A Complete Guide to Top Luxury Communities in North Carolina

About The Cliffs at Walnut Cove

This private gated mountain community is located in South Asheville, beside the Pisgah National Forest and abutting the Blue Ridge Parkway. It abounds with amenities, from a European-style Club Village and Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course to 18,000-foot luxury wellness center, tennis court, pools, fitness classes, fine and casual dining options, and miles of trails—all within a lush landscape of carefully maintained woodlands and sculpted gardens. 

Seeking a way to make friends and give back to the Asheville community? Members of The Cliffs at Walnut Cove have the opportunity to join The Walnut Cove Members Association (WCMA), a philanthropic organization that serves Asheville area nonprofits, especially those that provide human services, healthcare, and education, or support natural and cultural resources. Additionally, the WCMA offers a program that mentors UNC Asheville students. A number of member-run, interest-based groups provide further opportunities to network by playing bridge, fishing, painting, etc.

The Cliffs at Walnut Cove offers homes and homesites for year-round residents and holiday-takers in a variety of styles and settings, as well as townhouses. Whether you seek secluded estate-sized lots with mountain-top views, modern mountain homes in the woods, or a sunny golfside retreat, this community provides a range of options.

The Walnut Cove Spec Home Program

Planning to build your dream home in the North Carolina mountains? Walnut Cove Realty’s Spec Home Program combines the speed and convenience of buying a luxury home with the freedom of customization afforded by building. It’s essentially the best of both worlds, without the worst of either.

We partner with trusted builders and residents of select communities within The Cliffs at Walnut Cove and The Ramble to fund the design and construction of new luxury homes with popular features and much shorter build times. Luxury home buyers seeking to build don’t have to spend months closing on a lot, planning from scratch with designers, and waiting even longer for the build.

If you're searching for a home in the western North Carolina mountains, Walnut Cove is an ideal choice. Come visit us and experience our gorgeous luxury homes, amenities, and community for yourself!

About Southcliff

Located on the south slope of Cedar Cliff Mountain, this gated mountain community is the perfect place for privacy-minded nature lovers to set down roots, featuring vistas at altitudes of 2500 to 3900 feet, abundant outdoor amenities, and conservation efforts.

In-gates, residents can enjoy community parks with grills, fire pits, picnic tables, playgrounds, trails with scenic overlooks, and a cozy outdoor pavilion with a regularly stocked fireplace. Outside the gates, the wonders of some of North Carolina’s most stunning natural attractions await within an easy drive—from the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Pisgah National Forest. To cherish the natural beauty of Western North Carolina, Southcliff’s developments integrate homes into the surrounding landscape to maintain and retain as much of the native flora as possible.

Additionally, a fully staffed gatehouse provides security for the entire community. Whether you seek a luxury mountain home or homesite, this growing community is likely to have wonderful properties on offer.

About The Ramble

The Ramble is a gated community situated among the woodlands of Ducker Mountain and bordered by the Blue Ridge Parkway, just a few miles from downtown Asheville and two miles from the Biltmore Forest Country Club.

This master-planned community was designed with an active and social lifestyle in mind, featuring preserved open spaces, trails, community activities, a wellness center, and tennis, bocce, and pickleball courts. For a change of pace, residents can directly access the shopping, restaurants, and entertainment venues of Biltmore Park Town Square through a private South gate.

Love golf? Members of the Biltmore Forest Country Club just North of the Ramble can enjoy a Par-70 Donald Ross course and old-fashioned social club experience with fine dining opportunities. Meanwhile, players can experience some of the best tennis in Asheville at the nearby Asheville Racquet Club.

Once a favorite spot of George W. Vanderbilt’s to stroll, the community draws inspiration from architect Frederick Law Olmsted’s Central Park design and conservation concepts. Olmstead is also known locally for his work on the Biltmore Estate grounds. When fully completed, the community will have more than 500 houses.

Luxury homes are available for sale as well as homesites for custom home building. Its featured builders are some of Western North Carolina's most experienced specialists, ready to help you design a bespoke home that artistically represents your ideas.

About Biltmore Forest

Biltmore Forest is a historic district in Asheville, North Carolina. It was first incorporated in 1923 and then became a historic preservation district in 1990. The town is named for the Biltmore Estate, which is located nearby; both places were owned by George Washington Vanderbilt II, who built the Estate from 1889 to 1895. Today, Biltmore Forest is home to some of the largest estates in Asheville and is one of the most desirable areas for luxury buyers in the whole of the Carolinas.

A historic flood in the Asheville area caused extensive damage to the Biltmore Estate in 1916. To reduce the cost of maintaining the estate and to reduce the estate's tax liability, approximately 1,500 acres were sold to make residential lots. In 1923, the town of Biltmore Forest was formally chartered. Since then, residential zoning designations and conscientious zoning restrictions have preserved the attention to detail and natural environment that were so prominent during the town's development. Through community forestry programs and a tree protection ordinance, the natural landscaping of the Biltmore Estate continues to be thoughtfully preserved.

Biltmore Forest is a highly-desirable neighborhood, featuring a Donald Ross-designed golf course and the private Biltmore Forest Country Club. The town maintains two parks: Rosebank Park and Greenwood Park.

About Biltmore Park

Biltmore Park is a master-planned community in Asheville, designed with a new urban concept. There are many residential options within this community, from upscale condominiums and townhomes at Biltmore Park Town Square to cottages and estate homes in the wider community. The bustling town center in Asheville, North Carolina, is a modern re-imagining of historical main streets, created to adhere to modern ideals of smart growth, green living, and less traffic.

Access to all the attractions and natural beauty of the Western North Carolina mountains is easy from this urban, sustainable neighborhood. The townhomes and condominiums at Biltmore Park Town Square are the ideal fusion of comfort and style. You'll adore their contemporary, open floor plans as well as the exquisite architectural accents and opulent finishing touches that adorn each space.

Every facility and convenience of this upscale town center is yours to enjoy if you reside in Biltmore Park Town Square. Life at Town Square is set against the picturesque backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy being so close to the region's abundance of hiking and bike trails, renowned golf courses, and kayaking and fishing opportunities along the French Broad River.

About Champion Hills

One of the most sought-after luxury golfing communities in the area, Champion Hills rests in the lovely Blue Ridge Mountains outside Hendersonville, between Asheville, NC, and Greenville, SC.

A top-rated Tom Fazio-designed golf course is the jewel of the community, touted as one of the architect’s personal favorites. As if this wasn’t enough, the community offers golf groups, driving range, putting green, and club events to help residents master their game. Meanwhile, a luxurious full-service clubhouse offers fine and casual dining opportunities.

Non-golfers can take advantage of Champion Hills’ fully-equipped fitness and wellness center, tennis courts, and 17 miles of hiking trails. Looking for company? You’re in luck. The community offers multiple tennis programs, interest-based clubs (including hiking, bridge, and sports car groups), volunteer opportunities, and a range of seasonal events throughout the year, such as wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, and holiday gatherings.

Whether you’re seeking a full-time residence or seasonal retreat, Champion Hills offers attractive homes in a range of styles and sizes.

About Grove Park

Asheville’s historic Grove Park neighborhood is an excellent example of late 19th and early 20th century planned suburban residential development, featuring a wide array of revival and eclectic residential architecture as well as superb landscaping. The plan was the first in Asheville to abandon the typical grid street layout (long, straight streets) for curvilinear streets, parks, and trees in a natural setting.

The Grove Park community is a vibrant and engaged neighborhood. Here, you’ll find many residents enjoying a walk, jog, or taking in the magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and the Grove Park Inn. Today, three of the neighborhood’s areas, Grove Park, Proximity Park, and Sunset Terrace are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Residents here share a passion for maintaining and protecting that legacy.

The homes in the neighborhood illustrate the design and construction practices of early 20th-century architecture. Most of the development occurred between 1908 and 1938, and many styles are represented including Georgian, Colonial, Tudor, Bungalow, and Shingle. Many of the homes are situated on wooded parcels, with some size variance due to some owners assembling their plots over time. Time-honored deed restrictions concerning setback and building costs have allowed properties to relate well to each other and maintain a high degree of integrity.

The historic Grove Park neighborhood in Asheville, North Carolina, is every bit as picturesque as its name suggests. From the streetside to the mountain views, this area offers a living nod to its history—one that everyone should experience for themselves.

Grove Park residents enjoy an abundance of amenities easily accessible from their neighborhood, including public, private, and charter schools; an extensive county library system; access to state-of-the-art medical facilities, including Mission Hospital, the largest in the region; and tons of shopping, entertainment, and dining options. Asheville is also conveniently located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pisgah National Forest, and the Blue Ridge Parkway—a sightseer's and cyclist's haven.

About Poplar Ridge

Poplar Ridge is a gated development just off Pinners Grove featuring 250+ acres. A favorite of year-round residents, it offers both traditional mountain homes and land for new builds. Its deep wooded lots nestled into forested hills, mountain views, and proximity to downtown make it a desirable location for nature-seekers. Just 7.5 miles from an airport and 11 miles from downtown Asheville, NC, it's also convenient to city life.

About Kenmure

Kenmure, in historic Flat Rock, is a gated community centered around golf that spans 1,400 acres of picturesque mountain terrain rich in history, offering a diverse range of mountain lifestyle dwellings and plots within a well-established neighborhood.

Flat Rock, affectionately known as the "Little Charleston of the Mountains," boasts a heritage that reaches back to the 18th century when South Carolina estate owners constructed English-style summer homes here to flee the summer heat. Currently, Flat Rock continues to enchant with its art galleries and distinctive boutique stores, and the entire region is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.

Kenmure Country Club's amenities cater to a wide array of interests, including a championship 18-hole golf course, indoor heated saline pool with steam saunas, outdoor heated pool, tennis courts, a modern fitness center, and dining options that range from formal to casual, alongside banquet facilities. The club is also a center for social engagement, hosting various clubs and an active community association.

At the heart of Flat Rock lies the Flat Rock Playhouse, the official State Theater of North Carolina. This acclaimed professional theater is known nationwide for its high-quality productions and educational initiatives. With a season running from April to December, it draws over 88,000 attendees annually to enjoy a selection of Broadway musicals, dramas, comedies, and children's theater.

About Connestee Falls

Connestee Falls features best-in-class natural and wellness amenities, promoting an active lifestyle and supporting a range of interests.

Nature lovers will love its 20 miles of wooded hiking paths that traverse creeks and waterfalls, as well as the community's four lakes, populated with a variety of fish including bass, catfish, and rainbow trout. Volleyball and a dog exercise area, playground equipment and boat launches, pavilions and grills: there are countless ways for the whole family to enjoy Connestee Falls' parks.

For those interested in gardening, the community provides plots in the organic gardens, complete with fenced-in raised beds perfect for cultivating vegetables and herbs.

Connestee Falls also excels in providing facilities for pickleball, tennis, and bocce ball. This includes a comprehensive pickleball center with six resurfaced courts, four year-round ClayTech tennis courts, two bocce ball courts, and various clubs for meeting fellow enthusiasts. Moreover, the wellness center offers group fitness classes and personal training to help residents stay fit and healthy.

Residents looking to unwind after a day's excitement can visit the 26,000 square foot clubhouse, which offers both casual and formal dining options, including outdoor seating. As a hub of community activity, the clubhouse is equipped with a dance floor, lounge, event and meeting spaces, and locker rooms with showers.

About Balsam Mountain Preserve

Once a site of logging and mining operations, this land is now a preserve, harmoniously blending pristine mountain allure with upscale living.

Residents have the privilege of indulging in mountain golf at the Arnold Palmer Signature Course, exquisite dining and wine at the clubhouse, a range of fitness activities, tennis, and luxurious spa treatments at the wellness center, as well as camping and hiking adventures across the sprawling 3,200-acre preserve. Moreover, the nature center's exhibits and its three resident naturalists offer enriching experiences for children to connect with the natural world.

A standout feature is the community's equestrian center, boasting club horses, top-notch boarding amenities, and a seating area for post-ride relaxation. Extending from the center are 42 miles of trails waiting to be explored on horseback, while beginners can partake in lessons, camps, and other activities.

About Mountain Air

Many are drawn to Mountain Air for its impressive 2,875-foot private runway, allowing residents to easily come and go as they please. Beyond this, the mountaintop retreat offers a wide range of amenities catering to diverse interests.

At the heart of the community lies the Slick Rock Village Green, which is home to a clubhouse, Orville and Wilbur's Bar and Grill, a postal station, an amphitheater for gatherings and fitness activities, a nature center with a dedicated naturalist, and a family center complete with a theater, teen room, and children's activity center.

For sports enthusiasts, there are top-notch Har-Tru tennis courts and a pickleball court with stunning mountaintop views, as well as an 18-hole golf course with accompanying putting green and practice range. Nature lovers can explore the community's six parks and extensive network of trails. Additionally, the 4,500-square-foot wellness center offers a dedicated space for achieving daily fitness goals, complete with locker rooms, spa facilities, and engaging programs.

About Elk View

This exclusive development of 25 contemporary mountaintop residences is built to harmonize with the landscape through sustainable building practices and contextual architecture. Located in the mountains north of Asheville, it offers beautiful mountain and city views from private properties located amongst biking and hiking trails. Whether you're seeking a forever home, a vacation getaway, or an investment property you can rent out, this enclave will cater to your needs.

About South Asheville

South Asheville broadly encompasses the communities and neighborhoods below Biltmore Forest, including much of greater Asheville. This includes Biltmore Park, The Ramble at Biltmore Forest, The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, Biltmore Lake, and Poplar Ridge, as well as many other neighborhoods and small developments.

The area has seen an explosion of growth in recent years and offers a range of housing options, from intimate, thoughtfully landscaped cul-de-sac neighborhoods with green Craftsman homes to new townhouses and apartments convenient to major roads.

Those seeking more exclusive luxury experiences can find nationally recognized golf, spectacular views, and abundant social opportunities at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, Tennis and woodland living at The Ramble, and privacy and nature without the club fees at Poplar Ridge.

About North Asheville

North Asheville includes a number of desirable neighborhoods, including Lakeshore Heights, Grove Park, Lake View Park, and The Hills of Beaverdam, as well as Thoms Estate—a gated community.

The area features a mix of older homes, including grand plantation- and European-style houses convenient to the Blue Ridge Parkway, plus Asheville’s many shopping, restaurants, wellness, nightlife, and cultural opportunities.

Established in 1894, the Country Club of Asheville offers a neighborhood golf course designed by legendary architect Donald Ross featuring uphill and downhill shots and bent grass fairways. Besides golf, members enjoy fine dining, tennis, aquatics, and fitness opportunities. 

To the delight of nature lovers, the privately owned Beaver Lake is within easy walking distance of many homes in this area. The park is popular for aquatics like fishing, boating, and paddle boarding, as well as walking, biking, and jogging. Birdwatchers can observe a wide variety of birds, such as Brown-headed Nuthatches and Warbling Vireos, along a three-eighths mile boardwalk in the Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary, managed by the Audubon Society.

Meanwhile, lifelong learners will appreciate the area's proximity to UNC Asheville and its Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, which offers expert talks, performances, workshops, courses, socials, and other educational opportunities.

At the Grove Park Inn resort, enjoy luxuries fit for presidents and diplomats, from spa experiences to tennis and some of Asheville's finest dining. Foodies can delight in a farm-to-table Sunday brunch featuring the likes of citrus poached shrimp and frangipane cake or hand cut steak al fresco at The Sunset Terrace.

About High Vista

This private community is conveniently located between Asheville and Hendersonville, NC, in Mills River. Boasting over 500 acres of rolling hills and woodlands studded with azaleas and mountain laurel, the community provides mountain living just six miles from the airport.

Many of the community’s 350 homes offer views of the surrounding mountains or the community’s newly renovated Chestnut Mountain Golf Course at elevations of 2,200 to 3,200 feet.

Meanwhile, membership in the POA (High Vista’s Amenities Association) grants residents access to the pool, clubhouse, tennis courts, and Robinson’s Pub restaurant. However, residents who wish to enjoy the security of a gated community without the additional fees will appreciate that this membership is optional.