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Ever hear the expression "That's a lot of bunk?" It seems that in 1820 there had been a long and difficult debate in Congress about the Missouri Compromise. Finally the vote was called, but Congressman Felix Walker, whose district included Buncombe County, stood and stated that he had to speak for his constituents - he needed to speak for Buncombe - whereupon he proceeded to ramble on while the others waited impatiently. Later one Congressman said to another, "That wasn't for Buncombe that was Buncombe." It was soon shortened to "bunkum" and then to "bunk" meaning meaningless words.
This is just a glimpse of what you can find in Buncombe County and where you will find the various towns. It has a population of approximately 221,776 in 656 sq. miles for a density of 333.6 per sq. mile.
First of all is Asheville, which is the country seat, is located south central in the county. Its demographics are 
a mecca of mixture. You will find every culture, religion and lifestyle. The land is varied from mountains and valleys, coves and wide open fields. The French Broad River flows through much of Asheville and the county fed by several smaller rivers and streams. The Appalachian Trail is nearby, you can hike the Mountains to the Sea Trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway slices through the county.
Real estate in Asheville includes both historic homes, large and small and new construction of all sizes. We have downtown condos in new buildings or converted in old buildings as well as new developments in the suburbs. Our real estate tends to be some of the most expensive in North Carolina.
A highly regarded hospital is just south of downtown. Memorial Mission's Heart Tower is in the top 100 cardiology hospitals in the nation. There is a VA hospital on the east side. Excellent specialists of all types practice in Asheville.
Points of interest include the University of North Carolina in Asheville just north of downtown, Grove Park Inn, also north, Asheville Buncombe Community College, centrally located, and the Biltmore Estate south of downtown. There are numerous boutique stores with arts, crafts, clothing etc. The Grove Arcade is a unique area with shops. Just East of Asheville on I-40 is The Cove, the Billy Graham Training Center. North Asheville has Beaver Lake which has a bird sanctuary and walking trail.
Just north of Asheville is Woodfin. It is incorporated b
ut doesn't have a real business area. It has some highway business along Hwy 25 and commercial along the river. It is an area of mostly smaller older homes with a few new construction areas.
Weaverville is a small town about 10 miles north of Asheville on I-26. It has a charming historic main street business section and on the main route in from I-26 are banks, grocery stores, restaurants and a nearly completed WalMart and Home Depot.
It has a charming little park with small lake with fountain and picnic area. But don't feed the ducks and geese - it's against the law. They were making too big a mess!
East of Asheville on Hwy 70 is Swannanoa. Mostly rural, Swannanoa has some highway business. Warren Wilson College is a small private college with a "green" focus. Students work as part of the curriculum and come from many parts of the world. There is an Outward Bound School located at Warren Wilson College.
About 15 miles east of Asheville on I-40 is Black Mountain which is well known for its small antique stores and many small restaurants and shops. It also has a couple of small lakes with walking trails, picnic areas, and playgrounds. Blue Ridge Conference Center is her
e.
Montreat College is another small private college and is located in Black Mountain. The home of Billy Graham is adjacent and he is much respected in this area
Ridgecrest is adjacent to Black Mountain and is primarily Ridgecrest Conference Center. There are numerous conference centers in Western North Carolina
Southeast of Asheville on Hwy. 74 is Fairview. Primarily rural with valleys and mountains, businesses are rapidly growing in the area and a small town area now exists. A variety of real estate is available.
Arden is south of Asheville but so closely tied together that only the mailman knows where one ends and the other begins. There are businesses all the way from Asheville to Arden and there is a new WalMart and a new strip shopping center on Airport Rd. It is hard to know if it is in Arden or Fletcher. Fletcher is in Henderson county but almost indistinguishable from Arden since some of it drizzles over into Buncombe county. This is one of the largest areas in the county for new construction and it is easily accessed by I-26 or leisurely by Hwy 25. Lake Julian is a lake used to cool a power plant and has a large picnic area, paddle-boats and sailing.
Candler is on the West at the junction of I-40, I-240 and I-26, formerly known as "malfunction junction". But now we have a nearly completed junction that actually works. Candler is suburban and rural with a second campus of Asheville Buncombe Community College. Biltmore Lake shares the same zip code and surrounds Enka Lake. Candler is most famous for the fact that I live in Candler!
Last, but not least is Leicester. There are more ways to pronounce that word than there are letters in it. We'll teach you how when you get here. Mostly rural with a few new developments. It is northwest of Asheville on Hwy 63 which is 4 lane for the first 5 miles or so.
I nearly forgot Alexander. Shoulder to shoulder with Leicester and very similar - another one of those that it is hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. Alexander is between the French Broad River and Leicester. Don't worry, it doesn't flood - it is much higher up.
Asheville, Woodfin, Black Mountain, and Weaverville are the only incorporated towns. And then there are the towns that don't exist - Enka and Oteen. These are post offices and separate zip codes but you will never have that address if you have mail delivery at home. Only if you have a box at the post office. However you will often hear them referred to as towns. As such, Enka is west in the Candler area and Oteen is east on the edge of Asheville. The VA hospital is located there.
That is a quick rundown of the towns in Buncombe county and their relationship to Asheville. I hope that will help you decide where you want to live. Call me and I will help you find the right house. http://www.ashevillehome.com
Here are a few additional links of interest.
Explore Asheville Downtown Asheville
Restaurants in Asheville Bed and Breakfasts
The Laurels of Asheville More Bed and Breakfasts
Next up Madison County
Eunice Pearson, ABR,CRS,GRI,ePRO
828-230-4894
www.ashevillehome.com
eunice@ashevillehome.com
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