Since the turn of the 20th century the mountains have been sought out for their restorative properties. Cherokee Indians and early settlers drew upon the region’s rich curative herb resources, and a large wave of health-seekers came here to heal from tuberculosis. Many wealthy visitors, such as E.W. Grove (who built the famous Grove Park Inn) and George Vanderbilt, came for the clean mountain air, and liked the area so much that they stayed.

Today, Asheville enjoys a thriving traditional health care and hospital industry and is blessed with a full gamut of doctors and specialists, rivaling the amenities of a much larger city. The health care sector is so large that it is the leading provider of jobs in Buncombe County.

Asheville’s reputation as a health mecca continues to expand with the explosion of alternative and complementary medicine (i.e. using aromatherapy to aid the recovery of a surgery patient) practices and providers.

The region’s strong health care system remains a leading reason to relocate, and Asheville’s excellent quality of life attracts an unusual array of talented doctors and health care providers.

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