Neighborhood Guide: West Asheville, North CarolinaWhen most people think of West Asheville, they picture the shops and restaurants of Haywood Road, and the neighborhoods within a few blocks on either side. And while this is the heart of the neighborhood, there is so much more to West Asheville in terms of geographic area. Haywood Road starts in the River Arts District, and heads uphill, making a sharp right at what locals call Beacham’s Curve, and continues for 2 miles to US 19/Patton Ave., the busiest commercial section being between State Street and Oakwood Street – in addition to the local standard of plenty of restaurants, bars, and breweries, there’s also a grocery store, gas station (with a bar inside!), yoga studio, barber shops and hair salons, toy stores, gift shops, and secondhand clothing stores – and much more! If you’re looking for an area where you don’t need to drive often (or at all) – the neighborhoods within a few blocks on either side of Haywood Road are perfect. The homes here are a mix of spacious new modern builds, quaint bungalows, and everything in between. You’ll find folks who were born and raised in the area, families who have lived here for 10-20 years, and recent transplants from all over the country. While it may not see as many tourists as downtown, it is a destination for many visitors who want to have an authentic Asheville experience.
If you’re looking for a bit more yard space, or a bit more value per square foot, greater West Asheville has a lot to offer – North of Patton Avenue between the river on the east and New Leicester Highway to the west, are the Richmond Hill and Emma neighborhoods, still close to all the conveniences of downtown and West Asheville, just a bit quieter. Follow New Leicester Highway for a bit, and you’ll start to feel like you’re really in the country – rolling hills, mountain views, and fields dotted with horses and cows are all part of the scenery here. In addition to single family homes with lots of land, there are also townhome communities and a few luxury gated communities here and there. Continue west along US Highway 19 (Patton Avenue becomes Smokey Park Highway), and check out the neighborhoods in Enka, Biltmore Lake, and Candler. There’s a wide range of types of homes and communities from the high-end homes of Biltmore Lake to several quaint townhome communities, to farmland, and there’s easy access to schools, parks, outdoor recreation, and I-40.