Relocating to Asheville
As the largest city in Western North Carolina, Asheville is the perfect blend of excitement, opportunity, and comfort. This bustling little city has it all, and that hasn't gone unnoticed; Asheville has received national recognition for its rapidly growing economy, fantastic local restaurants and breweries, and vibrant art and music scene. It’s not surprising that Asheville has seen a steady increase in its population since 1980.
Walking around downtown Asheville, its rich architectural history is plain to see; a blend of Art Deco, Beaux-Arts and Neo-classical style magnifies the excitement radiating from the local shops and music venues. Skiing, hiking, and fly-fishing are all easily accessible due to the close proximity of the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains and Pisgah National Forest.
Whatever the motivating factor is for your move to the great city of Asheville or its surrounding areas, there are some things you will want to know before you get here. At GreyBeard Realty we’re here to help you throughout your entire real estate buying journey. If you have any questions about Asheville, or if you’re ready to start looking for your dream home in Asheville, contact GreyBeard Realty.
Relocating Guide
Asheville Weather
Be prepared for all weather in Asheville – pack your swim trunks and your winter boots. In Asheville, North Carolina there are four distinct seasons with average temperatures varying from 28°F to 83°F. The summers are typically warm and humid and the winter is typically very cold. Fall is a particularly beautiful time of year in Asheville with it's beautiful fall leaf color change. Wet and partly cloudy weather is not uncommon in Asheville, with the city usually seeing around 44 inches of rain per year, which is higher than the national average of 38 inches. However the number of sunny days still averages over 200 days per year. During the winter months, Asheville typically gets about 10 inches of snow per year, lower than the national average of 28 inches per year.
Traffic in Asheville
As Asheville continues to grow, so does the traffic. Asheville is the 12th most populous city in North Carolina at just above 90,000 residents. Be aware that Asheville does see congestion in some areas such as I-26 and the south Asheville region, especially in the mornings as everyone goes to work and in the evenings when people are returning home. Luckily, there are a few ways to avoid adding to the congestion. Asheville is a very walkable city - with Downtown Asheville receiving a walkability score in the high 90s. There are also public transportation options available to limit the number of cars on the road.
Asheville Rides Transit, or ART, provides bus service from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday; and from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Sundays and Holidays. The standard fare is $1. You can view schedules and routes on the Asheville city website.
Asheville Housing
There are a variety of homes for sale in Asheville that range in both price and style. As the population continues to grow in Asheville, home prices are also expected to rise. The median home price in Buncombe County, which includes Asheville and its surrounding areas is currently around $475,000. With that being said, Asheville does have a variety of affordable housing options and resources available through OnTrack WNC, Homeward Bound WNC, Mountain Housing Opportunities, and the City of Asheville and Buncombe County.
You will find beautiful historic homes for sale in Asheville as well as more contemporary builds and mountaintop cabins. There are plenty of options to fit a variety of tastes in and around Asheville.
The Local First Mindset
Asheville is home to a myriad of independent businesses, that are all as unique as the residents in Asheville. Asheville Grown, a “Shop Small” movement, encourages Asheville residents to keep things local in the city. While there are no city ordinances to keep larger chains out of downtown Asheville, many residents prefer the local flair of Asheville and are loyal to local shops, artisans, business and restaurant owners.
