Is Woodside Hills safe?
Candler, North Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Woodside Hills as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Woodside Hills
“Go. Woodside Hills is a peaceful, low-crime residential subdivision ideal for quiet stays or accessing western Buncombe County. While purely residential and highly car-dependent, violent crime is practically nonexistent, making it very secure for visitors.”
Buncombe County infrastructure and emergency services continue recovery and repair operations across Candler communities following regional flooding from Tropical Storm Helene.
About the area
Woodside Hills is an established, wooded residential enclave nestled in Candler, just west of Asheville. It features single-family homes set on winding, hilly lots surrounded by scenic mountain greenery. Visitors primarily encounter the neighborhood when staying in residential vacation rentals or traveling between Asheville and Pisgah National Forest.
- Quiet / Suburban
- Mountain Foothills
- Car-Dependent
- Family-Friendly
Walking and biking in Woodside Hills
Walk score: 10/100 · Bike score: 15/100
There are no bike-share programs, dedicated cycle lanes, or connected multi-use greenways; biking is strictly on steep, narrow residential roads.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent and property crime rates compared to metro Asheville averages
- High homeownership rate and well-kept, low-density residential properties
- Peaceful atmosphere with virtually no through-traffic disturbance
- Convenient driving access to Interstate 40 and the Smokey Park Highway commercial corridor
Cons
- Completely car-dependent with zero walkable amenities or commerce inside the neighborhood
- Narrow mountain roads lacking streetlights and sidewalks
- Isolated positioning requires a drive for basic emergency and medical services
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Woodside Hills, as support services and encampments are situated closer to central Asheville.
What Woodside Hills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Extremely quiet and safe, with occasional neighbors walking dogs along the winding residential lanes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Tranquil and secure, though pedestrian caution is advised due to blind curves and lack of sidewalks.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and peaceful, with negligible pedestrian activity and very low vehicular traffic.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and silent with minimal street lighting, remaining safe and free from violent street crime.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit does not serve this subdivision; Asheville Redefines Transit (ART) routes operate miles to the east, making a personal vehicle essential for getting around.
Private driveway parking is standard at all residences; street parking is discouraged due to narrow roadways and lack of shoulders.
Things to do in Woodside Hills
- Take a scenic drive through the rolling hills and farmland of Hominy Valley
- Explore the outdoor trails, waterfalls, and recreation spots in nearby Pisgah National Forest
- Sample local comfort foods and craft drinks along nearby Smokey Park Highway
Local favorites
- Sand Hill Kitchen · Southern Restaurant · 4.8★ (1250)Acclaimed roadside eatery celebrated for award-winning fried chicken sandwiches and homestyle breakfasts.
- Pap's Grill · American Restaurant · 4.6★ (480)Down-home neighborhood diner dishing up hearty burgers, cheesesteaks, and classic sides.
- Montezuma Mexican Restaurant · Mexican Restaurant · 4.5★ (520)Longtime local spot offering traditional Mexican staples, sizzling fajitas, and casual dining.
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.