Asheville Accolades: Green and More!

I can tell you that Asheville is an incredible place to visit or, even better to live, but would you believe me? Well, you might, but that wouldn't be a good enough reason to come. I'm just one person. But what about when Asheville gets an "official" recommendation of some sort? Well, I just thought I would tell you a few of the accolades Asheville has received.

I'm especially proud of Asheville for being "green" and others have recognized that as well. In 2006, Blue Ridge Outdoors saw Asheville as one of the greenest towns in the South, leading the Green Revolution. Natural Home Magazine ranked West Asheville #1 Eco-Friendly Community in 2007. In 2008, Country Living Magazine put Asheville on their list of 25 Best Green Places in America. So, you don't have to just take my word for it :>)

Asheville is also known for the natural beauty here. Southern Living Magazine gave Asheville their Best of the South Readers' Choice Awards for being the Best Mountain Destination and Best Scenic Highway for at least the last three years. In 2007, Outside Magazine ranked Asheville as Best Southern Town, which means it has to be one of the country's “smart, progressive burgs with gorgeous wilderness playgrounds”...and... "realistic housing and job markets.” In 2006, Outside Magazine also named Asheville the #1 Whitewater Town in the country. That's pretty cool.

The arts are huge in Asheville and that's clear with the recognition received such as American Style Magazine rating Asheville with the top 25 Art Destinations - last year #5 and this year #2 in the small cities catagory. Where to Retire Magazine listed Asheville as one of its “Eight Enriching Towns for Art and Music Lovers.”

Speaking of Asheville as a place to retire, America's 100 Best Places to Retire lists Asheville. In general, Asheville is rated highly as a place to live at any age. Last year, Cities Ranked and Rated listed Asheville #7 of over 400 metro areas in the U.S. and Canada.

There are a bunch more, but I don't want to spend the whole day on this.

So, we must be doing something right! Frommers' included Asheville in its list of 12 top travel destinations in the world! And the new book The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner says Asheville is the happiest city in the world! So, come to Asheville, be happy! And let us know if you need an ECO-certified real estate professional.