An Overview of Asheville – By Location
One of the interesting aspects of Asheville you may discover during a visit is that we are a very diverse community and there are many different nooks and crannies all around the area, each with its own unique flavor.
North Asheville –
- North Asheville is one of our most established and desirable areas. It is more than location, location, location. It is all about a belief and yearning for yesteryear and place to call home for a lifetime. Residence to UNCA, the Grove Park Inn and the Country Club of Asheville, its neighborhoods are lined with time honored maples, oaks and white pines, many of which a grown man would be hard pressed to wrap his arms around. With its abundance of turn of the century Craftsman bungalows, Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, Dutch Colonial Revival and even some Italian Renaissance, there is an architectural style for everyone. With everything easily accessible from Merrimon Avenue, imagine having the opportunity to have your family and friends be regular participants to UNCA’s Botanical Gardens, Beaver Lake’s bird sanctuary and Weaver Park’s tennis and basketball courts, bike trails, and on a cool spring evening, a little league game. Afterwards, one can relax at any of the great establishments that line Merrimon Avenue. There is something for everybody, be it Mexican, Italian, down home southern BBQ, homemade ice cream or just a great cup of coffee. North Asheville is full of endless possibilities!
- Links of interest:
- A Few of North Asheville Neighborhoods:
- Weaverville – a small town just north of Asheville- very popular, with good selection of townhome communities. About 10-15 minutes to downtown. It can get rural quickly here.
South Asheville –
- Recently the south part of town has experienced high growth, so lots are smaller, more new home construction. There are also older neighborhoods dating from the 50’s thru the 80’s, with a variety of architectural designs to choose from. This is also where Biltmore Forest is located, as well as Biltmore Park, which is a new community with mixed use, and single family homes, condos and retail, just off I-26.
- Hendersonville is just another 25 minutes south of Asheville – many retirees choose this area and thus there are more newer homes that offer single level living. There are many townhome communities, golf course communities and a wonderful pedestrian friendly main street community.
East Asheville -
- This part of town tends to offer a bit more value, with less new construction and some nice low maintenance communities. You don’t have to go far to get out of city taxes and still be within 15 minutes of downtown. The VA Hospital is also here, as is the Mall and a number of big box stores, concentrated in a general area.
- A little bit farther east you will find: Black Mountain for years this town was more of a summer community but is slowly transforming into a year round community. It has a wonderful Main Street area with shopping, dining and living as well as mountain properties.
West Asheville –
- Is known as the “hip” place to be. Its streets are populated with lots of older Arts & Crafts cottages, new “GREEN” construction most of which are sited on traditional city lots. This part of town provides a vibrant, interesting “main street” section, with a very diverse demographic.
- Also located in the Western part of Asheville is the Leicester/Candler area, which is more rural and Biltmore Lake- a large newer community with higher end properties.
- If you go a little bit farther…you will find Waynesville- A Small town 30 minutes west of Asheville, with a lovely Main Street. Also Maggie Valley, lots of log home communities, mountain top living, several golf courses.
Central & Downtown –
- Our downtown is alive and well, with more shops, restaurants, theater and live music than one would expect to find in a small city. Living downtown requires a substantial investment – the lofts, and newer high-rises garner prices that rival much larger cities. Other areas include Montford & Kenilworth where the unique architectural styles of this area abound, many of them historical. Mission Hospital, Biltmore Village and the Estate entrance are all located within 2 miles of downtown
Interesting Links & History:
The central district has a long history below is a link that will connect you with some original maps and the theory behind the layout for the City of Asheville. Historical Maps & Discussion
The following link provides a glimpse of the past. A grade and surface guide provides a interesting look at the road that used to connect Asheville and Knoxville. Grade and Surface Guide