Asheville North Carolina, a spectacular city of diversity, culture, and natural beauty, has earned a strong reputation as a great place to live, work, and play. Nestled in a lush Smokey Mountain setting on the French Broad River, Asheville North Carolina has been featured as one of ten adventure towns in National Geographic (2004); ranked by Farmers Insurance Group (2005) as one of the top 25 most secure U.S. places to live; and was recently ranked one of 168 best places in the U.S. for business and careers by Forbes (2005).  And the accolades don’t stop there -- Asheville North Carolina tops several of these types of lists each year.  It is culture-filled, yet comfortable; relaxed with a touch of sophistication.

According to the Asheville Chamber of Commerce, the city’s population is “approximately 69,000 in the city and 215,000 in the county.”  The Chamber also reports the average elevation at 2,165 feet above sea level with surrounding mountain elevations of up to 6,685 feet with Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. A low crime rate, low unemployment rates, and a reasonable cost of living all contribute to the comfortable quality of life offered by Asheville North Carolina.

Living in Asheville North Carolina

According to the National Association of Realtors, the average cost of a home in Asheville North Carolina is $165,918. The average one-bedroom apartment rents for about $535 per month, while a two-bedroom apartment goes for $625 per month. The average resident is 39-years-old with an income of around $40,000 per year. The US Census Bureau race and ethnicity breakdown as of 2000 is as follows:

        White   75.1%

        Black or African American   17.6%

        American Indian and Alaska native   0.3%

        Asian  0.9%

        Native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander     0.1%

        Some other race   1.5%

        Two or more races   1.6%

        Hispanic or Latino   3.8%

The diversity in the city provides the energy it needs for its continuous growth. Whether you are developing an upward moving career or are studying to begin an exciting new chapter of your life, Asheville North Carolina has something to offer. An artistic and cultural wonder in its own right, Asheville offers students an opportunity to collect many new experiences without ever leaving its city limits. And those engaged in professional life will find the average commute time of 18 minutes and the plentiful employment opportunities a definite advantage.

You’ll have plenty of food, entertainment, and recreation options available when taking a break from studies or from an intense day at work.  Outdoor activities, bike paths, nightclubs, theaters, sports, and restaurants are all part of the grand mountainous landscape.  

Food and Lodging

Food choices are abundant in Ashville North Carolina.  From sheer elegance in dining to home-spun country picnics, mealtimes can be an event all their own. Residents and visitors can choose from Asian cooking, Cajun, Caribbean, Greek, German, Mexican, Tai, home-style American foods, and more.  A variety of establishments provide something for virtually every taste and preference. If your style is to drink beer and munch chips in a pub, you will certainly find plenty of places to settle in for an evening.  Likewise, if a cappuccino and a biscotti in a coffee shop is more your style – Asheville North Carolina has that too.

Lodging in Asheville North Carolina is generally a very pleasant experience.  Bed and Breakfasts offer a down home, natural way to experience the area. The Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association provides all the information you need to make your plans. The details of all 19 member Inns can be reviewed at http://www.bbonline.com/nc/abba/.  A Greek revival mansion, a restored 100-year-old Victorian home, and an 1889 English shingle house are featured here among many other eclectic Inns.  As for hotels, a Fairfield Inn and a Marriot are located at the Asheville Regional Airport.  Virtually every other hotel chain offers lodgings in Asheville as well.  Those who prefer to stay off the beaten path can easily locate a mom-and-pop motel with its own brand of North Carolina charm.

Transportation

Getting to, from, and around Asheville North Carolina is not difficult. The Asheville Regional Airport provides flights via four major airlines. Other airports serving the area include one in Greenville South Carolina and another in Charlotte North Carolina. Those who don’t like to fly might consider taking a train – Amtrak has train stations in Greenville and Spartanburg South Carolina.  Since Asheville North Carolina is host to a wide range of rental car agencies, you would have no problem making it to and from the train stations.  Local residents enjoy bus transportation and the option of choosing from a long list of taxi and limousine services.

Colleges and Universities

Asheville North Carolina is home to an extension campus of the University of North Carolina, which offers professional programs, certificates, and degrees, and pre-dental, pre-medical, pre-pharmacy, pre-veterinary studies. The nationally recognized liberal arts college has received praises in the Fiske Guide to Colleges, The Princeton Review: the Best 311 Colleges and in U.S. News & World Report's annual college rankings, which placed the college fourth in the nation among public liberal arts colleges.  In addition to the University of North Carolina, the following schools are located in Asheville: Cecils Junior College, Alpha Beauty School-Asheville, Warren Wilson College, and Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College. Cecils Junior College is a two to four year college offering programs in allied health, business, and computer science.  At Warren Wilson College, John Casey, Vice President for Academic Affairs, the most popular majors are “visual arts, environmental studies, biology, English with literature and creative writing concentrations, history and political science, social work, education, human studies, and business administration and economics. Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College offers specialized training in technical fields, allied health, business, hospitality, real estate, and veterinary medical technology. Colleges within driving distance of Asheville include Brevard College, Mars Hill College, Montreat College, and Western Carolina University.  

Healthcare

Primary medical facilities in Asheville North Carolina are: Mission Hospital, Thomas Hospital, VA Medical Center, Asheville Specialty Hospital (long-term healthcare), and Charter Asheville BHS (Psychiatric).  Mission Hospital, the city’s primary community hospital system,  offers expertise to its Asheville North Carolina patients in the areas of weight loss, cancer outreach, disease management, genetic testing and counseling, nicotine dependence, and women’s services in addition to a focus on research and the advancement of medicine.  Asheville North Carolina is home to hospice programs, nursing homes, and centers for substance abuse.  Doctors and specialists in nearly every area of medicine practice in Asheville or in neighboring communities.

Working in Asheville North Carolina

The major industries in Asheville North Carolina are manufacturing, government, health care, and tourism, though technology is beginning to offer its fair share of employment opportunities in the city. According to the Asheville Citizen-Times, the area’s primary employers include the following:

        Mission-St. Joseph’s Health System

        Baxter Healthcare

        Drexel Heritage

        Cone Mills Corp.

        Champion International

        Ingles Markets Inc.

        General Electric Lighting Systems

        ITT Automotive, Sterling Diagnostic Imaging, Inc.

        Pillowtex Corp. Sonopress, Inc.

        Grove Park Inn Resort

        Eaton Cutler Hammer

        Biltmore Estate

        J. Crew Group

        Wilsonart International

        Collins & Aikman

        American Thread Co.

        VA Hospital

        Ecusta Division of P.H. Glatfelter Co

With a large number of big employers and also major industries e ripe for the aspiring entrepreneur to break into, Asheville North Carolina is full of opportunity.

Playing in Asheville North Carolina

Residents get to experience all four seasons, yet none are too extreme.  This means that you can enjoy the scenic outdoors all year round.  With skiing, white water rafting, canoeing, and hiking to do -- and waterfalls, hot springs, vast state parks (Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pisgah National Forest, French Broad River), and forests to explore -- residents of Asheville North Carolina have no problems filling their free time. 

Other things to do and places to visit include:

        Asheville Art Museum

        Asheville Urban Trail

        A visit to Biltmore Estate

        The Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site

        Chimney Rock Park

        Colburn Gem and Mineral Museum

        Estes-Winn Auto Museum.

        A ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

        Historic Montford Tours

        Lake Lure Dinner Tours

        North Carolina Arboretum

        Smith-McDowell House Museum

        Southern Appalachian Radio Museum

        Thomas Wolfe Folk Art Center

Art festivals are a big part of the Asheville North Carolina social scene.  The festivals give community members and visitors an opportunity to view the work of artists from all over the country.  A complete list of events scheduled for 2006 can be found at http://www.romanticasheville.com/.

It is no wonder that Asheville North Carolina ranks high on so many lists.

Woven throughout the streets of Asheville North Carolina are unique shops filled with eclectic items, handmade products, and original art.  The shopping, combined with pleasant distractions like hot air balloon rides and breathtaking views, yield daily adventure for the walkers of Asheville North Carolina Streets.