April weekend in Asheville area

We are travelling with friends to Gatlinburg for several days in April, and plan to end the trip with Friday through Sunday somewhere around Asheville so they can check out the area with an eye to relocation.

I%26#39;d like suggestions for how to get a feel for the area. Not necessarily tourist destinations--where to go to see what it would be like to live in that part of NC. (We%26#39;re from Washington state)

I%26#39;ve never been to NC. Are there other towns close by we should drive to and look at? Would it be worth staying in a different town within 30 minutes or so of Asheville, to get an idea of the area? We%26#39;re open to suggestions for B%26amp;B%26#39;s and restaurants--the only thing that%26#39;s been settled so far is to check out Malaprop%26#39;s and other bookstores and any coffee shops in the downtown area.

April weekend in Asheville area

Hendersonville and Brevard - many B %26amp; Bs and the PIsgah National Forest. Carl Sandburh homeplace in Flat Rock ( near H%26#39;Ville). Have dinner at Poplar Lodge in H%26#39;Ville. Best wishes. ( Tip: Can the relocation talk or TA will lock this thread.).