that degree money into a home, you can score a four-bedroom fixer-upper for under $40,000 in town, less than a single year’s tuition at lots of private schools across the United States.

———

Rounding out the 10 least expensive are college towns are Fort Valley, GA, where the median home price is $103,500; Macomb, IL, at $104,500; Geneva, NY, at $109,900; Orangeburg, SC, at $114,500; and Kirksville, MO, at $118,500.

OK, ready to tap into the trust fund? Let’s take a walk on the luxury side.

———

10 most expensive U.S. college towns 1. Berkeley, CA

Median home price: $1,000,000

Student population: 30.5%

The Hearst Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA

Greg Chow

The University of California, Berkeley, is known as one of the nation’s most liberal institutions of higher learning—the Bay Area school has made plenty of headlines recently, thanks to its politically driven student protests. And that open-minded, progressive mind-set can be felt throughout the community.

More than 38,000 students call the crunchy college town home, although they’re certainly not the ones paying the mind-bogglingly high real estate prices. The tech boom is sending real estate prices soaring all over the San Francisco Bay Area.

“It’s a college town, but it’s not,” says Berkeley graduate Juliana Jones, who shares a rental house with three roommates. She works in the clean-tech industry. “There’s a great, thriving scene here for non-students as well as students, with concerts, bars, specialty restaurants, farmer’s markets, art walks, yoga, volunteer opportunities, and all sorts of creative outlets.”

She admits, though, that few of her pals can afford to buy a home in the area.

2. Santa Cruz, CA

Median home price: $985,000

Student population: 31.7%

Santa Cruz is a quintessential Northern California beach town, with sweet Pacific waves, a scenic boardwalk, and even an old-timey amusement park. It’s got college students, too, lots of ’em: 17,000 enrolled in the University of California, Santa Cruz.

All of this certainly makes the city appealing. But zoning laws and various restrictions have resulted in protected farmland to the north and south, says Janet Romanowski, a realtor with David Lyng Real Estate. And with the ocean to the west and the mountains to the east, there isn’t much land left over to build new housing on. Hence the nosebleed-inducing prices.

Romanowski came from San Diego over 30 years ago to attend the university, and never left. “We have world-class surfing, art, music, bakeries, wineries, yet it’s still like a small town in many ways,” she says. “People come here and stay.”

Too bad most recent grads and young families can’t afford to buy in the area these days. Those who want to purchase starter homes are better off moving to cheaper inland cities like Stockton and Modesto.

3. Cambridge, MA

Median home price: $924,500

Student population: 28.6%

MIT’s Ray and Maria Stata Center in Cambridge

DenisTangneyJr/iStock

Cambridge has been a college town since 1636, long before the U.S. of A. was a spark in the eye of our founding fathers. That was the year that Harvard University opened its doors. More than two centuries later, it was followed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1861.

The bustling city of future world leaders and tech stars offers a mix of popular amenities, such as top-notch restaurants and bars, world-class entertainment, and no shortage of cultural activities. That, plus its proximity to Boston, ensures that housing prices remain high.

Although tech companies such as Biogen and Genzyme are located in Cambridge, the city’s economy revolves around the universities. They employ more than 20,000 people, and service close to 33,400 students.

Those who can’t afford a nearly $1 million house can consider purchasing a condo instead. One-bedroom, one-baths start at about $425,000.

4. Boulder, CO

Median home price: $839,000

Student population: 30.1%

While it’s not surprising to find the home of an Ivy League university, a California beach town, and a San Francisco-area community on our priciest college towns list, Boulder’s ranking here is a bit more unexpected.

There’s no mystery, however, about what makes the place so attractive for both for students and non-students alike: Boulder’s location at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains means the opportunities for outdoor recreation are almost unlimited.

And with the University of Colorado in town, there are a number of entrepreneurial startups that employ grads, health care facilities to treat those injuries that result from enjoying extreme sports, and lots of microbreweries to salve the pain.

All this, plus limited inventory, gives Boulder an extremely hot housing market. Median home list prices are up a whopping 14% year over year as of June 1 in this college town. And they show no signs of slowing down.

5. Princeton, NJ

Median home price: $744,300

Student population: 27%

Here’s a fascinating statistic: 98% of Princeton University students live on campus in dorms. But if you think that leaves plenty more housing in this Ivy League town for everyone else, well, it’s good enough if you can afford it.

Homeowners here seem particularly ambitious when attempting to sell their homes. The median listing price is about $744,000. However, the median closing price is just around $583,000, according to realtor.com. So savvy negotiation skills may really pay off for the buyer!

Residents have historically endured the town’s cold, snowy winters, hot, humid summers, and high housing prices, however, in order to live close to intellectually prominent graduates and such professors as Presidents Grover Cleveland and Woodrow Wilson, Albert Einstein, T.S. Eliot, Saul Bellow, Toni Morrison, Joyce Carol Oates, John Lithgow, and Ethan Hawke. Unless they’re affiliated with the university, students often move to larger cities in major metropolitan areas once they finish school.

———

Rounding out the most expensive college towns are Golden, CO, where the median home price is $704,900; Hanover, NH, at $699,000; Bozeman, MT, at $629,000; Chapel Hill, NC, at $520,000; and Bellingham, WA, at $499,500.

The post Top 10 Most—and Least Expensive—College Towns, 2017 Edition appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

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realestate63141 · 8 years ago

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Top 10 Most—and Least Expensive—College Towns, 2017 Edition

What’s so great about living in a college town, long after the days of nootropics, Kegerators, and miserable dorm food have begun receding in your rearview mirror?

Simple, really: College towns aren’t just for college kids. They’re hot tickets for those looking to buy a house, too.

And did we mention that colleges and universities are huge job generators, off campus and on?

Going with the theory that it’s best to break the good news first, here are the 10 least expensive college towns.

10 least expensive U.S. college towns 1. California, PA

Median home price: $73,500

Student population: 39.9%

2. Muncie, IN

Median home price: $74,9002

Student population: 25.6%

The Bracken Library at Ball State University

lydiabilby/iStock

Buyers can nab single-family houses for less than $10,000. But be warned: These houses need some serious TLC. Maybe home buyers can take a continuing education class in carpentry?

3. Charleston, IL

Median home price: $82,500

Student population: 38.5%

4. Pittsburg, KS

Median home price: $84,500

Student population: 26.5%

“By the time you’re going to show cheaper houses, they’ve already sold,” she says.

5. Alfred, NY

Median home price: $89,000

Student population: 90.3%

———

OK, ready to tap into the trust fund? Let’s take a walk on the luxury side.

———

10 most expensive U.S. college towns 1. Berkeley, CA

Median home price: $1,000,000

Student population: 30.5%

The Hearst Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA

Greg Chow

She admits, though, that few of her pals can afford to buy a home in the area.

2. Santa Cruz, CA

Median home price: $985,000

Student population: 31.7%

3. Cambridge, MA

Median home price: $924,500

Student population: 28.6%

MIT’s Ray and Maria Stata Center in Cambridge

DenisTangneyJr/iStock

Those who can’t afford a nearly $1 million house can consider purchasing a condo instead. One-bedroom, one-baths start at about $425,000.

4. Boulder, CO

Median home price: $839,000

Student population: 30.1%

5. Princeton, NJ

Median home price: $744,300

Student population: 27%

———

The post Top 10 Most—and Least Expensive—College Towns, 2017 Edition appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

from DIYS http://ift.tt/2t72r7g

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realtor10036 · 8 years ago

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Top 10 Most—and Least Expensive—College Towns, 2017 Edition

What’s so great about living in a college town, long after the days of nootropics, Kegerators, and miserable dorm food have begun receding in your rearview mirror?

Simple, really: College towns aren’t just for college kids. They’re hot tickets for those looking to buy a house, too.

And did we mention that colleges and universities are huge job generators, off campus and on?

Going with the theory that it’s best to break the good news first, here are the 10 least expensive college towns.

10 least expensive U.S. college towns 1. California, PA

Median home price: $73,500

Student population: 39.9%

2. Muncie, IN

Median home price: $74,9002

Student population: 25.6%

The Bracken Library at Ball State University

lydiabilby/iStock

Buyers can nab single-family houses for less than $10,000. But be warned: These houses need some serious TLC. Maybe home buyers can take a continuing education class in carpentry?

3. Charleston, IL

Median home price: $82,500

Student population: 38.5%

4. Pittsburg, KS

Median home price: $84,500

Student population: 26.5%

“By the time you’re going to show cheaper houses, they’ve already sold,” she says.

5. Alfred, NY

Median home price: $89,000

Student population: 90.3%

———

OK, ready to tap into the trust fund? Let’s take a walk on the luxury side.

———

10 most expensive U.S. college towns 1. Berkeley, CA

Median home price: $1,000,000

Student population: 30.5%

The Hearst Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA

Greg Chow

She admits, though, that few of her pals can afford to buy a home in the area.

2. Santa Cruz, CA

Median home price: $985,000

Student population: 31.7%

3. Cambridge, MA

Median home price: $924,500

Student population: 28.6%

MIT’s Ray and Maria Stata Center in Cambridge

DenisTangneyJr/iStock

Those who can’t afford a nearly $1 million house can consider purchasing a condo instead. One-bedroom, one-baths start at about $425,000.

4. Boulder, CO

Median home price: $839,000

Student population: 30.1%

5. Princeton, NJ

Median home price: $744,300

Student population: 27%

———

The post Top 10 Most—and Least Expensive—College Towns, 2017 Edition appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

from DIYS http://ift.tt/2t72r7g

#DIYS

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full-imagination · 8 years ago

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Katherine Gail Finotti

Katherine “Kat” Gail Finotti, 59, of Spartanburg, passed away at her home Sunday, June 3, 2017. Born November 16, 1957, in Spartanburg, SC, she was the daughter of the late Lester Harrison and Geraldine Duggan Finotti. Katherine lived most of her life between Charleston and Spartanburg. She was a graduate of the University of South Carolina, a beloved mother, accomplished artist, and recognized design professional. Later in life, she became a gifted yoga teacher. She is survived by a daughter, Eliza Avery; a son, William Avery; her sister, Sharon F. Caggiano (Frank); her brother, Richard A. Finotti; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Sandra F. Collins. A private memorial service will be held at Hatcher Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations and memorials to Music Unites [www.musicunites.org] or the charity of one’s choice. Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel from The JF Floyd Mortuary Crematory & Cemeteries via Spartanburg Funeral

#Spartanburg Funeral #Funeral Consultant #The JF Floyd Mortuary Crematory & Cemeteries

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recordofmyreverie · 8 years ago

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Everyone Was a Reflection (October 2016)

Asheville, NC was easily becoming my favorite place to escape to. I’m glad it’s only 3 hours away from where I live in Charlotte. Asheville had so much art and so much spirituality, it seemed like the perfect environment for me to forget about someone. . .if only that person weren’t also free-spirited and artsy.

I went to Asheville in search of spiritual guidance or some sort of help in my situation, but I didn’t know what exactly I was looking for. I decided to book my stay in a hostel called “Bon-Paul and Sharky’s Hostel” in West Asheville. I had stayed in one other hostel before back when I was still with Ryan when we visited Charleston for our 6 month anniversary, and I loved the concept and the environment of hostels and how you could meet travelers from all over the world.

While I was in Asheville the first day, I felt so unhappy. Everywhere I looked, there was something that reminded me of SW. I broke down when I heard The Beatles playing in one of the stores and had to go back to the hostel crying. It was a long walk, and I was even being stalked. A drunk man was chasing me down the road at night, so it became a long run actually. I was scared, sad, and lost. I called my friend Margarita and when she picked up the phone, I was panting.

She asked me what was wrong, and I told her that I was just chased by a drunk man in Asheville who was following me, but I’d lost him. I said that I was alone and that I just needed to hear a friend’s voice. She drove an hour from Greenville, SC on a night before she had a test to come and meet me for tea at my favorite place in Asheville, Dobra Tea. That’s what I call a true friend.

That night, she listened to me cry over my broken heart as we sat on floor pillows behind a beaded curtain. I’m glad the lighting was dim. I showed her the proof that SW was already seeing someone else, and she asked me why I couldn’t just block him. I did already block him, but I couldn’t help but keep looking at it. I was heavily fixated on what I was missing. The only way I could stop seeing the things that he posted was if I had him block me, but he wouldn’t do it. He wouldn’t talk to me at all. Wouldn’t listen to me, and I felt like he wanted me to keep seeing what he was posting because he knew I’d be looking and wanted to hurt me more.

I stepped down to a level of petty that I’d never reached before, and started commenting mean things on all of his photos so that he WOULD want to block me. I think the final straw was when I had commented on the photo of the painting of the moth he made for me when we first met “This would look so much better if it were on fire.”

Blocked.

The deal was done, and now I could breathe a little better, only now I was catching my breath from laughing with my friend about how ridiculous my comments were. We left Dobra Tea satisfied that I wouldn’t be tortured by my own addiction anymore, and then headed to the comedy club to catch the last hour or two of the show. I realized that a lot of comedians were really depressed themselves and used laughter as a way to make other people feel better about themselves which also made them feel better about themselves.

She drove us back to my hostel and as we sat in the car, all I could think about was how thankful I was to have her come out to spend time with me while I was so down.

“Thank you so much, Margarita. It felt good to laugh again. You are a really great friend. I love you so much!” I hugged her.

“Anytime, Kiana. I know you would do the same for me if you had to. Sleep well. I’ve got a test in a few hours!” She hugged me back.

I walked back up the stairs to my room where there were 3 sets of bunkbeds. Mine was a mixed dorm, and all of the beds were taken in the room by sound-asleep men except for one bed on the top bunk. That was where I was supposed to sleep, but barely did. My stomach was hurting so much. It was agonizing.

I stayed awake browsing options on my phone for spiritual healers and therapists, and I came across something interesting that I’d never tried before. Reiki.

I’d heard of reiki before, but I didn’t know exactly what it was or how it worked. I thought maybe it was some sort of massage or something, but I found out what it was when I went there the next afternoon. Now I couldn’t sleep because I was excited to be healed.

I went downstairs at about 4 AM to draw a picture or do anything to take my mind off of things. I already knew who I was going to dream about if I slept, and I wanted to prevent that from happening. Around 5 AM, a girl wearing a backpack and glasses came yawning downstairs. She was a little startled to see me sitting there on the couch with my eyes wide open and awake.

“Oh! Hello! I didn’t think anyone else would be awake right now! What’s your name? I’m Yrla.” She said.

I introduced myself, and she could see that my face was puffy and I still had tears on my cheeks. She said that there was a place I could go to meditate called the “Mountain Light Sanctuary” where there was complete silence on and tranquility on the top of a mountain. She said she would go there when she was sad too, but if I didn’t have time for that, we could just go grab some coffee next door.

I accepted her offer of kindness and followed her to the coffeeshop next door called “Odd’s Café”. I found out later that it was quite an appropriate name, since I didn’t think that I’d meet so many influential and wise women there.

Yrla told me the story of herself and her travels. She was originally from Germany, but then she attended a University in Scotland where she met her boyfriend from Canada. She was now studying abroad in the United States so that she could be closer to him and so that they could travel together. She’d been an English teacher in Indonesia already, and she was still only 23. She was proof to me that long distance relationships could work if you had the right people in them, and that you could find so many opportunities to travel even if you don’t know what you’re doing in life yet. She said it only mattered that you knew where you were going or at least where you wanted to go.

She had to catch the bus to go back to school, so our conversation was cut short, but I managed to snap a quick photo of her to commemorate our brief meeting. When I took the photo of her, my camera caught the eye of a woman sitting a couple seats down from us.

“Wow. I haven’t seen a camera that did that in ages. Polaroids are coming back, huh? I’ve always had a different level of appreciation for film, and it makes me happy to see film coming back” She said.

I picked up my lavender latte and moved to a seat across from hers. I introduced myself to her, and she introduced herself to me as “Amy Kosh, life coach, photographer, and part-time yoga instructor.”

I knew that this woman was going to be worth talking to. She told me about her work, how she was loving what she was doing, and that a lot of men took forever to mature. She said that sometimes it took forever to find someone you want to spend the rest of your life with, that she still hadn’t found hers even in her 40s, and that her mom just found hers at 80 years old. Most importantly, we need to be careful who we feed our energy to because some people won’t bother to repay us. She referred to it as asking “What part of me is being fed by these people needing me?”

She told me that she wished me luck in my endeavor to find an answer, and then let me pick out my favorite business cards of hers to keep. One was a photography business card, and the other was a life-coach business card which had a quote by Kurt Vonnegut reading “We have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down.” Amy reminded me to have “an unstoppable life” before we parted.

I was on a roll with meeting these women with important messages. When I went back to the hostel, it was 10 AM. I decided to book my Reiki appointment which the office happened to be literally right across the street, and then I met a girl named Mia who I could tell was half Asian and half white like me. She wore a funky-patterned shirt, and I knew she probably had something I needed to know. I could sense it.

We started talking to each other and sharing what we liked to do when we came to Asheville, why we were there that time, and where we were from. She shared that she came from a town called Mobile, Alabama. I’d driven through Alabama before and had seen the signs for Mobile when driving back from Panama City Beach before, but I’d still never been to Mobile. I imagined it to be swampy for some reason. She told me that I was welcome to come join her in her stroll through downtown, but first we got more coffee at Odd’s Café. What were the odds?

Mia and I went to my favorite book store, and she took me to hers. We went through art galleries, she bought us some Indian food, and I bought us ice cream. As she was driving us back to the hostel for me to make it in time for my reiki appointment, she shared that she had taken a road trip in her Honda Civic from Alabama to the Pacific northwest coast. She couch-surfed along the way and spent three months and $3,000 traveling. Her work back home was as a bartender at a 1920′s themed bar called the Haberdasher, and at the time of her travels, she had just gotten into a new relationship with a guy named Jesse. She considered not going on the trip, but knew that she would regret staying back and doing the same thing instead of pursuing something that was a once-in-a-lifetime deal that she’d been planning and saving up for. She didn’t let a guy hold her back from doing what she wanted, and they’re still together because they trust each other so much. If she didn’t go on the trip, she probably never would have realized that she wanted to move to Portland, Oregon, and that’s where she just moved a couple days ago as I’m typing this on March 29th, 2017.

She really inspired me to start traveling by myself more often and to do as much traveling as I could independently without anyone stopping me because if it’s meant to be and those people are truly important, they won’t stop you, they’ll motivate you and meet you at the finish line.

Around 3 PM it was time for my first ever reiki session with a woman named Chris. She first interviewed me and had me fill out a chart depicting the areas I felt the most pain in, had me describe the circumstances which lead me to coming in the first place, what I’d hope to accomplish in the session, and what I felt comfortable with her using. I was willing and open to trying anything to feel better, so I let her use any aromatherapy, stones, or spirit guides she thought necessary.

I had to lay down on a small bed as she placed an eye pillow on top of my eyelids. She would scan my body with her hands, and I could feel the heat coming from them. She’d stop and press gently in the areas where she could feel needed the most healing. I needed the most healing in my throat, my ears, and my abdomen. During this time, I was in a trance and seeing all sorts of colors. When she called upon my spirit guides, I could see the outline of a feminine and colorful force of energy offering her hand to me. I immediately thought of my Aunt Karen.

The session lasted maybe 2 hours. I never knew what to think of anything like that, but I could now say from first-hand experience that I knew it was real. I felt surges of energy coming through me which sent shivers down my spine. And when it was done, I felt so hungry even though I’d eaten just before showing up. She said that after the experience, I would start becoming more receptive and much more aware of the things going on around me. She said most importantly that I would find that everyone was a reflection of me in some way, and that there was something to be learned from everyone. She said I needed to work on getting my strength back because I had given so much of my power to other people, and that’s why my abdomen was hurting. My abdomen was where my ego was located, and I apparently had no self-esteem left. My throat hurt because I had no voice. My ears hurt because I felt like I was never being heard.

Since that particular visit to Asheville, I feel like I’ve received way more guidance and hope than I ever could have wished for. I had not one, but five mentors during that trip who really inspired me and helped me all in their own unique conversations. Not one lesson was the same, but I’ve made it a mission to find a way that I could inspire others and share my stories to people that might need healing like I did myself that day.

#needtoheal #reiki #asheville #soulsearching #spiritualjourney #influentialwomen #conversationswithstrangers #inspire #anunstoppablelife #colors #friendship #newfriends #hostel #travel #mission #october2016

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