--
I'd live here if I could (read: if I had a job there).
The mountains of western North Carolina are not particularly spectacular,
but there's a very old, comfortable, welcoming feeling about them.
Asheville is right there in the middle of these mountains, a city small
enough to be comfortable and large enough to have most of the city comforts
you want.
Plus Asheville sits right on the
Blue Ridge Parkway,
which follows the crest of the Appalachian mountains from
Shenandoah National Park to
Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
Lodging in Asheville is by and large not cheap. There are a large number of what look like very nice bed-and-breakfasts and tiny inns, but I generally just go for a moderately-priced national chain since I spend very little time wherever I'm staying. The Hampton Inn down by Biltmore Square is reasonably priced, convenient, and works for us.
Among my favorite Asheville restaurants are:
If I don't have to be in Asheville proper, and it's between April and October, the Pisgah Inn is a WONDERFUL retreat. Perched along the Blue Ridge Parkway on the side of Mt. Pisgah, 5000 feet above sea level, you'll find decent but not luxurious accommodations (each room with its own balcony overlooking the valley below), a restaurant serving three very square and highly edible meals a day, and as much solitude as you can stand. If you really want to get away, here's the place -- on the other hand should you get bored Asheville is an easy half-hour drive down the mountain.
