Asheville, North Carolina is one of those places that has a lasting effect on a person. Just at the mention of it, a person who has encountered this city typically lights up. Most everyone who visits or even lives in Asheville wants to share this special place with those who have yet to experience it.
So, what is it about this city in Western North Carolina that attracts almost so many visitors and has a growing number of people moving to Asheville, NC?
While there are infinite reasons to move to Asheville, NC to join this eclectic and adventurous mix of folks nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, our Freestone agents and our clients have narrowed down the top reasons that people from all backgrounds move here.
6 Reasons to Consider Asheville for Your Next Move
1. Real Estate
So, you want to live in a quaint cabin in the woods with a babbling brook as your permanent soundtrack? Done. Maybe you’re looking for a high-rise condo in the city center’s trendy downtown neighborhood. Check! Perhaps you have your heart set on building that dream home on the perfect parcel of land near a mountain ridge and overlooking the valley. You’re covered. Here’s the thing, you can live in and around Asheville with access to one (or all) of these real estate options.
The Asheville area has lots of real estate options to offer, and whether you are just starting your career or considering retiring in Asheville, there’s a cabin, bungalow, condo, or cottage for you in our new listings. If you have school-aged children, learn more about the Asheville school districts to find the right community for you and your kids.
2. Mountains
The mountains are an easy reason to move to Asheville – practically a no-brainer. The moment you arrive in Asheville, your eyes are drawn upward, and you realize that you are surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains – lusciously green in the spring and summer and crisply vibrant with autumn colors in the fall. Being surrounded by one of the country’s most beautiful environments is one of the best parts of living in Western North Carolina.
But it’s not just simply having the mountains as a backdrop wherever you go. It’s also what they offer, what they inspire all types of explorers to do. From mountain biking and hiking to rock climbing and fly fishing, the adventures are welcome and easily accessible to those interested.
3. Lifestyle
The Asheville lifestyle is something in and of itself. While you have all walks of life who flock to this area of the country, there is one word that best sums up the pace of life here – easygoing.
A primary reason people are moving to Asheville is the lifestyle it offers. It’s a budding city that welcomes luxury seekers, families, artist co-ops, golfers, (there are many Asheville golf courses to choose from), outdoor enthusiasts, and venture capitalists. The blended population promotes innovation with a culture that flourishes from locality, entrepreneurship, and originality.
4. Food and Drink
Asheville’s culture of creativity extends to the city’s restaurant and brewery scene as well. Known as Beer City, USA, Asheville has one of the nation’s highest numbers of breweries per capita, so there’s never a reason to drink bad beer when you’re in Asheville. From sours to stouts, the types and flavors of beer found in Asheville’s breweries keep beer lovers coming back for more.
Asheville has also gotten national recognition for its gourmet dining. James Beard winners cook up incredible dishes with local ingredients night after night at some of the city’s best restaurants. When you aren’t feeling fancy, you can get a delicious biscuit breakfast or barbecue instead. Asheville is also a hub for vegan and vegetarian food, so those who don’t eat animal products have plenty of options as well.
5. Things to Do
We already covered the plethora of things to do outdoors in Asheville, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There’s always something going on in this vibrant city, from minor league baseball games to ballet performances. As a hub for artists, there are so many studios and galleries, concerts, theatrical performances, and even impromptu jam sessions (like the Drum Circle) to take in. More and more nationally known musicians are making stops in Asheville as well.
All in all, Asheville is an exciting place to live if you’re looking for new experiences. This isn’t confined to the city limits, either – the small towns surrounding Asheville have a ton of historic, cultural, and artistic attractions to explore as well. You’ll never run out of hidden gems to uncover.
6. Inclusivity
As a city that prides itself on its Southern hospitality, Asheville is a welcoming and inclusive place to live. The city is very LGBTQIA-friendly and open to all forms of expression. Asheville is also home to a wide spectrum of religious organizations and spiritual practices, so finding a community of like-minded people isn’t hard.
There are many nonprofits dedicated to advancing social and environmental causes and offering volunteering opportunities for those wanting to give back. Whether you’re doing yoga with baby goats, attending a worship service, or helping clean up a riverbank, you’ll be welcomed in Asheville.
Best Asheville Neighborhoods
Asheville’s neighborhoods are much like ripples in the water. The heart of the ripple is the city of Asheville itself with five distinct areas of town:
Within these areas are over 40 neighborhoods in Asheville proper.
Downtown Asheville
A widely known neighborhood people outside of Asheville like moving to, downtown Asheville is in a central area and has a variety of renovated and newly designed lofts and apartments. Positioned among the Art Deco architecture, breweries, local eateries, and upscale shops, the city’s bohemian culture infiltrates the streets, parks, and rooftop restaurants, creating a contagious liveliness everywhere you go.
North Asheville
In North Asheville, you can find storybook homes in Lakeview Park with tree-lined streets, beautiful mountain views, and lakeside properties. There are also pockets of town such as Grove Park and Fitzgerald that feature carefully curated and maintained historic homes, as well as swanky condos and townhouses.
South and East
The South and East parts of Asheville are made up of neighborhoods that range from upscale gated communities like Ramble Biltmore Forest, Southcliff, and Sovereign Oaks to all-inclusive neighborhoods such as Beverly Hills and Haw Creek.
West Asheville
West Asheville is known for its trendy and hip Haywood Road urban area. This side of town is full of old bungalows and newer green-built homes within easy walking distance to dining and pubs. But just a little further out, the planned development of Biltmore Lake offers hiking trails, non-motorized boating and fishing amenities, tennis courts and playgrounds, and miles of sidewalks and greenways.
Nearby Cities and Towns
Surrounding the above-mentioned concentric circles of Asheville are the neighboring towns just a short drive away – Arden, Black Mountain, Fairview, Montreat, Swannanoa, and Weaverville. They offer a full suite of small-town mountain living that can be independent of what Asheville offers. Residents here enjoy newly developed subdivisions just off the main roads as well as homes with private drives set deep in heavily wooded lots. Each of these Asheville “suburbs” has a distinct personality and tradition with just as much variety of real estate.
Should I Move to Asheville NC?
If you’re thinking about moving to Asheville or the surrounding areas and exploring your options for where to live, our Asheville Real Estate team can help. Many of our team members and clients are transplants from across the country and now call this place home. We also have staff members that are Asheville natives, an extremely helpful advantage in knowing the lay of the land. Aside from the Freestone team, we can recommend trustworthy Asheville mortgage brokers and lenders as well.
We understand the necessary steps needed to find the perfect property and meet your goals. Contact us today or search Asheville MLS Listings for sale.
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