Outside Magazine: Asheville has been ranked as “Best Southern Town” in its “Best Towns In America” story. In each region of the country, the magazine selected the best town with a population of fewer than 100,000 people. Winners are all “smart, progressive burgs with gorgeous wilderness playgrounds,”places that “have realistic housing and job markets,” according to the magazine. (August 2007)
Cities Ranked & Rated: This sourcebook for anyone looking to find the best place to live ranked Asheville as number seven among their analysis of more than 400 metro areas in the U.S. and Canada. Asheville was ranked on the following criteria: economy and jobs, cost of living, climate, education, health and healthcare, crime, transportation, leisure, arts and culture, and overall quality of life. (May 2007)
Relocate-America.com: Asheville rated number one in the Web site’s annual ranking of the most popular places to live for 2007. (April 2007)
America’s 100 Best Places to Retire: This guide to today’s top retirement towns included Asheville as one of the best cities or towns for modern retirees. (April 2007)
VirtualTourist.com: Asheville is featured as one of the “Top 10 Up-and-Coming Travel Destinations” announced by VirtualTourist. (March 2007)
American Institute of Architects: Named Biltmore Estate on its list of Top 10 Architectural Wonders based on a public poll. Biltmore Estate is ranked among the Empire State Building, White House, Golden Gate Bridge and Chrysler Building on this prestigious list issued by the AIA.
Condé Nast Traveler: Announced its thirteenth annual Gold List and among those recognized are Inn on Biltmore Estate and Richmond Hill Inn. For the Gold List, the magazine takes its 2006 Readers’ Choice Awards winners and delves deeper in the responses, rating hotels for their food, activities, service, rooms, design and location. (January 2007)
Southern Living: Announced their Best of the South Readers’ Choice Awards and readers of the magazine recognized these Asheville favorites:
Resort/Hotel – The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
Mountain Destination – Asheville
Scenic Drive – Blue Ridge Parkway
Public Gardens – Biltmore Estate
Country Inn/ Bed & Breakfast – The Red Rock Inn, Black Mountain
(January 2007)