I know a couple people who have retired in Brevard about 45 min south of Asheville. Small quaint college town. University puts on some events and a the town has couple festivals in the summer. Also close to Hendersonville. Not that pricey.
Boone is nice but higher elevation and a lot more snow.
Read an article a few years back about best places to retire and it mentioned Johnson City, TN. Beautiful area!
Lake Lure seems a little too quiet for my taste
Thanks