9 Best Places to Live In Asheville

Asheville’s stunning scenery, incredible food and beverage scene, and vibrant arts and culture are just a few reasons people are drawn to this mountain city. As Asheville, NC continues to grow in popularity, more people are looking for the best places to live in the city.

Asheville is home to many great neighborhoods, each with its unique flavor. From the historic Montford district to the hipster haven of West Asheville, there’s something for everyone in Asheville. While there are many great neighborhoods and areas to choose from, a few are particularly desirable.

If you’re looking for a place to call home in Asheville, here are some of the best places to check out.

Downtown Asheville

Downtown Asheville is the city’s beating heart, and it’s easy to see why so many people want to live here. The vibrant energy downtown comes from the many attractions. Get to know the area with self-guided scavenger hunts, an outdoor history museum, and touring the mural trail.

Local restaurants are top-notch and often draw on the surrounding farms for sustainability-sourced ingredients. There is always something going on, whether a mountain music festival or hitting up a local theater or museum. Living downtown puts you right in the middle of all the action. If you want a busy, walkable urban lifestyle, downtown Asheville is your place.

Downtown Asheville real estate had 35 homes for sale with a median price of $793,000 in June 2022.

West Asheville

If you’re looking for a more laid-back vibe, West Asheville is the perfect place. This neighborhood has a cool, hipster feel to it, and there are plenty of great places to eat and drink. There is also a growing art scene in West Asheville, making it an excellent area for creative types. If you’re looking for a relaxed and comfortable place to call home, explore West Asheville.

The local Haywood Road is one of the city’s most popular streets. As West Asheville’s thriving “downtown,” this is the main drag with local shops, restaurants, and music venues. Explore the vintage clothing boutiques and record shops set up here. Many are set up in renovated old buildings, which add to the funky character.

West Asheville is also popular with adventurer-seekers. The French Broad River makes a sharp westward turn, bordering the neighborhood on two sides and providing easy access to boating, kayaking, and tubing at French Broad River Park and Carrier Park.

In terms of real estate, you’ll find a lot of quaint cottages or green-built homes within walking distance of downtown. Some more specific neighborhoods include Pisgah View, Hall Fletcher, and Westwood Place.

East Asheville

East Asheville is the perfect blend of urban and suburban living. Locals consider it a gateway area to urban Asheville and the rustic mountain communities outside of town like Black Mountain. This area has everything you need, from grocery stores and restaurants to parks and schools. Plus, it’s just a short drive from downtown Asheville on I-40 and I-240, so you can enjoy all the city has to offer without being in the middle of the action.

This part of town is all about what’s off the beaten path. Access many outdoor experiences like the WNC Nature Center and Blue Ridge Parkway.

East Asheville neighborhoods include Haw Creek, Beverly Hills, Parkway Forest, Chunns Cove, and Oakley. The area is primarily modern bungalows, more contemporary craftsman homes, and mid century-style homes. Plus, East Asheville has many shops and restaurants. Its library, schools, parks, and other amenities attract more people to the region every year.

Haw Creek is a collection of well-established homes, often ranch-style with brick exteriors. Residents have quick access to the Tunnel Road shopping area. Prices ranged from $160,000 to $1.1 million, with 16 homes for sale in June 2022.

Beverly Hills is like living in a lush urban forest, with 80-year-old oak trees, a historic city golf course, and prime walkability. It is adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway and offers eclectic dining and shopping. Home prices ranged from $142,500 to $650,000, with condominiums and single-family homes available.

Parkway Forest developed in the 1960s from an apple orchard into midcentury-styled homes on spacious lots. It has one of the city’s oldest neighborhood associations. The Mountains-to-Sea Trail is accessible from the neighborhood. Homes ranged from $299,000 to $375,000 in June 2022.

Chunns Cove may be your style if you prefer rolling farmland and spacious residences. The hillsides are a mix of 1960s ranch-style and custom-built homes, some with Blue Ridge views. The median list price was $562,500, with 13 homes for sale in June 2022.

Oakley is between historic Biltmore Village and the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is a walkable area with new construction homes and remodeled bungalows. The median home price was $400,000 in June 2022, with 28 homes for sale.

If you’re looking for a comfortable place to call home with easy access to everything Asheville offers, then East Asheville is a perfect choice. 

South Asheville

South Asheville is an excellent option for families or anyone who wants to be close to nature. This area is filled with beautiful parks and green spaces, with access to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s also home to some of Asheville’s best schools. South Asheville is just a short drive from downtown, so you can enjoy all the city has to offer without sacrificing peace and quiet.

The Biltmore House, Asheville Outlets, and the North Carolina Arboretum are popular local attractions for visitors and residents alike. Stroll the 8,000 acres of the Biltmore Estate or go shopping in the local boutiques.

South Asheville has many neighborhoods to explore. Some of the most well-known are:

Biltmore Forest is one of Asheville’s leading communities. Built adjacent to the Biltmore Estate in the 1920s, it has a sense of grandeur and elegance with homes spanning from 19th-century estates to contemporary homes. It’s a great place to raise a family with excellent schools and a safe, small-town feel. Prices for homes in Biltmore Forest ranged from $500,000 to $9.8 million in June 2022.

Avery Creek is a beautiful community nestled in the Pisgah National Forest. It’s perfect for nature lovers who want to experience all Asheville offers. Homes here range from $250,000 to $1 million.

Royal Pines is a sought-after community known for its friendly atmosphere, ease, and southern location. Many homes are medium-sized (three to four bedrooms) single-family residences. These houses were constructed between 1979 and 1999. A few constructions are from the 1940s.

Biltmore Park is in an exciting urban village environment with many activities nearby. It’s a quick drive to Asheville and its attractions while still seeming like a tiny town. It has new construction and a wide range of established properties, from mansions to so-called moderate homes. Homes are available in this area from $250,000 to well over $1 million. In June 2022, 11 homes were for sale with a median price of $589,200.

Many new subdivisions are under construction along Hendersonville Road, plus new industrial developments near I-40/74 are increasing employment opportunities.

Montford

Montford is one of Asheville’s most historic and scenic neighborhoods. This area beside the French Broad River is filled with beautiful Victorian homes and many historic B&B venues. Walk to the bars and cafes along Riverside Drive.

Living in Montford puts you just a short walk from downtown Asheville. The Reed Creek Greenway is a recreation path connecting residents to the Botanical Gardens at Asheville to UNC-Asheville, which sits just north of the community across Broadway. You can enjoy all the city has to offer without being in the middle of the action.

Montford is a perfect choice if you’re looking for a charming and historical place to call home. The June 2022 median home price in Montford was $725,000, with 17 listed homes.

Grove Park-Sunset

Grove Park is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to be close to downtown Asheville and have some peace and quiet. This neighborhood is just a short drive from downtown, but it feels like a world away. It is beside the Grove Park Country Club and Reed Creek.

Grove Park-Sunset is primarily suburban and filled with beautiful homes displaying a prevalent arts and crafts period bungalow aesthetic. Other homes have distinctive architectural touches.

The June 2022 home prices in Grove Park-Sunset ranged from $325,000 to $1,050,000.

Lakeview Park

In North Asheville, explore the Beaver Lake and the Lakeview Park community. The community surrounds Beaver Lake and Park, which the residents own. The neighborhood has 516 properties just north of Beaver Lake and has three watershed runs in the community.

Lake View Park is in the Asheville City School District. For many, it is a neighborhood of choice because of its beauty and proximity to downtown, varied building style, gentle topography, mature trees, meandering streets, and wildlife.

Five homes for sale in June 2022 had a median list price of $1.1 million.

Kenilworth

If you want to live in Asheville but don’t want to be too close to the hustle and bustle of downtown, then Kenilworth is a great choice. This neighborhood is a short drive from all the action, but it feels like its own little world. Between the Blue Ridge Parkway and Asheville, Kenilworth is filled with beautiful homes and green spaces. It’s also home to some of Asheville’s best schools.

Beside Kenilworth awaits the Asheville Mall for all your boutique and big chain retail needs. Whole Foods, Target, Best Buy, and more retailers are minutes away.

The community is known for its rolling hills, ravines, ancient trees, and some of Asheville’s most distinctive “Spanish Style” big stucco residences with tile roofs and unusual architectural features. These homes provide a little more seclusion while also providing larger spaces. The median home price in Kenilworth was $545,000 in June 2022, with 29 homes for sale.

If you’re looking for a comfortable place to call home with easy access to everything Asheville, try Kenilworth.

Town Mountain

Town Mountain is the perfect choice for quiet city living. This gated 182-acre neighborhood is just a short drive from downtown Asheville, but it feels like a world away. Access is right off I-240 for a quick connection into urban amenities, but the community winds up Town Mountain Road onto a Ridgeline.

Town Mountain is filled with beautiful homes and green spaces. The preserve offers up to five acres of wooded home sites, often with mountain views. All the while, you are 2.5 miles from downtown.

The median home price in Town Mountain was $1,500,000, with nine homes for sale in June 2022.

Living in Asheville, NC

Asheville is a great city with something for everyone. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll be able to find it here. Whether you want to be in the middle of the action downtown or looking for a more laid-back vibe, an Asheville neighborhood is perfect for you. So start exploring and find the ideal place to call home.

Explore more about moving to Asheville so you’re ready for your fun mountain lifestyle.