Ooh scary. I hope you all stay safe.
My husband and I would love to go to Asheville. We are huge Arts and Crafts Movement buffs and have always wanted to go to the big yearly conference at the Grove Park Inn. I know the area is gorgeous despite the hippy element. ;)
We have a town here in the Ozarks called Eureka Springs that is probably similar. Hippies, devoted Christians, and bikers all living in harmony in an old timey Victorian town, lol. Thank the Lord no fires so far!
Asheville has a lot of great people but the government is mostly fruitcakes. They flew the rainbow flag on City Hall when gay marriage was passed. Very expensive housing and lots of low-paying jobs.
So much money has moved into Asheville that the Arts scene has been compromised. Only those who can afford high dollar rents can make it.