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The Best Neighborhoods in Asheville, NC

North Carolina is now third in the country for states where the most people are moving. There are many good reasons for this.

There is a wide variety of urban and rural North Carolina neighborhood options. If you are considering living in North Carolina, keep reading. There are many different neighborhoods, including in Asheville, so it can be difficult to narrow down prospective ones in which to live.

Below is a list of the best neighborhoods in Asheville, NC. Keep reading to find out which one may be best for you.

Asheville Basics

Asheville has a lot to offer, in terms of recreation, attractions, and quality of life. With a population of under 100,000, it is still very manageable, lacking the sprawling feel of many popular metropolitan areas. Downtown is bustling but quaint, with lots of bookstores and boutiques.

Asheville is situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains and at the intersection of the French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers. This means there are plenty of hiking, mountain biking, and fishing opportunities, with quality snow skiing only a short distance away.

The city has a minor-league baseball team. The Western North Carolina Nature Center is a zoo-like attraction that promotes learning about black bears, wolves, otters, snakes, and more. Asheville is also home to the Biltmore Estate, a 178,000-square-foot historic home and museum.

Asheville has impressive dining options, with James Beard Award-winning restaurants and a solid variety of cuisines. It has one of the country’s most renowned craft beer industries, with more than 60 breweries in the area. Asheville also boasts a very solid music scene that rivals most major cities.

The Best Neighborhoods in Asheville, NC

We have compiled a list of Asheville, NC’s best neighborhoods and intentionally included various options for people moving with any budget or set of interests.

Downtown Asheville

Downtown is the central hub to everything in the area, merging a small-town feel and big-city vibes. It is chock full of things to do.

Downtown has very walkable streets lined with restaurants, cafes, and shops. There are also several city parks and popular music venues, including the Orange Peel’s outdoor stage, Rabbit Rabbit, right in the middle of town.

Downtown can be a bit noisier and more touristy than other neighborhoods on this list, and housing prices will be at a premium. However, you will find the cost of living much more modest than in many other cities.

Montford Historic District

Montford is located just northeast (within walking distance) of downtown. It is a quaint neighborhood filled with private Victorian and Colonia homes and small businesses. There are also high-end apartment buildings for those looking to rent.

Montford is home to Riverside Cemetary, where the writer Thomas Wolfe is buried. Zelda Fitzgerald also lived and died in the neighborhood. It is one of Asheville’s more affluent areas, so home prices are higher.

North Asheville

As you may have guessed, North Asheillve is directly north of downtown. The homes here have distinct architecture, including stucco and Cedar Shake.

North Asheville is home to the Asheville Botanical Gardens and the famous Omni Grove Park Inn. The latter has hosted several U.S. presidents and cultural figures, including writers, actors, and musicians. It also has a popular golf course that winds through the neighborhood.

River Arts District

The River Arts District (RAD) is southwest of downtown. The neighborhood has homes and apartments much more modestly priced than Montford, especially given its proximity to downtown. However, the neighborhood continues to grow in popularity, reflected in steadily increasing home costs.

As its acronym suggests, RAD has a lot of character. It is full of restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops, not to mention several smaller and medium-sized music venues.

Biltmore Village

Biltmore Village is an area more generally known as South Asheville. It is close to the Biltmore Estate, the North Carolina Arboretum, and a short drive to Black Balsam and Mount Pisgah.

While a bit more removed from the city center, it is a hop, skip, and jump from loads of recreation, including myriad mounting biking and hiking trails. It also has lots of shopping and restaurants.

West Asheville

West Asheville is directly west across the French Broad River of RAD. It is a fast-growing community that has a lot of character and a vibrant arts scene.

West Asheville is full of murals, along with coffee shops, wine bars, and stores. Like RAD, it can be more affordable to live in than other, more affluent neighborhoods on this list.

Haw Creek

Haw Creek is a peaceful and quiet neighborhood east of the city. It escapes the hustle and bustle of downtown without being too remote. It is full of lush green spaces and scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is close by, which makes it an ideal neighborhood for accessing hiking, scenic overlooks, or other outdoor activities. There also is a variety of apartments, condos, townhomes, and single-family dwellings, and at a range of price points, in the area.

Oakley

Oakley is a neighborhood directly south of Haw Creek–on the other side of I-240–east of Biltmore Village. It comprises a large area with more than 2,000 homes. It has many parks and playgrounds.

You will not find high-end dining like in downtown or other Asheville neighborhoods on this list, but there are still plenty of restaurant options. Housing in Oakley is much more affordable than other choices listed here.

Learn More About the Best Neighborhoods in NC

Now that you know some of the best neighborhoods in Asheville, NC, you begin working on your move to NC. Asheville has a lot to offer, but so many living options that you are sure to find one to suit your lifestyle and budget.

Dry Ridge Moving and Transportation provides local and long-distance moving assistance for Asheville and the surrounding areas. We pride ourselves on offering comprehensive packages that can be personalized to meet your needs and budget. Reach out to us today to schedule service.