Asheville, North Carolina, is home to several distinguished luxury communities that combine natural beauty, thoughtful design, and rich amenities. Among the most desirable are three master-planned communities, two of which were once part of the Vanderbilt’s estate: Biltmore Park, The Ramble at Biltmore Forest, and Biltmore Lake.
Each offers a distinct approach to luxury living, from walkable urban comfort to lakeside homes to woodland retreats. This guide compares these three standout neighborhoods across three key categories: homeowners associations (HOAs), homes and architecture, and lifestyle offerings.
Biltmore Park Town Square at night
Biltmore Park is governed by a homeowner's association that upholds community standards and provides services essential to maintaining its appeal as a mixed-use, walkable environment which features luxury condominiums, townhouses, single-family homes, commercial spaces, and well-maintained common areas master-planned to harmonize architecturally. The underlying philosophy is a commitment to sustainable, pedestrian-friendly design while ensuring consistency and long-term property values. Annual HOA dues for single-family residences are $700, while condo HOA dues range from $597 to $624 monthly.
The Ramble at Biltmore Forest Gatehouse
The Ramble has one of the most structured HOA environments among Asheville communities, ensuring architectural review and landscaping standards. Inspired by Frederick Law Olmsted's landscape principles and developed by Biltmore Farms, The Ramble’s HOA his vision of harmonious integration with nature as well as architectural elegance.
Lakeside homes in Biltmore Lake, NC
The community is praised for its active HOA, which plays a key role in maintaining its shared amenities, which include a 62-acre lake, clubhouse, tennis and basketball courts, walking trails, and boat rentals. The HOA facilitates both maintenance and lifestyle engagement, including a range of clubs and neighborhood events. Annual HOA dues are set to $2,400.
Biltmore Park Town Square townhomes
Biltmore Park offers a refined blend of traditional neighborhood design and urban convenience, with a mix of single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums. Many multi-family housing options reside in Biltmore Park Town Square, a LEED® Silver certified urban village, offering walkable proximity to shops, restaurants, a YMCA, and entertainment. Most homes in the community are situated along tree-lined streets convenient to the square and other amenities, such as the community pool and trail system.
Residences in this community typically reflect Craftsman and transitional styles, with exteriors that often feature front and screened porches, gabled roofs, and earth-toned finishes. Meanwhile, interiors often showcase hardwood floors, granite countertops, gas fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, and open-concept kitchens. Residences range widely in size and price, with square footages from 2,000 to over 4,000 square feet, offering floor plans with three to six bedrooms. Properties offer up a range of potential views, from woodlands and greenways to long-range mountain vistas.
View properties for sale in Biltmore Park
The Ramble at Biltmore Forest homes
Homes in The Ramble are custom-built, often designed by some of Asheville’s most respected architects and luxury builders. This gated community offers over 500 homesites, each integrated into the rolling woodlands of Ducker Mountain, with an architectural style that emphasizes rustic elegance, traditional European influences, and natural materials such as stone, cedar, and copper.
Residences typically feature four to six bedrooms, with square footage ranging from 3,000 to well over 7,000 square feet. Common architectural features include timber-frame accents, arched doorways, vaulted great rooms, chef’s kitchens, wine cellars, spa-like bathrooms, and expansive outdoor living areas with covered terraces, stone fireplaces, and built-in grilling stations.
Most homes are situated on spacious, wooded lots, offering privacy and immersive forest views. Some elevated homesites also offer long-range Blue Ridge Mountain views.
View properties for sale at The Ramble
Home in Biltmore Lake
Biltmore Lake is known for its diverse housing options and master-planned layout, centered around the community’s 62-acre Lake Enka. Home styles range from cozy cottages and low-maintenance townhomes to custom lakefront estates, making the community appealing to a wide spectrum of luxury buyers. Homes are grouped into distinctive neighborhoods, such as Laurel Ridge, Cedar Rock (a gated enclave), and the Cottage Collection.
Architecturally, homes often feature stone and shake exteriors, rocking chair front porches, and generous windows that highlight lake or mountain views. Many floor plans emphasize single-level living, with interior features such as hardwood flooring, vaulted ceilings, open kitchens with granite countertops, gas fireplaces, and primary suites on the main level. Walkout basements and bonus rooms are common in larger homes, offering flexibility for multigenerational living or home offices.
View properties for sale at Biltmore Lake
Billiard room in Biltmore Park Condominiums' club room
Biltmore Park offers a vibrant and walkable lifestyle that blends suburban comfort with urban amenities. As one of Asheville’s most thoughtfully planned communities, it emphasizes sustainability, community engagement, and convenience. The heart of this lifestyle is Biltmore Park Town Square, a LEED® Silver certified mixed-use district where residents can enjoy a variety of experiences just steps from their front doors.
Dining, shopping, and entertainment are all part of everyday life here. The town square includes popular spots like REI, Barnes & Noble, a YMCA, and a movie theater, along with restaurants and boutiques. This neighborhood layout encourages pedestrian activity, with tree-lined streets, sidewalks, and greenways connecting homes to commercial and community spaces.
Living Well Center at The Ramble
The Ramble is designed for those who prioritize privacy, wellness, and connection to nature within a secure, luxury setting. Inspired by Frederick Law Olmsted's landscape architecture principles, the community reflects a commitment to natural harmony and refined living.
At the center of The Ramble’s lifestyle experience is the Living Well Center, a community hub that features a saline pool, fitness center, and demonstration kitchen. Residents have access to group fitness classes and wellness programming. Outdoor recreation is deeply integrated into the neighborhood through a private trail network, park, and a court for pickleball, and bocce. Tennis enthusiasts also enjoy easy access to The Asheville Racquet Club, right outside the gates. Finally, guarded, gated security ensures peace of mind.
Family in Biltmore Lake enjoying Lake Enka
The lifestyle at Biltmore Lake centers around its namesake—a 62-acre recreational lake that defines the character of this master-planned community. Residents enjoy a rich outdoor lifestyle with access to canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and walking trails. The boathouse, beach area, clubhouse, tennis and basketball courts, and playgrounds offer a mix of active and leisure pursuits. In addition, clubs and neighborhood activities create foster connection and welcome newcomers.
For those seeking elevated mountain living, near Asheville, NC, The Cliffs at Walnut Cove in Arden, NC, is well worth exploring while you are visiting the Biltmore communities. As one of Western North Carolina’s most prestigious private communities, it is a comparable option to the three explored in this guide. Nestled beside Pisgah National Forest and just minutes from downtown Asheville, Walnut Cove offers the rare blend of privacy, natural beauty, top-tier amenities, and convenience.
The Clubhouse at Walnut Cove
The Walnut Cove lifestyle is centered on a sense of community, offering various opportunities for residents to connect. The Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course at the heart of Walnut Cove and the club offer an array of events year-round, including club championships, member/guest events, men's and ladies' days, afternoon women's programs, and seasonal events. Many member-run groups welcome new residents looking to make friends and join in on the fun.
Non-golfers can take advantage of a selection of resident-organized clubs that include the Bridge Club, Book Club, Mahjong Club, Bowling Club, Bible Study, Poker Club, Painting Club, and Fishing Club. The community is vibrant with artists, athletes, hobbyists, veterans, musicians, and lifelong learners, making it easy for newcomers to find neighbors with common interests.
Members of the community also engage with the community through student-athlete mentorship opportunities at UNC Asheville and service-driven philanthropy through the Walnut Cove Members Association (WCMA).
Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at Walnut Cove
Membership to The Cliffs Club at Walnut Cove grants access to a full suite of luxury amenities, including:
Additional amenities include hiking trails and a CSA through the community's own 60-acre working farm in the Creekside Farm enclave.
Golfside homes in Somerset at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove
Properties at Walnut Cove are located in a variety of distinctive enclaves, each offering a unique architectural style and lifestyle experience:
Whether building an estate, downsizing to a townhome, or seeking a turnkey luxury retreat, odds are, Walnut Cove offers an option to suit your lifestyle.
For those seeking Biltmore Park, The Ramble, and Biltmore Lake each offer a distinct lifestyle and housing experience. Whether it’s the walkable vibrancy of Biltmore Park, the forested elegance of The Ramble, or the lake-centered community spirit of Biltmore Lake, these neighborhoods represent the pinnacle of Asheville-area living.