Asheville wants to be the Austin of the east. The wife and I love that area of NC so much we considered retiring there. Maybe five years ago we spent time checking out the city. Way too “bohemian” for me even then.
Areas around Asheville, like Weaverville and Hendersonville, are very nice places to live, though. My brother was an Asheville PD officer for 13 years before he moved home to Florida. It was crazy town.
Instead of Asheville, try Blowing Rock, NC. Smaller town right up on the Blue Ridge next to Boone. I spent a weekend there a few years back. IMHO, one of the nicest places I have ever been in the USA.
It is gorgeous there. But that’s what democrats do...ruin the best spots.