“When we saw it we both knew: this is where we want to live.”
“Our main criteria was that we wanted to live somewhere in the mountains,” says Tim Hale. “And we narrowed our search down to the East and West coast: either the Pacific Northwest or Western North Carolina.”
Tim and Leslie Hale met in Houston, Texas about twenty years ago. Tim, a recent graduate from Georgia Tech was working for a chemical company and Leslie was a nurse working at the children’s hospital in the Texas Medical Center. From the moment they met—at a cycling event—they clicked. The two shared a love of exercise, hiking, and the outdoors. “I grew up in Gainesville, Georgia,” Tim says. “I have loved the outdoors since I can remember—as a young Boy Scout, hiking up mountains, exploring new trails, just being out in nature. And Leslie, though she grew up in Texas, had a love of nature and being outside the same as me.”
Love at first sight
As fate would have it, Tim and Leslie’s love of the great outdoors lead them to Western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, and ultimately, to French Broad Crossing. “We were visiting family in the Asheville area,” Tim says, “and we both decided to explore various mountain communities while we had the opportunity. After going to several places, we eventually came to French Broad Crossing. We were blown away. I remember standing with Leslie and looking out over the mountains and the French Broad River below. It was amazing. The views…the elevation…the preserved land…the rustic lodge and amenities…they had everything we were looking for.”
At home by the river
Shortly after their Asheville trip, Tim and Leslie decided to buy a lot and build their mountain dream home. The Hale’s gorgeous home was completed in 2014 and they have lived there full-time ever since. “We love it up here,” says Tim. “As two active people who are dedicated to wellness and fitness, French Broad Crossing gives us a great network of trails for hiking, as well as easy river access for rafting and paddling.” The Hales, whose house is set upon an expansive lot with gorgeous mountains and lush forests in every direction, have a living experience that fits their lifestyle. “We have endless trails and natural wonders to explore,” Tim says, “and a great community with a range of convenient amenities that fits our lifestyle.”
New home, ancient river
The French Broad River is the third oldest river in the world, and its mighty fresh waters and picturesque setting are without peer. For a community to be located along this epic river—in the middle of a vast natural preserve that’s only a short drive from downtown Asheville—is rare. In fact, French Broad Crossing is the only Western North Carolina mountain community located directly along the banks of the French Broad. “When Leslie and I were first looking at property in North Carolina,” says Tim, “we never really factored in water, let alone a river. But now that we live here, next to this ancient river, on carefully preserved land, we can’t imagine not being by the river. When I hear those rushing waters every day, I know I’m home.”
To learn more about the living experience at French Broad Crossing, please contact our sales office at sales@preservecommunities.com or call us at 866-947-9629.