If it is the warmth and energy of Asheville you seek but the words new and condo aren’t quite your speed, the neighborhood of Montford is just a few short blocks away. Take a quick walk from the heart of downtown, and you can be in the midst of a lovely, historic neighborhood with large old trees, lush lawns and diverse architecture. 
“I like to think of downtown Asheville as an urban village,” says Harli Palme, who lives in Montford with her husband Kevin and their two young children. “I love to walk around downtown and Montford and view the architecture and the skyline, and to see people I know out and about. I really feel like I’m a part of a community.”
Asheville is constantly in the news for being the happiest place to live, or the best place to retire, or having the best art galleries. But it’s that intrinsic feeling of connectedness that makes it so unique.
Harli just happens to be a dear friend of mine from childhood, and we reconnected in Asheville when we both moved here about 10 years ago. We ran into each other at an opening at the Asheville Art Museum after not seeing each other for over a decade, and it was like almost no time had passed. But the more I share that story I find that this experience is not unusual at all. The bringing together of people, whether it’s new friends or old, is what Asheville does best.
Check out this video on urban living in Asheville. You can feel the energy even in 2D.
One of the best things about the area we live in is the multitude of options for people to do that are free, fun, and outdoors. This is the latest and greatest addition: Splasheville in downtown Asheville, a fountain built to be played in right in city/county plaza. My family and I checked it out this weekend, and although the kids were the only ones to get wet, we all had a blast. It is such a brilliant addition to downtown, mostly because it brings together a large variety of people to the center of the city. The fountain is in a circular design and the water sprays up at various heights and at varying times, much to the delight of the people playing. If you don’t want to get wet, there are plenty of nice benches and a large green lawn where people were playing ball and running around.
Whether you are visiting our amazing area or are already lucky enough to call Western North Carolina home, you will find Splasheville a fun new way to beat the heat.
