Bordered by a winding stretch of the French Broad River, Woodfin abounds with expansive wetlands, flourishing green spaces and impressive views of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. This former mill town is growing thanks to its outdoor amenities, laid-back lifestyle and proximity to downtown Asheville, according to former mayor Jerry VeHaun, a lifelong Woodfin resident. “Our community is a point of pride,” VeHaun says. “If somebody needs help, you can count on your neighbor to help. You know who your neighbors are.” Natural splendor attracts adventurers, retirees and families alike, some of whom can trace their Woodfin lineage back to the 1800s. Although Interstate 26 runs through Woodfin, mayor Jim McAllister says cars don't fly through town and it doesn't cause significant noise issues.
There are a wide variety of architectural styles in Woodfin.
Homes vary from mountainous modern mansions to mobile homes in Woodfin.
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Fishing, hiking, and soon, surfing in Woodfin
Lucky lures can find smallmouth bass, muskie, trout, catfish and other species in the French Broad River, an ancient waterway believed to be one of the oldest rivers in the world. “The river is a huge draw,” McAllister says. “People go picnicking on its vast lawn-like banks, kayaking or simply hiking the hundreds of hills nearby that offer waterfalls and amazing views all year round.” The town is reimagining its relationship with the river through the multimillion-dollar Woodfin Greenway and Blueway project. The project calls for the construction of 5 miles of greenway trails, a 4-acre expansion of beloved Riverside Park, and the installation of a manufactured in-stream river wave for whitewater paddling and surfing. McAllister says the project should be complete by summer 2024, with hopes it will make Woodfin a world-class destination for water sports enthusiasts.
Woodfin's lush green spaces call for outdoor adventures.
Residents can go kayaking, fishing and hiking along the French Broad River.
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Craftsman homes with breathing room
Homes vary from mountainous modern mansions to mobile homes. There are also growing subdivisions offering freshly built homes among the trees. “In a way, we have not been ‘discovered’ because of our quiet profile, but now we are seeing developers by the dozens driving and flying drones over our undeveloped land,” McAllister says. Due to the town's winding roads, driveways and garages are the norm in Woodfin. Prices range from $271,000 for a two-bedroom bungalow to $550,000 for a newly constructed Craftsman home in one of Woodfin’s subdivisions. Wooded homes built in the mountains can range from $600,000 to $850,000.
Simple midcentury ranches and cottages pepper the neighborhood.
Home varieties include modern mansions and new traditional in Woodfin.
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Local brews and comfort food
Shopping is somewhat limited in Woodfin, but there are still pockets of restaurants, big-box stores and businesses throughout town. “Less than one mile south are multiple fine dining options, and Woodfin has some of the best barbecue, pizza, coffee and Central American food in the state,” McAllister says. Groceries can be found at Ingles, a regional chain. Nearby, Reynolds Village offers a mix of retail, restaurants and services in an open-air environment. McAllister recommends The Village Porch in Reynold’s Village, highlighting the sports bar’s re-vamped menu and Tuesday's family trivia nights. VeHaun says there’s always a crowd at Salt Face Mule Brewing Co., one of Woodfin’s newest additions touting a miniature golf course, house-made brews and comfort food. There’s also plenty of easy parking for the dozens of tiny art galleries in older homes as well as regular pop-ups, McAllister says.
Residents can get a fresh cup of joe at High Five Coffee in Woodfin.
In Woodfin, French Broad Chocolate is a stone's skip away from the French Broad.
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A diverse school system in Buncombe County
Students can attend Woodfin Elementary School, which received a B from Niche, followed by Joe P. Eblen Intermediate School, which also received a B. From there, students can attend Clyde A. Erwin Middle School, also B-graded, and Clyde A. Erwin High School, which received a B-minus from Niche while being recognized as the most diverse public high school in the Asheville area. Eligible juniors and seniors can participate in the Career and College Promise Program and dual-enroll in career and trade classes at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.
Students are challenged to excel at Clyde A. Erwin High School.
Clyde A. Erwin Middle School is a quality school.
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Easy access to Asheville
Woodfin’s economic roots lie in the manufacturing and textile industries, which are still present today. Manufacturing continues to be the sector with the greatest number of jobs in Woodfin, followed by health care, construction and retail. Due to a lack of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and limited bus routes, Woodfin is primarily car dependent. However, residents can catch a Trailblazer bus or use the City of Asheville’s ART bus system. Elk Mountain Road is a vital corridor for Woodfin residents, linking the French Broad River and Riverside Drive to Woodfin Elementary School, town hall, Roy Pope Park, Interstate 26 and more. I-26 connects Woodfin to Asheville. A 2-mile drive south on I-26 connects to the University of North Carolina Asheville campus. Continue south for another mile or so to land in downtown Asheville. A 16-mile drive on I-26 connects to Asheville Regional Airport.
Important to know
According to local news reports, more than 225 people on the west side of the river are petitioning to reverse a 2006 annexation that incorporated the area into Woodfin, citing dissatisfaction with the services they receive for the taxes they pay. However, de-annexation would require legislation from both chambers of the North Carolina General Assembly, a potentially lengthy process.
Since attending Appalachian State University in the early 2000s, the mountains of Western North Carolina have held a special place in Preston's heart. With a love for mountain biking and kayaking, the world-class trails and rivers brought him back to WNC often throughout the years. In 2021, he relocated from Atlanta to Asheville with his family, and they haven't looked back since. The process of finding the perfect property for his family that offered easy access to wilderness as well as urban amenities inspired Preston to begin his real estate career journey.
Before starting his real estate career in 2023, Preston spent 10+ years in the technology consulting world matching top tech talent with a wide range of companies and industries. His passion for connecting people with unique opportunities made real estate a natural progression, and he is grateful to leverage this experience to help people fulfill their real estate goals!
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
