walking neighborhood and a lake too (Charlotte, Asheville: safe area, shops, safe)

[aug79]

I am new to this site and forgive me if these questions have been asked and answered but here goes: my husband and I would like relocate to a neighborhood that has walking access to services, shops, etc. and not too far from medical care. The library, cafe, local food market, would be our daily errands. We don't want to be in walking distance of Banana Republic-more of a local and somewhat quiet but funky yet safe area. Sorry if these sound like opposites. Where could we begin to look for housing? To complicate matters even more, we are also interested in a move to a more rural part of Asheville where we could have animals, access to a lake (and a rowboat) - both of these scenarios interest us - can anyone give us names of areas to begin to research? Thank you for your time.

[AshevilleNeighbor]

Neighborhoods close to downtown Weaverville or Black Mountain may come closest to what you're looking for. Both would be walkable to the things you list, although the supermarkets are located on busier roads, and I'm not sure, off the top of my head, what's available in food markets on a smaller scale right in those downtowns. Both also feature small lakes with surrounding walking trails.

Overall, access to larger lakes in rural areas is severely limited in the Asheville area. Lots of creeks, but few lakes--and what look like lakes on the map are actually protected reservoirs rather than an accessible lakes.

Other thoughts: the Montford neighborhood (no lake, but walkable); Biltmore Lake (a boatable lake, and walking trails, plus some local small shops; but not really rural and perhaps a bit artificial for what you have in mind. I'm sure there are other possibilities I'm forgetting, but others will come along and fill in the blanks, I'm sure.

Good luck with your research!

[Ted H]

Try 'The Settings of Lake Rhodhiss', lake, fishing, mountain views, and only 1 hour to Charlotte Airport.