Where Should You Actually Live?
Every Asheville neighborhood has its own personality. Some are queerer than others. Some have sidewalks. Some have parking. None are cheap anymore.
Here's the real deal on each area, from someone who's explored every corner while house hunting.
Before we dive in, some reality checks:
- • Median home price: $475K (up from $250K in 2019)
- • Most homes get multiple offers within days
- • Cash offers often win over financed buyers
- • Inventory is extremely limited
- • First-time buyer programs exist but are competitive
Pick Your Vibe
West Asheville
Queer-friendly, artsy, walkable
River Arts District (RAD)
Industrial-cool, up-and-coming, artist studios
Living in a converted warehouse is actually an option here
Get the full story →North Asheville
Quiet, residential, more affordable
Downtown
Tourist central, expensive, convenient
Walking distance to everything, including all the tourists
Get the full story →South Slope
Brewery district, younger crowd, party zone
Montford
Historic, LGBTQ-friendly, pricey
Quick Comparison for Queer Folks
| Neighborhood | Queer Vibe | Walkability | Parking | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Asheville | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Queer families, dog people |
| River Arts District | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Artists, warehouse lovers |
| North Asheville | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Need space, have car |
| Downtown | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐ | City lovers, no car needed |
| South Slope | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | Brewery enthusiasts |
| Montford | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Established gays, house people |
How to Actually Find a Place
Where to Look
- • Craigslist (still the main source)
- • Facebook Marketplace
- • Asheville Riff Raff Facebook group
- • Drive around looking for signs
- • Property management companies (Leslie & Associates, Alpha)
Queer Housing Resources
- • Queer Exchange AVL Facebook group
- • Ask at Firestorm Books
- • LGBTQ Center of WNC bulletin board
- • Word of mouth at queer events
- • Sometimes Trans Mutual Aid knows of openings
Red Flags to Avoid
- • "No overnight guests" = might be homophobic
- • Suspiciously cheap = probably moldy
- • "Cozy" = tiny
- • "Rustic" = falling apart
- • No photos = hiding something
Pro Tips
- • Have all documents ready to go
- • Offer to pay several months upfront
- • Get a local co-signer if possible
- • Be ready to apply same-day
- • Consider starting with a sublet
Remember: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint
Finding housing in Asheville is rough. I won't sugarcoat it. But people do find places every day. Be patient, be persistent, and maybe be willing to have roommates. The community here is worth the hassle of getting here.