Asheville is an amazing place to live, work, and invest in real estate. It offers urban nightlife for those seeking a bustling atmosphere and rural wilderness for those looking to explore nature. Many neighborhoods provide access to both downtown city life and the slower pace of the countryside with just a short walk or drive. There are many great neighborhoods you can call home, each with its own quirky and eclectic vibe. Every neighborhood in Asheville is unique, but here are some of the “best” neighborhoods that we love based on safety, affordability, amenities, location, parks, schools, and community engagement.
1. Downtown Asheville
Walking to all your favorite shops and bars is easy when you live downtown. Considering Asheville’s beating heart, this historical and urban downtown area is full of must-see attractions. For history buffs, there are many historical sites and museums. For lovers of the arts, there are great concert venues and mural trails. And for the adventurous, there are scavenger hunts and comedy bus tours.
Nicknamed “Foodtopia,” Downtown Asheville offers top-notch restaurants you won’t want to miss out on. Adding to downtown’s cool credibility is the city’s brewery district, South Slope, located on the southern side. Check out more than 10 unique breweries, a distillery, and a cidery. Finish off your foodie tour with a sweet treat at the French Broad Chocolate Lounge or the unusual donut flavor of the day at DoughP Doughnuts.
Living downtown has its advantages, but the closer you are to the fun, the more you’ll pay in rent. In the few square miles that make up Downtown Asheville, you’ll mostly find businesses and hotel accommodations. There are some luxury condos, apartments, lofts, and studios. However, the wait lists for these prime living spaces are often long and can be a year or longer.
2. Biltmore Forest
This tourist-friendly neighborhood is home to over 40 shops and a dozen eateries in its central shopping district. You’ll feel delighted as you stroll down the brick sidewalks, looking at tree-lined streets and businesses housed in historic cottages. Make sure to soak in all the period architecture, like the Cathedral of All Souls. In the shops, you’ll find a diverse selection of merchandise, including original artwork, antiques, handmade crafts and home goods, one-of-a-kind decorations, and custom-designed jewelry.
The first weekend in August is a great time to visit Biltmore Forest since it’s always the area’s premier arts and crafts fair. At this outdoor event, you’ll find well over 100 artists displaying and selling their unique wares. When you get hungry, there’s a wide variety of restaurants and cafes to choose from. The growing area even has several breweries that have opened second locations in Biltmore Forest.
This small town offers residents a more rural feel but also provides a downtown vibe. It’s a charming upscale area with a rustic look and historical roots, including many buildings designed and built by the Vanderbilts. The neighborhood is great for families since the public schools are highly rated, and many retirees find the area desirable as well. Keep an eye out for black bears which often end up in backyards due to the close proximity to Blue Ridge Parkway.
3. Montford Historic District
“Quaint” and “low-key” are great ways to describe this neighborhood location between North and Downtown Asheville. There’s great walkability between the residential and business areas, giving it the perfect mix of suburban and rural life. Add in the historic architecture and picturesque bed and breakfasts, and you’re left with a very New England look and feel. In fact, Montford is on the National Register of Historic Places.
After walking to the cafes and bars along Riverside Drive, you may want to check out one of the free “little libraries” or explore the local literary scene since writers such as Thomas Wolfe and William Sydney Porter called this charming townhome. Then go visit Homewood Manor, essentially a castle, where the Fitzgeralds and Vanderbilts used to stay.
This iconic neighborhood spans 300 acres and is full of cultural diversity. There is a growing population of young professionals, families with young children, and retirees alike. Locals especially seem to love the pre-1920 architecture of Victorian and Colonial Revival style homes, Neo-Classical apartments, and bungalows. Living in Montford could be hard on your wallet as it is one of the more expensive areas in Asheville.
4. West Asheville
“Hipster,” “funky,” and “quirky” are good words to describe this gentrified neighborhood, located along a one-mile stretch of Haywood Road. When walking main street, you’ll find a plethora of shops, eateries, breweries, and music venues, primarily in renovated older buildings. For a fun date night, grab a bite at Jargon then head to AyurPrana Listening Room. This area was once a sleepy blue-collar town, but over the last decade, it has evolved into an eclectic and vibrant artsy community.
The growing art scene in West Asheville makes it a great home for creative types. Known for its murals, you’ll love taking a laid-back stroll admiring all the unique art on the buildings. Also a popular area with adventurer-seekers, there’s easy access to boating, tubing, and kayaking on the French Broad River and at Carrier Park. You’re bound to experience the best of urban culture with the high population of young professionals, singles, and a vibrant LGBTQ+ community.
Behind the busy strip of businesses on Haywood Road, you’ll find both new and old residential communities. Development companies are building many new green homes and quaint cottages in between generations-old classic homes and expensive gated communities. Many people come to the area to renovate fixer-uppers into trendy bungalows. Although generally safe, West Asheville does see more property crime and violent crime than other parts of Asheville.
5. Grove Park-Sunset
Back in the early 1900s, when the famous and historic Grove Park Inn was under construction, the Grove Park-Sunset neighborhood emerged. The beautiful Grove Park Inn and the gorgeous landscape greatly influenced the aesthetic outcome of this area. Tree-lined streets curve through the rolling hills of the forest, and homes have distinctive architectural touches, such as Cedar Shake and Pebbledash stucco. Whether you’re into the period bungalow aesthetic or oversize Colonial and Tudor homes, you’re sure to have a fantastic view out your window. However, this may not be the town for you if you’re looking for walkability to downtown.
Grove Park-Sunset is the perfect home for anyone who wants easy access to the urban scene of Downtown Asheville and the ability to disappear into rural peace and quiet. It may feel like a world away, but it’s really only a short drive, and there’s still plenty to explore. There is a solid arts and crafts scene, over 100 years of history to uncover, and many trails and parks to wander. Try spending the day at the Grove Park Country Club, find a new read at Battery Park Book Exchange, or grab pizza and beer from 828 Family Pizzeria.
6. River Arts District
The River Arts District was born out of necessity. What began as an industrial zone east of the railroad tracks has bloomed into an affordable neighborhood for artists to show off their creativity and provide entertainment. The River Arts District has both historic homes and newly constructed condos and apartments. It has attracted many professionals, younger families, and digital nomads. If you’re looking for a literally colorful neighborhood and appreciate a warehouse hipster vibe, then this is the place for you.
Home to over 200 working artists, this neighborhood features a vibrant community full of music venues, antique shops at the Uncommon Market, and quirky restaurants like RosaBees. Spend the day walking, skating, or biking along the renovated Riverwalk or floating down the French Broad River with Zen Tubing. Then ride the trolley while exploring over 20 industrial buildings with art studios and galleries open to the public, visit the Grail Moviehouse, or attend a ceramics class. Be aware that not all areas of RAD are desirable, there are noisy active train tracks and abandoned buildings.
7. Kenilworth
A 20-minute walk south of Downtown Asheville, on the border of South and East Asheville, lays Kenilworth. This popular neighborhood is famous for its 1920s architecture, especially the large Spanish-style stucco homes with tile roofs. There are also bungalows and Victorian-era homes. Most of the beautiful homes on Kenilworth’s tree-lined streets have unique architectural details, many of which offer larger yards for more privacy. If you want a little space between you and Downtown Asheville without sacrificing the urban feel, then Kenilworth’s charming and historic homes are what you’re looking for.
When you drive down Tunnel Road, you’ll have access to all of the chain stores and restaurants you could ever want. You’ll also find the Asheville Mall for all your retail and boutique needs. Stop by the Kenilworth Farmers Market for some fresh produce. Check out The Orange Peel for a festival or live music. Meander through the Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum. Or spend some time in nature wandering the many parks and green spaces full of rolling hills, scenic lakes, hiking trails, and recreational activities. While Kenilworth is great, it’s not as unique as other neighborhoods on this list.
8. North Asheville
“Old money” once described North Asheville, but it’s changed into a college town. The area is now home to college students, young professionals, families, and retirees. Living close to the University of North Carolina offers access to college sporting events, lifelong learning opportunities, and a variety of cultural activities for residents of all ages. While there are plenty of urban and suburban activities in the area, the real attraction is its close proximity to nature. There are endless opportunities for outdoor exploration, such as strolling through the Botanical Gardens, visiting Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary, white water rafting, and more.
Beautiful old homes are everywhere you look, like the Tudor-style home on Kimberley Avenue and multi-million dollar homes in Asheville Country Club. You’ll also spy craftsman bungalows, Spanish-style villas, Victorian-era architecture, and Colonial-style homes. Don’t worry, there are not only historic established neighborhoods, but you’ll also find lots of newly constructed starter homes and apartments thanks to the recent housing boom. Just a warning, Merrimon Avenue is pretty narrow and is heavily congested during rush hour, attributing to local road rage nicknamed “Merrimon Mayhem.”
9. East Asheville
East Asheville is less than 10 minutes from Downtown Asheville and is the perfect blend of urban and rural living. Some consider it the gateway between urban Asheville and rustic mountain communities. You can enjoy all city life has to offer without being in the midst of the action and easily escape to the wilderness of the Blue Ridge Parkway or WNC Nature Center. This community has a small-town feel with a walkable downtown, its own library, great schools, parks, shops, restaurants, and so much more.
When looking for a place to live in East Asheville, you’ll find a nice mixture of contemporary craftsman-style houses, remodeled bungalows, mid-century-style houses, historic homes, and sprawling farmhouses. With the option for both rural properties and established neighborhoods, you’re sure to find a home that fits your needs. This ideal neighborhood has a big draw for families and retirees. However, if you’re a young professional looking for a vivid nightlife scene, this might not be the place for you.
10. Haw Creek
Within the area of East Asheville is the coveted neighborhood of Haw Creek. While rural in nature, backed up to the Blue Ridge Parkway, it’s only 10 minutes from Tunnel Road and 15 minutes from Downtown Asheville. This beautiful neighborhood has been around since the early 1700s, and its name comes from the Hawthorne trees that grow along the creeks in the area. Since then, it’s become an active community filled with well-maintained parks, outdoor recreation opportunities, yard sales, ice cream socials, potluck suppers, an annual Cider Fest, and National Night Out.
You’ll find lots of diversity in Haw Creek as well as excellent schools, so it’s a great place to live and raise a family. Neighborhoods full of both new construction homes and older established homes offer a variety of housing options. There are lots of family-friendly neighborhoods with large yards and ranch-style homes. You’ll also find townhome communities and affordable apartments and condos. Whatever neighborhood you choose, there’s likely a large recreational park and neighborhood pool close by. For the record, there are only two entrances into Haw Creek and the main roads are very narrow with no sidewalks.
Final thoughts
The small town of Asheville started booming in the late 1800s thanks to the construction of America’s largest private home, the Biltmore Estate. This project established Asheville’s strong and creative economy, bringing craftspeople from all over. Today you’ll find a mixture of both historic and modern architecture, from Victorian-era mansions to cozy bungalows to modern apartment complexes. The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Asheville is about $1,450, a 2-bedroom is around $1,886, and a 3-bedroom is approximately $2,400. However, the cost of rent can vary depending on the location, the size of the property, and other factors.
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