Asheville’s Top 10 Neighborhoods: Favorite Asheville Neighborhoods
Asheville’s Top 10 Neighborhoods:
My completely biased analysis of Asheville neighborhoods based on where I have or would want to live.
I love Biltmore Lake and when we could make it happen, Jimmy and I moved there four years ago. For me, it was about the beautiful setting around little Enka Lake and the six miles of walking trails throughout the neighborhood. Bonus: Biltmore Lake abuts National Forest, so you can hike for days! Located in Candler, about 15 – 20 min drive west of downtown Asheville. While on the edge of the city limits, this is definitely one of Asheville’s Top 10 Naeighborhoods.
- North Asheville
I lived in three different locations in North Asheville (technically, the area north of I240). I will always love this historic part of town. Close to everything, but with established neighborhoods with lots of different types of homes. Great areas to walk around Beaver Lake or wandering around the side streets. North Asheville includes the areas of Lakeview Park, Grove Park, the UNCA area as well as more generally “north Asheville.”
- West Asheville
I admit some bias in these first three neighborhoods, because I have lived in each of them. West Asheville is technically everything west of downtown in the city of Asheville. However, many people mean more specifically the Haywood Rd corridor, which is what I am referencing here. We enjoyed our years in funky, hip West Asheville. We could walk to a number of good restaurants, and we were a quick shot back into town. Once its own town, imaginatively called West Asheville, this is a unique part of Asheville that is like a town within a town due to having a “main street” – Haywood Rd – that gives it cohesion and the cool vibe of restaurants, stores, and businesses.
- Biltmore Park
Want to live, play, shop in one place? Biltmore Park is a planned urban community with extensive housing ranging from apartments and condos to million plus homes connected to a “town center.” The commercial area is a vibrant district of shops, restaurants, a movie theater and more, with a nice mix of locally owned business and franchises such as REI, Barnes and Noble, Ann Taylor, etc. Great south Asheville location near schools, the airport, and interstate access.
Adjacent to downtown, this is Asheville’s premier historic neighborhood, with part of it being a designated Historic District. With most of the homes built in Asheville’s original boom, between 1900 and 1929, there is still a variety of styles and sizes. A great neighborhood to stroll around or to walk to downtown, Montford is unique and absolutely one of Asheville’s Top 10 Neighborhoods.
- Eastmoor
A relatively small neighborhood nestled alongside the Swannanoa River in a mountain cove, I love Eastmoor for its tranquility and natural setting. Some lots back up to Warren Wilson College hiking trails, too!
- Haw Creek
Do you know what a cove is? Just like in the water, a mountain cove is open on one end and surrounded by mountains. As you travel east from downtown Asheville, there are three coves: Chunns Cove, Haw Creek, and Riceville. The Blue Ridge Parkway loops by all of them up above, and each is a beautiful area with a more rural feel but still close to Asheville proper. Haw Creek is an area of diverse homes in a super location.
- Laurel Creek
Super location off Hwy 74A southeast of town, Laurel Creek is a beautiful wooded neighborhood with a mix of single-family homes, condos, and townhomes. It has some amenities like pool, clubhouse, and tennis courts, and it is a peaceful setting that is still a super easy hop back to downtown.
- Beaverdam Run
This one is a little different in that it is a condo community. It is nestled near the end of Beaverdam Rd in north Asheville, so it is a pretty easy drive to all the conveniences north and to downtown. What I love about it is the amazing landscaping throughout, and it has some great amenities such as indoor heated pool, clubhouse, rec room, pickleball and tennis, etc. The HOA fees are daunting, but they cover a lot, and it is a beautiful community. Some of the homes have stunning views of the Beaverdam Valley, and the homes are quite varied in size and price. This is one of Asheville’s Top 10 Neighborhoods, especially for retirees looking for low-maintenance living and community activities.
- Ballantree
Just of Sweeten Creek Rd in South Asheville, Ballantree is an established neighborhood of mostly 1970s/80 homes. Big yards, nostalgic homes, and a convenient location.
Also check the neighborhood map on my home page: www.AtHomeInAsheville.com
