Is Montford Hills safe?
Asheville, North Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Montford Hills as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Montford Hills
“Go. Montford Hills is a safe, affluent, and peaceful residential neighborhood characterized by mid-century homes and lush mountain hillsides. Visitors will experience virtually no violent crime, though standard vigilance regarding vehicle security is always recommended.”
Asheville continues post-Tropical Storm Helene recovery efforts, but residential municipal infrastructure and power have stabilized across Montford Hills.
About the area
Sitting just north of the historic Montford district and west of UNC Asheville, Montford Hills is a quiet, tree-canopied enclave with winding roads and scenic views. It offers immediate proximity to both downtown Asheville and the university while retaining an undisturbed suburban character.
- Quiet & Residential
- Hilly & Scenic
- Tree-Lined
- Family-Friendly
Walking and biking in Montford Hills
Walk score: 32/100 · Bike score: 28/100
Montford Hills features steep grades that challenge casual cyclists, but it sits adjacent to the Reed Creek Greenway and Glenn's Creek Greenway, which offer flat multi-use paved cycling toward campus and downtown.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent and property crime rates compared to Asheville citywide averages
- High homeownership rate and elevated median household incomes supporting well-maintained properties
- Peaceful, shaded neighborhood streets with very light vehicular traffic
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes such as unlocked vehicle break-ins
- Hilly topography and scarce sidewalks make internal pedestrian navigation challenging
- Strictly residential with no retail or dining directly inside neighborhood boundaries
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Montford Hills; unhoused populations are concentrated further south in downtown Asheville and along major transit corridors like Merrimon and Patton Avenues.
What Montford Hills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene with neighborhood joggers, dog walkers, and light resident commuter traffic.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet with great natural shade, feeling safe and welcoming throughout.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Subdued suburban atmosphere with minimal foot traffic; safe for evening walks with basic situational awareness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and quiet due to limited street lighting, but safety risks remain exceptionally low.
Transit, parking and getting around
Asheville Rides Transit (ART) operates bus routes along Broadway Avenue and Merrimon Avenue (such as Route N1 and N2), located roughly 0.5 to 1 mile east of the neighborhood center.
Free and ample curbside street parking is easily accessible along residential streets without meters or time restrictions.
Things to do in Montford Hills
- Take a scenic stroll through the rolling, tree-lined streets to admire mid-century and mid-twentieth-century architecture
- Walk or jog along the nearby Reed Creek Greenway connecting toward UNC Asheville
- Visit neighboring Historic Montford and the historic Riverside Cemetery just minutes south
Local favorites
- Nine Mile · Caribbean-Inspired Restaurant · 4.7★ (2300)Vibrant neighborhood staple serving flavorful pasta and rice dishes with Caribbean spices in nearby historic Montford.
- Chiesa · Italian Restaurant · 4.6★ (750)Cozy neighborhood Italian dining room featuring handmade pastas and traditional sauces in a converted cottage.
- High Five Coffee · Coffee Shop · 4.6★ (820)Popular local café on Broadway offering expertly crafted espresso, baked goods, and patio seating near the neighborhood edge.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.