Newcomer’s Guide

Welcome to Asheville, New Neighbor!

Congratulations on making the move to one of America’s most beloved mountain cities! Whether you’ve been drawn here by the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains, the thriving arts scene, the craft beer culture, or the promise of a more balanced lifestyle, you’re joining a community that values creativity, sustainability, and authentic living.

Moving to a new city can feel overwhelming, but this comprehensive guide will help you navigate everything from the practical necessities to the insider tips that will help you feel like a local in no time. Asheville may be quirky—we wouldn’t have it any other way—but beneath that creative exterior is a welcoming community ready to embrace newcomers who come with open hearts and respect for what makes this place special.

Popular Resources

All About Asheville

Asheville Area Map

Asheville Transportation Guide

First Things First: Your Moving Checklist

Within 30 Days of Arrival:

  • Vehicle Registration: Auto license tags must be purchased within 30 days of relocating to North Carolina
  • Voter Registration: Register to vote at the Board of Elections or when getting your driver’s license
  • Utilities Setup: Contact Duke Energy, water services, and internet providers
  • Update Your Address: USPS mail forwarding, bank accounts, credit cards, subscriptions
  • Find Healthcare Providers: Establish care with local doctors, dentists, and specialists

Within 60 Days of Arrival:

  • Driver’s License: New residents who plan to operate a motor vehicle must get a North Carolina driver’s license within 60 days
  • Vehicle Title: Transfer your vehicle title to North Carolina
  • School Registration: Enroll children in public schools or research private options
  • Property Tax Listing: If you own property, register with Buncombe County Tax Office

North Carolina DMV Requirements

Within 60 days of establishing permanent residence in North Carolina, new residents must obtain a North Carolina driver’s license and title/register their vehicles. Here’s what you need to know:

Driver’s License Requirements:

  • Asheville Driver License Office: 1624 Patton Ave, Phone: (828) 782-9600
  • What to Bring:
    • Current valid driver’s license
    • Proof of identity (passport or certified birth certificate)
    • Social Security card
    • Two proofs of NC residency (utility bills, lease agreement, bank statements)
    • Insurance information
    • Payment for fees (approximately $40 for standard license)

Vehicle Registration:

  • License Plate Agency: 780 Hendersonville Road, Suite 8; Phone: (828) 277-7767
  • Ingles Plaza West License Plate Agency: 153 Smokey Park Highway, Suite 160-A; Phone: (828) 252-8526
  • What to Bring:
    • Vehicle title
    • Proof of insurance (North Carolina minimum coverage required)
    • Current odometer reading
    • Driver’s license
    • Payment for fees (varies by vehicle value and type)

Important Notes:

  • North Carolina requires annual vehicle safety inspections
  • Emissions testing required for vehicles in Buncombe County
  • Property tax on vehicles is assessed annually
  • North Carolina is a “fault” insurance state with required liability minimums

Helpful Hints: The busiest days at the tag agency offices are typically Mondays, Fridays, and the 15th and 30th of the month. Also, cars must be inspected within 10 days of the date of registration. And many common NCDMV services, such as driver license renewal and vehicle registration renewal can be performed any time and any place on a computer or mobile device.

Utilities and Services Setup

Electric Service:

  • Duke Energy: 1-800-777-9898 or duke-energy.com
  • Budget billing available to average costs year-round
  • Time-of-use rates available for potential savings
  • Many areas eligible for solar programs

Water and Sewer:

  • City of Asheville Water: (828) 251-1122
  • Service area extends beyond city limits
  • Quarterly billing
  • Some areas use wells and septic—have these inspected before purchasing

Natural Gas:

  • PSNC Energy/Dominion Energy: 1-877-776-2427
  • Not available in all areas—many homes use propane or electric

Internet and Cable:

  • AT&T Fiber: Available in select areas, up to 1GB speeds
  • Spectrum: Widest coverage area, various speed tiers
  • Skyrunner/SkyBest: Local provider in some areas
  • Many rural areas have limited high-speed options—verify before moving

Housing: Finding Your Asheville Home or Apartment

For home and apartment rentals, call Leslie & Associates at 828-253-1517 or check out www.LeslieAndAssoc.com which is updated daily.

Biltmore Park Town Square
Enjoy the modern vibrance of Asheville’s first mixed-use community which transformed the landscape of South Asheville. Register online to learn more about our condominiums and townhomes.

Neighborhoods to Consider:

For Families:

  • North Asheville: Excellent schools, established neighborhoods, family-friendly
  • Arden/South Asheville: Newer developments, good schools, shopping convenience
  • Candler: More affordable, rural feel, larger lots
  • Fletcher: Growing area with new construction, good value

For Young Professionals:

  • Downtown: Walk to work, restaurants, nightlife (limited parking, higher cost)
  • West Asheville: Hip neighborhood, great restaurants, artistic community
  • South Slope: Near breweries, emerging area, urban feel
  • Montford: Historic homes, walkable to downtown, strong community

For Retirees:

  • Black Mountain: Small town charm, 15 minutes from Asheville
  • Hendersonville: Active retirement communities, medical facilities, flatter terrain
  • Biltmore Forest: Upscale, gated community adjacent to Biltmore Estate
  • Fairview: Rural setting with mountain views, larger properties

Banking

First Bank
In addition to delivering exceptional service, First Bank has developed an outstanding line of financial products that rivals any bank in our marketplace. We offer a wide variety of checking, savings and lending programs for every specific need and circumstance, accented by reasonable fees and competitive rates. Our goal is to help our customers achieve financial success and we have the people and the products in place to deliver on this commitment.

Connections

There are many ways to get to know folks in the Asheville community. Check out the large number of membership organizations as well as the community calendar. If you’re interested in volunteering, there are numerous volunteer opportunities available as well.

Government

City of Asheville
For more information about the Asheville City Government

Better Business Bureau — Asheville, North Carolina
If you are having a problem, you need to report it, and try to prevent someone else from having the same experience.

Voter Registration
To vote in city, county, state and federal elections, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, mentally sound and not under conviction of a felony. You must register 30 days prior to the election you wish to vote in. You may register to vote in Asheville and Buncombe County immediately after establishing residency.

Registration may be done by mail or in person at the Board of Elections office, the Pack Memorial Library and several other locations. Call for the nearest registration site. (Or, if you also need to get a NC driver’s license, you may register to vote at the DMV office.)

The Buncombe County Board of Elections is located in the Courthouse Annex at 189 College Street. Phone: 828-255-5123

Special Considerations for Different Groups

Remote Workers:

  • Several co-working spaces available
  • Most coffee shops are laptop-friendly
  • Verify internet speeds before choosing housing
  • Consider proximity to amenities if working from home

Retirees:

  • OLLI at UNC Asheville (lifelong learning)
  • Council on Aging resources
  • Excellent medical facilities
  • Active senior communities
  • Moderate climate suitable for year-round activities

Families:

  • Research school districts before choosing housing
  • Abundant family activities and programs
  • KidSenses children’s museum
  • WNC Nature Center
  • Adventure Center of Asheville

Young Professionals:

  • Young Professionals of Asheville for networking
  • Vibrant nightlife and music scene
  • Growing tech and creative sectors
  • Entrepreneurial community

Grocery and Shopping

Asheville locals can choose from Ingles, Earth Fare, Greenlife Grocery, and several independent stores for their grocery shopping. For more information, visit Asheville.com’s shopping page.

There are also several bulletin boards in town where people post housing information — among many other things. Check out Malaprop’s Bookstore on Haywood Street, the French Broad Food Coop on Biltmore Avenue, Earth Fare in Westgate Plaza.

Other possibilities: Mountain Express a local independent weekly; and the Asheville Citizen-Times.

Jobs

Check our Employment section.

Libraries

Pack Memorial Library 67 Haywood Street 828-255-5203

Asheville Schools

Primary Education

Parents/Guardians need the following documents to register their children in local public schools:

  • Birth certificate Immunization records;
  • Medical forms from the County Health Department or a personal physician;
  • and previous report card if transferring from another school.

Asheville City Schools – phone: 828-255-5064
Buncombe County Schools – phone: 828-255-5921

Higher Education

There are many options if you’re interested in college classes:

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, phone: 828-254-1921
South College, phone: 828-252-2486
University of North Carolina at Asheville, phone: 828-251-6600
Montreat College, phone: 828-669-8011
North Carolina State University at UNCA Campus, phone: 828-251-6640
Shaw University, phone: 828-252-7635
Warren Wilson College, phone: 828-298-3325
Western Carolina University at Biltmore Park, phone: 828-654-6498

Transportation

The Asheville Transit Authority provides public transportation to all parts of the City of Asheville and the surrounding areas, including downtown, the hospitals, schools, malls, universities and residential areas. Their service hours are from 5:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; however, you should check your individual route schedule for time variations and Saturday service. Call them at 828-253-5691 for a local bus schedule. They’ll be happy to mail you one or visit our Transportation Section.

Asheville Humane Society
Serving all of Buncombe County. Adoption fees range from $50-100. This includes spaying or neutering, vaccinations and an identification tag. If you find or lose an animal, contact AHS immediately to file a lost or found animal report by calling the shelter.

Landfill

The Buncombe County landfill is located at 85 Panther Branch Road in Alexander, NC. The Transfer Station, which accepts residential trash only, is at 190 Hominy Creek Rd. Please visit the respective websites for additional information on hours and what materials are accepted.

Organizations

If you want something fun to do, just call one of these local organization and get involved!

Asheville Quilt Guild
Gather up those fabric scraps and join other area quilters for fellowship and inspiration.

Asheville Area Ultimate Club
Meets three times weekly to have fun and ultimately throw their discs around. Visit their site for more on scheduling and to view lots of ultimate action shots.

Asheville Track Club
For those who like to run around, all ages and abilities welcome. Visit the site for more info on the exciting First Annual Mount Mitchell to Black Mountain Marathon Challenge!

Blue Ridge Bicycle Club
Whether you ride the parkway or the trails, this club has numerous planned rides with experienced leaders. Asheville has some great places to ride – come learn some new routes with the BRBC.

British Car Club of Western North Carolina
This club began in 1994 and has grown to over 60 members who like to share their enthusiasm and favorite car wax formula for their British sports cars.

Carolina Mountain Club
The Carolina Mountain Club was organized to foster the enjoyment of the mountains through hiking and to encourage the conservation of our natural resources. This purpose is achieved primarily through an extensive schedule of hikes and a program of trail building and maintenance. Please choose from the following pages to find out more about the CMC.

Other Information Sources

City of Asheville
The official City of Asheville website.

Buncombe County Government
The official Buncombe County website.

Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce
For more information about Asheville and the activities of our local chamber organization, visit this site.

Welcome Home!

Moving to Asheville means joining a community that values authenticity, creativity, and connection. Both to each other and to the magnificent landscape that surrounds us. Yes, the housing is expensive and the traffic can be frustrating during tourist season. But in exchange, you get to wake up in one of the most beautiful places in America, surrounded by people who chose to be here for the same reasons you did.

Take time to explore, be patient with the adjustment period, and don’t hesitate to ask for help—Ashevillians are generally happy to share recommendations and advice. Whether you’re here to start a business, raise a family, pursue art, or enjoy retirement, Asheville offers the opportunity to craft a life that’s uniquely yours.

Remember: You’re not just moving to Asheville; you’re becoming part of Asheville. Welcome to your new home in the mountains

Still Have Questions?

Contact Asheville.com at [email protected] or call (828) 253-2880. We’re here to help make your transition to Asheville as smooth as possible.

This guide is updated regularly. For the most current information on government services and requirements, please verify with official sources.