Do you dream of owning a second home, retiring to the mountains or taking a vacation to one of the most beautiful and pristine regions in the entire United States? If so, you deserve to look into western North Carolina real estate. Set among the spectacular Appalachian Mountains, western North Carolina real estate is rising in value, thanks to the area’s superb array of outdoor recreational activities, ideal weather, first-class medical care, diverse cultural events, amazing homes, and much more. Western North Carolina real estate is also conveniently located within easy reach of major highways, giving residents and visitors the opportunity to feel like they’re “away from it all,” while remaining within close proximity to major southern cities.
Western North Carolina real estate is located just east of the Tennessee state line. The area is situated west of a beautiful plateau region that lies between the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the Appalachian Mountains, known as the Piedmont. There are numerous mountain peaks that rise up to exceed 5,000 feet in elevation, and a few are over 6,600 feet. The highest point in eastern North America is Mount Mitchell, located in close proximity to western North Carolina real estate. Valley locations in western North Carolina are typically at an elevation of 2,000 feet above sea level.
The largest river in the region is the French Broad River. Other rivers near western North Carolina real estate include the Little Tennessee River and the Swannanoa River. Cutting through the region, you’ll find the Eastern Continental Divide, which separates Tennessee-bound streams from waters flowing through North and South Carolina.
The Counties, Cities and Towns of Western North Carolina
Altogether, there are 23 counties that comprise western North Carolina. Combined, the counties form a total regional area of approximately 9,700 square miles, and specific areas included are: Alleghany County, Ashe County, Avery County, Buncombe County, Burke County, Caldwell County, Cherokee County, Clay County, Graham County, Haywood County, Henderson County, Jackson County, Macon County, Madison County, McDowell County, Mitchell County, Polk County, Rutherford County, Swain County, Transylvania County, Watauga County, Yancey County, and Wilkes County.
There are an abundance of cities and towns in which you can find excellent western North Carolina real estate. Specifically, here is a list of cities with an estimated population of more than 10,000: Asheville, Hickory, Morganton, Lenoir, Hendersonville, Boone, and Waynesville. Cities with a population of fewer than 10,000 include: Andrews, Bakersville, Balsam Grove, Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, Biltmore Forest, Black Mountain, Blowing Rock, Bostic, Bravard, Bryson City, Burnsville, Cajah’s Mountains, Canton, Cedar Rock, Chimney Rock, Clyde, Columbus, Connellys Springs, Crossnore, Dillsboro, Drexel, Elk Park, Elkin, Ellenboro, Flat Rock, Fletcher, Forest City, Franklin, Gamewell, Glen Alpine, Grandfather, Granite Falls, Hayesville, Hendersonville, Highlands, Hildebran, Hot Springs, Hudson, Jefferson, Lake Lure, Lake Santeetlah, Lansing, Laurel Park, Maggie Valley, Marion, Mars Hill, Marshall, Mills River, Morganton, Murphy, Newland, North Wilkesboro, Old Fort, Rhodhiss, Robbinsville, Ronda, Rosman, Ruth, Rutherford College, Rutherfordton, Saluda, Sawmills, Seven Devils, Sparta, Spindale, Spruce Pine, Sugar Mountain, Sylva, Tyron, Valdese, Weaverville, West Jefferson, Wilkesboro, and Woodfin. The unincorporated communities in western North Carolina are Cherokee, Cullowhee, Deals Gap, and Lake Junaluska.
Western North Carolina’s Biggest City
Located in western North Carolina’s Buncombe County in the Blue Ridge Mountains is the city of Asheville. Situated at the confluence of the Swannanoa River and the French Broad River, Asheville is the largest city to include western North Carolina real estate, and the town is home to a total population of around 69,000 residents.
The average income for a household in the city of Asheville is around $33,000, and the median income for a family is closer to $44,000.
The city of Asheville is growing rapidly, and one look at the many amenities of western North Carolina real estate can offer a glimpse into the popularity of Asheville. Nicknamed the Land of the Sky, the city pops up on several national rankings for a variety of activities. From arts to outdoor adventures, Asheville is most definitely an ideal place to live.
If you are retired and looking into western North Carolina real estate, you simply must check out Asheville. The city was named as one of the “50 Most Alive Places to Be” by the American Association of Retired Persons’ (AARP) Modern Maturity magazine, as well as being noted as one of AARP Magazine’s “Best Places to Reinvent Your Life.” In addition, Asheville was labeled as one of “America’s Top 25 Arts Destinations” by AmericanStyle magazine, and the “Happiest City for Women” by Self Magazine.
Asheville has also been referred to as a “New Age Mecca” by CBS News’ series Eye on America, and is named the “most vegetarian friendly” small city in the United States, by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Additionally, the city was named one of the top seven places to live in the nation by Frommer’s Cities Ranked and Rated in 2007; ranked number 23 of 200 metro areas for business and career by Forbes, and ranked the best place to live in the country by Relocate-America.
If you’re still not convinced, consider that Asheville was also named one of the world’s top 12 must-see destinations for 2007 by Frommer’s travel guides. The city is quite popular among tourists, especially during the autumn season when fall foliage peaks during the month of October. Visitors and residents flock to the Blue Ridge Parkway, which runs through the Asheville area. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, highly regarded for its scenic beauty and picturesque overlooks. The parkway stretches 469 miles through the famous Blue Ridge Mountain chain, which is part of the Appalachian Mountains. It is the most visited area out of the entire United States National Park System, and is the longest and narrowest National Park in the world.
Arts, Culture, and More in Asheville
Downtown Asheville is another attractive feature for homebuyers who are seeking prime western North Carolina real estate. The local culture is strong, with live music playing a significant role in the tourism-based economy of the city. Additionally, sporting events and performance theaters are major contributors as well.
The city is home to several nightclubs and seasonal festivals that line the streets with live entertainment events throughout the year. The “Shindig on the Green” is perhaps Asheville’s most popular annual event, occurring on Saturday nights during July and August in the City/County Plaza.
The Asheville Symphony and the Asheville Lyric Opera also make their homes in the city, complementing the diverse variety of bluegrass, country, and traditional mountain musicians in the Asheville area.
Sports teams such as the Asheville Tourists (baseball) and the Asheville Grizzlies (football) also call Asheville home. In addition, area colleges and universities, such as the University of North Carolina at Asheville, provide local excitement for sports enthusiasts in the area. The Fighting Owls of Warren Wilson College are well known for their basketball, mountain biking and swimming teams.
Other appealing factors for Asheville residents and newcomers are the city’s multiple sports clubs, which include Asheville Rugby, Asheville Rowing Club, Asheville Lacrosse Club, Asheville Track Club, and the Asheville Ultimate Community. Whitewater rafting and kayaking are also popular sporting activities in Asheville. The American Whitewater group recently named Asheville as one of the top five U.S. whitewater cities, alongside Johnstown, Pennsylvania; Chico/Oroville, California; Boise, Idaho; and Washington, D.C.
The performing arts in Asheville represent a city-wide tradition of live theatre, dance, and opera. Actor Charlton Heston and his wife Lydia Clarke originally got their start in the Asheville Community Theatre, which was founded in 1946 and later taken over by this Hollywood power couple. Today, the Mainstage Auditorium of the theatre is named for the couple, the Heston Auditorium.
Other theaters in Asheville include the North Carolina Stage Company and the Diana Wortham Theatre. The Asheville Arts Center, a theatre, dance, and music studio designed for arts education, opened in 2004. Many local bands play in the Arts Center’s Grand Hall. The city is also regarded as a potential growth area for film and television, and the Asheville Film Festival is presently in its third year.
Getting Around Asheville
The city of Asheville is served by the Asheville Regional Airport, which is located in the nearby city of Fletcher. The city is also easily accessible via Interstate 40, Interstate 240, and Interstate 26. In 2003, Interstate 26 was extended from north of Asheville at Mars Hill to Johnson City, Tennessee, representing the completion of a 20-year, half-billion dollar construction project through the Blue Ridge Mountains. This project alone has helped contribute to the rampant growth of western North Carolina real estate. Work on the project continues to improve Interstate 26 from Mars Hill to Interstate 40 by improving U.S. Route 19 and U.S. Route 23 and the western part of Interstate 240. A multi-million dollar bridge that will cross the French Broad River will begin construction sometime during 2008.
Commuting around the city of Asheville is easy, much to the pleasure of city residents and those who own western North Carolina real estate. The Asheville Transit system operates in the city, and consists of multiple bus lines that connect parts of the city as well as surrounding areas.
Neighborhoods in Asheville
Further enhancing the value and selection of western North Carolina real estate are the several lovely neighborhoods found in Asheville. In the north of the city, you’ll find delightfully charming neighborhoods like Albemarle Park, Beaverdam, Beaver Lake, Grove Park, Kimberly, Montford, Norwood Park, and Reynolds Mountain. Montford is a celebrated, local historic district designated by the Asheville City Council in 1980. In 1989, the Council designated Albemarle Park as a local historic district as well.
To the east of Asheville are the neighborhoods of Beverly Hills, Chunn’s Cove, Haw Creek, Oakley, Oteen, and Town Mountain. Neighborhoods in the west of Asheville include Deaverview Park, Emma, Hi-Alta Park, Malvern Hills, Sulphur Springs, and West Asheville.
In the south of Asheville, you’ll find neighborhoods like Ballantree, Biltmore Village, Reynolds, Biltmore Park, Kenilworth, and Skyland. In 1987, Biltmore Village was also designated as an historic district by the Asheville City Council.
The largest privately owned home in the entire nation is the stunning and lavish Biltmore Estate, which presently attracts more than a million visitors each year. Other fine architecture in the city includes the Art Deco city Hall and other buildings in the downtown area such as the Battery Park Hotel, the Neo-Gothic Jackson Building, Grove Arcade, and the Basilica of St. Lawrence.
Asheville is only one of a number of cities, small towns, and rural communities that comprise western North Carolina real estate. For more information about available homes and properties among western North Carolina real estate, contact the real estate professionals who know it best. Call the Schaffer Realty Group at 847-367-8773 to schedule an appointment today. |
