Avery Creek offers mountain living directly south of Asheville
Resting between a national forest and the French Broad River, Avery Creek is a community of fewer than 2,300 people, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This small enclave, named after the creek meandering along its southern edge, sits about 10 miles south of Asheville. Its proximity to the city and mild, four-season climate attracts the outdoorsy who want to be close to hiking trails without giving up urban conveniences. “There’s mountain biking, kayaking, hiking and riding on the Blue Ridge Parkway,” says Josh Smith, the president of Walnut Cove Realty/Allen Tate, who’s been selling homes around the Paris of the South for nearly two decades. “In addition to what Asheville offers in an eclectic culinary scene, we’ve got great art museums, we’ve got great theater and we’ve got a great symphony.”
Avery Creek is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Avery Creek folks can head to Asheville for some urban fun.
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Single-family homes with scenic views
Avery Creek’s single-family homes rest along narrow roads that curve along the community’s steep hills, which offer views of nearby mountain peaks. Dense patches of woods separate subdivisions featuring a range of architectural styles, from midcentury split-levels and ranch-style homes to newly built Craftsman and New Traditional homes. "We don't have the ability to sprawl like you do in more flat areas like Florida or Texas. So, we're very confined in the areas that we're able to develop," says Smith, who adds that many of his clients are building homes styled as mountain modern. "They're holding onto the traditional elements, but they're incorporating the newer looks, the open floor plan and the lighter colors, and entertaining spaces." Most homes fall between $400,000 and $735,000, but recently built custom properties can range from $830,000 to more than $1.3 million. Townhouses are available from $300,000 to $560,000.
Split level and single-family homes sit on smaller plots of land in Avery Creek.
Avery Creek locals have the option to live in a townhouse if they choose.
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Avery Creek offers a home base for Appalachian adventure
Outdoor recreation is close to home in Avery Creek. Its namesake creek is a small tributary of the Davidson River and is known as a prime spot for fly fishing, as it’s rich in wild trout. Local outfitters take new and experienced anglers on guided tours along the waterway. Lake Julian offers more fishing, about two miles away. It’s stocked with bass, catfish, bream and crappie. Along with boating, the park offers a myriad of walking trails, a disc golf course, a playground and a beach volleyball court. Several parks offer kayakers access to the French Broad River, such as Corcoran Paige River Park.
Avery Creek has direct access to the 500,000-acre Pisgah National Forest, home to some of the area's most popular hiking and mountain biking trails that pass by waterfalls and lead to overlooks. The Blue Ridge Parkway passes through the forest, offering scenic drives.
Golfers have several courses in the area to choose from, including the 18-hole course at Chestnut Mountain Golf Club
Research is conducted at the Pisgah National Forest near Avery Creek.
Fishing is a fun pastime at Lake Julian near Avery Creek.
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Avery Creek has a dedicated nonprofit
Avery’s Creek Community Center hosts private events and serves as the home base for Avery’s Creek Community Development Club. The nonprofit, dating to the 1980s, works to improve the enclave, keep residents connected and help maintain the community center grounds, which include a playground and tennis courts.
The Avery Creek Community Center has been repurposed to a fire station.
Bright colored yellow flowers are common in subdivisions in Avery Creek.
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Students can attend a highly rated school district
Buncombe County Schools serves Avery Creek. The district earns an A-minus overall rating from Niche and offers a virtual academy and an early college in addition to neighborhood schools. Avery Creek homes are zoned for the B-rated Avery’s Creek Elementary, the B-plus-rated Charles T. Koontz Intermediate and the A-minus-rated Valley Springs Middle. T.C. Roberson High earns an A rating and is known for its Progressive Education Program, dedicated to providing equity in opportunity for students with physical and mental disabilities.
The A-rated Veritas Christian Academy, which Niche ranks as the third-best kindergarten through 12th-grade private school in the Asheville area for 2025, is a nearby private option. Western Carolina University has a campus across the French Broad River in Biltmore Park.
Many students attend Avery's Creek Elementary School.
Koontz Intermediate School is a large public school near Avery Creek.
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Two restaurants close to home and popular shopping centers nearby
Avery Creek residents can dine within the community at Mary's Burritos and Beer, a popular family-owned eatery serving South American, Salvadorian and Mexican dishes, and Corner Grill, a no-frills spot for American fare. Biltmore Park Town Square is a short drive away. The high-end outdoor shopping mall features name-brand and boutique stores, a Regal movie theater and about a dozen restaurants and cafes. The family-owned Luella’s Bar-B-Que is known for its pulled pork made from scratch daily, while Taco Boy is a local favorite for creative tacos served in its colorful, quirky dining room. The Interstate 26 corridor puts Avery Creek residents in reach of several other shopping destinations, including Southridge Shopping Center, which features familiar national retailers. Ingles Markets is one of several nearby grocers.
The Corner Grill is a popular eatery with Avery Creek locals.
Avery Creek locals can head to ingles to pick up some groceries.
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Commuters have close access to Interstate 26 and Asheville Regional Airport
Interstate 26 is close by for commutes north to Asheville or south to Hendersonville. The highway connects to Interstate 40, North Carolina’s mountain-to-sea route. Asheville Regional Airport is about a 6-mile drive. While Avery Creek is primarily car-dependent, residents can catch an Asheville Rides Transit bus along Long Shoals Road.
Important to know
The Asheville metro experienced devastating damage when Hurricane Helene hit the region in September 2024. The storm swelled the French Broad River, which led to catastrophic flooding, landslides and weeks-long power outages. FEMA Flood Maps show some Avery Creek homes along the river face a flood risk.
Avery Creek receives a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.
Written By
DeeVa Payne
Photography Contributed By
Viktor Zagorevskiy
Video By
Adam Barkley
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Julia Burdette,
an experienced agent in this area.
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