In our last post, we talked about moving to Asheville in retirement. Now, we’d love to tell you about Black Mountain, a popular place for retirement near Asheville. But it’s not only a retirement town. Its solid schools and low crime make it an excellent place for families, too! Keep reading to learn more.
What Is Black Mountain?
Black Mountain is on the eastern edge of Buncombe County, NC, only 15 miles from Asheville. Named for a mountain range that towers over the town, it calls itself “The Little Town that Rocks,” welcoming visitors to pull up a rocking chair on “The Front Porch of Western North Carolina.” In fact, if you visit Black Mountain, you can see the “Big Red Rocking Chair” in front of the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center. This town takes its reputation seriously!
It’s a small town with many amenities. Even though its population is under 9,000, it is home to over 200 businesses, including restaurants, bed and breakfasts, specialty shops, and breweries. Retirees love it because of the availability of homes near the town center and the walk-to-town lifestyle this proximity offers.
Schedule a Visit
To discover whether Black Mountain is the perfect place for you, schedule a visit! Many people visit Black Mountain as part of a conference. Many conference centers are within a few miles of the town, including Ridgecrest, Blue Ridge Assembly, The Cove, Chrismount, and Montreat Conference Center. So, be sure to venture off the grounds of your center if you visit the area for a conference. In addition, many hotels, motels, inns, bed and breakfasts, houses, and cabins are available to rent within the town or a short distance away.
Things to Do
Black Mountain offers something for everyone. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy its many hiking and biking trails. For a guided hiking experience, check out Swannanoah Valley Museum’s Rim Exlplorer Hike Series. People who want less strenuous outdoor exercise can visit the 16.3-acre Lake Tomahawk park to stroll, play, and swim. If golf is more your thing, the Black Mountain Golf Course offers a unique, fun, and down-to-earth golfing experience. The 6,215-yard, par 71 course has a front nine originally designed by Donald Ross and is home to the famous 747-yard, par 6 17th hole, at one time the longest hole in the world.
Once you’ve gotten your exercise, head to town to enjoy one of Black Mountain’s 35 restaurants or quench your thirst at a local brewery or distillery. Save room for dessert at Kilwin’s or Hey Hey Cupcake. Then, shop ’til you drop at numerous gift, arts, and craft shops in town.
Decide to Stay
If you love your visit to Black Mountain so much that you want to stay, let’s talk! Get insider advice from our team, made up of experts about the area so you can make the best decisions for the easiest move possible. We would love to help.