Asheville : North carolina

What Asheville is like for active adults
In any group of east coast baby boomers talking about potential retirement towns, the chances are that Asheville will be the community that will be the  most  frequently  mentioned.  Asheville is a prosperous small city of just over 75,000 (400,000 in the Metro) in the Blue Ridge mountains of western North Carolina. Because of its charming environment and mild weather it has long been a desirable retirement community – from the rich and famous to ordinary active adults 55+ in quest of beauty and a nice climate. The Vanderbilts built an enormous estate near here, the Biltmore Estate, which is the largest private residence in America with 250 rooms. Frederick Law Olmstead designed its famous gardens.

Downtown Asheville has a comfortable feeling where walking around the town is a pleasure. It has a great collection of art deco architecture, antique stores, art galleries, and boutiques. Those who prefer the outdoor cafe or coffee house setting will also find themselves at home at the many cafes. The people are friendly. Asheville's people range from artists and musicians to corporate executives, merchants and entrepreneurs. It is easy to park on street or on a parking deck, then stroll through the streets.

There are a number of condos downtown, with condos and town homes further out. Montford, Chesnut Hill, Grove Park, Biltmore Village, and Albemarle Park have been named historic districts. There is a very large number of 55+ and active adult communities in the  region. In fact some developers pretty far from Asheville are pleased to be associated with the town. Many developments are built around golf,  lakes, or mountain settings. There are a number of condos downtown. Prices can be very different depending on the development and/or neighborhood. The median price of a home in the Asheville region in late 2009 was about $180,000, with tremendous variability within that.

For a list of profiles on over 450 cities and towns go to best reviews of retirement communities
Edit  |  History
What is special about this retirement community
• Water everywhere for fishing, boating, swimming • Wide range of upscale housing opportunities for seniors • Interesting, walkable and dynamic downtown • Mild climate year round • Blue Ridge Mountains and Parkway • Biltmore Estate • Trolley tours
Edit  |  History
What is not special about this retirement community
•There is lot traffic in the summer • Over development is coming • Winters are cooler than in eastern North Carolina
Edit  |  History
What kinds of people like retiring here
People of every description live in Asheville, including many young professionals. Retirees looking for the year round good are moving in in significant numbers.  Here is a link to an interesting article from CBSNews on what it like to retire in Asheville.    
Click on "Videos" above the photo on that page to view the Asheville retirement video segment hosted by Martha Teishner.
Edit  |  History
Local economy is driven by
banking and finance, real estate, tourism, retirement communities
Edit  |  History
Climate and Physical Environment
Asheville is situated in the western part of the North Carolina. Rolling hills giving way to serious mountains to the west. The climate is mild in summer and cooler than the rest of NC in winter. 
Edit  |  History
Cultural environment

There is something to do every day of the week in downtown Asheville. You can visit the home of one of Asheville's famous sons, writer Thomas Wolfe, or browse through an art gallery on Biltmore Avenue. Look inside the historic St. Lawrence Basilica. Head down to the Asheville Community Theater, North Carolina Stage Company, Asheville Art Center or Diana Wortham Theater for a play, a symphony or a modern dance performance. For old time blues or rock n' roll check out one of downtown's many clubs or bars. UNC's Asheville campus has the Center for Creative Retirement, an excellent resource.

Edit  |  History
Medical facilities
• Memorial Mission Hospital • Thoms Rehabilitation Hosp
Edit  |  History
Transportation
• Asheville Regional Airport • Raleigh and Greenville Airports are about 1 hour away
Links:

Asheville Travel Guide

Asheville Wikipedia

Talk of the Villages

Edit  |  History
 
Was this review helpful? Yes No

Please share your opinions on this community in the Forum
Register
to become a Site Guide to Edit these sections or Add a Community If you have suggestions on how Topretirements.com could improve these reviews, contact us.
Suggest a community we want to know about your top retirement spots

Please note that all contributions to Topretirements may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you don't want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then don't submit it here. By submitting content and/or photographs here you agree to give Topretirements.com the rights to use them in any manner without cost or attribution.You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Project:Copyrights for details). DO NOT SUBMIT COPYRIGHTED WORK WITHOUT PERMISSION!
Forward to a Friend | print
Bookmark and Share
Facts about ASHEVILLE
  • State: NC
  • Environment: Suburban,College Town,Mountains,
  • City Population: 50,001-100,000
  • Median age of Population: 25-44
  • Avg Jan Temperature: 21-40
  • Median HH Income: 20,001-40,000
  • Average Home Price (MLS): $100,000-$200,000
  • Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house: Less than 2000
  • Total Crime Index: 111-120 (high)
  • Cost of Living Index: 91-100 (slightly below average)
  • Culture Index: 101-110 (slightly above average)
  • State Sales Tax: Yes
  • State Income Tax: Yes
  • Name of the Guide: john

Can you add to or correct these Facts? Or do you have a photo of this community we could use? If so, please click on Edit these facts

Asheville retirement communities
Vote on the Ratings for Asheville
Update Your Ratings
1. Overall Retirement Ratings Discuss

1. Rating: 3.0/5 ( 310 votes cast)

2. Expense:
Inexpensive to Luxury Discuss

2. Rating: 3.1/5 ( 248 votes cast)

3. Taxes:
Inexpensive to Expensive Discuss

3. Rating: 2.7/5 ( 509 votes cast)

4. Culture:
None to Cosmopolitan Discuss

4. Rating: 4.0/5 ( 246 votes cast)

5.Recreation:
None to Summer camp Discuss

5. Rating: 2.0/5 ( 212 votes cast)

6. Transportation:
Boondocks to World Hub Discuss

6. Rating: 3.2/5 ( 292 votes cast)

7. Security:
Dangerous to Ft. Knox Discuss

7. Rating: 2.1/5 ( 317 votes cast)

8. Medical Facilities:
None to Excellent Discuss

8. Rating: 4.3/5 ( 203 votes cast)

9. Political Situation:
Conservative to Liberal Discuss

9. Rating: 2.8/5 ( 250 votes cast)

10. Environmental:
Oblivious to Ultra-Green Discuss

10. Rating: 2.4/5 ( 266 votes cast)