Luxury Living in Western North Carolina

If you consider retiring in one of Western North Carolina’s many luxury communities, you have countless opportunities and areas to choose from. Whether you are looking to own a second home in a gated community or a vacation home with stunning mountain views to turn into a thriving income property, there are many options available –– all of which feature amenities and nearby cities to accommodate every lifestyle.    

Read on for anyone hoping to learn more about the natural beauty of the Western North Carolina area!

Metropolitan Areas in Western North Carolina

Western North Carolina consists of several charming towns, a couple of big cities –– and just about every type of village and glen in between. Whichever type of luxury living you prefer, you’ll also love any excuse to take a trip into neighboring communities. 

Asheville 

Asheville is Western North Carolina’s largest city and, therefore, a prime destination for residents looking to experience downtown city activity with tranquil mountain living, featuring upscale gated communities like The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, The Ramble at Biltmore Forest, and Cullowee River Club, not to mention a thriving nightlife scene, fine dining, exceptional shopping, and world-class golfing. Asheville is the best of both worlds: a postcard of breathtaking natural beauty all in a mountainous, storybook setting that feels like another world.

Brevard

Situated about 30 miles from busy Asheville, the luxurious charm of Brevard in nearby Transylvania County is another famous North Carolina town, mainly because of the area’s incredible amenities and stunning natural beauty on offer.

Known as the Land of Waterfalls –– with roughly 250 sights to find –– Brevard is a recreationist's dream, with miles of winding hiking and bike trails, dense forest, wild rivers, and mountainous terrain to trek. Discover many of the town's cultural points, like the Transylvania Heritage Museum and the Brevard Music Center, not to mention galleries and historical sites, plus a charming town center home to great local shopping and dining.

Hendersonville

Not far from Brevard sits Hendersonville –– recently voted one of the South’s Best Mountain Towns. 

An exciting Blue Ridge town bustling with activity just south of Asheville, visitors to Hendersonville enjoy the restaurants, wineries, breweries, and orchards, as well as its historic downtown featuring antiques, boutique shopping, and historical sites.  

Banner Elk

Situated near the base of the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, not far from Asheville, Banner Elk offers numerous outdoor activities and excursions. 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.

Other charming cities and towns in Western North Carolina include Weaverville, Waynesville, Sylva, Elkin, ForestCity, MountAiry, Conover, and GraniteFalls –– each of which can be visited by car on a summer day trip.

The Blue Ridge Mountains – Recreational Activities to Keep You Busy

Opportunities for adventure in Western North Carolina are always close with, among others, the Smokey Mountains, the Pisgah National Forest, the Nantahala National Forest, the French Broad River, and the Blue Ridge Parkway nearby. Western North Carolina is teeming with natural wonder and various types of terrain to explore, and there are plenty of sites to experience the best of the best.

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, Lake Louise, Lake Julian, and Fontana Lake –– 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 artificial 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 outside Asheville offers water skiing, tubing, swimming, fishing, boating, and countless other ways to cool down. 

The Best Golf Courses in Western North Carolina

Western North Carolina is home to some of the most beautiful courses in the country, thanks to the incomparable scenic backgrounds offering stunning long-range mountain views and vistas as far as the eye can see. Some of the most popular and prestige golf courses include:

Omni Grove Park Inn Golf

Condé Nast Traveler Magazine recently included this golf course (and its attached resort and spa) on its “Top 20 Southern U.S. Golf Resorts” list. If that wasn’t enough of a draw, this 18-hole playing field has attracted golfing greats like Bobby Jones and Chip Beck thanks to its challenging links and scenic backdrop.  

Biltmore Forest Country Club

This recently renovated extensive 18-hole private golf course in Asheville has attracted presidents and pro athletes for decades. The Biltmore Forest community is definitely for the golf enthusiast.

The Cliffs at Walnut Cove

This Jack Nicklaus-designed 18-hole golf course in Arden offers tournament-ready conditions to those looking for a challenging afternoon on the green. 

High Vista Country Club, Mount Mitchell Golf Club, Champion Hills, and the Country Club of Asheville are other prime areas for golf courses with outstanding mountain views. 

Luxury Dining and Shopping

North Carolinians work hard and play even harder. So when you need a break from all the recreational activities, wind down and indulge in some world-class dining and shopping in some of the region's best restaurants and retail spots:

Lexington Avenue in Asheville is also one of the primary streets for great shopping –– for those days when you just want to relax with a bit of retail therapy.

When it comes to shopping throughout Asheville’s bustling cityscape, each unique neighborhood offers something a bit different, including the eclectic boutiques of Biltmore Village; bookstores and quaint cafes in Black Mountain; cafés, apothecaries, antiques, and other vintage-inspired destinations in West Asheville. There is always something to be found. 

Cúrate in Downtown Asheville –– a favorite of Anthony Bourdain and Gordon Ramsay –– is a hot destination for Spanish cuisine and an extensive wine list; meanwhile, the southern comfort foods from the menu at Jargon always manage to attract an elevated crowd.

Bouchon, Sunset Terrace (located in the Omni Hotel), and Glass Onion are all popular spots for a world-class meal in an elegant and contemporary setting. 

Shopping in Downtown Hendersonville is a unique experience, browsing from over 100 shops, including charming apothecaries, boutiques, stationery, and antique and vintage stores. 

Hendersonville also has exceptional fine dining options in the form of Umi Sushi –– a happening place for great Japanese; Harvey’s at the Henderson Hotel, helmed by an award-winning chef from various Micheline-starred kitchens, and the Sierra Nevada Brewery Taproom in nearby Mills River is an excellent option for elevated gastropub food –– not to mention, home to one of the most outstanding breweries in the state.  

Not only are there fantastic recreational options on offer, but Banner Elk also boasts a vibrant music and arts scene, not to mention exceptional shopping and fine dining at one of many exceptional restaurants and wineries. 

Beer and Brewing

Are you interested in the area’s dedicated breweries? You’ll have plenty of options to choose from.  

New River Brewing & Tasting Room in West Jefferson offers visitors a unique show-and-tell experience, with their range of ales available for sampling. Nearby Asheville is also home to many independent breweries, like Archetype Brewing and Green Man Brewery.

Meanwhile, Oklawaha Brewing Company is a prime location for sampling and to-go purchases in neighboring Brevard/Hendersonville. For even more options, check out a list of Western North Carolina’s breweries and brew pubs here.   

Choosing Western North Carolina for your Second Home

For those thinking of buying a second home –– whether you're looking in one of Asheville's new gated communities, or the adjacent luxury real estate areas along the Highlands and Blue Ridge Mountains range –– there are some essential factors to consider before planning a move into North Carolina luxury homes.  

Area and Climate

Due to the high elevation in parts of Western North Carolina’s 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, the area might not be ideal as a permanent residence for some. The air, while cleaner and clearer, is also relatively thin and can prove difficult for those with respiratory issues. 

Many locals in Asheville recommend spending a few days at one of the city’s premier hotels or on vacation in the mountains to see if the climate and terrain suit those considering a full-time relocation. While testing the waters, you can experience all of the above amenities and activities to determine if Western North Carolina is right for you. 

Despite the humid temperatures from May to September that are common in southern states, the mountainous areas in and around Hendersonville and Asheville do 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, which might prove challenging to navigate if you aren’t used to such terrain. And since many areas of Western North Carolina provide excellent 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 luxury mountain living. With plenty to see and experience –– plus spectacular mountain views and lake living–– the possibilities indeed are endless.

If you are considering moving to the area, contact us here, and we’ll be happy to walk you through all the options for luxury mountain homes in a gated community.