The laid back city of Asheville, N.C. home to more than 84,000 people, continues to grow due to its welcoming vibe and artsy culture. Despite having a largely bustling downtown, the city's range of picturesque surroundings in the Blue Ridge Mountains is what truly defines it. With music, visual arts and a range of family-friendly activities to choose from year-round, the city of Asheville is a great space for just about anyone. Look for Asheville apartments for rent today and find your next home.

The first white settlers went to what would become the city of Asheville was the William Davidson family in 1784. The area's beauty soon attracted a number of other individuals and families to the area, and in 1791, Buncombe County was officially established. The city of Asheville was officially named in 1797.

Roads soon connected the area to surrounding settlements, and Asheville soon became known in the area as a resort destination for affluent families. The introduction of the railroad to Asheville in the 1880s caused the area to be even more accessible, only adding to Asheville's growth and success as a city.

The city's growth and iconic natural beauty was further secured by the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the 1930s. Today, Asheville continues grow and has firmly secured its place as a highlight of the American Southeast.

Residents of Asheville are endowed with a wide array of employment opportunities to choose from. Top employers in the city include Buncombe County Public Schools, which provides a range of employment opportunities in the field of education, the city of Asheville and Buncombe County. Individuals with experience and education in the fields of health can likely find employment at Mission Health System and Hospital, as well as the VA Medical Center - Asheville Department of Veterans Affairs. A number of jobs are also available in the fields of manufacturing, hospitality and skilled trades.

Residents of Asheville are also fortunate to have a number of top-notch universities and colleges in town from which to choose. Students here flock to the University of North Carolina, Asheville, a branch of one of the state's largest public universities that provides a wealth of majors and concentrations. Many Asheville residents also attend Warren Wilson College, a college that requires every student to complete the Triad, which entails, work, academics and service. The latter involves working as part of a crew to complete certain trade studies, including forestry, farming and even blacksmithing, while still earning their degree in one of the school's more than 40 majors.

A little more than half of Asheville residents own their home, which means Asheville rental properties are quite common in the city. However, due to the number of college students who live here during the school year, it is important that anyone looking to move here before late August secure their apartment as early as possible. According to City-Data, the median rent for Asheville in 2009 was about $790 per month. Average costs of living for the city were 6 points less than the national average, making this North Carolina gem quite an affordable option.

Residents of Asheville usually enjoy the outdoors, and with so many options to choose from, it is likely that even die-hard urbanites who move here will start to spend more time outside. Whitewater rafting, near-endless hiking and mountain biking are all options found throughout the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. Locals who enjoy quiet rural drives often head down the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway to take in some of the state's most beautiful vistas, forested glens and high mountain meadows.

In town, contemporary artists and old folk traditions collide at many of Asheville's finest galleries and studios. Residents take pride in the variety of art that is produced here, as well as the number of world-class artists who live and have grown up in the community.

To find your next rental apartment or house in Asheville, take a look at our listings on Rent®.