Asheville, North Carolina

Setting:

Asheville has a population of 69,045 people, making it the largest city in Western North Carolina and in Buncombe County, which has a total population of 212,672 people. In recent years Asheville has received huge amounts of attention, all with good reason. It has a beautiful setting in the middle of the Pisgah National Forest, at the spot where the Blue Ridge Mountains meet the Great Smoky Mountains. Combine this setting with a moderate climate and high quality of life, including excellent health-care, senior services, cultural activities and outdoor recreation opportunities, and you have one of the best small cities in the country. The towns around Asheville are also filled with their own character, creating a perfect excuse to get out of town for the weekend. Large cities within reach include Greenville and Spartanburg, at an hour and fifteen minutes to the south; Knoxville, TN at two hours to the west, and Charlotte, North Carolina, at two hour and fifteen minutes to the east. The furniture capital of Hickory is an hour away, and the mountain town of Boone is two hours away. In the local region all within an hour, are the lovely towns of Black Mountain, Brevard, Waynesville and Hendersonville. Asheville is a place that you probably won't want to leave, but if you do, getting in and out of town is also easy with Interstate 26 running north and south and Interstate 40 heading east and west.

Attractions:

For years people have been attracted to the Asheville area. Railroad tycoon George Vanderbilt solidified Asheville's reputation by building his home there, known as the Biltmore Estate. The Biltmore Estate is the largest private residence in the US, and is located just south of town. It is open to the public for tours. Scattered around the area are over fifty golf courses. Other outdoor activities include plenty of hiking trails, rivers for rafting and fishing, the Blue Ridge Parkway for driving and biking, hot air balloon companies for balloon rides, and even llama excursions. The University of North Carolina has its liberal arts base in Asheville which also includes the Center for Creative Senior Living. Warren Wilson College helps to enhance the local area with a requirement of 25 service hours a year as part of its curriculum. Pack Square is the center of town where you'll find galleries, eateries and shopping options comparable to the most cosmopolitan cities in the country. Pack Square is also home to many art, music, craft, and food festivals during the year, such as the Belle Chere Festival, held in July.

Asheville has one of the largest historic districts on the National Register. Asheville is one of the best towns for music lovers in the country. Drawn to the natural beauty and hospitable climate as well as wide selection of venues and a seemingly insatiable audience, acts are drawn to Asheville like moths to a flame. From smaller intimate shows at the Orange Peel, Stella Blue and the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, to larger rock riots at the Asheville Civic Center, Asheville is the place to be if one of your loves is music.

Drawbacks:

You may never want to leave. Housing costs are more expensive than in other areas of the state. Availability of quality white collar jobs are limited. Some feel the town dies down quite a bit during the winter months.

Education:

Asheville has four major high schools for its students; Asheville High School, Clyde A. Erwin High School, AC Reynolds High School and TC Roberson High School. Out of Asheville High's 263 seniors, 97 percent graduated, 64 percent went on to a four-year college and 25 percent went on to two-year colleges. Asheville High's seniors scored an average of 1020 on their SAT's. Out of Clyde A. Erwin's 172 seniors, 99 percent graduated, 40 percent went to four-year colleges and 40 percent went on to two-year colleges. Clyde A. Erwin's seniors scored an average of 998 on their SAT's. Out of AC Reynolds' 270 seniors, 99 percent graduated, 56 percent went on to four-year colleges and 30 percent went to two-year colleges. AC Reynolds' seniors scored an average of 1079 on the SAT's. Out of TC Roberson's 273 seniors, 99 percent graduated, 78 percent went on to four-year colleges and 15 percent went to two-year colleges. TC Roberson's seniors scored an average of 1251 on the SAT's. In comparison, the statewide average on the SAT's is 1006, and North Carolina graduates an average of 81 percent of its high school students.

Asheville is home to the University of North Carolina at Asheville which has a student enrollment of about 2,800, and Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College which has an enrollment of about 2,700 students. The small Warren Wilson College which is located a half an hour from Asheville, has an enrollment of about 800 students.

Housing Costs:

The median home price is approximately $150,000. A home north of the city center, with three bedrooms, one bathroom and around 1,600 square feet, on about a quarter acre, sells for approximately $100,000. A ranch style home, on an acre of land, with three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms and about 2,400 square feet, sells for approximately $230,000.

Who Your Neighbors Will Be:

Two to five thousand foot mountain peaks, retirees, craftspeople, artists, teachers and students from the University. Some of the largest industries include health care, service and tourism. Approximately twenty-four percent of the population is employed in the educational, health and social services fields. About thirty-nine percent of the population is employed in retail, manufacturing, and the arts, entertainment and food service industries, spread out equally among the three sectors.

What You'll Do in Your Free Time:

Climb Mt. Mitchell, at over 6,000 feet the highest point in the east. Study Appalachian Art at the Folk Arts Center. Walk around the downtown, filled with Art Deco architecture, stopping to shop and eat at one of the many trendy spots. Catch a show at one of the local venues.

Medical Care:

Mission's St. Joseph's Hospital provides Asheville residents with some of the best health care in Western North Carolina. St. Joseph's has room for more than 800 beds, and employs over 600 physicians. In 2003 Mission Hospitals were named one of the top 50 heart hospitals in the nation by US News and World Report Magazine. Some of the highlights at Mission's St. Joseph include procedures for morbid obesity, new pediatricians added to the hospital staff and the first CyberKnife team in North Carolina, using minimally invasive surgery to remove brain and spinal tumors.

Getting There:

Asheville is home to Asheville Regional Airport, which is the largest airport in Western North Carolina. Airlines serving Asheville Regional Airport include:

• Continental Airlines
  (800-525-0280)
• Delta Airlines
  (800-221-1212)
• Northwest Airlines
  (800-225-2525)
• United Express Airlines
  (800-241-6522) and
• US Airways
  (800-428-4322)

Rental car companies operating out of Greenville-Spartanburg include:

• Avis
  (800-831-2847)
• Budget
  (800-527-0700)
• Enterprise
  (800-736-8222) and
• Hertz
  (800-654-3131)

For More Information:

• Chamber of Commerce: www.ashevillechamber.org
  (828-258-6103)
• Visitors Bureau: www.exploreasheville.com
  (828-258-6102)
• City Site: www.cityofandersonsc.com