I'd like to introduce Asheville, NC   for those of you who haven't visited that area. It's a beautiful town with a smaller-city feel in the mountains of Western North Carolina, with an altitude of over 2000 feet. It's a four season area, including a bit of snow in the winter, but generally quite a bit milder than the northeast. Summers are warm but pleasant. Some of the highest peaks in the eastern U.S. are nearby, several over 6000', and the Blue Ridge Parkway passes through town, lending access for some excellent hiking, camping and wilderness activities. There are also numerous waterfalls to find and explore. There are several colleges in the area, and  the downtown area has become a bit of an alternative cultural mecca, featuring many New Age boutiques and activities, and small clubs with a variety of  interesting acts performing for musical tastes from Rock to Jazz, as well as the more conservative. At the end of July is the annual Bele Chere festival, a huge street celebration which takes up most all of downtown with craft and food booths, performance stages and partying. There are many hills and winding roads, fine homes and dining, as well as the diverse older neighborhoods and culture. Real estate was a bit on the expensive side, but due to the economic downturn has become a lot more affordable. The area is a great choice especially for the spiritually conscious, alternative folk, and recreational enthusuasts, though the native (mostly Southern Baptist) population is still in the majority especially outside the city area. There are many groups involving everything from Zen to Tantra, channeling, Yoga, Sufism, whole foods and intentional communities, Native American enthusiasts, the arts, gardening and herbs, progressive churches and ample networking contacts for all interests. The beer microbrew industry there is well known, too. After 14 years there and a gradual drying up of business income, I decided to leave in the spring of 2010 and live in the northeast again, but do check out the links here and decide for yourself.

Asheville, NC
 

Bele Chere Festival        Great downtown celebration/party, end of July
Royal Faires       Official site of the Arizona & Carolina Renaissance Festivals
WLOS       Local TV station, ABC affiliate, local news, weather, graphics, links
Asheville Chamber of Commerce      Info, links and virtual tour
Live-Photo      Live-cam of Asheville, NC taken from up high in the BB&T building
Mountain Xpress      Local alternative paper, news, calendar, classifieds
WNCW      NPR station in Spindale, NC - great daily lineup of news & music on 88.7 FM
New Rock 93.3/Planet 93.3      Local rock station based in the Greenville SC area
WZLS      Z 96.5 Asheville rock station, now gone, but interesting view on its legacy & FCC insensitivity which led to its demise
Asheville Citizen-Times      Local newspaper, new site with local news, classifieds, real estate
BCHC Home Page      Buncombe County Health Center (Asheville area)
Asheville Montessori School       Home page of this Asheville alternative school
Arden Unity Center       Alternative church near Asheville,  New Age flavor
Unity Center Local Links       Many Asheville area links not covered on this page
Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe       Great alternative bookstore downtown, with cafe/events/music, online articles by staff, and book list information
Earth Fare       Natural foods supermarket in Asheville, other S.E. cities as well
French Broad Food Co-Op       Natural food co-op in downtown Asheville, hosts events
Area Churches       List of most churches in the area, especially the "traditional"
Land of the Waterfalls        Info on Transylvania county / recreation, interactive map/photos
Biltmore Estate      Tourist site, huge 1890's mansion and grounds
University of NC at Asheville      University home page
Western Carolina University      In Cullowhee, 45 mi. west of Asheville in the Smokies
Blue Ridge Parkway      Info and links for this scenic highway
Cherohala Skyway       A beautiful mountain highway in Western N.C., with many photos
Asheville Holistic Alternatives Calendar      New Frontier Magazine/Nepal Institute's calendar of Asheville spiritual events and groups - very good
Asheville Magazine      Same author above, Asheville as a New Age mecca + links
Virato Live!      Virato's talk radio program, Saturday mornings on Asheville 880 AM radio
GoCarolinas     Charlotte-based TV news station's info & links for the region
Roadside Apple Markets Directory      If you're in the area in late summer & fall, try some local apples, visit Hickory Nut Gap Farm in Buncombe County (Fairview), or others
Chimney Rock Park       Fine park with a great view, well worth visiting while in the area
Care2.com archives        Pictures of the Great Smoky Mountains

----> For additional alternative spiritual groups, see the "New Age / Paranormal" and the "Native / Pagan / Shaman" sections.