Bent Creek attracts outdoors enthusiasts to its mountain setting
The rural Asheville suburb of Bent Creek is an attractive destination nestled into the mountains of western North Carolina. This community of nearly 2,000 offers enviable access to parks, forest trails, waterfront adventures and more. “The typical Bent Creek buyer is here because they are outdoors enthusiasts,” says Mahalia Kennedy of Appalachian Realty Associates, who has lived in the community for 17 years. With proximity to shopping, dining and schools, Bent Creek offers a blend of seclusion and convenience in a sought-after setting. “It’s a lovely little bubble,” Kennedy says. “To be so close to town and its amenities, there really isn’t another community like it.”
Variety of single-family homes in attractive settings
The community features an eclectic mix of single-family homes. Ranch-style and bi-level are common, especially in the heart of the community, where streets are often shaded by mature trees. “We still have a lot of original homeowners and multi-generational families in the community,” Kennedy says.
The largest and most expensive options, which include the community’s newest homes and offer more space and privacy, are found along quiet country roads. Styles range from A-frames to contemporary Craftsman homes to rustic designs. Other residential pockets feature a mix of custom and traditional styles such as Colonial Revival.
Prices range from the mid-$400,000s to $1 million-plus. Homeowners can expect mild summers, foliage-filled falls and moderately cold winters with some snowfall. Severe weather is rare; however, portions of the area were hit hard by the remnants of Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
Make friends at the park; run and bike through the forest
Bent Creek Community Park is a popular gathering place. Featured amenities include hiking and biking trails, athletic courts, children’s playscapes and a pavilion. The park hosts events, including clean-up days and holiday celebrations. “When you move to Bent Creek, you go to the park, and that’s where you make friends,” says Kennedy, who says that she and her husband are still friends with the people he met on his first visit to the park.
The Bent Creek Experimental Forest is part of Pisgah National Forest, a regional destination for outdoor recreation. “Because the community borders the forest, we have a network of trails in the community – we call them social trails – to get to the park trails. We have a lot of mountain bikers and trail runners.” The Shut-in Ridge Trail Run is a well-known endurance race that begins at the nearby North Carolina Arboretum and ends atop Mount Pisgah. “I’ve had people who specifically bought in Bent Creek, sight unseen, because of the forest access.” Residents can also take advantage of the natural landscape at Bent Creek River Park. The rural green space is a popular spot for floating the French Broad River.
Buncombe County Schools is a highly-rated district
The community is served by Buncombe County Schools, which is rated A-minus by Niche. The typical pipeline is made up of four schools – an elementary and intermediate school for younger students, and a middle and high school for older students. All four are rated between B and B-plus.
Nearby outlet mall, downtown Asheville are popular destinations
The closest dining option is Celebrity’s Hotdogs, a popular racing-themed eatery. Several restaurants, a grocery store and Tanger Outlets Asheville are located just outside the community along the Brevard Road commercial corridor. The 382,000-square-foot outlet mall is home to more than 60 stores featuring brands that range from Nike to Ralph Lauren. Downtown Asheville is home to a collection of boutique shops, craft breweries and contemporary restaurants. The trendy district is also known for its art galleries and live music venues.
Asheville is a quick trip via I-26
Residents are just minutes away from Interstate 26, known locally as Andrew Jackson Highway. I-26 provides a direct route north to the heart of Asheville about 10 miles away and south to Asheville Regional Airport about 7 miles away. There is a bus stop along Brevard Road where residents can catch the bus for trips to local points of interest, including Asheville’s Mission Hospital. Residents can also hop on Interstate 40 in Asheville for regional travel.
Written By
Matt Pallister
