Continuing-Care Communities (CCRC)
Mountains - North Carolina
Area Info
One of the most popular retirement destinations in the United States today was once the part of the nation that nobody wanted. The Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina—the Blue Ridge, Great Smokies, and Black Mountain ranges—were the county's original high frontier, a forbidding barrier to westward expansion and a sparsely-settled and impoverished region. But that began to change after the midpoint of the 20th century, when highways, leisure time, and disposable income brought visitors to the high country in droves. Many fell in love and stayed...while others vowed to come back.
Whereas Florida's original attraction was its warm, sunny winter weather, the Appalachians offer the opposite: they're cooler in summer by about 15 degrees over the surrounding lowlands. Add in the fact that in winter they're a prime destination for skiers, and the recreational possibilities in the area rival those of any other area in the country. The cultural attractions have recently caught up as well, led by the city of Asheville, which offers a sophisticated arts and restaurant scene as well as serving as the center of traditional mountain culture—bluegrass music, clog dancing, and the unique crafts that thrived in the area's long isolation.
Asheville is also home to the Biltmore Estate, built by George Washington Vanderbilt in 1895. It remains to this day the largest private home ever built in America...and is still owned by Vanderbilt's descendants. Now, however, it is open to the public, and tours of the house and grounds are among the most popular attractions of the area.
Articles
Lifestyle Information from Asheville and Western North Carolina
Barnardsville woman reunites with mom after 56 years
Mar 19, 2010 7:40 pm
All within a few days last summer, Maxine Pendleton, of Barnardsville, 59, met her birth mother, learned she had brothers and sisters (half brothers and sisters, really, but to her they are whole), ni...
Blessing of the Bikes happens tomorrow
Mar 19, 2010 4:48 pm
ASHEVILLE -- A Blessing of the Bikes is scheduled for Saturday to help usher in warm weather and motorcycle riding season.
Tap into your dreams at this April seminar
Mar 19, 2010 4:15 am
FLAT ROCK -- Spend a weekend learning how dreams can provide a person healing and creativity with the seminar "Tapping the Power of Dreams, Coincidence and Imagination," April 17-18 at Sanct...
Black Mountain crafts show needs exhibitors
Mar 19, 2010 4:15 am
BLACK MOUNTAIN -- The 13th annual Black Mountain Arts and Crafts Show, June 5-6, is accepting applications for crafters and artists to exhibit their work. Deadline is May 1. The show opens at 10 a.m. ...
Cantaria performs Broadway favorites on March 28
Mar 19, 2010 4:15 am
ASHEVILLE -- Cantaria, the gay men's chorus of Asheville, will perform a concert of Broadway favorites at 3 p.m. March 28 at St. Matthias Church, 1 Dundee St.
Asheville Artisan Bread Bakers Festival on Saturday
Mar 19, 2010 4:15 am
ASHEVILLE -- More than a dozen local artisan bakers will showing, sampling and selling their bread Saturday at the Asheville Artisan Bread Bakers Festival. This two-part event begins with a bread tast...
Mar 19, 2010 4:15 am
Battlefield Band, Celtic, 8 p.m. Friday, Diana Wortham Theatre, Pack Place, Asheville. 257-4530.
Moody Blues, in their 4th decade, rock Asheville's Thomas Wolfe
Mar 19, 2010 4:15 am
ASHEVILLE -- Call it the Barbados triangle: Moody Blues songwriter and bass player John Lodge grew up in Birmingham, England, now makes his home in Barbados, in the southeastern Caribbean, and on Sund...
Film festival to offer Asheville preview
Mar 19, 2010 4:15 am
ASHEVILLE -- The RiverRun International Film Festival is returning to its Western North Carolina roots at least for one night in a preview format.
Mar 19, 2010 4:15 am
Name: Herman Ragan
Featured Communities
Ardenwoods Retirement Community: HealthyLife Services - The regions' most comprehensive health program, Ardenwoods’ HealthyLife Services provide fitness, health, wellness, referral services, home care, as well as priority access (if needed)
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