Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, Asheville offers the charm of a small city along with a stimulating urban environment. Watch the mountains awaken as spring blankets the hillsides with wildflowers. Glorious summer brings warm days for outdoor adventures and cool nights for enjoying the hours after dark.

Autumn cloaks the Blue Ridge Mountains with every shade of red, orange, and yellow imaginable. Then, enjoy mild winter days in Asheville, with easy access to the higher elevations that are dusted in snow. The city has a strong historic preservation program and a fabulous collection of art deco architecture. This assistance in the preservation of downtown housing and historic structures has created a truly unique and vibrant urban atmosphere in downtown with restaurants, galleries, craft and antique shops, and performance venues.

The Blue Ridge Parkway through the mountains creates endless opportunities for recreation and day trips. Asheville’s natural and architectural beauty, moderate climate, strong job market, and outstanding educational and healthcare facilities make it one of the most attractive locations in the United States.

Reprinted, with permission of the publisher, from 50 FABULOUS GAY-FRIENDLY PLACES TO LIVE (www.FabCities.com) © 2005 Gregory A. Kompes. Published by Career Press, Franklin Lakes, NJ. 800-227-3371. All rights reserved.