Imagine a quiet mountain get-away complete with access to kayaks, canoes, SUPs, hiking, and cycling ...

Our three bedroom/4 bath, 350 square meter Craftman style home awaits ... the home includes most mod ...

Our wooded backyard is cool and shaded in summer and bright with color in fall. Try out our three-p ...

Our back deck offers a wonderful view, dining for four, and a grill. It has an extendable awning to ...

Our main level is open plan so that the kitchen crew can converse with the rest of the family. The ...

We have a number of outdoor toys and recreation equipment available, including: mountain and road bi ...

The modern kitchen includes: gas range, microwave, convection oven, dishwasher, fridge & freezer wit ...

Our neighborhood 30 hectare lake has a 5 km trail around it, ducks and other water birds, and free a ...

The Asheville area is famous for hiking, mountain biking, and scenery accessible by car ... there ar ...

The neighborhood fire ring, right next to the lake, offers a fun evening picnic and social spot... t ...

Primary guest room for exchanges with a couple or small family, a queen and a double in nicely lit s ...

Come visit our wonderful and ancient Blue Ridge Mountains ... their beauty will overwhelm you! This ...

Premium #9108

Asheville NC - Forbes 2025 Top 12 Destination!

House • Buncombe County NC United States

5 Guests

3 Bedrooms

4 Beds

4.5 Bathrooms

2 Car spaces

1 Car available

Primary home

Exchange types accepted

Simultaneous

Non-Simultaneous

Non-Reciprocal

Hospitality

                                    Hospitality Description: We're happy to offer our guest room with en suite to a single or couple for a night or two when we're in town.  This room is up a flight of stairs and fairly well removed from the main part of the house and other bedrooms.  If exchanging with just a couple, this guest room is the primary for that.  We can provide ideas for things to see and do in Asheville.  We have a very friendly Golden, however no pets please for hospitality (to avoid any unlikely bad chemistry).
                                

Statistics

Listed April 2021

General Overview

Forbes just named Asheville as a top 12 global destination! There are many great reasons for this designation.  See: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestravelguide/2024/12/13/best-places-to-travel-2025/  

Our beautiful Craftsmen style home has most modern conveniences and is located in a wonderful community that surrounds a lake.  We can walk to the lake down a wooded path, and have a favorite bench there to watch the sunset.  We live just outside Asheville, NC.  Asheville is very well known for its arts, music, and access to natural areas and activities.  The area is practically surrounded by many public lands that offer hiking and, water sports.  The Blue Ridge Parkway is minutes away from our home and makes for a nice scenic drive with many photograph-worthy overlooks and hiking access points.  The Biltmore Estate is a major tourist attraction in Asheville ... it features many home and garden tours and seasonal exhibits.  We truly love the area - and actually, as I am writing this, I am wondering why we would want to go elsewhere - the area is really hard to beat! :)

The Space

Our spacious home (3500 sq ft, 325 sq m) has an open floor plan main with living, dining, and kitchen all connected ... making the kitchen crew part of the gathering even while prepping or cleaning up.  The main level also has a den, sun room.

The upper level has one large bedroom and bath, that room has 1 queen and 1 full bed.  The bath has a walk-in shower.  

The walkout lower level has a family room with large screen TV, a bedroom (single bed) and bath.  You are welcome to use these two guest rooms, and to use the master in the event that your family size requires it.

There is also a craft-room and woodworking shop, but these will probably be locked to avoid possible tool-based injury.

There is a deck with eating and BBQ grill overlooking a shaded & wooded and fenced back yard.  We occasionally (very rarely) see a black bear from the deck, outside the fence.

Guest Access

Main level is accessed with single step up from drive.  Upper and lower levels are one flight of stairs each.  Lower level can also be accessed by doors to the back yard.  The house is not ADA accessible, but the main level is fairly accessible excepting the one step up from drive.

Notes

We are fairly flexible and would love to see other special parts of the country and world, particularly those that are either rich in history or culture or in natural areas to explore.  We are quite open to different possibilities on an exchange.

We do have reliable and high speed WiFi.  TVs are streaming only.

Due to allergies, we can only have nonsmokers stay in our home.  We also ask that our fireplace not be used.

Features

Show all features including those not in this home

Washer

Dishwasher

Clothes dryer

Oven

Microwave

Fridge

Iron

Hair dryer

Heating

Air conditioning

TV

WiFi

First aid kit

Smoke alarms

Fire extinguisher

Bed sheets

Towels

Workspace

BBQ

Garden / yard

Deck / patio / courtyard / terrace

Covered porch / verandah

Bikes

Kayak

Standup paddleboard

Travel Styles

Long term

Weekend

Adventure

Family

Romantic

Sport and leisure

Foodie

Relaxing

Eco

Luxury

Mountains

Beach

Water

Culture

Hiking

Cycling

Golf

Accessibility

Wide hallways

Accessible switches

Accessible door handles

Accessible tap hardware

Accessible windows

Accessible bedroom

Accessible parking space

House Rules

Unsuitable for infants under 2

Unsuitable for children ages 2-12

Pets not allowed

No smoking

Allergens

Cat free

Smoke free

Fragrance free

Low allergen

Dates of Availability

Click on availability periods to see exchange types and descriptions.

Available

Neighbourhood

Our community has many trails, a boathouse with kayaks, canoes, and SUPs for loan, and tennis, basketball and pickleball courts.  We can also walk from our home to the nearby Pisgah National Forest in just a few minutes, giving access to a very large network of trails and forest roads (no cars), very suitable for hiking and mountain biking.  Our local neighborhood cluster is on a circle with no through-traffic.  Our neighbors are friendly, quiet, and pet and nature loving.  We have a Little Library just a few houses away.

For more information on Asheville and all the things you can see and do while visiting:

http://www.exploreasheville.com/ https://avltoday.6amcity.com/ https://www.romanticasheville.com/ http://www.biltmore.com/ http://www.ashevilledowntown.org/ http://riverartsdistrict.com/ http://www.ncarboretum.org/ http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/ http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm https://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/

Getting to my home

Air: AVL airport
Road: I-40 or I-26 or ... for a beautiful drive ... The Blue Ridge Parkway

Nearest airport

Asheville (AVL) is about 20 km away.

Getting Around

The home is not on public transport routes.  A car would be needed.  Grocery shops, banks, and other stores and restaurants are just a few minutes away by car.  In general, we avoid car loaning due to liability, but might consider in a reciprocal exchange at a distance - we would need to check insurance issues on that and have an agreement on deductibles/excess.

Map of Approximate Location

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People Like Us Local Guide

Suggestions for fun activities, sites to see, & hiking trails in the area.

Feedback

We had an amazing stay at Bruce and Kris’ house. The home is clean, organized and comfortable. The neighborhood has many trails and a beautiful lake. There are so many great towns to visit close by. This was a wonderful exchange. Bruce and Kris are wonderful with their communication and helpfulness. Definitely an excellent exchange.

Home Feedback: Ginny stayed with Bruce & Kris 2 years ago

Wow ... where to start ... probably best to begin with Tamara and Bill ... but first some back story... we live in Asheville, North Carolina ... an area that was devastated by Hurricane Helene at the end of September '24. A bunch of us had planned a beach camping trip but decided not to go since it felt like we were camping at home after the hurricane: no power, no municipal water, no phones, etc. So one day after the internet was restored we were dreaming about getting away when we spotted a hugely generous offer by Tamara and Bill making their guest home available to hurricane refugees. I contacted Tamara and was warmly welcomed to use the home, along with all our camping friends. When we arrived we were blown away by the warmth of the reception: lots of nice local treats ... even our dear Golden got a new toy! Prior to and throughout our stay Tamara was so thoughtful with suggestions on things to see and do on St. Simons. The home itself has everything we could possibly need for a great time on the island. In addition to the home's beachy/island vibe .. the space extends outdoors to a lovely sitting area that's truly like another whole living room. The home is located very close to a county park which was a great dog-walking destination and positively lousy (that's a good thing!) with all kinds of outstanding birds ... make sure to bring binoculars! We enjoyed getting to the beach for sun, sand, and surf as well as a bunch of great kite-flying. The Pier Village on the island has numerous galleries and other shops as well as a nice fishing pier and great lighthouse (and playground for any kids). The island has a lot for foodies ... we mostly stuck to a variety of seafood placed. We enjoyed cycling and hiking at nearby Guale and Cannon Point land trust preserves and Fort Frederica. A highlight of our visit was a three hour pontoon boat tour of the backbays and marshes around St. Simons and Little St. Simons islands ... look up Southeast Adventures Outfitters for that: Captain Michael was very knowledgeable about local history and wildlife. All in all, we highly recommend a stay and are so highly appreciative of the kindness, generosity, and warmth that Tamara and Bill shared with us!

Home Feedback: Bruce & Kris stayed with Tamara 1 year ago

Somehow I am just seeing your message. Thank you for the kind words - we were so glad to be able to offer a bit of respite for you and friends … and happy to do so again!! Wishing a much calmer 2025!!

We had a delightful time meeting Carmen and family and experiencing their home town. Their home is well-appointed, with nice light and a very enjoyable garden in the back. The home is also well-located in both the town and in the area, with many opportunities for easy day trips in many different directions, including both nearby natural and historic areas and great towns like Haarlem, Alkmaar, and Amsterdam just a short train ride away. Our visits to Leiden and The Hague were also quite close (and recommended). We loved the sight and sounds of the windmill turning in the gentle breeze, hearing church bells, and being able to easily walk or cycle to the grocery store and weekly market. Caring for the pets was fun and easy. Hopsasa, the kitty, is particularly social and warmed up to us quite quickly. Most of all, we are so grateful for Carmen's warmth, supportive communication, and abundance of ideas for things to see, and hoping they'll make it to North Carolina someday to visit. All-in-all, we have nothing but high praise for this exchange!

Home Feedback: Bruce & Kris stayed with Carmen 1 year ago

We enjoyed hosting Ginny and Ed during their stay in Asheville. They were kind enough to give our Golden Griffy some good walks. We shared a nice meal and conversation. I think they enjoyed their stay in Asheville, getting a chance to visit a variety of local sites, music venues, restaurants and cute towns in the area. We would welcome them back!

Guest Feedback: Ginny stayed with Bruce & Kris 2 years ago

We greatly enjoyed our hospitality stay in Julie and Steve's shore cabin. Julie and Steve were kind, very knowledgeable about the area, and offered a place with easy access to Ucluelet, a stunning view, and all the necessities that was very clean, comfortable, and well organized. Ucluelet was a fun place to visit with great hikes, scenery, wildlife, and other outdoor-focused activities. Many thanks to Julie and Steve for sharing their little peace of heaven!

Home Feedback: Bruce & Kris stayed with Julie 2 years ago

Premium

Bruce & Kris

We are a young recently retired couple.  Our retirement motto is SCAT: Service, Creative, Adventure, Travel.  Kris is an author, horticulturalist, arborist, and educator. Bruce is an engineer, entrepreneur, and avid learner.  We both love outdoor recreation ... hiking, kayaking, photography, bird watching, and more.  We are mellow, peaceful, and responsible world citizens, home owners, parents, pet stewards, and community volunteers.  We are non-smoking, non-drinking, & non-drug-using.

Travelling group

Desired Destinations

Open to any destination

Can travel at any time

North Carolina, USA

Dates Flexible

"We enjoy shorter exchanges with those in other parts of our beautiful state, primary interests would be Triangle area and coast."

South Carolina, USA

Dates Flexible

"Primary interest would be coast, Charleston, Beaufort, and upstate."

Georgia, USA

Dates Flexible

"Primary interest is coast and Pine Mountain area."

Virginia, USA

Dates Flexible

"Prefer DC area, Charlottesville/Staunton, or close to Williamsburg."

New Zealand

Dates Flexible

"Probably shoulder seasons would be best for simultaneous exchange. Considering 2025."

United Kingdom

Dates Flexible

Barcelona, Spain

Dates Flexible

Netherlands

Dates Flexible

Costa Rica

Dates Flexible

Australia

Dates Flexible

Ireland

Dates Flexible

France

Dates Flexible

Italy

Dates Flexible

Africa

Dates Flexible

Colorado, USA

Dates Flexible

California, USA

Dates Flexible

Alaska, USA

Dates Flexible

British Columbia, Canada

Dates Flexible

Nova Scotia, Canada

Dates Flexible

Montreal, QC, Canada

Dates Flexible

Ottawa, ON, Canada

Dates Flexible

Québec City, QC, Canada

Dates Flexible

New Mexico, USA

Dates Flexible

Panama

Dates Flexible

Argentina

Dates Flexible

Croatia

Dates Flexible

Slovenia

Dates Flexible

Austria

Dates Flexible

Hawaii, USA

Dates Flexible

Washington, USA

Dates Flexible

Oregon, USA

Dates Flexible

Belgium

Dates Flexible

Switzerland

Dates Flexible

Luxembourg

Dates Flexible

Andorra

Dates Flexible

Portugal

Dates Flexible

Japan

Dates Flexible

Premium #9108

Asheville NC - Forbes 2025 Top 12 Destination!

House • Buncombe County NC United States

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Exchange types accepted

Statistics

General Overview

The Space

Guest Access

Notes

Features

Washer

Dishwasher

Clothes dryer

Oven

Microwave

Coffee machine

Fridge

Iron

Hair dryer

Heating

Air conditioning

TV

WiFi

High Speed Internet

Bathtub

First aid kit

Wheelchair accessible

Smoke alarms

Fire extinguisher

Bed sheets

Towels

Workspace

Fireplace

Home cinema

Toys

Gym

Sauna

BBQ

Pool

Hot tub

Balcony

Garden / yard

Deck / patio / courtyard / terrace

Covered porch / verandah

Kosher home

Meat-free kitchen

Gated community

EV Home Charger

Bikes

Camping gear

Kayak

Tennis court

Standup paddleboard

Travel Styles

Accessibility

House Rules

Allergens

Dates of Availability

Available

Neighbourhood

Getting to my home

Nearest airport

Getting Around

Map of Approximate Location

People Like Us Local Guide

Feedback

Premium

Bruce & Kris

Travelling group

Desired Destinations

Links

Locations

Contact

Notices