Escape the Heat with a Second Home in Asheville, North Carolina
Boasting several stunning lakes, many of which are wrapped around the cool air of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Asheville area is one of North Carolina's most thriving and bustling cities. But it also offers plenty of opportunities for serene, luxury rural living not far from the amenities of any major metropolis. Not only is there plenty to see, but there is also plenty to do in and around Asheville –– and plenty of different ways to cool down during those summer months.
If you are interested in owning a second home in Asheville, North Carolina, read on to discover everything you’ll need to know about where to look, what to do, and what’s nearby.
Gated Communities in and Around Asheville
The greater Asheville area offers some of the best examples of luxury living in Western North Carolina. Some of the most highly sought-after gated communities include:
The Cliffs at Walnut Grove
This upscale neighborhood is consistently ranked among the best-gated communities in Asheville, thanks to its stunning multi-million-dollar properties, exceptional amenities, and bucolic scenery, which blends downtown city activity with tranquil mountain living. Residents of The Cliffs at Walnut Cove's close-knit community are at the apex of nature, with such proximity to the mountains. Residents can typically spend days hiking, biking, horseback riding, or at the Walnut Cove Golf Course.
Membership at Walnut Grove includes access to all seven community golf courses, plus high-end wellness centers, tennis courts, dining venues, private parks, and trails. Additional perks include access to nearby Lake Keowee, marina facilities, the Beach Club, and a world-class equestrian center.
The Ramble – Biltmore Forest
Nestled within 1,000 acres of preserved forest area that includes meandering trails (perfect for leisurely daily strolls or intense weekend hikes), this gated, master-planned community of handcrafted homes is only 10 minutes from downtown Asheville but feels like a world away from anywhere. Featuring access to Biltmore Park Town Square’s high-end shopping, dining and entertainment amenities, The Ramble is where modern conveniences meet stunning natural beauty –– with plenty of places to play and relax.
Poplar Ridge
The community of Poplar Ridge is luxurious, elevated living at its finest. Featuring a unique collection of sizeable, custom-built homes (most of which range from $700,000 to $3 million), the residences sit on 250 acres of private mountain land. They include private roads, gated entrances, and scenic vistas in every direction –– all just 15 minutes from downtown Asheville.
Opportunities for adventure are always close with the Smokey Mountains, Pisgah National Forest, French Broad River, and the Blue Ridge Parkway nearby, ideal for putting together convenient day trips for exploring the local sights.
Outdoor Activities in the Cool Mountain Air
There are plenty of ways to experience the cool mountain air across Asheville and beyond. After all, the entire region is mountainous, and you’d be hard-pressed to find an excuse not to partake in many recreational activities the region offers. If taking an early morning hike on a hot summer day is your preference, then the high elevations and deep forests along Big Butt Trail, Waterrock Knob, or the Appalachian Trail at Roan Mountain are must-sees.
Sitting five minutes outside Downtown Asheville, Beaver Lake is another perfect area for those who love tranquil walks, stunning sunsets, bird watching, or recreational adventures around a pristine body of water. Other nearby waterfronts providing outdoor adventures like fishing, swimming, and boating include Lake Tomahawk (in Black Mountain, NC), Lake Louise (in Weaverville, NC), Lake Julian (in Arden, NC), and Fontana Lake (in Fontana, NC) –– all of which are within close driving distance of central Asheville.
Other great attractions await visitors of the famed Lake Lure –– a celebrity all on its own. Home to filming locations for classics like “Dirty Dancing” and “The Last of the Mohicans”, the unspoiled, natural wonder of this expansive man-made lake offers beauty and activity, including hiking and biking trails, boating docks, tranquil beaches, and swimming, plus so much more. Or try beautiful Lake Glenville –– with its nearly 30 miles of shoreline atop 1,400+ acres of rugged woodlands. This recreational area just outside of Asheville offers water skiing, tubing, swimming, fishing, boating, and countless other ways to cool down.
Indoor Activities for Escaping the Hottest Days of Summer
Sometimes, it’s great to get out of the sun and cool down with some less intensive summer recreation activities. And fortunately, there are so many fantastic options for browsing, shopping, and museum and gallery-hopping in and around Asheville’s buildings with air conditioning. As one of the premier areas in the country for art, Western North Carolina is teeming with studios and display rooms.
New Morning Gallery is an expansive, 13,000-square-foot space in Biltmore Village that features sculpture, hand-crafted furniture, pottery, and glass works from over 500 American artists. Meanwhile, the impressive Bender Gallery holds a wide permanent collection of contemporary and abstract paintings, still-life representations, and rotating exhibits from renowned global artisans. Other awe-inspiring buildings to check out in Asheville include Gallery of the Mountains, Blue Spiral 1, Lexington Glassworks, and the popular Mark Bettis Gallery.
Lexington Avenue in downtown Asheville is also one of the primary streets for great shopping –– for those days when you just want to relax with a little retail therapy. In fact, when it comes to shopping throughout Asheville’s bustling cityscape, each of the unique neighborhoods offers something a bit different, including the eclectic boutiques of Biltmore Village; bookstores and quaint bistros in Black Mountain; cafés, apothecaries, antiques and other vintage-inspired destinations in West Asheville. There is always something to be found.
Day Trip Getaways from Asheville
Getting around Western North Carolina is incredibly easy –– and during those sweltering summer months, you’ll love any excuse to take a trip to neighboring communities and cities. You never have to look far to find fun in the greater Asheville area. Here are a few favorite sites to check out for the day:
Cashiers
A very popular destination for luxury living and visiting, Cashiers includes some of the lushest and most scenic environments in all of North Carolina. Located in Jackson County, just 60 miles from bustling Asheville along the picturesque Highway 64, this prime area sits in the center of the Nantahala National Forest, within a stone’s throw distance of the beautiful mountains.
A postcard of breath-taking natural beauty, including waterfalls, rivers, hiking trails, and plateaus, Cashiers (pronounced "CASH-ERZ") offers countless opportunities for recreational activities, world-class golfing, shopping, fine dining and so much more –– all in a mountainous, storybook setting that feels like another world. The entire Highlands-Cashiers Plateau truly has something for everyone looking to partake in a memorable day.
Brevard
Situated about 30 miles from busy Asheville, the luxurious charm of Brevard in nearby Transylvania County is another popular North Carolina destination for day trippers, mainly because of the area’s incredible amenities and stunning natural beauty on offer. Known as the Land of Waterfalls –– with roughly 250 different sights to find –– Brevard is a recreationalist’s dream, with miles of winding hiking and bike trails, dense forest, wild rivers, and mountainous terrain to trek. Pack a picnic for the day, or an overnight bag and experience many of the town’s cultural points, like the Transylvania Heritage Museum and the Brevard Music Center, not to mention galleries, historical sites plus, a winsome town center home to great local shopping, and dining.
Banner Elk
Situated near the base of the picturesque mountains, not far from Asheville, Banner Elk offers numerous outdoor activities and excursions for day-trippers. Like a trip alongside the mighty Elk River –– a superb setting for hiking trails, biking, and fishing, plus world-class golf courses (like the Elk River Club or nearby Mountain Glen Golf Club), all set against stunning mountain vistas in all directions. Not only are there fantastic recreational options on offer, but Banner Elk also boasts a vibrant music and arts scene, not to mention fine dining at one of many exceptional restaurants and wineries. Featuring mild temperatures during the spring and summer months, plus low humidity levels, Banner Elk is an ideal day or weekend getaway for Asheville residents.
Buying a Second Home in Asheville, North Carolina
For those thinking of buying a second home in Western North Carolina –– whether you're looking in one of Asheville's pristine gated luxury communities, or the adjacent areas along the Highlands and Blue Ridge Mountains range –– there are some important factors to consider before making a move.
Due to the high elevation of this mountainous region (roughly 3,000 to 4,000 feet above sea level), and an average daily temperature of about 80 degrees in the summer months, Asheville and the area might not be ideal as a permanent residence for some. The air, while cleaner and clearer, is also quite thin and can prove difficult for those with respiratory issues. Many locals recommend spending a few days at one of Asheville’s premier hotels, or in a vacation rental in the mountains, to see if the climate and terrain are suitable for a full-time relocation. While you’re testing the waters, you can experience all of the above amenities and activities to really determine if Ashville is right for you before attempting to make a purchase.
Other factors to consider before moving to Western North Carolina:
Despite the humid temperatures from May to September that are common in southern states, the mountainous area in and around Asheville does get snow in the winter, so it's recommended to have proper tires on your vehicle before driving into town anytime between October and March –– freak snowstorms are not uncommon, so you'll have to remember to turn off your water and drain any pipes in your home before closing it up for extended periods.
Also, many of the narrow roads within the Blue Ridge Mountain range feature hairpin turns and gravel surfaces, all of which might prove difficult to navigate if you aren’t used to such terrain. And since many areas of Asheville are great examples of rugged outdoor living, many properties are on septic tanks, and the primary energy source is propane –– not natural gas if that’s what you’re used to.
Interested? We Are Here to Help!
There are so many ideal locations and opportunities available for beating the heat with a second home in Asheville, North Carolina. With plenty to see and experience –– not to mention spectacular mountain and lake views –– the possibilities truly are endless. If you are considering a move to the area, contact us here for further information and we’ll be happy to walk you through all of the options.