The Asheville, N.C., region, renowned for its vibrant arts scene and stunning mountain vistas, is also a leader in sustainable living. From mountain-top retreats to walkable urban neighborhoods, Asheville and its surroundings are home to several green building neighborhoods that seamlessly integrate eco-friendly practices with modern living. And green homes happen to be one of our specialties! Following are some standout sustainable communities in and around Asheville.
Craggy Park: Nature-inspired urban living
Tucked into West Asheville’s vibrant urban environment, Craggy Park offers a strong sense of community and direct access to nature – while at the same time providing amazing access to West Asheville’s Haywood Road commercial corridor.
Sustainability features include:
· Green Built-certified homes with Energy Star appliances and high-efficiency systems, including some solar-ready roofs
· Clustered development model to preserve trees and natural stream corridors
· Community trails, gardens and natural play areas that encourage outdoor engagement
Olivette: Asheville’s modern agrihood
Spread across 411 acres along the French Broad River just 7 miles north of downtown Asheville, Olivette is a planned agrihood that blends farming, sustainability and community.
Sustainability features include:
· A working organic farm and CSA that supplies produce to residents and local markets
· Geothermal heating and cooling systems used throughout the community
· Riverfront trails, native landscaping and protected woodlands that enhance biodiversity
Ventana: Luxury meets sustainability
Just 12 minutes north of downtown Asheville, Ventana is a gated community perched at 3,000 feet, offering a model for high-end, eco-conscious mountain living.
Sustainability features include:
· Architectural guidelines that promote energy-efficient, low-impact home design
· Preservation of over 80% of the land as natural green space
· Use of green building materials and designs that work in harmony with the topography
Hudson Street Cottages: Small footprint, big impact
Located in West Asheville, Hudson Street Cottages is a compact development of small homes designed around a shared courtyard, with community-minded planning and energy efficiency in focus.
Sustainability features include:
· Smaller home sizes designed for energy efficiency and lower resource use
· Shared green space and edible landscaping that encourage community interaction
· A walkable location with easy access to local businesses along West Asheville’s Haywood Road
Gaia Village: Intentional community, sustainable values
Gaia Village is an intentional micro-village in West Asheville founded on cooperative living, ecological design and shared stewardship.
Sustainability features include:
· Eco-built homes using natural materials and solar energy options
· Shared resources like gardens, tools and communal spaces to reduce consumption
· Emphasis on permaculture landscaping and native plant restoration
Davenport Park: Eco-friendly living in a classic neighborhood
Community-oriented Davenport Park offers a quiet, classic neighborhood in the heart of West Asheville, built with sustainability and walkability in mind.
Sustainability features include:
· Green building practices and Energy Star-rated homes
· Landscapes designed with native plants for water conservation
· A walkable location with easy access to public transit, local trails and commercial corridors
The Villages at Crest Mountain: Sustainability with a mountain view
Situated just a few minutes northwest of downtown Asheville, The Villages at Crest Mountain is a gated, eco-conscious community where sustainable living and mountain beauty coexist.
Sustainability features include:
· Permaculture design and community-supported agriculture integrated into planning
· Green Built and Energy Star-certified homes
· Over 50 acres of preserved green space, walking trails and communal orchards
Sovereign Oaks: Modern living rooted in nature
Located just 7 miles east of downtown Asheville, Sovereign Oaks is a gated community that blends progressive architecture with deep respect for the natural landscape.
Sustainability features include:
· Architectural guidelines supporting modern, energy-efficient designs that blend with the landscape
· Emphasis on dark-sky lighting, native plantings and minimal land disturbance during construction
· Fiber-optic connectivity to support work-from-home lifestyles, reducing commuting emissions
Westwood CoHousing: Community-driven sustainability
In the heart of West Asheville, Westwood CoHousing is a vibrant, intergenerational community designed around cooperative urban living, encapsulating connection, inclusion and environmental responsibility.
Sustainability features include:
· Shared infrastructure like a community kitchen, laundry and gardens to reduce individual resource use
· Energy-efficient home design with solar panels and passive heating elements
· Car-sharing options and walkable location to encourage low-impact transportation
Drover Road Preserve: Conservation-focused mountain living
Nestled in the Cane Creek Valley of Fairview, Drover Road Preserve is a conservation-minded community of large homesites surrounded by protected land that retains the region’s rural character and open spaces.
Sustainability features include:
· Over 50 percent of land preserved as permanent open space, including forests and meadows
· Conservation easements that prevent overdevelopment and preserve natural habitats
· Thoughtful placement of homes to minimize ecological disruption and maintain scenic views
High Hickory: Wellness meets wilderness
Tucked into the mountains 15 minutes east of Asheville, High Hickory is a 430-acre eco-community with 75 homesites, where wellness, sustainability and nature converge.
Sustainability features include:
· Community gardens, orchards and beekeeping areas promoting local food production
· Homes built with green standards, emphasizing energy efficiency and low-impact design
· 20+ miles of hiking and biking trails, connecting residents to forests, creeks and waterfalls
Earthaven Ecovillage: A living laboratory for sustainable living
Located near Black Mountain, Earthaven Ecovillage spans 329 acres of forested land, integrating ecological, social and economic practices int daily life.
Sustainability features include:
· Off-grid renewable energy systems including solar and hydro power
· Permaculture-based design with natural building techniques and organic food production
· A local, community-based economy encouraging shared resources and services
Mountain Meadows: Green living in Mars Hill
Just 25 minutes north of Asheville, Mountain Meadows is a sustainable mountain community with panoramic views, shared gardens, and eco-friendly construction.
Sustainability features include:
· Homes built to Green Built or LEED certification standards
· Organic gardens and fruit orchards shared among residents
· Preservation of natural landscapes, with most of the land left forested and undisturbed
Echo Hills Cottages: Intentional urban ecovillage
Located in West Asheville, Echo Hills Cottages is a pocket neighborhood blending energy-efficient homes with shared green spaces and a focus on neighborly connection.
Sustainability features include:
· Homes built to DOE Zero Energy Ready and Green Built NC Gold Level standards
· Permaculture landscaping with shared edible gardens and native plantings
· A community culture rooted in cooperation, shared values and sustainable living
Here at Mosaic Realty, we are proud to be at the forefront of environmental stewardship in Asheville, working with our region’s leading green builders to aid in advancing sustainability, and helping hundreds of environmentally conscious buyers find their perfect green home. For more information on these green communities, or any other real estate in Asheville or Western N.C., please contact us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call us anytime at 828-707-9556.
Search: Asheville Area Green Homes
Learn More: Our Green Homes Specialty
Connect