Walkable communities or pedestrian-friendly communities are desirable places to live, work, learn, worship, and play. Their desirability comes from two factors. First, walkable communities locate within an easy and safe walk to goods and services that a community resident needs on a regular basis. Second, by definition, walkable communities make pedestrian activity possible with expanded transportation options and streetscapes that better serve a range of users — pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and automobiles.

Benefits include:

lower transportation costs,
greater social interaction,
improved personal and environmental health, and
expanded consumer choice.

We based the following available homes for sale in walkable neighborhoods in Asheville primarily on a one-mile radius around the libraries in Asheville. Most of these areas also offer other businesses and services close by and make them a good choice for someone who doesn’t want to have to get in their car and drive each time they leave home. While sidewalks and bicycle lanes are important factors to make a neighborhood safely walkable, their existence from each home in these lists of walkable areas has not been individually confirmed.

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Walkable Neighborhood: Downtown Asheville

Downtown Asheville is probably the most walkble neighborhood we have in Asheville. You’ll find sidewalks for a safe pedestrian commute in addition to a host of services, shops, restaurants, entertainment, worship centers, etc. The only community elements not found in the core of downtown Asheville are schools and grocery stores (although there are some small food/deli markets and Greenlife Grocery is within walking distance just North of I-240 on Merrimon Ave). Neighborhoods with housing in walking distance to downtown include: downtown itself, Montford, Albermarle Park, Grove Park, Kenilworth, Chicken Hill, WECAN, River Arts District, Annandale, and more.

Available Walkable Downtown Homes and Condos for Sale

Walkable Neighborhood: North Asheville

North Asheville is roughly considered the area following the Merrimon Ave corridor between I-240 North of Downtown and Weaverville. You’ll find sidewalks (although not everywhere) for a safe pedestrian commute in addition to a host of services, shops, restaurants, entertainment, worship centers, grocery stores, schools, parks, etc. Neighborhoods with housing in walking distance to the new North Asheville library include: Beaver Lake, Lakeview Park, Lakeview Estates, Asheville Country Club, Beaverdam, some of Grove Park, and more. The following also includes homes in walkable areas but further from the library.

Available Walkable North Asheville Properties for Sale

Walkable Neighborhood: Oakley

Oakley is on the Southeast side of Asheville. You’ll find sidewalks (although not everywhere) in addition to some services, shops, restaurants, worship centers, grocery stores, schools, parks, a community center, etc. Neighborhoods with housing in walking distance to the Oakley library include: Oakley, Crayton Creek Green, Biltmore Terrace, and more.

Available Walkable Homes for Sale in Oakley

Walkable Neighborhood: South Asheville

South Asheville is considered the area South of downtown following the HWY 25/Hendersonville Rd corridor to the county line. However, for the purpose of defining walkable communities in Asheville around the library, this South Asheville walkable area includes areas of Arden and Skyland. Sidewalks aren’t as prevalent in this area. However, you can find some services, shops, restaurants, entertainment, worship centers, grocery stores, schools, parks, etc. encompassed in the radius around this library. There are certainly other areas of South Asheville walkable to goods and services as well — contact us to define more walkable neighborhoods in this area. Neighborhoods with housing in walking distance to the South Asheville/Skyland library include: Biltmore Park, Oak Forest, Deerhaven, and more.

Available Walkable South Asheville Properties for Sale

Walkable Neighborhood: Swannanoa

Swannanoa is East from Downtown before you reach Black Mountain. The Swannanoa library is located in the Grovemont neighborhood and the majority of homes available within one mile will be in Grovemont. While living close to this library means you will also live close to a public park and playground, that and a church or two is about all you will find within walking distance of a home in this area.

Available Walkable Swannanoa Properties for Sale

Walkable Neighborhood: Weaverville

Weaverville is North of Asheville proper accessed by HWY 25 and 19/23/Future I-26. Sidewalks aren’t as prevalent in this area. You will find sidewalks (although not everywhere) for a safe pedestrian commute in addition to a host of services, shops, restaurants, entertainment, worship centers, parks, etc. Neighborhoods with housing in walking distance to the Weaverville library include: downtown Weaverville, and more.

Available Walkable Weaverville Properties for Sale

Walkable Neighborhood: West Asheville

West Asheville is roughly considered the area following Haywood Rd between the French Broad River and Patton Ave/Smokey Park Hwy. You will find sidewalks (although not everywhere) for a safe pedestrian commute in addition to a host of services, shops, restaurants, entertainment, worship centers, grocery stores, schools, parks, etc.

Walkable Neighborhoods in Asheville