Relocating to Western North Carolina means not only breathtaking scenery and vibrant culture—it also means access to outstanding healthcare and a thriving wellness community.
Asheville has long attracted those seeking clean air, active living, and “restorative” mountain properties since the early 20th century. Today, our city is known as a health and wellness mecca, boasting both state-of-the-art hospitals and a growing alternative medicine scene. The result? A community that holds wellness close to its heart, where neighbors radiate a laid-back yet health-conscious attitude that’s downright contagious. Whether you’re a retiree looking for peace of mind or a family seeking a healthy environment, Asheville’s got you covered.
Multiple Hospital Systems
Beyond Mission Health, the greater Asheville area is supported by several hospital systems. For example,
AdventHealth Hendersonville (formerly Park Ridge Health) in nearby Henderson County offers 24/7 emergency services and even a boutique labor & delivery experience for new moms. To the south,
UNC Pardee Hospital in Hendersonville brings university-affiliated care with specialties like orthopedics, heart, and cancer care. Asheville is also home to the Charles George VA Medical Center, serving our veterans with comprehensive care, and Asheville Specialty Hospital for post-ICU and rehabilitative care. In short, our region’s healthcare sector is robust (it’s actually the largest employer in Buncombe County), so high-quality medical attention is always nearby to keep you healthy and comfortable in Asheville.
Specialized & Integrative Care Options
High-net-worth residents will find that Asheville offers specialized care on par with major metropolitan areas, but with a personal touch. Need a top cardiologist or oncologist? Mission’s award-winning Heart Institute and SECU Cancer Center have you covered. There are also numerous specialty clinics and urgent care centers throughout the city for quick access to care. Perhaps more unique to Asheville is our embrace of integrative and holistic health. Alongside traditional specialists, you’ll discover a wealth of alternative therapy providers – from functional medicine physicians to acupuncturists and herbalists. In fact, Asheville has a strong reputation for holistic healing choices.
Integrative Family Medicine of Asheville, for instance, is a direct primary care clinic that emphasizes whole-person wellness and preventive lifestyle medicine, bridging conventional and alternative approaches. Many integrative practices partner with patients to “help them live their best lives” through nutrition, stress management, and personalized care plans.
If acupuncture, yoga therapy, or massage are part of your wellness routine, you’ll feel right at home here. Asheville is even home to its first Doctor of Acupuncture—Dr. Nancy Hyton of
West Asheville Acupuncture—who combines treatments like acupuncture, cupping, and herbal medicine in private sessions. From chiropractors and naturopaths to nutritionists and life coaches, the area’s complementary health network is vast. It’s not unusual for a local orthopedic doctor to refer a patient to tai chi classes for balance, or for a cancer center to host meditation workshops. This integrative ethos means you can pursue cutting-edge medical treatments and supportive therapies hand-in-hand, all within the community.
Yoga Studios:
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Concierge Medicine & Boutique Wellness
For those who desire a more personalized, VIP healthcare experience, Asheville also offers several concierge medicine practices and boutique wellness services. Concierge medical offices provide highly individualized care – think same-day appointments, 24/7 direct access to your physician, and house calls that hark back to an earlier era of medicine (with a luxury twist). Practices like
Blue Ridge Premier Medicine and
PrimeHealth Asheville limit their patient loads so each client gets ample time and attention. Blue Ridge Premier, for example, gives each patient a personal physician who is readily available and focuses on proactive wellness and prevention (early disease detection, nutrition, fitness, etc.).
Beyond primary care, you can also find niche concierge services like personalized psychiatry and even high-end physical therapy for that golf or tennis injury. And speaking of boutique wellness, Asheville has its share of luxury med spas and wellness clinics. You can pamper yourself with cosmetic treatments, IV vitamin infusions, or anti-aging therapies at local clinics that cater to a discerning clientele. It’s all about choice and access – whether you prefer the peace of mind of having a doctor on speed-dial, or the convenience of wellness practitioners who go above and beyond, this town delivers. Health is personal, and here you can truly customize your care to fit your lifestyle.
Wellness Retreats, Spas & Fitness Clubs
Staying fit is also fun here. You’ll find elite fitness clubs and studios for every interest—from boutique yoga and Pilates studios to full-service health clubs. The
Asheville Racquet Club, for example, offers tennis and pickleball courts, swimming pools, and modern gym facilities. There are also plenty of personal trainers, crossfit boxes, cycling groups, and hiking clubs to join.
Many private country clubs (like the
Biltmore Forest Country Club,
Country Club of Asheville, or
The Cliffs communities) feature their own state-of-the-art fitness centers and wellness programming for members. Even the active adult retirement communities often boast amenities like indoor pools, group exercise classes, and golf courses to keep you moving. And of course, the biggest “fitness center” of all is the great outdoors—with Asheville’s mild climate and easy access to the Blue Ridge Parkway trails, it’s common to see neighbors of all ages walking, biking, or practicing yoga in the park. From high-end gym equipment to mountain hikes, you’ll have endless ways to stay in shape and rejuvenate your spirit.
Especially for Retirees & Relocating Families
Asheville is consistently rated as a top destination for retirees—and a big reason is the senior-friendly health and wellness services available. If you’re moving here to enjoy your golden years, you’ll appreciate the numerous 55+ communities and continuing care retirement communities that prioritize wellness. Places like
Deerfield,
Givens Estates, and
Pisgah Valley Retirement Community offer not just beautiful residences but also on-site healthcare, therapy services, and fitness programs. In fact, the Wellness Center at Pisgah Valley is open to the public and provides seniors with tailored exercise classes like water aerobics, balance training, Tai Chi, and even “Zumba Gold” —all designed to keep older adults active and strong.
Beyond formal communities, Asheville has plenty of geriatric specialists, home health agencies, and hospice care (through
CarePartners, a Mission Health affiliate. From assisted living facilities to Medicare-accepting concierge doctors, every level of care is accessible. Just because you’re retired doesn’t mean you slow down here—local seniors are hiking, gardening, volunteering, and fully engaging with life, thanks to the support of our healthcare network.
For families relocating to Asheville, rest assured your loved ones will be in good hands too. Mission Hospital includes a dedicated
Mission Children’s Hospital for pediatric care, complete with specialists and a neonatal ICU for the little ones. There are pediatricians and family practices across town, and a wealth of resources for new and expecting parents – from childbirth classes at the hospitals to pediatric urgent care clinics for those weekend fevers. The area’s hospitals collaborate to cover all bases: for instance,
Pardee UNC Health in Hendersonville offers 3D mammography and comprehensive women’s health services, and
AdventHealth’s boutique birthing center makes welcoming a new baby a comfortable, personalized experience.
School-age kids benefit from clean mountain air and outdoor recreation, but if they do need care, specialists (from allergy and asthma experts to sports medicine physicians) are readily available locally. In short, both young and old find quality care here. And because Asheville is a tight-knit community, you’ll also discover parent groups, senior centers, and plenty of support networks to help newcomers feel at home.
Community Wellness & Healthy Living Initiatives
What truly sets Asheville apart is our community-oriented approach to health and wellness. People here genuinely care about living well—not just individually, but together as a community. There are countless wellness events, volunteer opportunities, and local initiatives aimed at keeping everyone healthy. For example, Asheville’s residents are passionate about farm-to-table food and
access to fresh, healthy produce. The city has
nearly 20 farmers markets and a thriving local food scene, supported by programs that ensure all citizens can obtain nutritious foods. It’s no surprise many area restaurants serve organic and sustainable dishes—wellness here starts with what’s on your plate.
Community organizations also host health fairs, group fitness meetups, and educational workshops. You might find free yoga in the park days, charity run/walk events on weekends, and “wellness tours” that introduce newcomers to local spas and hiking trails. Volunteerism in healthcare is big – many retirees and professionals volunteer with hospital auxiliaries, free clinics, and wellness nonprofits to give back. The result is a supportive network where neighbors help neighbors, from mentoring at the YMCA to fundraising for the children’s hospital. Asheville’s collaborative spirit extends to healthcare innovation too: local nonprofits and health providers partner on initiatives around mental health, addiction recovery, and health equity to ensure everyone in the community can thrive. This vibrant civic engagement around wellness makes Asheville not just a healthy place to live, but a deeply caring place to call home.
Wrap-Up
From world-class hospitals and concierge doctors to soothing spas and outdoor adventures, Asheville truly offers the best of healthcare and wellness in a community that embraces healthy living. It’s one of the reasons so many high-net-worth individuals—from retirees to young entrepreneurs—are choosing to call Western North Carolina home. We hope this guide gives you a reassuring glimpse into the vibrant health and wellness scene awaiting you in Asheville.
Thinking of making the move? We are here to support your journey to a healthier, happier life in the mountains. Contact us for more information about relocating to Asheville, personal introductions to local healthcare or wellness professionals, or even just to chat more about what makes living here so special. We’re always happy to help you find not just a beautiful home, but also the resources to live your best life here in Asheville.
