Longview Carolina seamlessly weaves Blue Zone principles into its design. | Photos provided by Longview Carolina
Nature meets convenience at Longview Carolina, a new “agrihood” centered around wellness and outdoor living in Easley, South Carolina. While this community sits on 180 acres of scenic, private land, it’s also just about five minutes from downtown Easley + 20 minutes from downtown Greenville and Clemson University.
Longview draws inspiration from Blue Zones (more on that in a moment) around the world and has a similar feel to Riverstead, which were both developed by Jim Anthony. Think: Resilient living, unique homesteads, and panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
What are Blue Zones?
Blue Zones are regions focused on healthy living habits, like daily movement outdoors, socialization, regular relaxation, plant-based diets, and developing a deep sense of purpose. The goal is to create an environment that nudges its inhabitants toward healthy behaviors that last.
Research indicates that people who live in Blue Zone communities live longer, thanks to their adopted lifestyles. Additionally, belonging to a tight-knit community has been linked to better longevity and happiness.
A look inside Longview
Longview is built around modern Blue Zone principles, offering custom-built homesteads. It’s set on a quiet, wooded ridge and boasts natural amenities that emanate an immersive mountain getaway.
The neighborhood encourages residents to:
Be active | Moving naturally is made easy with the community’s hiking and biking trails, winding through 60 acres of preserved green space.
Spark social connection | Connect with neighbors at the community’s pool, pickleball courts, and other gathering spaces.
Slow down | Swap the glare of screens for starlight and conversation around fireside patios and campsites to help your stress melt away.
Eat healthily | The on-site organic farm — complete with vegetable fields, berry patches, greenhouses, and free-ranging chickens for fresh eggs — is designed to forge deep connections through food, farming, and community.
Live purposefully | From communal service projects to planned workshops and clubs, there are plenty of opportunities for involvement.
Screening of “Plastic People” | 6-7:30 p.m. | Pack Memorial Library | Free | After watching the film about the world’s reliance on plastic, craft seed bombs using the seeds of native, pollinator-friendly plants.
Wednesday, April 23
Latin Night Wednesday | 8 p.m.-12 a.m. | One World Brewing West Asheville | $7 | Get dance lessons from 8:30 to 9 p.m. before dancing the night away with DJ MTN VIBEZ providing the tunes.
Thursday, April 24
Asheville Beer Choir | 7-9 p.m. | Ginger’s Revenge | Free | If you love to sip and sing, this is the group for you.
Julien Baker + TORRES | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel | $44 | Asheville is just the beginning as the duo travels across the country, touring for their new, acclaimed alt-country album, “Send a Prayer My Way.”
Friday, April 25
Naturalist Hikes | 9-11 a.m. | Asheville Parks & Recreation | Free, RSVP | Embark on a leisurely hike through Bailey Mountain Preserve with an experienced naturalist as you identify plants, animal tracks, and bird songs.
Asheville Herb Festival | Friday, April 25-Sunday, April 27 | Times vary | WNC Agriculture Center — Davis Event Center, Fletcher | Free | It’s that thyme of year again— the largest herb festival in the US and Canada returns to WNC to bring some flavor to your spring and summer.
Saturday, April 26
Asheville Bread Festival | 8 a.m.-7 p.m. | New Belgium Brewery | $0+ | Tickets are limited for workshops + lectures with baking professionals, but anyone can browse the Bread Fair on Saturday morning, where local and regional bakers will offer a range of goodies.
Indie Books and Art Market | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Cooperative Coffee Shop | Free | Cuentos y Café BIPOC Bookstore, Caravan Art Bazaar, and Cooperative are joining forces for a day of great reads, sweet treats, and local art.
Regardless of how often you use public transit, the City of Asheville wants your input to guide the ART Comprehensive Operational Analysis. Survey answers will inform draft recommendations later this year in efforts to make the bus system more accessible and reliable.
Traffic
On Thursday, April 24, the NCDOT is hosting a drop-by info session to show the most recent plans for the northern section of the I-26 Connector. The session will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Renaissance Asheville Hotel — public comment will be accepted online, by phone, email, or mail through Sunday, May 25.
Coming Soon
Speaking of I-26, the NCDOT is expected to complete a new bridge on the Blue Ridge Parkway by the end of this summer, which will improve traffic flow on the interstate. See more progress widening project + open lanes. (WLOS)
Number
$124,130. That’s how much grant funding the Black Mountain-Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund (an affiliate fund of the CFWNC) has administered in its latest cycle. Nonprofit recipients include the Black Mountain Counseling Center, the Black Mountain Volunteer Firefighters Association, and Hand in Hand of the Swannanoa Valley.
Arts
To celebrate its centennial, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy has rolled out a new Artist in Residence program. Metalsmith and artist Mallory Weston will complete a thru-hike this year, creating art based on her experience. Read about how Weston plans to prepare for the hike.
Listen
Here’s the soundtrack to celebrating National Park Week on the parkway. The week’s theme is “National Park Playlist,” and each day through Sunday, April 27, explore a new ecological wonder with a playlist to match (for example, learn all about geology with the classic rock playlist in your headphones).
Trending
Bill Nye the Science Guy packed the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva late last week. Attendees heard Nye talk about his early career in mechanical engineering, his foray into comedy science education, and his advocacy for space exploration funding. (Blue Ridge Public Radio)
Experience deep healing with a seven-night Panchakarma Retreat at AVL’s SoHum Mountain Healing Resort. Designed to fundamentally transform how you engage with your world, this all-inclusive stay features personalized Ayurvedic therapies and mindful practices in a private, luxurious setting. Book your journey.*
Stat
$10,000. If you owe that much in debt, this organization can reach out to credit card companies and potentially reduce what you owe. See how it works.*
Category
Learn
Back to the grind
There’s plenty to learn on the college’s farm. | Photo via Warren Wilson College
Even if your school days are behind you, it’s never too late to learn something new. Class is in session, so today, we’re exploring where adults can go to continue their education. Whether you want to learn a new skill, study history, or become more engaged in your community, the Asheville area is a haven for lifelong learning.
The Warren Wilson College program is back for its second summer, allowing adults of all ages to take courses in the areas of art and craft, music, history, film, nature, and sustainability.
Hone your skills in French impressionist painting, mushroom foraging, and understanding music theory (just to name a few). Browse the list of noncredit course offerings that take place this May and July on Warren Wilson’s campus.
Bonus: For the first time, the college will host two programs for high schoolers designed to help them create original music and understand climate impacts.
It’s never too early to start planning your weekend. And with Get In Gear Fest, Asheville Bread Festival, the Asheville Herb Festival, a free Trampled by Turtles show, and Uncommon Market this weekend (just to name a few events), you’ll need the prep time. Head to our events calendar to watch your weekend unfold.
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