To begin, this is not a normal article for me.
I usually talk about luxury real estate and how much I love it. Not Asheville, North Carolina and how much I love it.
But for the sake of those who have thought about relocating to Asheville from another state. Look no further.
As someone who once was in your shoes, I find myself to be a credible source.
How I Got to Asheville
It was 2015. I lived in Orlando, Florida where everyone else in my family still lives.
If you’ve ever been to Orlando, or Florida in general, you’d know rather quickly that it’s one of the hottest and most humid places in the United States.
It’s kind of ridiculous.
After living there for fifteen years, my parents even longer, we were fed up.
Our little town of Casselberry was changing by the day, with overpasses under construction and new high-density residential developments overtaking our quaint neighborhoods, we were being consumed by the wave of expansion Orlando was shuffling in.
Tack on the constant thunderstorms, flat landscape (truly boring), rising crime rate, overwhelming street traffic, and the never-ending summer.
My family and I were done.
So, we packed our bags in March of 2015 and went to a sanctuary called Asheville, North Carolina.
It was the best decision we ever made.
What’s So Great About Asheville Anyways?
Besides being ranked by U.S. News as the 16th best city to live in and the 4th best to retire in.
Asheville has something for everyone.
Even though it’s on the smaller end of what you’d call a medium-sized city, the surrounding region creates this enormous feeling of inclusiveness.
It’s not like other cities where you leave the city limits and you can tell that you’re not in the city anymore.
Asheville serves as the cultural hub of Western North Carolina and everyone feels it.
Asheville is Gorgeous
As a Florida native, I never stop admiring the mountainous landscape that towers around Asheville.
The Blue Ridge Mountains adorns the bright Carolina sky with a soft, but darker blue, making a perfect color combination.
When the Sun begins its descent and falls behind the mountains, the soft blue turns to a powerful royal color, with beaming rays of pink and orange behind it.
The mountains are simply majestic. All you can do is admire their rich history and strength. They almost seem alive.
On to the city itself, depending on the angle you view it from, it’s either huge or tiny.
I’m serious.
If you’re entering the city from the West on Patton Avenue, then it looks huge. If you’re riding past it from the East on I-240, then it doesn’t seem too big.
The truth is that Asheville isn’t big, as I’ve mentioned already. However, when you catch the right angle, its skyline is very pretty.
Filled With Outdoor Adventures
Asheville is a haven for outdoor thrill seekers, campers, and hikers.
With a huge selection of ziplines that zoom across mountain tops thousands of feet in the air, tons of camping sites scattered throughout Appalachia, or the 46,000+ acres of the Pisgah National Forest with its many hiking trails.
There’s never a dull moment outside.
Another favorite among Asheville folk is water tubing along the French Broad River, which is believed to be one of the oldest rivers in the world (although it can’t be confirmed).
While I’ve personally never water tubed in the river, I’ve heard it’s loads of fun to get in a tube with friends and family, bring a floating cooler filled with beverages, and float downstream for miles.
The Asheville Atmosphere
My sinuses are better in Asheville, so it literally has a better atmosphere!
But what I’m actually talking about is the vibe you feel when you’re downtown.
There’s so much going on.
You can go from brewery to brewery (we have the most breweries per person than anywhere else in the U.S.), where they serve Asheville craft beer and have big parties.
Wine and dine at exceptional restaurants like Cúrate, owned by Katie Button. Then there’s Hana, a fantastic sushi bar, or if you’re in the mood for something casual. White Duck Taco is a fun shop that serves wacky combinations of tacos.
There’s usually some sort of musical event going on during the weekends, whether it be in the Drum Circle or at the Amphitheater in front of the courthouse.
In Asheville, it’s common to see someone playing an instrument elegantly on the side of the street any day of the week.
Overall, the vibe is one for everyone. There’s something new and exciting on every corner.
People Are Really Friendly
It’s called Southern hospitality for a reason, but I never got that in Florida.
Asheville, on the other hand, symbolizes it.
Maybe it’s due to the massive tourism industry we have here, but I would prefer to believe that it’s just the nature of the population.
Everyone you meet (for the most part) is extremely kind and friendly. Whether it be at the gas station, the street, or the local coffee shop (Asheville has some of the best coffee shops I’ve ever been to).
I think the overall kindness contributes to our lower crime rate too, but that’s probably controversial to say.
There’s Opportunity in Asheville
Asheville’s located in Buncombe County, which has the lowest unemployment rate in North Carolina among counties.
Asheville’s metro unemployment rate is an impressively low 2.6%, with a projected 39.8% job expansion over the next ten years.
Asheville is a growing market in terms of jobs, real estate, and economics.
Real estate prices generally fall around the $300,000 mark within a 15-mile radius of Asheville. Prices have steadily climbed over the last few years but have since seemed to level off.
The luxury real estate market hovers at around $800,000 as the entry point. If you’re interested in Asheville’s luxury homes. Check out my article for the top features you can expect to see in them.
What Are You Waiting For?
There’s a lot more to like about Asheville, but for the sake of remaining a luxury real estate agent, I’m going to stop writing about how much I like Asheville and start submitting an offer on behalf of my client.
If you plan on or have thought about relocating to Asheville, NC and it’s surrounding region, or Charlotte, NC. I’d love to help you.
Email me at matthew@berriluxuryproperties.com
In proper Asheville words,
Stay Weird.
