The Complete Guide to Living in Arden, NC

1989 White Tree Trail Arden NC
Josh Smith
Josh Smith

President, Walnut Cove Realty

dave bailey
David Bailey

Broker-in-Charge, Walnut Cove Realty

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Asheville Airport Driving Proximity
Downtown Asheville Driving Proximity
Mission Hospital Driving Proximity
Blue Ridge Parkway Driving Proximity
Charlotte, North Carolina, Driving Proximity

Arden, NC, Overview

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Arden, NC, has a population of about 23,516, though it is not officially incorporated. While technically a part of the City of Asheville, it feels more like a suburb, offering some of the region’s most prestigious real estate in The Cliffs at Walnut Cove and Arabella Heights luxury communities.

Arden residents need not trade convenience for national-class landscapes. Arden features spectacular Blue Ridge mountain vistas, sunny valleys, lush woodland (including Pisgah National Forest), and tranquil golfside views. The area is also close to outdoor attractions like the Blue Ridge Parkway, an entrance to Pisgah National Forest, and The North Carolina Arboretum. It is also near urban conveniences like the Asheville Regional Airport, (AVL) Mission Hospital, and the Biltmore Park Town Square shopping district.

Like the rest of the Asheville area, Arden enjoys a mild temperate climate. Winters are gentle and can yield some snow, with average highs in the 40s and 50s. Spring temperatures vary—generally mild with some humidity. Residents are treated to stunning spring flowers, from wild mountain azaleas to pools of tulips at the Biltmore Estate. Summers in the Asheville area tend to hover around the mid-80s, long a draw for visitors further south suffering from sweltering heat. Finally, autumn in Arden tends to be dry and mild, brushing the surrounding mountains with shades of orange and red.

Arden Amenities

  • Everyday Shopping

    The commercial area in Arden, which includes the Southridge Shopping Center, have a variety of stores for your daily shopping needs, including a Target, Lowe's Home Improvement, World Market, and Hobby Lobby.

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    Dining

    12 Bones Smokehouse (visited twice by Former President Obama) has a location in Arden. Try out their Hogzilla, which features bacon, pulled pork, and a bratwurst on a hoagie roll, or their brisket. If you're in the mood for something lighter, Murasaki Asheville in Arden is a popular spot for sushi and hibachi. Order the "Date Night Roll," "OMG Roll," or chef's special for a surprise treat.

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    Parks

    Arden residents don't have to go far from home to enjoy the great outdoors. Lake Julian Park features picnic areas with grills, walking trails, rental boats, and disc golf while Bent Creek Experimental Forest offers miles of hiking and biking trails adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Meanwhile, communities like The Cliffs at Walnut Cove offer trails in-gates as well.

  • Schools

    Residents of Arden's 28704 zip code are served by a variety of pre-K offerings, Avery's Creek Elementary School, Montessori Country Day School, Charles T. Koontz Intermediate, Valley Springs Middle School, Arden Christian School, Christ School, TC Roberson High School, and Canongate Catholic High School.

Fast Facts about Arden, NC

  • County

    Buncombe County




  • Size

    About 30.1 square miles of land




  • Elevation

    2,218 feet above sea level

Notable Luxury Communities in Arden, NC

The Cliffs at Walnut Cove

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Community Features

Golf Course
Fitness/Wellness Center
Intra-Community Trail System
Clubhouse
Guard/Gated Security
Dining

Approximate distance

Airport 5 Miles
Downtown Asheville 11.5 Miles
Mission Hospital 10.5 Miles
Blue Ridge Parkway 3 Miles
Charlotte 116 Miles

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About The Cliffs at Walnut Cove

The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, along with other Cliffs communities, have been ranked among Golf Magazine’s "25 Best Golf Communities in North America."

This gated community spans thousands of acres, positioned within the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains near the Blue Ridge Parkway and Turtleback Falls Preserve, a 715-acre area with trails offering views of mountains, valleys, and waterfalls.

Its centerpiece, the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, beckons with sculpted greens and holes that abut Pisgah National Forest. After a round, residents can relax in the award-winning clubhouse, which features dining amenities, wine storage, locker and shower facilities, and a pro shop. A calendar of private club events and informal games between neighbors offer frequent opportunities to make friends and socialize, as well as a number of member-run clubs.

The community is large and contains many subdivisions with unique architectural styles, such as cottages, contemporary cabins, and townhomes, as well as lots, and acreage of various sizes. Views range from long and short-range mountain vistas to views of the golf course and lush woodlands.

Why The Cliffs at Walnut Cove?

  • Nearby attractions

    The Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah National Forest, Turtle Creek Preserve, and all the culture, dining, and seasonal events in Asheville are only an easy drive away.

  • Home & Homesite prices
    • Homes: $1M to $5M+
    • Homesites: $150K to $2M+
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    Activities

    Swimming in the pools, hiking the community trails, golfing, playing tennis and pickleball, working out at the wellness center, and attending a group class or guided outdoors. event can all be enjoyed without leaving the gates.

  • Lifestyle & Vibe

    Walnut Cove offers a pleasing balance of refined comfort and living within mountain splendor, with abundant opportunities to socialize with neighbors as desired.

  • Golf

    The Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course in this community offers elevation changes between 2,100 and 2,250 feet. Its southern exposure allows for year-round golfing.

  • Environmental

    The community offers residents a CSA program and maintains protected land.

The Cliffs at Walnut Cove — firsthand impressions

Josh Smith

“When you're looking at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, you're looking at a community where everyone came from somewhere else. It’s an incredible collection of people and backgrounds. And the community is extremely welcoming; they're very eager to get you connected, whether it's the bowling group, the mahjong group, the bridge club, or any other group or activity within the community.”

— Josh Smith, Walnut Cove Realty, President

Rebecca Dougherty

“The Cliffs at Walnut Cove is what I consider the premier gated community in Asheville. It offers you everything you’d really ever want from this area—from wooded lots to high view elevation. It has such a variety.”

— Rebecca Dougherty, Walnut Cove Realty, Executive Broker

Talk to a real estate expert

Arabella Heights

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Community Features

Guard/Gated Security
Clubhouse
Intra-Community Trail System
Fitness/Wellness Center

Approximate distance

Airport 5 Miles
Downtown Asheville 14 Miles
Mission Hospital 14 Miles
Blue Ridge Parkway 5 Miles
Charlotte 129 Miles

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About Arabella Heights

Arabella Heights is a gated mountain community on Waightstill Mountain in Arden, North Carolina, offering panoramic long-range views at elevations between 1,900 and 2,100 feet. Located just minutes from downtown Asheville, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Asheville Regional Airport, Arabella Heights combines scenic mountain living with urban conveniences. Estate lots range from 0.69 to 1.37 acres, with homes spanning 2,400 to 3,000 square feet.

The Pinnacle at Arabella, a planned neighborhood within the community, provides low-maintenance living with Energy Star-rated homes and main-level floor plans ranging from 1,752 to 3,182 square feet. Select homesites feature 270-degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and overlook the French Broad River. Amenities at Arabella Heights include walking and biking trails, a clubhouse with a fitness center and kitchen, and high-speed broadband.

Why Arabella Heights?

  • Nearby attractions

    The French Broad River, which flows right below Waightstill Mountain, is a popular spot for swimming, boating, and angling for catfish, trout, and bass.

  • Home & Homesite Prices
    • Homes: $1,355,000 to $1,800,000
    • Homesites:  $155,000 to $195,000
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    Activities

    Residents can explore the communities scenic hiking and biking trails or work out at the fitness center.

Your Right-hand Real Estate Agents

For more than 15 years, the luxury real estate specialists at Walnut Cove Realty have used their unique knowledge of Western North Carolina’s most coveted communities to help hundreds of buyers find the perfect luxury mountain home.

As a long-time luxury real estate market leader in Western North Carolina, our team of record-breaking agents, an award-winning marketing department, a Luxury Marketing Specialist, and top-notch administrative professionals, ensure our clients receive superior results throughout the entire process. Through Walnut Cove Realty's affiliation with Allen Tate Realtors® / Beverly-Hanks REALTORS®, our marketing reach extends globally through Luxury Portfolio International® and Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®. Our tailored, data-driven approach to pricing, marketing, and negotiation combined with exemplary service have been our hallmark for decades.

Talk to us and move forward confidently.

Want to learn more about luxury real estate in Arden, NC, or schedule a free private tour? Give us a call. Our experienced real estate sales staff is eager to help.

We look forward to hearing from you!
TALK WITH A LUXURY REAL ESTATE EXPERT Call us today 888-247-3466