My advice would be to have a look at upstate SC instead. It’s an easy drive to all the attractions of Western NC, a similar climate, and you don’t have to be with all the crazy taxes, prices, and annoying hippies.
Upstate South Carolina is only about an hour from Asheville too. Nice areas in upstate NC:
Clemson area (Lake Keowee)
Greenville area (Greenville is a nice small city)
Traveler’s Rest (close to Greenville and Clemson)
The Lake Jocassee area near the NC border is also pretty but doesn’t look to be near a city that would have major medical facilities.
I don’t know what the tax differences are between NC and SC that would interest retirees, but gasoline is much cheaper in SC.