Where in DT Asheville did you stay? Unfortunately, with consistently high levels of tourists in Asheville, the hotel industry is a bit out of control. Recently, I have noticed a few hotels spring up in the worst part of down town, the farthest West portion. We have this amazing church called the Haywood street congregation on the corner of Patton avenue and Clingman ave. Its a nonprofit that caters to many vulnerable populations such as the homeless, substance abusers/drug addicts, etc. Its great in what it is doing, but makes for a pretty sketchy area of town, particularly after dark. The main new hotel recently built nearby is called "The Patton". Now as I drive to work, I see random tourists amongst the many congregants of Haywood street. The tourists with suitcases asking directions from the random people huddled in Aston park shooting up. It is quite disconcerting. Moral of the story, most of Asheville is great and safe, even in Downtown! However, when choosing an area to stay, and walk around in after dark, avoid the far Western section of downtown- in particular, most of the area South and West of French Broad Ave, especially around Patton Ave, Hilliard Ave, and Aston Park. All other areas of DT I feel totally safe in, regardless of the time.
CHRISTINE | Asheville, NC | Report Abuse

Certainly coming in the dead of winter you will find far fewer (zero?) tourists, so many restaurants close early and the streets are rather empty. Summer time streets are full until the wee hours. Certainly there is less crime here than in multi-cult Washington, DC!!!
Mido | Asheville, NC | Report Abuse

Approximately a year and a half to two years ago my family and I visited Asheville North carolina. It was one of our favorite stops when we were looking for homes in North Carolina Tennessee and or kentucky. I was extremely disappointed to find what they did to the Vance memorial and the stone concerning the Dixie highway. I also watched with great interest when protesters from black lives matter and antifa along with members of the homeless community set up something called the Capitol Hill autonomy zone or chaz. I was glad that the law enforcement community with the approval of the city council decided to take it down. But recently I also read an article concerning or that they reduced the police department by a third, making it harder for the police department and the detective bureau there to do their jobs. The idea of defining the police I fear has caused more harm to the community of Asheville then doing any good for it. Asheville at one time I would consider the jewel of an area where people go and visit they had great stores great restaurants we love the LA zoom bus tours, the pub cycle and things like that. We even enjoyed going to the drum circle even though I am hard of hearing it was an enjoyable experience. But now, we as a family have taken Asheville North Carolina off our visitors list. Now I am sure somebody on this will say well we don't want your money we don't want you to visit our town anyway you're not welcome. That's just fine there are other safe places to tour there are other safe places for families can be taken to enjoy the experience. And then after reading one more comment by I believe the president of the police Union out of Asheville recommending that people don't visit Asheville I would have a tendency to believe him more than the tourist bureau. Again there are other places where they have an attempted to defund the police department again there are other places where you can take your family and enjoy the experience. But as far as Asheville goes I wouldn't recommend it.
John | North Madison, OH | Report Abuse

Approximately a year and a half to two years ago my family and I visited Asheville North carolina. It was one of our favorite stops when we were looking for homes in North Carolina Tennessee and or kentucky. I was extremely disappointed to find what they did to the Vance memorial and the stone concerning the Dixie highway. I also watched with great interest when protesters from black lives matter and antifa along with members of the homeless community set up something called the Capitol Hill autonomy zone or chaz. I was glad that the law enforcement community with the approval of the city council decided to take it down. But recently I also read an article concerning or that they reduced the police department by a third, making it harder for the police department and the detective bureau there to do their jobs. The idea of defining the police I fear has caused more harm to the community of Asheville then doing any good for it. Asheville at one time I would consider the jewel of an area where people go and visit they had great stores great restaurants we love the LA zoom bus tours, the pub cycle and things like that. We even enjoyed going to the drum circle even though I am hard of hearing it was an enjoyable experience. But now, we as a family have taken Asheville North Carolina off our visitors list. Now I am sure somebody on this will say well we don't want your money we don't want you to visit our town anyway you're not welcome. That's just fine there are other safe places to tour there are other safe places for families can be taken to enjoy the experience. And then after reading one more comment by I believe the president of the police Union out of Asheville recommending that people don't visit Asheville I would have a tendency to believe him more than the tourist bureau. Again there are other places where they have an attempted to defund the police department again there are other places where you can take your family and enjoy the experience. But as far as Asheville goes I wouldn't recommend it.
John | North Madison, OH | Report Abuse

My son moved to Asheville several months ago and has experienced the same thing. There are very aggressive street people in Asheville, and little is done about it. In fact, other communities give their homeless criminals one-way bus tickets to Asheville because those people are tolerated in Asheville, if not encouraged. As far as being LGBTQ-friendly, Asheville is the place in the South. Very active, very open pick-up scene. If you're into a woodsy-oriented arts scene, ditto. Otherwise, not so much. IMO.
Mary | Tryon, NC | Report Abuse