Asheville, North Carolina | City Guide for Travel Healthcare Pros

Welcome to Asheville, NC

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is a vibrant city known for its eclectic arts scene, historic architecture, and breathtaking natural beauty. As a travel nurse, you'll find a welcoming community, diverse cultural experiences, and ample opportunities for outdoor adventures.​ This was one of our favorite assignments!

💰 Cost of Living

Asheville's cost of living is approximately 1% lower than the national average. Housing expenses are about 4% cheaper, with the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment around $1,487/month. Utilities are slightly higher, averaging $204.47/month for energy bills. rentcafe.compayscale.com

🌤️ Weather by Month

Asheville experiences four distinct seasons, offering a variety of weather conditions throughout the year:​

Month	Avg High	Avg Low	Description
January	45.9°F	25.8°F	❄️ Cold with occasional snow; crisp mountain air.
February	50.0°F	28.0°F	🌤️ Chilly with increasing sunshine.
March	57.7°F	34.9°F	🌼 Warming up; early spring blooms.
April	66.5°F	41.8°F	🌷 Mild and pleasant; ideal for outdoor activities.
May	73.5°F	50.6°F	☀️ Warm and comfortable; perfect for hiking.
June	80.0°F	58.3°F	🌞 Warm with occasional thunderstorms.
July	83.3°F	62.7°F	🌦️ Hot and humid; summer peak.
August	81.7°F	61.8°F	🌦️ Warm with scattered showers.
September	76.0°F	55.4°F	🍂 Cooling down; beautiful fall colors.
October	67.1°F	43.3°F	🎃 Crisp and colorful; peak foliage.
November	57.4°F	35.3°F	🍁 Cooler with increasing chance of frost.
December	49.3°F	28.8°F	❄️ Cold and festive; occasional snow.

🏡 Furnished Housing Options

Finding comfortable, furnished housing is essential for travel nurses. Here are some options in Asheville:​

🛏️ 1-Bedroom Options

1. 1BR/1BA Walking Distance to Downtown & 1.5 Miles to Mission Hospital

   • Features: Fully furnished, utilities included, Wi-Fi, private deck, washer and dryer on premises.

   • Rent: $1,800/month

   • Description: Located in a quiet neighborhood, this apartment is a 7-minute stroll to downtown Asheville's central Pack Square Park and under 2 miles from Mission Hospital.​Furnished Finder+1Furnished Finder+1

2. West Asheville Fully Furnished Studio Apartment

   • Features: Fully furnished, utilities included, Wi-Fi, parking.

   • Rent: $1,500/month

   • Description: Situated in West Asheville, this studio offers a comfortable living space with convenient access to local amenities.​

🛏️ 2-Bedroom Options

1. Private Gated Community 2BR/2BA Home

   • Features: Fully furnished, utilities included, Wi-Fi, attached garage, washer and dryer, smart TVs, screened balcony with mountain views.

   • Rent: $2,450/month

   • Description: Located within the highly sought-after Southside Village, this home offers a quiet and peaceful living environment with spectacular views.​

2. Walkable West Asheville Bungalow

   • Features: Fully furnished, utilities included, Wi-Fi, parking, washer and dryer.

   • Rent: $1,900/month

   • Description: This charming bungalow is situated in a walkable neighborhood, providing easy access to local shops and restaurants.​

   
   

🏨 Extended Stay Hotels

For those preferring hotel accommodations, Asheville offers several extended stay options:​

1. Extended Stay America – Asheville

   • Features: Fully equipped kitchens, free Wi-Fi, on-site laundry.

   • Website: Extended Stay America​

2. WoodSpring Suites Asheville – Biltmore West

   • Features: Apartment-style suites, full kitchens, free parking, Wi-Fi.

   • Website: WoodSpring Suites​woodspring.com

3. Clarion Inn Asheville Airport

   • Features: Free Wi-Fi, hot breakfast, smoke-free rooms.

   • Website: Choice Hotels​choicehotels.com+1extendedstayamerica.com+1

🚐 RV Parks

If you're traveling with an RV, Asheville offers several parks to accommodate you:​

1. Asheville Bear Creek RV Park & Campground

   • Features: Over 100 paved, level RV sites with full 30 and 50 amp hookups. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, and pet-friendly accommodations.

   • Location: Conveniently located near major highways, providing easy access to Asheville’s top attractions.​

2. Wilson's Riverfront RV Park

   • Features: Closest RV park to downtown Asheville, situated along the French Broad River. Offers full hookups, Wi-Fi, and a scenic walking trail.

   • Location: 225 Amboy Road, Asheville, NC 28806​wilsonsrvpark.com

3. Asheville East KOA Holiday

   • Features: Provides RV sites, tent sites, and deluxe cabins with best-in-class amenities. Enjoy the natural surroundings near Pisgah National Forest.

   • Location: Located east of Asheville, offering a peaceful retreat with easy access to outdoor activities.​KOA

4. Mama Gertie’s Hideaway Campground

   • Features: Offers full hookup RV sites for various types of campers. The campground is known for its mountain views and serene environment.

   • Location: Situated in the mountains, providing a tranquil setting close to Asheville.​

5. Riverbreeze RV Resort & Campground

   • Features: Riverside camping with access to the river, pet-friendly, children's playground, and scenic walking trails.

   • Location: Offers a peaceful environment with the convenience of being near Asheville’s attractions.​

   
   
   
   

🎉 Fun Things to Do in Asheville, NC

Asheville is a vibrant city with a rich arts scene, historic architecture, and a plethora of outdoor activities. Here are some must-visit attractions:​

• Biltmore Estate: Explore America's largest home, featuring a 250-room mansion, beautiful gardens, and a winery.​

• Blue Ridge Parkway: Enjoy scenic drives with breathtaking mountain views, hiking trails, and picnic spots.​Hipcamp+10Southern Living+10Wikipedia+10

• Downtown Asheville: Discover a bustling downtown with unique shops, art galleries, and a variety of restaurants and breweries.​

• River Arts District: Visit working artist studios and galleries along the French Broad River.​wilsonsrvpark.com+1Wikipedia+1

• Asheville Botanical Gardens: Stroll through native plant gardens and enjoy the tranquility of this urban oasis.​

We LOVED this assignment. Here is an overview of all things Asheville while we were there.

🧳 Nearby Weekend Trips

Asheville's location in the Blue Ridge Mountains makes it an excellent base for exploring nearby attractions:​

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Approximately 1.5 hours away, offering diverse wildlife, scenic drives, and numerous hiking trails.​

• Pisgah National Forest: Just a short drive from Asheville, featuring waterfalls, hiking, and mountain biking opportunities.​

• Chimney Rock State Park: About 45 minutes away, known for its iconic rock formation and panoramic views.​

• Lake Lure: Famous for its role in the movie "Dirty Dancing," this lake offers boating, swimming, and a beautiful beach area.​

• Mount Mitchell State Park: Home to the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, offering hiking trails and stunning vistas.​

🧭 Summary

Asheville, North Carolina is a dream assignment for travel nurses who crave a little bit of everything—stunning mountain views, a thriving arts scene, rich Appalachian history, and some of the best farm-to-table food and craft beer in the country. 🌿🍻

It’s a city that values wellness, creativity, and community—a perfect environment for both recharging and exploring between shifts. With plenty of short-term housing, extended stays, and scenic RV options, Asheville makes settling in easy.

✅ Affordable living with big-city amenities

✅ Perfect mix of culture and nature

✅ Easy weekend trips to national parks and charming mountain towns

✅ Great for solo travelers, couples, or families

✅ Dog-friendly, walkable, and full of personality

Whether you're catching live bluegrass downtown, hiking through fall foliage on the Blue Ridge Parkway, or just enjoying a locally roasted coffee on a porch with a mountain view—Asheville is more than a place to work. It's a place to feel alive. 💙🌄

Disclosure: The information provided in this guide is what I use to send my travelers and is obtained through ChatGPT, utilizing prompts I frequently use as a travel nurse recruiter. The content is designed to help travelers make informed decisions about potential destinations.