Back HomeWhy Live In Western North Carolina?
Asheville has been recognized for its splendors by dozens of magazines, websites and publications in recent years. Accolades range from the designation by Frommer’s as one of a dozen top travel destinations in the world to recognition for the Asheville area arts community, outdoor adventures, cuisine, organic and vegetarian eats, and much more.
2011:
TripAdvisor.com lists Asheville as one of its “15 Destinations on the Rise.” (December 2011)
Zagat.com included Firestorm Cafe & Books in a list of the “10 Coolest Independent Coffee Shops Across the US.”
Condo Nast Traveler‘s annual Reader’s Choice Awards Poll chose two Asheville properties among the best in the nation. The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa was rated a Top U.S. Resort, and the Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville was rated at Top U.S. Hotel.
Asheville is named “Best Place to Start a Fall Foliage Tour” by Livabiliy.com (October 2011)
The editors of Prevention magazine and Fitbie rank Asheville as the #5 best U.S. city for weight loss, thanks to a wide variety of options for finding farm fresh food choices. (October 2011)
Asheville comes in at #10 in TripAdvisor.com’s Travelers’ Choice Awards for top food and wine destinations in the U.S. (October 2011)
Good Morning America featured Asheville as one of its“Most Beautiful Places in America.” (August 2011)
DogFriendly.com released its list of “Top 10 Resort Areas to Visit with your Dog” in the U.S. and named Asheville and the Blue Ridge Parkway as #2. (August 2011)
Yoga Journal magazine includes Asheville in its list of “10 Fantastically Yoga-Friendly Towns.” (August 2011)
Asheville again rises to the top of AmericanStyle magazine’s Top 25 Small City Arts Destinations, narrowly beating Santa Fe in the annual readers’ poll. (May 2011)
Online poll on Examiner.com: “Asheville, BeerCity USA 2011 makes it a three-pete” Asheville won with more than 46% of the vote and significant support from outside North Carolina. (May 2011)
Livability lists McCormick Field, the home of the Asheville Tourists, as one of the top 10 minor league stadiums. (March 2011)
The Donald Ross-designed course at the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa makes the reader-nominated list of “125 Top Golf Resorts.” (April 2011)
Fodors.com names Asheville as one of the “21 Places We’re Going in 2011,” highlighting the city’s food and drink scene and its artsy vibe. (January 2011)
The Traveler’s Choice Awards on TripAdvisor.com named the Residences at Biltmore the #23 hotel in the nation. (January 2011)
2010:
White House Statement: During President Obama’s spring vacation in Asheville, White House spokeswoman Moira Mack issued the following statement, The president first visited the Asheville area during the campaign, and he liked it so much that he vowed to take his family there. The president and first lady are planning to spend a quiet weekend enjoying some of the many things this beautiful part of the country has to offer. (April 2010)
Online Poll Posted on Examiner.com: Asheville holds onto its title as Beer City USA. (May 2010)
AmericanStyle.com: Asheville was ranked the number one small city (population under 100,000) for the arts in their annual Top 25 Arts Destinations reader’s poll. (May 2010)
Livability.com: Ranked Asheville one of their 10 most surprisingly vibrant food cities. (April 2010)
Sherman’s Travel: Named Asheville as one of its top 10 spring getaways. (March 2010)
TopRetirements.com: Asheville was rated number one in TopRetirement.com’s list of the most popular retirement towns for 2010. (February 2010)
RateBeer.com: This craft beer aficionado Web site named several Asheville area restaurants, breweries and craft beer stores in their annual RateBeer Best 2010. (January 2010)
Bruisin Ales Number three best beer retailer worldwide. The Thirsty Monk Number 41 Beer Bar Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria Number 27 Beer Restaurant Mellow Mushroom Number 41 Beer Restaurant Highland Brewing Number 26 Brewery to VisitWedge Brewery Number 43 Brewpub
Southern Living: In the magazine’s Best of the South Travel Awards, Ashevilles Little Pigs BBQ placed second in the best barbecue in North Carolina category. (January 2010)
Travel+Leisure: Asheville’s Inn on Biltmore Estate and Richmond Hill Inn were named in the magazines “500 Best Hotels” list. (January 2010)
Byways: Named Asheville as one of the magazine’s “Top 50 North American Group Tour Destinations of 2010.” (December 2009)
Why Live In Western North Carolina?:
Art, Music, & Culture
There are hundreds of artists who live near the Asheville, NC and they don’t mind welcoming you into their art studios. For example, in downtown Asheville, along the French Broad River, is where you will find the River Arts District, home to 165 year round working artist studios. You can observe famous artists such as Jonas Gerard painting colorful masterpieces, Constance Williams molding pottery and more artists creating hand blown glass and art sculptures.
Thirty minutes to the north in Burnsville NC, the Toe River Studio Tour takes place twice a year where you’ll find 100 more local artists opening their studio doors to the public. Have you visited the Appalachian Folk Art Center located on the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile post 382, only five minutes from downtown Asheville? This is a fantastic place to find one of a kind Appalachian art made from natural elements such as stone, animal artifacts, fabric and find breath taking photographs of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
One of the classic examples of observing Ashevillian culture is by attending the weekly Friday night Drum Circle held in downtown Asheville NC. Locals come out of the woodwork to bang their drums in harmony while others dance to the music. You will find life in Western North Carolina revolves around art, music and spending as much time as possible outdoors.
High End Education:
Asheville NC is ahead of the curve by recognizing how desirable this region has become to retirees and delivering community forums geared towards mature adults. The University of North Carolina Asheville founded the North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement. The NCCCR offers an impressive list of lifelong learning courses for mature adults and cultural entertainment on campus.
To the south, Western Carolina University in Cullowhee is home to the Catmounts. For over 100 years, this college has molded some of the finest entrepreneurs graduating from their business school. Brevard College, Blue Ridge Community College and Montreat College are more excellent colleges within 30 miles of downtown Asheville NC.
You might be surprised to discover that Haywood Community College in Waynesville NC is carving a high tech image for itself as its new RHTC campus teaches 3D imaging, solar energy technologies and robotics courses. No matter where you to choose to live in Western North Carolina, you will find affordable college courses to enjoy and campuses offering you part-time teaching opportunities.
Easy Access to Many Major Cities:
Getting in and out of Western North Carolina to see your family and friends is quick, easy and is becoming less expensive. Asheville Regional Airport ( AVL ) currently offers the following non-stop flights from these major cities:
Atlanta – Delta
Charlotte – U S Airways
Chicago – United
Detroit – Delta
Houston – Continental
Newark – Continental
Orlando – Allegiant
Philadelphia – U S Airways
Greenville Spartanburg International Airport is about an hour south of Asheville and is the new east coast hub for Southwest Airlines. Charlotte International Airport is about 2 hours east of Asheville NC and is U S Airway’s east coast hub. Major highway access can be found traveling in all directions via Interstate 26 or Interstate 40. For those of us in no rush, scenic U.S. Route 64 travels from Western North Carolina to the Outer Banks beaches or you can travel north or south on America’s Favorite Scenic Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Healthy Food Choices:
From the farm to the dinner table, if eating healthy food is important to you, there is no better place to live than in Western North Carolina offering I Green Markets, farm stands and organic health food stores through the region. The city of Asheville appeals to the most demanding taste buds and health conscious obsessions. Ashevillian’s pride themselves on fresh grown mountain produce. Apples, herbs, homemade cheeses, breads, grass fed beef and free range poultry are just a few of the items you can find at the 88 tail gate markets in the Appalachian Mountain range. Whole Foods and Earth Fare clearly dominate the grocery store market in Asheville North Carolina. Beyond the city limits, you will find 30 more weekly farmer’s markets to explore or you can grow your own organic garden.
Festivals, Fairs, and Shows:
These are just of few of the major festivals and events that occur each year. There is hundreds of local shows, festivals and fairs for you to attend year round.
Asheville NC – Bele Chere Festival
This is the largest free outdoor street festival on the east coast held each year in July. The City of Asheville blocks off the downtown city streets for three days as 200,000 people enjoy live music, fantastic food and art exhibits.
Asheville NC – Big Band Swing and Dance Weekend
Held in January at the legendary Grove Park Inn, this annual festival brings in world class Big Bands playing jazz music from the Swing Era as dancers perform the Tango, the Charleston and popular 1920‘s swing dances.
Asheville NC – Comedy Classic Weekend
Held in March at the Grove Park Inn, this two day annual event brings in the funniest and best known comedians from across the country.
Asheville NC – Festival of Flowers
Held during the month of April, this well known North Carolina festival is held at The Biltmore Estate attracting gardening hobbyist and photographers alike.
Asheville NC – Winter Warmer Beer Festival
Named the Best BeerCity USA three years in a row, this annual January beer festival is held at the Asheville Civic Center.
Black Mountain NC – Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF)
Held in May and October, this is the closest to a mini Woodstock festival I’ve ever seen. Attendees camp out overnight for three days around the lake listening to the fabulous blues and jazz artists.
Brevard NC – White Squirrel Festival
Held Memorial Day Weekend, this annual festival includes live entertainment, an old fashioned box car derby and everything you can image relating to a fluffy white squirrel.
Hendersonville NC – North Carolina Apple Festival
Held Labor Day weekend, this is four day festival is the largest Apple Festival in North Carolina. Celebrating the sweetness of apples, you can find just about anything apple at this tasty festival. Be sure not to miss the King Apple Parade.
Waynesville NC – Folkmoot USA
Held in July, Folkmoot USA is the State International Festival of North Carolina. Up to 350 performers from 10 countries dance in the streets during this mountain festival. The Folkmoot Parade kicks off this two day North Carolina festival celebration.
The BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY and Over One Million Acres Of National & State Parks:
From the Virginia state line at mile post 216.9 south to mile post 469.1 bordering Tennessee and Western North Carolina, this 253 mile stretch is among the most scenic roadways in America overlooking more than 1,000,000 acres of protected national forest. Â The Blue Ridge Parkway passes through the Pisgah National Forest, Nantahala National Forest and leads to the gateway of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Â The Blue Ridge Parkway is easily accessible from Asheville, Waynesville and the North Carolina High Country. Hiking trails, waterfalls, picnic areas and breath taking scenic outlooks are fantastic places to spend the afternoon along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Living near the Blue Ridge Parkway is truly special.
Every year 8.6 million people visit the National Forests in North Carolina, to camp, hike, mountain bike, fish, take scenic drives or enjoy the forest’s solitude. The two National Forests Western in North Carolina include Nantahala &Pisgah and don’t forget Dupont State Forest ( land of the waterfalls).
Top Medical Care:
Mission Hospital Asheville NC – Ranked a Top 100 Heart Hospital
As bizarre as it sounds, your chance of dying in Mission Hospital Asheville are 21% less than a typical hospital according to Dr. Ronald A. Paulus, president and CEO of Mission Health. The Asheville Mission Hospital Health system is ranked among the Top 15 Health Care Systems in the country by Thomson Reuters, a measurement of excellence. Asheville Mission Hospital’s comprehensive geriatric specialties serve the community by providing preventive care and inpatient care in the heart of Western North Carolina.
VAMC Hospital is Asheville North Carolina’s Veterans Hospital.
Established in 1922, this hospital continues to provide a long list medical specialties to over 100,000 veterans in Western North Carolina. From surgery to diagnostics, fitness to rehabilitation, the VAMC is committed to diligently caring for America’s heroes. Beyond the city limits of Asheville NC, the Pardee Hospital system in Hendersonville, Haywood Regional Medical Center in Waynesville NC and the West Care Health System in Sylva also provide quality medical care.
Come to Western North Carolina for the Season or Year-Round:
Whether you’re a Floridian half backer seeking to escape the summer heat or a northerner leaving the frigid winters behind, Western North Carolina offers four mild seasons, incredible mountain beauty, intriguing art, rich culture, quick access to major cities and home affordability.
Kim N. Bregman