Maybe you're looking for a little more breathing room.
A little more privacy, a little more land, and perhaps a little more distance between you and your neighbors.
But before we venture too far outside Asheville, let me introduce you to one of East Asheville's hidden gems.
A Beautiful Valley with Deep Roots
Haw Creek is one of those special Asheville communities that feels a little like stepping back in time.
Nestled in a beautiful mountain valley in East Asheville, Haw Creek offers charm, established neighborhoods, natural beauty, and convenient access to downtown.
The area was settled by European families as early as the 1700s and takes its name from native blackhaw shrubs and small trees that once grew along the creek banks.
For generations, Haw Creek was primarily a farming community, with apple orchards, livestock pastures, and family homesteads scattered throughout the valley.
While much has changed over the years, you can still feel a connection to that agricultural past.
There are pockets of open pasture, winding roads, mature trees, and homes tucked into the surrounding hillsides.
Welcome to Downtown Haw Creek!
One of the things I find particularly charming about Haw Creek is its sense of community.
There's even an area affectionately referred to by locals as "downtown Haw Creek."
Now, don't envision a bustling metropolitan center!
We're talking about a small collection of beloved neighborhood businesses, including Creekside Taphouse, PennyCup Coffee, and The Whale Outpost, located in what longtime residents may remember as the old Haw Creek General Store.
It's a great little gathering place to grab a coffee, meet a friend for lunch, or enjoy a casual evening out.
Community improvements have also focused on making Haw Creek more pedestrian-friendly, including sidewalk connections along New Haw Creek Road intended to improve access to neighborhood businesses, schools, and recreation.
Parks, Hiking Trails, and Outdoor Recreation
Haw Creek has some wonderful green spaces.
Haw Creek Park, a six-acre neighborhood park near Beverly and Avon Roads, offers walking paths, picnic areas, and historical markers celebrating the community's past.
Then there's Masters Park, a nine-acre natural area tucked into the hills above the valley.
This beautiful wooded park offers a hiking connection toward the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.
How wonderful is that?
You can live in an Asheville neighborhood and have access to miles of mountain hiking practically in your backyard!
An Eclectic Mix of Homes
When it comes to housing, Haw Creek offers a little bit of everything.
You'll find classic 1950s and 1960s red-brick ranch homes that look like they belong in an episode of Leave It to Beaver, along with traditional two-story homes, newer energy-efficient construction, contemporary residences, and larger estate properties in areas such as Sondley Estates.
There's an interesting mix of architecture, lot sizes, and price points.
It's a wonderful example of why exploring the individual communities within Asheville is so important.
Did You Know Haw Creek Once Had an Airfield?
Here's a little local history that might surprise you.
In 1920, a local businessman named Scott Dillingham converted a cornfield in Haw Creek into an airstrip known as Dillingham Field.
This was during the early days of aviation, when simply getting into an airplane was an adventure!
Dillingham purchased an aircraft and began offering sightseeing flights over Asheville, reportedly charging passengers just $2 for the experience.
Imagine looking down over the Asheville mountains from a small airplane more than 100 years ago!
It's these little pieces of history that make me love sharing our communities with people who are new to the area.
Could Haw Creek Be Your Asheville?
Haw Creek may not be the right fit for everyone.
But if you're drawn to an established neighborhood with a little more breathing room, a sense of community, beautiful natural surroundings, and convenient access to downtown Asheville, it is certainly worth exploring.
And it's a perfect reminder that sometimes you don't have to travel very far to find the quieter mountain lifestyle you've been imagining.
Continue exploring: Moving to Asheville, NC — A Local's Guide to Relocating to the Mountains
- Relocation
- Asheville
- Western North Carolina
