Dylan Lennon

North Asheville

Where chains and local spots coexist, families find good schools, and you can actually park at Trader Joe's. It's suburban Asheville—practical, comfortable, and sneakily progressive.

The North Asheville Overview

North Asheville is what happens when suburbs get interesting. Yes, there's a Target and a Chick-fil-A, but there's also some of the best restaurants in town, established neighborhoods with character, and a surprising amount of diversity. It's where many Asheville families land when they need good schools and yard space but still want to feel connected to why they moved here.

Dylan's Take:

One of the reasons I moved to Asheville was for that college town energy I loved in Gainesville. North Asheville, especially around UNCA, has that same mix of coffee shops full of students, affordable(ish) housing options, and that intellectual curiosity that reminds me of living near UF. It's where academics and creatives collide - minus the Florida humidity. Some of my happiest clients ended up here. They wanted West Asheville but needed a yard for their two kids and three dogs. They thought they were "settling" until they discovered the North Asheville community—great neighbors, excellent restaurants hidden in strip malls, and the ability to actually park when they go somewhere. It's not sexy, but it works.

Perfect For

•Families who prioritize schools and safety
•Remote workers who only need occasional downtown access
•Dog owners wanting real yards
•People who like suburban convenience with local options
•Those who want more house for their money
•Folks who appreciate parking abundance
•Anyone who needs proximity to chains AND local spots

Not Ideal For

•Those seeking walkable urban living
•People who hate driving everywhere
•Anyone allergic to chain restaurants
•Young singles wanting nightlife
•Those seeking visible LGBTQ+ community
•People who thrive on neighborhood energy

Housing & Real Estate Pricing

North Asheville offers the best value for families. You get more square footage, actual yards, and good schools. The trade-off is car dependency and less character—though pockets of North Asheville are surprisingly charming.

Median Home Price

$525,000

Price Range

$350,000 - $900,000

Rental Range

$1,500 - $3,000/month

What You'll Find Here

Mid-century ranchesSplit-levels90s subdivisionsNew constructionSome historic homesTownhomes

Market Trend: Steady appreciation, 5-7% annually. Family-friendly areas hold value well.

Dylan's Buyer Tips

→School districts vary—research carefully if that matters
→Beaver Lake area is most desirable (and pricey)
→Check HOA rules in subdivisions
→Some areas feel more "Asheville" than others
→Proximity to Merrimon Ave affects traffic noise
→Grove Park/Sunset Mountain are hidden gems

Everyone wants Beaver Lake or Grove Park, but look at Kimberly Ave area—still walkable to some spots, more affordable, and genuinely nice neighbors. Also, that 1960s ranch might be boring outside but those floor plans are fantastic for modern living.

Location & Getting Around

North Asheville stretches from UNC Asheville up to Weaverville, centered along Merrimon Avenue (US-25). It's actually huge and varies dramatically by pocket.

Distance to Downtown

3-5 miles

Drive Time

10-15 minutes

Getting Around

Car essential. Some sidewalks but not connected. Merrimon traffic is rough.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Downtown3 miles

Montford2 miles

WoodfinAdjacent

Parking: Abundant free parking everywhere. Driveways and garages standard. This is parking paradise compared to other neighborhoods.

The North Asheville Vibe

North Asheville is suburban but not soulless. Between the chain restaurants are local gems, established neighborhoods have real character, and the proximity to UNC Asheville keeps things interesting. It's comfortable rather than cool, practical rather than trendy.

Who Lives Here

Families with kids, UNC Asheville faculty, medical professionals (close to Mission Hospital), retirees who want convenience, remote workers who prioritize space over scene. More diverse economically than West Asheville—teachers, nurses, and service workers can still afford some areas.

Weekend Scene

Saturday mornings at the Farmer's Market (less scene-y than West Asheville's), youth sports at Recreation Park, Trader Joe's runs, hiking at Beaver Lake. Evening? Either driving elsewhere for dinner or enjoying your backyard. It's decidedly chill.

LGBTQ+ Scene

Present but not visible. Plenty of LGBTQ+ families, especially those with kids, but no specific gathering spots or obvious community. You're more likely to meet other queer folks at school pickup than at a gay bar. Totally accepting, just suburban about it.

Dog Life

Dogs have actual yards! Beaver Lake trails are dog heaven. Recreation Park has good walking paths. Less social than West Asheville's dog scene but more space for actual running.

Dylan's Story:

I was showing a house in North Asheville to clients from West Asheville who were having their second kid. They were literally grieving leaving West Asheville. Six months later, I ran into them at Trader Joe's—kids in cart, coffee in hand—and they said "We get it now. We can walk to Creekside Taphouse, the kids have a yard, and we're still only 10 minutes from everything. Plus we can afford it." Sometimes boring is beautiful.

Local Spots I Love

Coffee Shops

Summit Coffee

Vibe: Local chain but good

Must Try: Cortado (obviously) and quiche

The one on Merrimon is solid for meetings

Ghan Shan West

Vibe: Restaurant but great coffee program

Must Try: Coffee and bao for breakfast

Orca Coffee

Vibe: Hidden gem in a strip mall

Must Try: Specialty drinks and pastries

Restaurants

Ghan Shan West

Asian fusion•$$

Best restaurant hiding in a strip mall

Creekside Taphouse

Pizza and beer•$$

Family-friendly, dog-friendly, everyone-friendly

Vinnie's

Italian•$$

Old school Italian, huge portions

Sawhorse

New American•$$$

Upscale but approachable

Bars & Nightlife

Creekside Taphouse

Scene: Family-friendly brewery vibes

Best For: Afternoon beers with kids and dogs

Bhramari Brewing

Scene: Great food and beer

Best For: Date nights without going downtown

Zillicoah Beer

Scene: Neighborhood brewery

Best For: Low-key evenings

Shopping & Retail

Trader Joe's

Groceries

Parking! Actual parking! And TJ's classics

Fresh Market

Upscale groceries

When you need fancy cheese

REI

Outdoor gear

Because Asheville

The Real Talk: Pros & Trade-offs

The Good Stuff

Space for Days

Actual yards, garages, guest rooms. Room to breathe and live.

Family Paradise

Good schools, safe streets, parks, and other families everywhere.

Convenient Everything

Groceries, shopping, services all right here. No fighting tourists.

Hidden Gems

Some of Asheville's best restaurants are in North Asheville strip malls.

Value Proposition

More house for your money than anywhere else near town.

The Trade-offs

Car Dependency

You're driving everywhere. No walking to coffee or dinner.

Suburban Feel

It feels like suburbs because it is. Some find it soul-crushing.

Traffic on Merrimon

The main artery is a nightmare during rush hour and weekends.

Less Community Feel

Neighbors are friendly but it's not West Asheville's constant interaction.

Chain Invasion

Yes, there's Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, and Panera. Sorry.

Your Questions Answered

Are the schools actually good?

By North Carolina standards, yes. Asheville Middle and TC Roberson High are solid. Elementary schools vary—research your specific zone. Many families are happy, but some choose charter or private options. The parent communities are engaged and supportive.

How suburban does it really feel?

Depends on the pocket. Beaver Lake feels almost rural. Grove Park is historic and charming. The Merrimon corridor is strip mall city. You can find your version of suburban here, from generic to genuinely nice.

Is it LGBTQ+ friendly?

Yes, but quietly. You won't find pride flags everywhere like West Asheville, but you also won't face discrimination. Lots of same-sex parent families. It's suburban acceptance—nobody cares because they're too busy with their own lives.

What about walkability?

Mostly nonexistent. Some neighborhoods have internal walkability (walk your dog, kids bike), but you're driving for any services. The greenway connects some areas. If walkability is important, this isn't your neighborhood.

Why is Beaver Lake so expensive?

It's North Asheville's premium pocket—lake access, trails, bird sanctuary, established homes with character. It feels like a retreat while being 10 minutes from downtown. Supply is limited and demand is high.

If You Like North Asheville...

You might also want to check out these neighborhoods based on what matters most to you:

South Asheville →

Similar vibeBoth suburban with chains and families

Key differenceSouth is newer, more commercial; North has more character pockets

Woodfin →

Similar vibeBoth require cars, family-oriented

Key differenceWoodfin is more affordable, less developed

East Asheville →

Similar vibeBoth have older housing stock

Key differenceEast is grittier, more affordable, less desirable schools

Dylan's Insider Tips

💡The North Asheville Farmer's Market (Saturdays) is smaller but easier than West Asheville's
💡UNC Asheville campus is open to public—great for walks and cultural events
💡The Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary is a hidden gem for hiking
💡Grove Park has some of the best architecture outside Montford
💡Get the Ingles card—locals know Ingles is actually decent and way cheaper
💡The Reynolds Mountain area is up-and-coming for more affordable options
💡Join the North Asheville Facebook groups for restaurant recommendations
💡Halloween in Beaver Lake is legendary—full-size candy bars territory

The Bottom Line

North Asheville is where practical people land when they realize they need space, parking, and good schools more than they need walkability and scene. It's not Instagram-worthy, but it's livable. You can have a real garden, your kids can bike on the street, and you're still 10 minutes from downtown when you need culture. If you're prioritizing lifestyle over location, North Asheville delivers—just accept you're choosing suburban comfort over urban cool.

Common Questions About North Asheville

Real answers from someone who actually lives here

North Asheville is welcoming but more suburban/family-oriented than West Asheville. You'll find accepting neighbors but less visible LGBTQ+ community presence. Great if you prefer quiet acceptance over active community.

Homes typically range from $350,000 to $550,000, making it more affordable than West Asheville or downtown. You get more space for your money, especially if you want a yard.

About 10-15 minutes by car to downtown. Not walkable to city center, but quick drive. Beaver Lake and Merrimon Avenue have local shops and restaurants.

Great schools, established neighborhoods with mature trees, close to UNC Asheville, and easy trail access. Beaver Lake is a hidden gem. More suburban feel while still being close to everything.

Families, professionals who work at UNCA or Mission Hospital, anyone wanting a yard and quiet streets but still close to town. Good value for those who don't need walkability.