Asheville is a haven for outdoor adventurers. While there are lots of things to love here, hiking the mountain trails like [Craggy Gardens](https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/craggy-gradens-trail.htm), [Graveyard Loop](https://www.exploreasheville.com/article/graveyard-fields-loop-trail), [Art Loeb Trail](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/art-loeb-trail--2), & [Linville Falls](https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/linville-falls-trails.htm) (did we mention all the waterfall hikes?) is tops on most resident and visitor lists. When you’re done with your trek you’ll also find a great foodie scene and plenty of amazing wine and craft beer, so don’t go thinking this is a one-note city.



Mountain Living

LookyLOO  Review of Asheville 

Asheville is “nestled” in the Blue Ridge Mountains and no matter where you live that feeling dominates your sense of place.

The Central Business District has a lot of condo options if you favor downtown living. If a good walkscore to restaurants, shops, and art galleries is your thing then you’ll be fine here. Outside of downtown are beautiful neighborhoods like Montford, North Asheville & Grove Park that have large historic homes or Arts & Crafts bungalows. Retirees should check out Beaverdam, while hipsters or artsy folks should look at West Asheville, which is home to the arts scene, and has its downtown area with music, bars, and great restaurants.

If you want to see what kind of fun and culture happens here, check out the [calendar of events](https://www.exploreasheville.com/all-asheville-events/): https://www.exploreasheville.com/all-asheville-events/

We highly recommend visiting Asheville and staying in the community in a [VRBO](https://vrbo.com/affiliate/p4JS4ZC) rather than a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can receive discounted fares on travel via our [partnership with Expedia](expedia.com/affiliate/9NZ8LBQ) as well.

Nestled

Lifestyle 

This is primarily a point for those looking for a place to retire. They say that you’re either a Villages person or you’re not (Google The Villages in Florida to see what we’re talking about). If you think of Florida as a giant version of The Villages and you decide there is no way you can handle that, then consider Asheville. Pre and Post-Pandemic moving trends are driving growth here so if you’re considering the move we’d recommend doing so post-haste.

It Ain’t The Villages (or Florida for that matter)

Why You Should Move Here Now? 

**nojremark**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

It's my home. I could probably get by anywhere but, here I've made some roots and am part of a community. I value that. It's really nice that folks are mostly nice to each other on the street despite internet drama occasionally in the forums. I value that too. It is very pretty that's certain. The city is conducive for happiness. It's changed a lot in the decade I've lived here. But, so has everything. One unfortunate change imo is the lack of affordable housing which hurts the working classes most directly. I have faith that things will improve on that front. I don't know how. I'm not that smart. But, I bet someone is! Good luck out there ✌️

To see more reviews from locals check out: [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/asheville/reviews).

Reviews of Asheville from Locals 

**The Best Thing About Asheville?** Mountain Living

Asheville is a haven for the outdoor adventurer. While there are lots of things to love here, hiking the mountain trails like Craggy Gardens, Graveyard Loop, Art Loeb Trail, & Linville Falls (did we mention all the waterfall hikes?) is tops on most resident and visitor lists. When you’re done with your trek you’ll also find a great foodie scene and plenty of amazing wine and craft beer, so don’t go thinking this is a one-note city. 

**The Worst Thing About Asheville?** When It Rains, It Floods
The surrounding mountains act as a giant funnel delivering water into Asheville and causing river and creek banks to overflow. Streets tend to flood and if your home is in a lower valley you can expect some water damage. One word of caution: pick a home that isn’t amidst the low lying land. 

**How You Living?** Nestled

Asheville is “nestled” in the Blue Ridge Mountains and no matter where you live that feeling dominates your sense of place. 

The Central Business District has a lot of condo options if you favor downtown living. If a good walkscore to restaurants, shops and art galleries is your thing then you’ll be fine here. Outside of downtown are beautiful neighborhoods like Montford, North Asheville & Grove Park that have large historic homes or Arts & Crafts bungalows. Retirees should check out Beaverdam, while hipsters or artsy-folks should look at West Asheville, which is home to the arts scene, and has its own downtown area with music, bars and great restaurants.  

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** It Ain’t The Villages (or Florida for that matter)

This is primarily a point for those looking for a place to retire. They say that you’re either a Villages person or you’re not (Google The Villages in Florida to see what we’re talking about). If you think of Florida as a giant version of The Villages and you decide there is no way you can handle that, then consider Asheville. Pre and Post-Pandemic moving trends are driving growth here so if you’re considering the move we’d recommend doing so post-haste. 


Asheville is kind of the anti-Florida for retirees. More people retire here and choose to live in traditional neighborhoods than in more 55+ exclusive communities. Black Mountain, Weaverville, and Biltmore Park are popular choices for those who want to live independently and be a walk from Downtown. 

Biltmore Lake is a more structured community among these with some of the subdivisions gated but most open. All are served by the incredible amenities that surround the actual lake including a community clubhouse where activity groups meet to socialize and presumably play a lot of pickleball. 



Retirees

Black Mountain/Weaverville/Biltmore Park

As with most smaller cities Downtown is the center of action for Young Professionals. It has the highest concentration of bars, breweries, restaurants, theaters, music venues and community events all within walking distance of the apartment and condo living options in the neighborhood. What makes Asheville unique isn't just bars and restaurants though, it's the artisan shops in the Grove Arcade, the local art studios/galleries, the amazing Asheville Pinball Museum and a number of other truly one-of-a-kind spots that make this city standout.  

West Asheville also gets a fair share of Young Professionals/DINKs/SINKs looking for a more laid-back neighborhood but still want a walkable social experience. Filled with small shops selling vintage clothing, books, and records as well cool music spots, and Carrier and French Broad River Parks, which are perfect for picnics and hikes. 



Young Professionals/DINKs/SINKs

Downtown/West Asheville

West Asheville is the groovy/hipster neighborhood in Asheville. Filled with boutique shopping, eclectic restaurants/cafes and a big arts district. It’s also the center of the LGBTQ+ community in the city with owned and supportive businesses throughout. 



LGBTQ+

West Asheville

Montford is a historic district in Asheville filled with beautiful homes that sits alongside downtown. It’s perfect for families who want big homes, yards, and outdoor play but also want to be close to the commercial district for social and cultural experiences. North Asheville is another great option if you want to be out a bit farther from downtown and get more of the amazing outdoor experiences Asheville offers. It also has its own commercial district amidst beautiful old Tudor-style homes. 
- Montford
- North Asheville 
- South Asheville


Families

Montford

Asheville

**Rogue_2187**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

I wasn’t born here, but was raised here. I was a teenager in the late 90’s/early 2000s for some context.

Asheville is different but I think mostly in a good way. The nicest place to eat is no longer the Olive Garden or Applebees. Personally, I love the food and drink scene. It started really coming alive sometime after I started UNCA.

People talk about the rising crime in downtown Asheville, but if you grew up here, then you experienced downtown when it was literally boarded up. I wasn’t allowed to hang out in downtown as a teenager because of obvious prostitution and the rampant drug abuse out in public, amongst other crimes. Pritchard Park especially. Not that I wanted to hang out there anyways. There was nothing to do.

I personally don’t think it’s any worse than it was 20 years ago.

**Anonymous**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

Same. Asheville address but not in the city. No problem with the city, I love it, but I love more having my own privacy in some woods that’s close to amenities and society. Asheville is honestly excellent for that. Has everything you need and little of what you don’t, and as said above has tons of hiking and waterways so if you’re outdoorsy it’s a wonderful place to live.

**nojremark**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

It's my home. I could probably get by anywhere but, here I've made some roots and am part of a community. I value that. It's really nice that folks are mostly nice to each other on the street despite internet drama occasionally in the forums. I value that too. It is very pretty that's certain. The city is conducive for happiness. It's changed a lot in the decade I've lived here. But, so has everything. One unfortunate change imo is the lack of affordable housing which hurts the working classes most directly. I have faith that things will improve on that front. I don't know how. I'm not that smart. But, I bet someone is! Good luck out there ✌️

**Anonymous**
2y ago
🦉🦉

No. Too expensive considering where it is. I moved here from LA and rent here is ridiculous and wages don’t match or come even close. At least in LA I got paid more for the the exact same job and could afford rent/a place to live. Here, all the apartments I can afford get snatched up quickly or they want you to make like 4X the rent.

While there’s a ton of outdoor stuff to do there isn’t that much as far as events or things to do when you don’t want to hike or it isn’t warm. I’m sober so drinking and going out to bars isn’t my style. I’m also an adult and not 21 so I’ve surpassed that part of my life anyway lol

Seems like people really hate when people move here and I can understand why. Locals are mad about rent going up but I think that’s more to do with Air BNB and other rich people / corporate / political bullshit.

Traffic is a thing shockingly. The highways and infrastructure in general wasn’t built for this big of a population and hasn’t been able to keep up with the population boom.

I’m in my late 20s and it seems like it’s hard to meet people my age. And meet people in general but that goes back to not having too much to do.

I come from a big city though so maybe I’m just not use to a smaller town type of vibe.

People are nice here for the most part though!

**5 Pros and Cons of living in Asheville NC**

Yes, there are pros AND cons of living in Asheville NC. Although it’s a beautiful place, It’s not for everyone! Some pros might outweigh the cons, you just gonna have to decide for yourself. As for me, I look at it this way: just like trying to find a perfect house- it’s nearly impossible. You gotta decide for yourself what items on your list are non negotiable. 

Asheville, North Carolina

Land Of The Sky

Looklyloo Score: 88