Asheville

Asheville is a city in western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, known for a vibrant arts scene and historic architecture. Incorporated in 1797, it lies across 45.8 square miles, and has a median age of 39.6 (2022). Its main industries include tourism, healthcare, science and technology, and arts and culture.

Regarding architecture, Tudor, Craftsman, Colonial Revival, Beaux Arts, Queen Anne, and Victorian-style homes grace the city’s streets. The average price of a home here is $447,488, which is an increase of 15% over the past year (Zillow, 2022). Asheville is also home to year-round annual events, including the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, the Biltmore Blooms festival of flowers, the GRINDfest festival that celebrates Black freedom, and more.

Major thoroughfares in Asheville include the north-south I-26, east-west I-40, and I-240 (north loop from I-40). I-26 and I-240 border the neighborhood of Montford, which is full of bungalows, family homes, and Neoclassical apartment buildings. North Asheville, also accessible via I-26, features ritzy houses, bungalows, and Spanish-style villas. Condos and apartments dominate the River Arts District, south of I-240.

Asheville’s rich architectural history provides the ideal retro-urban setting for the edgy vibe that permeates its locally owned stores and art galleries, distinctive restaurants, and entertainment venues.