Adventures in Real Estate / Adventure Properties

The Blue Ridge Mountains in Asheville offer adventure seekers an opportunity to take their passions to a level not found in many places in the Southeast. In addition to outdoor adventure, Asheville also provides urban adventures to keep you busy on a rainy day or once the sun sets. So it is no wonder that many people such as myself choose to call Asheville home if they are seeking both outdoor recreation and a thriving arts and music scene.

As a Realtor and someone who enjoys all the qualities I mentioned above I pay close attention to neighborhoods and homes that offer easy access to the outdoor experience that draw many of us to the area. While these areas I will highlight offer direct access to the areas that many seek I will say based on experience that access to a good trail, road ride or boating adventure is never that far away. However for those adventure seeker who prefer to either keep the car parked all weekend or not own a car there are several neighborhoods that you might want to explore.

Bent Creek - Want mountain trails in your backyard? If you are into hiking, trail running or Mountain Biking no neighborhood offers the convenience to both the best of Asheville's nightlife and trial system. Located eight miles from downtown the Bent Creek Neighborhood offers numerous recreational opportunities as well as neighborhood trails that link to the Bent Creek Experimental Forest Trails. Once you hit the Bent Creek Trails your adventure is only limited by your legs and lungs as you can easily access the Pisgah National Forest Trails with a climb up and over Bent Creek Gap. For Road Biking Enthusiast the Blue Ridge Parkway is so close that you will not even have your heart rate up before you begin the climb up to Mount Pisgah or Mount Mitchell. Home prices are very reasonable in this popular area, a cute three bedroom two bath brick ranch will run 160k-220k.



West Asheville - Want to leave the car parked all weekend? Greenways, walkable neighborhoods and parks galore. Whether you're into track racing, mountain biking, running, river adventures, disc golf or taking Fido to the dog park West Asheville has you covered. If you are feeling mellow just hop on the greenway and enjoy a relaxing walk or ride to your favorite restaurant, pub or art studio or better yet find something that floats and take the river to the River Arts District or The Bywater for a cookout and pint. For those craving a trail, a quick ride to Richmond Hill Park offers several miles of tight twisty single track and a disc golf course. West Asheville provides plenty of activities to keep you busy all weekend without ever picking up the car keys. West Asheville offers a diverse supply of Real Estate. From cutting edge new green homes to charming 20's bungalows West Asheville has it covered. You can find a cute cottage for 125k or spend 300k+ on your dream green home or remolded charmer walking distance to everything. 

North Asheville - Want to ride trails to the coffee shop? The North side of Asheville is not without it's opportunity for outdoor adventure either. A short yet expanding section of Greenway exist on Reed Creek and the UNCA campus offers several miles of walking and biking trails that will make you forget that you are only one mile from all that downtown has to offer. Easy access to River Road is great for road cyclist looking for an enjoyable ride to Marshal or a fast paced competitive time trial. The Northside of Merrimon Ave also offers beautiful roads like sunset where you are likely to encounter more walkers, runners, and cyclist (and sometimes bears) than cars. For those who craving an adrenaline rush, Food Lion Skatepark is located in the Montford neighborhood and offers 17,000 sq ft of concrete adventure. Home prices in this area are higher with homes starting in the 200k range but expect to pay 300k+ for a 3/2 in the hotspots.

East Asheville and Montreat -Looking for Wild and wonderful East Asheville. East Asheville and Montreat also offer wilderness trails great for hiking and biking as well. Shope Creek in East Asheville near Riceville Road now offers a parking area and there are number of short trails. A mix of old hunting trails can take you to some amazing remote areas of Pisgah. The Montreat neighborhood, college and conference center offers over 30 miles of trails for hiking, trail running and biking and during parts of the season you can access the infamous Heartbreak Ridge Trail for one of the best mountain bike descents in the area. Home prices and options vary greatly in this area. Expect to pay 125K for a humble mountain abode to 500k and higher for homes in the hills with a view and quick access to the Montreat Trail system.

This is just the beginning of the neighborhoods and areas that offer a weekend of adventure without getting in your car. If you would like any additional information on these neighborhoods or homes available in these areas don't hesitate to call opr email me.

Tour De Green

Along with the spring flowers there are a number of green homes coming out of the ground in Asheville. Take a bike ride with us and learn more about green building and green enhancements you can make to your current home. The tour will feature 6 - 7 properties that offer a variety of energy conservation techniques and green building principles. The tour will also provide information on energy efficiency upgrades and methods that can be applied to existing homes. Green Building professionals will be available at select properties to answer questions and an experienced cyclist will be your guide and provide information on current and developing infrastructure improvements taking place in core areas of the city.

The tour is free and food and refreshments will be provided at the end by Doc Cheys and Pisgah Brewing. You can register for the tour here.

The tour will originate at Mosaic Realty, conveniently located in the heart of West Asheville on Haywood Rd, and will visit properties primarily in West Asheville area. The ride will be approximately 5 miles total distance. A moderate fitness level is suggested and helmets are required.

Meet at Mosaic Realty 797 Haywood Rd (located under Hop and Vines) at noon. The ride will begin at 12:15. Additional parking is available behind the building.

Feel free to contact me with any questions. Hope to see you on the tour.

Justin Mitchell

Justin@JustInAsheville.com
828.713.9400

Looking for adventure?

If you are looking for a challenge, a local ride, or just a good time on two wheels Asheville does not disappoint. Local organizers, race promoters, and cycling focused nonprofits provide numerous opportunities to get involved. I recently put together an Asheville Area Cycling Event Calendar and list of groups that can help take your cycling experience to new heights and meet some great people.

4/14 Assault on the Carolinas            www.assaultonthecarolinas.com                 Road
4/28 Burnsville Metric                       www.burnsvillemetric.com                         Road
5/5 PMBAR                                       www.PisgahProductions.com                      Mtn
5/12 Wheel Ride for Food                 www.mowabc.org/events                            Road
5/19 Pisgah 111K                              www.PisgahProductions.com                      Mtn
5/21 Assault on Mt. Mitchell             www.freewheelers.info                               Road
5/21-25 Strive Not To Drive Week    http://strivenottodrive.com/                        Fun/Eco
5/25-26 Mountain Sports Festival      www.mountainsportsfestival.com              Multi
5/26 French Broad Challenge             www.gloryhoundevents.com                     Tri
6/2 Tour De Green                             www.mymosaicrealty.com                         Social/Eco
6/3 Fletcher Flyer                               www.BlueRidgeBicycleClub.org               Road
6/9 Summer Cycle                              www.AshevilleOnBikes.com                     Fun/Social
6/9 Enka Triathlon at Biltmore           www.setupevents.com                               Tri
6/23 Short Track MTB Race               http://ashevillecyclocross.com/wp/           Mtn/Cross
7/14 Hotdogget                                    www.hotdoggett.mhc.edu/                        Road
7/21 Jerdon Mtn Challenge                 www.blueridgeadventures.net                   Mtn
7/22 ORAMM                                      www.BlueRidgeAdventures.net               Mtn
8/18 Blue Ridge Breakaway                www.blueridgebreakaway.com                Road
9/8   Asheville Cyclocross Race #1     http://ashevillecyclocross.com/wp/          Cross
9/17-22 Pisgah Stage Race                  www.BlueRidgeAdventures.net               Mtn
10/7    Pisgah Brewing Cyclocross      http://ashevillecyclocross.com/wp/          Cross
10/20  Carrier Park Night Cyclocross  http://ashevillecyclocross.com/wp/          Cross
10/20-21 Double Dare                           www.PisgahProductions.com                 Mtn
11/11 Swank 65                                     www.BlueRidgeAdventures.net             Mtn
11/17-18 Paris Mt. DH and Enduro       www.ParisMountainDownhill.com        Mtn

On Going races, social rides and other resources.

Asheville on Bikes                  www.ashevilleonbikes.com
Pisgah Area SORBA              www.pisgahareasorba.org
Asheville Womens Cycing     www.ashevillewomenscycling.com
Blue Ridge Bicycle Club        www.blueridgebicycleclub.org
Asheville Cyclocross              www.ashevillecyclocross.com
Ring of Fire Track Series       www.veloportsracing.com
Weaverville BMX                   www.weavervillebmx.org
USA Cycling                           www.usacycling.org

Justin Mitchell, Broker
Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty
797 Haywood Rd. Suite 2, Asheville NC 28806

Mobile: 828.713.9400

http://www.mymosaicrealty.com/

A few new videos of Mountain Biking in Asheville

The cycling opportunities in the Asheville area are one of many reasons I relocated to Asheville in 2008.

I recently purchased a Gopro camera and have been documenting some rides in the area. Now get out there and ride, hike, climb, boat or just take a picnic out and enjoy the amazing area we live in.

Justin