With 212 days of sunshine each year, Asheville offers far more than beautiful Blue Ridge views. Its cost of living is close to the national average, 100.5, compared with the national benchmark of 100, while its restaurants, craft breweries, shopping, arts, and culture give the city a character all its own.
With one of the nation’s highest concentrations of bars and restaurants per capita, Asheville combines natural beauty and small-city charm with an energetic, creative spirit, making it a desirable place to retire.
The North Carolina Arboretum is nestled in the Southern Appalachian Mountains just south of Asheville, the 434-acre campus offers access to one of the most beautiful and botanically rich natural settings in America, with 65 acres of cultivated gardens, 10 miles of dog-friendly hiking and biking trails and engaging programs and exhibits for all ages. For up-to-date information, including their current hours and prices, call 828.665.2492 or visit ncarboretum.org.
Asheville provides the ideal springboard for a visit on the Blue Ridge Parkway. You can head north and visit Mount Mitchell State Park, the tallest summit east of the Mississippi River. Or stick closer to home for the relatively short hike with a big panoramic payoff at Craggy Gardens Pinnacle. Or pack a lunch and walk to an overlook where you can take in the powerful beauty of one of Western North Carolina’s waterfalls.
Whether you like to hike, bike, fish, or paddle, you will find numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation given the city’s proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pisgah National Forest.