North Carolina Mountain Real Estate: Ideal for Year Round Living

Asheville, North Carolina, a vibrant city in the cradle of the Blue Ridge Mountains, boasts a uniquely moderate year round climate. This feature differentiates it from most Southeastern cities considerably. This is part of what has made Asheville a popular place for people looking to relocate, especially for those interested in mountain living.

Asheville is nestled at the meeting of the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Its pleasant year-round climate and moderate temperatures negate the need to find an alternate "home away from home" to escape the extremes that winter and summer bring to other regions of the country.

At 2,360 feet in elevation, surrounded by breathtaking mountains, Asheville's average annual temperature is 55 degrees. The average temperature for January is 36 degrees; the average temperature for August is 72 degrees. North Carolina's diverse regions make for a variety of weather conditions throughout the state. Asheville's proximity to the mountains and high elevation bring a different kind of beauty with each season, and this draws many people to the area.

Asheville North Carolina Real Estate: Nature at your Fingertips

Whether you are looking for outdoor adventure or simply want to live your daily life surrounded by natural beauty, spring in western North Carolina is unmatched. The mountains bloom with violets, tulips, mountain laurel and an endless parade of plant life. Scenic drives showcase the season best, and the many parks in the area offer opportunities to explore the season on foot. Craggy Gardens, Chimney Rock Park and Grandfather Mountain are just a few of the long list of options for hikers and walkers.

Spring quickly gives way to summer in Asheville which is one long celebration of the outdoors, culture and culinary delights, with more festivals than one can imagine. There are outdoor concerts, arts and crafts fairs, Native American Festivals, Folk festivals and much more. Asheville's position as a cultural hub really comes alive in the summer. Of course the summer is also a great time for outdoor activity. Walking, hiking, white water rafting, and jet boating are all in your "backyard" - you can be as active as you want to be. With most days in the summer averaging temperatures in the low 70s, you can enjoy the outdoors comfortably.

As the days of summer wind down and the leaves begin to change, fall is considered by many, to be Asheville's most beautiful season. Many people along the east coast take weekend trips to the mountains to see fall foliage. Asheville's residents revel in autumn's bounty of colors every day without driving many miles to an inn for the weekend - it is all right here. There may be no better time to take a scenic drive through the mountains that surround the city. The season runs from late September through early November.

The differences in elevation that are found throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains, along with the many species of trees, make for a spectacular autumn - you simply won't want to leave. In addition to the fall color, autumn is also full of festivals and fairs, including the River Sculpture Festival, Biltmore Harvest Celebration, and History Alive Festival.

Living in the Shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains

The days may grow shorter, but Asheville's mild winters allow you to comfortably stroll and take in the beauty of the snow-capped Blue Ridge Mountains. Yet just minutes away is some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the East.

Asheville is also known for a burgeoning of independent coffee houses that roast their own beans -- plenty of options for warming up on a wintry afternoon of shopping.

Relocate-America.com ranked Asheville as number one on their list of the "Top 100 Places to live for 2007."

Charlie Ball, developer of Whisper Mountain, attributes the growing popularity of the area as a place to live to its unique natural features.

"We chose to move to the area for the climate and cultural richness. The climate makes it conducive to spending time outdoors all year long. This feeling of connection to nature is often what people are searching for, and they find it in Asheville."

Asheville is year-round living at its best. Rather than retreating to another home to escape frigid or sweltering conditions, most residents find just what they need right at home in Asheville, all year long.