I’m so excited about dinner tonight.  We are meeting our best friends, Lynn and Mike, at Frogs Leap Public House in historic downtown Waynesville, NC. We haven’t seen Lynn and Mike since last October and we have a lot of catching up to do.  We chose to dine at Frogs Leap Public House tonight because simply put, it’s amazing.  Located at 44 Church Street in a brick building dating back to 1918, the inviting façade beckons you to come inside.  Once you step over the threshold, you’re greeted with a friendly smile, a cozy ambiance and tempting aromas.  Frogs Leap Public House is a unique farm to fork experience; innovative Southern food with local back bone and home grown libations (their words not mine – but right on target).  This will be our fourth visit to Frogs Leap Public House and we can’t wait.  With their wood burning pizza oven, slow smoker and Argentine wood grill, they offer interesting, fresh and delicious dining choices with something for everyone.  Their wait staff is professional, knowledgeable, friendly and efficient.  They truly make you feel welcome and appreciated.  Frogs Leap Public House is a place I enjoy patronizing and I just wanted to share that with you.  If you’re looking for a place in the mountains, let me know how I can be of service.

Happy Mother’s Day!

 Susie Leavens

Come Play in May in Asheville, NC
May in Asheville, NC is a treat for the senses and the soul. In fact, there are so many fun and interesting things to do here in May; you may just run out of time before you can do them all. Here is just a sampling of May events in Asheville, NC.

23rd Annual Herb Festival – May 4, 2012 to May 6, 2012 at the Western North Carolina Farmers Market, Asheville, NC. This is THE place to be for herb lovers of all ages. Come join 25,000 other herb lovers, herb growers and vendors in celebrating the natural wonders of herbs. You’ll find herbal products, including teas, balms, soaps and medicines. Meet natural gardening and landscaping experts, and learn how to grow herbs in your own garden.

9th Annual Montford Music & Arts Festival – May 19, 2012 in the Montford Historic District, Asheville, NC. Don’t miss one of the largest one-day free music and arts festivals in the area. A true street party in Historic Montford. Located just down from the Asheville Visitors Center, you’ll find over 100 vendors of arts, crafts, food and plants. Enjoy non-stop entertainment with over 20 different groups. On street parking, a bike corral and children’s area.

Asheville Blue Ridge Rose Society Exhibition — May 19, 2012 – May 20, 2012 at the North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville, NC. Stop and smell the roses and learn from the experts. This visually spectacular event will feature award-winning roses in an amazing array of colors and sizes. In addition to the exhibition, you can buy rose plants and attend educational programs to enhance your rose growing experience.

12th Annual Mountain Sports Festival – May 25, 2012 – May 27, 2012 at Carrier Park, Asheville, NC. Three days of food, music and sporting events with a variety of fun things to do for the entire family. This year’s event is held in conjunction with Asheville Beer week, a perfect pairing.

As I mentioned above, this is just a sampling of fun things to do in Asheville, NC this May. So, come play in May and if you love it, why not stay. I’d love to help you find your place in the mountains of Western North Carolina.

Thanks, Susie Leavens,

susie@A4SR.com

What an honor, to be chosen  as one of three Great Main Street, out of the 75 streets nominated, by the North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association

The following is quoted from Wednesdays The Asheville Citizen Times- “The street itself is an example of functional and successful street experience with minimalist design,” the nomination said. “It includes an almost continuous facade of storefronts along the sidewalk, occupied by an eclectic variety of shops, clubs, galleries, and restaurants, as well as residential and office uses.”

Speaking as someone who spends a lot of time downtown, whether it’s dress shopping for a very special occasion or enjoying a delicious dinner with friends… I can say I quite frequently end up on Lexington Avenue. Although, I think personally, it would have been a tough choice, because we have so many great downtown “streets” – Biltmore Avenue and Haywood Street, just to name a few, as just about every downtown Asheville street has great restaurants, unique shops and a variety of musical venues.

For a city with a population of approximately 75,000, most visitors are surprised by the quality and the quantity of retail establishments and amazing locally owned eateries! Live music and theatre also play a major part in keeping those of us who live here entertained as well as the many tourists who visit…with more than a few of those returning to call this unique place in the Blue Ridge Mountains… home!

Come for a visit…you too may want to call this home. And if you do- call us…we’re here to help you find your perfect spot to live, so that you too, will soon be calling Asheville …HOME!

Suzanne

Remember when it was a Blue Ribbon that was the top prize? Well, the new ribbon color to have is GREEN and this article from the Asheville Citizen Times says it much better than I could so I’ll just say …”Way to go Evergreen Community Charter School” …You ROCK!

Just another great reason to live in Asheville…our children learn early on to respect the earth and that hard work does, in fact, pay off!

Suzanne

If you think a fresh spring onion combined with a subtle essence of garlic sounds like a really good idea, you’ll probably appreciate the ramp; a wild onion that grows naturally in the cool, shady Appalachian mountains. A member of the lily family, the ramp is similar to a wild leek, with a taste all its own.  If you want to learn more, or if you’re just looking for something fun to do, come join us Sunday, May 6th  for the 79th Annual Ramp Festival in Waynesville, North Carolina.  The event runs from 12 noon until 4pm at the American Legion Field, 171 Legion Drive, Waynesville (just down from Bogarts).  In addition to foods featuring the ramp, there will be clogging, a ramp eating contest, and live Bluegrass music courtesy of Balsam Ridge Band.  If you find yourself falling in love with the friendly people and fresh mountain air, let me know if I can help you find your place in the mountains.  Susie Leavens

This year, Asheville’s  5th Annual Earth Day  celebration will take place on Lexington Avenue ( anew location)  from noon until 10 pm. Lexington Avenue in Asheville is home to numerous events and this one promises to a winner, with live music from a variety of venues, tasty treats and eco-friendly  speakers and a Kids Village.

In Swannanoa, Warren Wilson College and partners are hosting a family-friendly day, from 8am to 4pm of free workshops, presentations, Old-time music and participating in Sustaining Our Mountain Culture and Environment by learning and promoting skills for acting locally. The idea is to make our region a little more green, a little more resilient and a little more fun.  Come participate in the  presentations, field trips and hands-on workshops and more. Located off US Hwy 70 in Swannanoa. Just follow the signs once you reach the campus!

Do you remember when you first heard of Earth Day?  It may be hard to remember but Earth Day took root way back in 1963, when Gaylord Nelson realized very few people were concerned about environmental problems like deforestation, the destruction of trees and he realized that something had to be done to protect the environment. Fast forward a few years, to April 22, 1970 when 20 Million people nationwide demonstrated on behalf of environmental issues and Earth Day  was born. On March 21, 1971, the UN Secretary-General signed a proclamation establishing Earth Day as an official international holiday.

So, for over 40 years people around the world have shared in the responsibility of taking care of our environment and while many have done great things- there is still much more we need to do to continue to care for our natural resources and the world’s environment.

Even though Asheville has only had an official Earth Day celebration for 5 years, many of us who live in and around the Asheville area work hard every day to make our area a little more “green”, a little less polluted and much better place to live and raise our families.

If you aren’t yet living in Asheville, check out your local Earth Day events and take the time to participate…each day of the year!

The answer to that question lies in your personal preferences, as each is unique unto itself.

West side of Asheville. If you’re looking to retire to a “small town” that’s literally minutes from a bigger “small town” downtown Asheville…consider West Asheville. Years ago it actually was a separate town, thanks to the mighty French Broad River, but today it’s the bustling, “hip” area of Asheville, filled with a vast array of lifestyle and age groups. The comment that we generally hear from those who visit our West Asheville office, is, “what a cool place to live”. It’s very much a walk-able community, with sidewalk-lined streets and the library, grocery stores, hair salons, restaurants and just about everything else you might need on a day to day basis- all with walking distance or a short bus ride. There are neighborhoods, such as Malvern Hills & Wilshire Park that offer larger lots, and a good selection of one-level brick ranchers from the 50′s & 60′s.

Further west and north west you will find Leicester, Candler and the private community of Biltmore Lake a community that offers just about everything you could want in retirement…and non-retirement living. Most of these are within a 20 minute drive of downtown Asheville, with generally larger homes, more acreage and some breathtaking views.

East Side of Asheville is made up of a collection of small neighborhoods, such as Beverly Hills & Eastmoor and communities, such as Haw Creek, Oakley & Riceville and, as a rule, prices on the east side of town will net you a bit more home for the money. Much of this area was built back in the 50′s & 60′s and you’ll find a good many solid brick ranchers couple with mountain-style homes with views.  For those of you who are Veteran’s, we have the Charles George VA Hospital, located less than 10 minutes from downtown. The Blue Ridge Parkway winds around the area, thus adding to the more rural feel of the area, yet it’s just minutes to the main shopping area of Asheville and a wide variety of restaurants. Traveling further east, you’ll come upon Swannanoa, home to Warren Wilson College, which to those of you who are into music, is home to the Swannanoa Gathering and numerous newer communities, with an eye for single level town-home living. Black Mountain, long known as a summer resort, is now filled with year-round residents, a wonderful Main Street, chock-filled with shops, restaurants, galleries…the perfect spot for retirees & their friends and family. And for those who don’t mind some twisty roads and multi-level homes…prepare yourself for some spectacular views!

Of course, all of these blogs are designed to whet your appetite, to get you to actually come and visit Asheville and the surrounding areas. Your Realtor will spend time with you, to better understand what is important to you and what are the things you may want to avoid. Here in Asheville, we pretty much have something for everyone…it just takes patience & professional knowledge to find it! Give us a call today…we’re here to help!

Suzanne

For those who want to walk everywhere be no more than a 5 minute drive to all that downtown has to offer- this is the place.

This past week, I found myself downtown Asheville several times- which is something I always enjoy and with our springtime weather…it appears, so does everyone else. Friday I was meeting friends for our weekly get together at our favorite wine & book store and as I stood on the corner waiting for the light to change, I overheard a couple discussing how cool it would be to live “here”- right over one of the stores. And these folks were my age, well entrenched in being baby boomers! Of course, I really wanted to tap them on the shoulder and tell them “they could” and hand them my card…but that’s not really my style, so I smiled and was grateful that I do live “here”- not right downtown but within a 2 mile walk!

Yes, we do have some storefront/restaurant front buildings with opportunities to live over the store, as well as new & restored downtown condos, some even have balconies and green-space.  We have some cool “alleys” that were old warehouse that have been converted to living/working space. Many of the downtown residents are retirees and live here part-time… they even have their own network- DARN.

There are several neighborhoods filled with Arts & Crafts, historic Victorians and newly constructed GREEN properties. Kenilworth, slightly south of Mission Hospital, is a historical and diverse in-town neighborhood, with a colorful past, tree-lined streets and is home to almost 1000 residential properties. It offers an active community with events and a website just for residents.  Montford is on the north side of downtown, just a short walk over I-240 and it too offers historical properties and is a community rich in diversity.

Asheville’s newest community to under-go a significant change is the River Arts District and while most of the growth has been in galleries, work space and restaurants- there are condos and single family residents as well.

As you might imagine, pricing here can be above average, but if being “in the heart of it all” is what you crave- spend some time walking these neighborhood streets or visiting the many tailgate markets and meet lots of like minded folks who will love to share their stories and their love of Asheville.

There are so many places in the downtown area of Asheville that retirees have chosen to call home that it’s not possible to cover them all here. Call me or any of our agents to discuss your personal needs…we love to talk real estate!

Last week we discussed the ins and outs of relocating to the North side of the Asheville area. South Asheville and beyond has a bit different feel and plenty of options from which to choose.

The area south of Rt 40 has been, and still is, undergoing a growing spurt. Biltmore Park,  located just off I-26, is Asheville’s award winning Town Center. Filled with upscale retail stores and apartments, condos and single family homes ranging from the mid- $300 to well over $1M,  this has become the “must visit” for visitors and residents alike and offers the perfect lock & leave options that many retirees prefer. South Asheville is also home to several 55+communities, such as Crowfields and Avery’s Creek as well as Deerfields & Givens, both retirement communities.

The Asheville Arboretum is located just south of I40 & I26 and backs up to the Blue Ridge Parkway. It offers a host of exhibits,  hiking trails as well as a variety of workshops and classes.

If downsizing is your intent, consider the numerous small neighborhoods that were developed back in the 50′s and 60′s, with tree-lined sidewalks, brick ranchers and easy access to shopping. Asheville Airport, located between Asheville & Hendersonville is just off I-26 and it’s easy access makes coming and going from the area a real pleasure and is a pleasant alternative to the mega airports.

As you head further south you’ll find Fletcher, Mills River, and Hendersonville- with its quaint downtown community- a strollers delight which offers everything from fine dining to designer boutiques and galleries to downtown market and a Habitat for Humanity outlet store. Henderson County also offers a number of 55+ communities, gated golf communities as well as several large developments that attract retirees that enjoy planned activities and the options of part-time living.

With so many different options, the tough part may not be deciding to move to the Asheville area, but rather deciding which part of town to call home! If you’d like to discuss your options on where to retire in our area… feel free to contact me or anyone in our office- we’re here to help and we love talking about real estate!

Suzanne

You’ve made the decision to retire. Congratulations!  You’ve also made the decision to move to the Asheville area or are at least considering this delightful small city nestled in the Blue Ridge mountains.  In the last Blog we discussed the process- the steps you will want to take to make the most of this very important decision. Over the next few days I’ll share with you some basics on different parts of the Asheville area. I’ll start with an overview of the different communities that make up the North Asheville area. Each has its own flavor and personality and you will want to spend time in each to decide where to put down roots.

• Grove Park, Lakeview Park and Beaverdam are older, more established city neighborhoods north of downtown Asheville, generally with larger lots and above average selling prices. Many offer sidewalks allowing easy access to the many  retail stores along Merrimon Ave. With the Asheville Country Club and Beaverdam Lake, there’s plenty of leisure time activities and close access to UNCA- Reuter Center for those who never want to stop learning. Architectural styles range from mid century modern, original Arts & Crafts style, traditional one & two story and new construction, some featuring GREEN construction. Many of the older residences have been completely updated and also offer at least a master bedroom on the main level – a great feature to have for anyone, but certainly for those looking to retire. There are some outstanding views in this area and access to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
• Weaverville is a small town about 10 minutes north of Asheville proper, with a great walking Main St, offering restaurants, galleries, independent retail stores, library and more. Homes in Weaverville come in all shapes and sizes, from townhouse and condos, to small bungalows and traditional styles to luxury estates and golf communities. Weaverville has it’s own town government and tax base.
• Further North you’ll find Marshall and Mars Hill, offering a much more rural feeling as well as skiing and golf resort of Wolf Laurel. Here’s where you can still find working farms alongside new homes communities and of course, log home communities.

As you will see over the next few posts, each community offers something unique. There’s a price range for just about everyone and architectural styles to please the most discerning.

One thing to remember about the Asheville area- these are the mountains and because of the terrain, there will be many homes that have two levels of living space, maybe three. As a retiree, you might want to keep in mind that having as much living space on the main level is not only advisable- it could become critical, should you find yourself unable or unwilling to maneuver stairs. Allow yourself the option of being able to age in place.

So, get your map out or view the MLS on-line and start looking at Asheville by areas. I’m sure you’ll find at least several properties that will whet your appetite and have you wanting to come for a visit…and perhaps stay for a lifetime!