Welcome to Asheville

BUNCOMBE COUNTY

County Offices
200 College Street
Asheville 828-250-4100
www.buncombecounty.org

Chamber of Commerce
36 Montford Avenue
Asheville 828-258-6101
www.ashevillechamber.org

Vibrant Buncombe County is the shining jewel of Asheville, the area’s leading city, serve as the urban hub of rural Western North Carolina. Bisected by the French Broad River, the county nestles in a spectacular mountain environment of pristine natural beauty.

Services
Healthcare services and facilities are exceptionally well-developed in Asheville, anchored by Mission Health & Hospitals, consistently ranked as a “Top 100 Heart Hospital.” Repeated recognized for clinical and organizational excellence, Mission Hospitals has also been named as a Top 50 Hospital in Orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report and ranks as one of the top-performing institutions for cost and quality. Mission Hospitals is only one of 200 hospitals in the nation to be selected for Medicare’s “Pay for Quality” program. Each year, as many as 15 nurses on staff at the hospital are selected for North Carolina’s “Great 100.” Mission Hospitals ranks as one of the top-performing institutions for cost and quality. Families will appreciate the presence of Mission Children’s Hospital, caring for children in Western North Carolina for more than 120 years. Continually growing in staff, technologies, and specialties, Mission Children’s Hospital provides comprehensive pediatric care for residents of Buncombe County and surrounding areas. Bridging healthcare and education, Buncombe County is home to the Mountain Area Health Education Center, providing education, information, technology, research, training, and services to improve health outcomes in Western North Carolina through valuable partnerships.

Buncombe County is synonymous with the words “quality education.” Even the public school system offers intriguing choices like a charter school with an arts theme, and parents will appreciate the long list of independent and parochial private schools. Asheville is decidedly a college town, home to the expansive and beautiful campus for University of North Carolina at Asheville and several other institutions of higher education. UNCA is the only designated liberal arts institution in the 16-campus University of North Carolina system, boasting small classes, a low student-faculty ratio, strong academics, and meaningful learning experiences. Students of all ages can take advantage of the career programs available on the campus of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Buncombe County is also home to several private colleges, including Warren Wilson College, South College-Asheville, and Montreat College.

Lifestyle
Buncombe County and Asheville have been garnering recognition on every front in recent years, ranked among the nation’s “Best Places for Business and Careers” by Forbes Magazine. Newcomers will discover an area that offers casual sophistication within a culturally and economically diverse community. Many are drawn to this region for its breathtaking natural beauty and friendly atmosphere or the year-round recreational opportunities. Others appreciate the intellectual vibrancy, the rich historic legacy, and the lively arts and music scene. Buncombe County is a rare place indeed, where business meets lifestyle and technology meets creativity. The county seat of Asheville is the key to Buncombe’s success, recognized as one of the South’s most scenic and livable cities. At the same time, the county is dotted with residential developments and welcoming small towns for a kaleidoscope of living environments.

Fine restaurants, great shopping, a thriving arts community, and famous attractions like the Biltmore Estate built by George Vanderbilt are just a few of the delights. Rustic railroads, corn maze farms, and serene nature centers contrast with the non-stop thrills of a popular casino. History buffs will want to explore the area’s fine museums and cultural centers, from Asheville’s art museum to the Thomas Wolfe Memorial. Entertainment options are equally abundant, with theatre companies playing on independent stages or major venues and performing arts series on local college campuses. Live music, art films, and exhibits in galleries or studios all contribute to Asheville’s reputation as a nationally rated arts town. Western North Carolina claims the highest concentration of artists per capita than anywhere in the nation, and Buncombe County is home to many of them. In addition to the world-class recreational activities that are available in this area, newcomers will find a wealth of developed facilities and outstanding recreation programs for all ages. Signature golf courses, relaxing spas, horseback riding stables, rugged outfitters, lush parks, sports fields and courts, and every imaginable amenity are all waiting to be enjoyed.

City of Asheville
City Hall
828-251-1122
www.ashevillenc.gov

Chamber of Commerce
828-258-6101
www.ashevillechamber.org

Nestled in the panoramic French Broad River Valley and surrounded by the breathtaking Blue Ridge and Great Smoky mountains, Asheville is a city that captures the imagination, the senses, and the heart. National Geographic Magazine actually ranked Asheville number one out of 10 Great Adventure Towns based on the quality of outdoor recreation. AARP Magazine recently named Asheville as one of its Top 15 Dream Towns and one of the best places to “reinvent your life.” Praised for its scenery and eclectic in its appeal, Asheville has enough natural beauty, cultural enrichment, intellectual stimulation, and Southern graciousness to be many things to many people. Even the sports fans can enjoy the live action of a professional hockey team and minor-league baseball. Business is booming in Asheville, where the Art Deco skyline includes thriving retail businesses and a growing number of high-tech companies. As the largest city in Western North Carolina, Asheville maintains the regional airport and is well-connected to an efficient network of highways and interstates. University and college campuses and a significant healthcare sector ensure an outstanding quality of life and set a high benchmark for the city’s network of public and private schools. The city’s reputation for health advancements has also made it a center for alternative and complementary therapies as well as for traditional medicine. Little wonder that so many people are falling for Asheville as the absolutely perfect place to call home.

Town of Biltmore Forest
Town Hall
828-274-0824
www.biltmoreforest.org

Chamber of Commerce
828-258-6101
www.ashevillechamber.org

Touting itself as “North Carolina’s Wealthiest Town,” the elegant planned community of Biltmore Forest offers a prestigious address in Greater Asheville. Designed by Mrs. George Vanderbilt, the community vision was one that would reflect the majestic beauty of Biltmore Estate. Approximately 1,600 acres of land was set aside for residential real estate development around this nationally famous mansion and grounds, making Biltmore Forest a completely unique community. The Biltmore Forest County Club serves as a centerpiece of activity, hosting national golf events and providing an epicenter of socialization and recreation for local residents. No expense was spared and no details were overlooked as Mrs. Vanderbilt planned Biltmore Forest. Frederick Law Olmstead, landscape architect of Manhattan’s Central Park and the Biltmore Estate as well as many other famous sites, was responsible for landscaping the fledgling community. The preservation of natural and crafted beauty is still the hallmark of modern Biltmore Forest, with its quaint town hall, friendly local police, and a sense of a gentler time.

Town of Black Mountain
Town Hall
828-419-9300
www.townofblackmountain.org

Chamber of Commerce
828-669-2300
www.blackmountain.org

Spectacular views have greeted Black Mountain residents and visitors for more than a century, welcoming them to a friendly, lively community. The Black Mountain area has long captured the attention of naturalists and outdoor adventurers who appreciate the valley’s pristine beauty and the splendor of the surrounding mountains. The town maintains a quaint and charming historic downtown district lined with locally owned boutiques, galleries, and modern services for a convenient lifestyle. Because Black Mountain appeals to so many people for such different reasons, the community tends to be diverse and eclectic, bringing together a wonderful mix of backgrounds and talents. Many local artisans demonstrate crafts like iron works, dulcimer making, or hand-throwing exquisite pottery. Scores of restaurants serve culinary delights from barbecue and country cooking to international cuisine in an atmosphere of elegance. In addition to abundant opportunities for hiking, biking, and horseback riding on scenic trails, the community is famous for its panoramic 18-hole golf course. The town welcomes throngs of visitors during many of its colorful annual festivals, including Sourwood Festival, L.E.A.F Festival, Black Mountain Art and Craft Show, and Art in Bloom. Black Mountain is also home to the Valley Museum and Center for the Arts.

Town of Montreat
Town Offices
828-669-8002
www.townofmontreat.org

Chamber of Commerce
828-669-2300
www.blackmountain.org

The lovely and tranquil mountain cove of Montreat nestles at the foot of Graybeard Mountain near the Tennessee Valley Divide. Situated at the eastern end of the county, Montreat is surrounded by scenic Blue Ridge Mountains and graced by rushing streams, velvet greenery, and abundant wildlife. Newcomers will find no commercial development in this residential haven. Not even a single traffic light interrupts the natural beauty and relaxed pace of this truly treasured community. Even the panoramic lanes and streets tend to be curving to slow traffic and encourage enjoyment of breathtaking vistas at every turn. Walking is actually a common mode of transportation in Montreat, where pedestrian paths wind along creeks, across rustic bridges, and through pristine woods. Originally developed as a spiritual retreat, Montreat has remained true to the purpose of renewal for residents and visitors alike. One of the centerpieces of the community is the elaborate Montreat Conference Center. The other is Montreat College, which introduces a world of cultural enrichment.

Town Of Weaverville
Town Hall
828-645-7116
www.weavervillenc.org
Business Association
www.visitweaverville.com

Chamber of Commerce
828-258-6101
www.ashevillechamber.org

Nestled in picturesque mountains, Weaverville is conveniently located just 10 miles north of the bright lights and urban amenities of Asheville. This long-established town mingles families who have lived in the area for generations with a growing number of newcomers who appreciate its timeless appeal. Consistently named a Tree City USA, charming Weaverville is a community where active civic groups are dedicated to ongoing beautification efforts. Healthful alpine air and spectacular scenery create the backdrop for residential neighborhoods. Once home to several grand hotels, the town now offers a number of wonderful bed and breakfast inns instead. Residents enjoy a friendly business district and convenient local services but also the beauty of Lake Louise Park or a challenging game of golf in pristine natural surroundings. Fishing, water sports, hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping, and other outdoor adventures are common pastimes. The arts community is unusually active in Weaverville, crowning the area’s fine balance of lifestyle choices.

Town of Woodfin
Town Hall
828-253-4887
www.woodfin-nc.gov

Chamber of Commerce
828-258-6101
www.ashevillechamber.org

Just minutes from the bustle of downtown Asheville, the town of Woodfin offers a peaceful and affordable community with a strong sense of identity and pride. Residents enjoy a hometown experience of close-knit neighborhoods and active local businesses. Yet they have easy access to the glittering cultural and entertainment attractions in Greater Asheville. Available land at a reasonable cost, lower taxes, and outstanding services place Woodfin in a class of its own for appeal to a wide cross-section of newcomers. Little wonder that the town is one of the fastest-growing in North Carolina. Founded in 1971, Woodfin was established as a place that would honor tradition and family values. Today, that vision still holds true. Although the town supports a lively manufacturing sector, business is losing importance as the area becomes increasing desirable as a residential haven. The character of Woodfin continues to be shaped and molded by residents who are looking for an idyllic bedroom community and a small-town experience. The town’s moniker is as unique as its heritage: Woodfin is the only community in the nation bearing that name.