By Warren Bland
 
Founded in 1793 as a small crossroads village in the wilderness of western North Carolina, Asheville has blossomed into one of the major mountain resorts in the East. Virtually surrounded by the unspoiled grandeur of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is small enough to retain the intimacy and gentle pace of a small city while offering urban services and amenities usually found only in much larger places.

Landscape: Asheville’s site is spectacular. The Blue Ridge Mountains provide a lush green backdrop in summer and a snowy white one in winter. Much of the city is clothed in a luxuriant southern forest of deciduous and coniferous trees.

Climate: All in all, Asheville’s climate is quite pleasant. It offers four distinct seasons, the stimulation of frequent weather changes during much of the year, and ample precipitation.

Quality of Life: Good to excellent. The downtown is reviving with an eclectic mix of antique and specialty shops, apparel stores, arts and crafts galleries, bookstores and restaurants. Most residential neighborhoods are pleasant and show considerable pride of ownership.

Housing: Housing costs are higher than the national average but the housing stock is excellent. The lower slopes of the mountains are dotted with lovely homes on heavily wooded lots, offering spectacular views.

Goods and Services: Groceries, utilities, transportation, health care and miscellaneous goods and services are all priced slightly below their national averages.

Taxes: State and local taxes in Asheville are about 10% of income compared to the U.S. average of 9.7%. Property, sales and excise taxes are below national norms whereas income taxes are above average.

Transportation: Most residents drive or take the bus to all parts of the city. Greyhound provides intercity bus travel. Asheville Regional Airport and Greenville–Spartanburg Airport provide jet service. Amtrak service is available in Greenville.
 
Retail Services: Accompanying the revitalized downtown area are the Asheville Mall, Biltmore Square, historic Biltmore Village and Wal-Mart and Kmart stores.

Health Care: Mission Hospitals offer almost every medical specialty. Veterans can use the facilities of the Asheville VA Medical Center.

Community Services: Government and private organizations make available a fine assortment of programs and services.

Cultural and Educational Activities: Cultural and educational opportunities are abundant and varied. Biltmore Estate, a 255-room French Renaissance chateau built in 1895, showcases the vast Vanderbilt collection of art objects, antiques and furnishings. The North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement offers a great variety of low-cost short courses of interest to seniors.

Recreational Activities: The Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smokey Mountains National Park offer gorgeous vistas and a plethora of outdoor activities. Additional diversions include excellent restaurants, movie theaters, bowling centers, and the Asheville–Buncombe Library System.

Work and Volunteer Activities: Many part-time jobs and enriching volunteer assignments are available.

Crime Rates and Public Safety: Although the City of Asheville’s crime rates are above national averages, the metropolitan area has crime rates below national norms. Affluent areas in the city and suburbs are quite safe.

Conclusion: Asheville remains a choice retirement community for those desiring a busy, productive lifestyle in an environment of great natural beauty. Its greatest strengths are its lovely natural setting, high-quality health care, strong retail sector and plentiful recreation, all available at a cost of living at the national average.

Ratings courtesy of “Retire in Style, 60 Outstanding Places Across the USA and Canada” by Warren R. Bland, PhD (www.nextdecade.com)