Is Mountainbrook safe?
Asheville, North Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Mountainbrook as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Mountainbrook
“Go. Mountainbrook is an exceptionally peaceful and secure residential neighborhood nestled in the wooded hills of East Asheville. Visitors will find virtually no violent crime and a calm, upscale suburban ambiance, though you will need a car to reach dining and entertainment elsewhere in the city.”
About the area
Mountainbrook is an established, picturesque residential community characterized by mature trees, mid-century to modern single-family homes, and quiet winding streets. Located just east of central Asheville, it offers convenient proximity to outdoor recreation, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and nearby commercial corridors while maintaining a secluded neighborhood feel.
- Wooded & Scenic
- Quiet Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Family-Friendly
Walking and biking in Mountainbrook
Walk score: 14/100 · Bike score: 18/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes within the neighborhood, and steep terrain makes cycling challenging; connection to the Swannanoa River Greenway requires navigating busier nearby connector roads.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Very low violent and property crime rates compared to citywide and national benchmarks
- High homeownership rate and well-maintained properties with strong community stability
- Tranquil, heavily wooded setting with easy access to major thoroughfares like US-70 and I-240
- High median household incomes and negligible neighborhood poverty
Cons
- Steep, winding streets with limited street lighting and no continuous sidewalks
- Completely car-dependent with no commercial dining or shopping within comfortable walking distance
- Proximity to commercial sections of Tunnel Road where opportunistic vehicular break-ins occasionally spill over
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not present within Mountainbrook itself, though individuals experiencing homelessness may occasionally be seen along commercial stretches of Tunnel Road and near the I-240 junctions to the north.
What Mountainbrook is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and serene with neighborhood residents walking dogs along the winding, tree-canopied roads.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very low traffic and exceptionally calm, feeling entirely safe for casual walks and outdoor activities.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and dark as dusk falls; residential traffic remains minimal and the area stays secure.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark and sleepy with virtually no pedestrian or vehicular activity, requiring personal navigation caution due to winding hills.
Transit, parking and getting around
Asheville Rides Transit (ART) operates bus routes along major corridors like Tunnel Road (Route WE1 and 170), but service does not run through the interior residential streets of Mountainbrook, requiring a car for daily transit.
Ample private driveway parking is available throughout the neighborhood, and informal residential street parking is generally easy where road shoulders permit, with no meters or paid decks.
Things to do in Mountainbrook
- Take a scenic stroll through the shaded residential streets and admire the mid-century mountain architecture
- Visit the nearby Western North Carolina Nature Center to see native Southern Appalachian wildlife
- Hop on the Blue Ridge Parkway at the nearby Folk Art Center access point for hiking and scenic overlooks
Local favorites
- Copper Crown · New American Restaurant · 4.6★ (1150)A cozy, polished neighborhood eatery serving Southern-inspired New American plates and craft cocktails just minutes away.
- Highland Brewing Company · Brewery · 4.7★ (3200)Asheville's pioneer craft brewery offering a massive taproom, rooftop bar, and wooded walking trails nearby.
- Filo Pastries & Postero Wine Bar · Bakery & Wine Bar · 4.7★ (680)Beloved local spot offering artisanal Greek pastries and espresso by day, transitioning to an intimate wine bar by evening.
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.