But natural disasters like Helene may influence if Gen Zers stay in western North Carolina. The 24-year-old and her partner moved to Asheville, North Carolina from Philadelphia a few weeks ago and signed a lease on their new apartment. AdvertisementGen Zers moved to Asheville for work opportunities and communityOver the past decade, Gen Z has been flocking to the Asheville area. Scott Pridemore of Pridemore Properties at Compass, a real-estate brokerage in North Carolina, told BI that many people go to nearby universities like Appalachian State University or University of North Carolina Asheville and never leave. "Post Covid, we definitely saw a lot of people opting for life in the North Carolina Mountains," Pridemore said.

---

Persons: Z, Helene, Gen Zers, —, Sierra Isley, Isley, Mario Tama, Zers, Gen Z, Hector Hernandez, Arroyo Hector Hernandez, Arroyo, He's, Hernandez, he's, Iliana, Villatoro, Scott Pridemore, Pridemore, Marilyn Wright, Wright, we're, She's, she's, Rink, Helene devastates Organizations: Service, River Arts, Asheville, Census, Appalachian State University, University of North, University of North Carolina Asheville Locations: Asheville, North Carolina, Asheville , North Carolina, Philadelphia, River, Gulf, Buncombe, Atlanta, Durham, Greensboro, Villatoro, University of North Carolina, California, Northeast , Texas, Florida, Raleigh, Lexington , Kentucky, Asheville —