IMHO, Asheville has just enough hippies to make for interesting people-watching, support some organinc and vegetarian restaurants and grocery stores, and create some cheap artwork.

Also, I think the Bananna Republic comment was tounge-in-cheek, meaning that's the best we've got. That is really the only knock I have about Asheville...the clothes shopping is crappy, although recreational shopping (galleries, bookstores, wine shops) is pretty good. There is A LOT of money hidden away in Asheville, they must clothes-shop when they visit their other homes.

I live in NC and have been to Asheville on numerous occasions. Also traveled to Boulder once in the past year. Both are interesting, attractive college towns with a good selection of restaurants. Some disadvantages of Asheville: very smoggy (yes, true smog- not just blue mist)in the summer- hard to see the mtns unless you get right up in them. I would consider driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway and staying at the Pisgah Inn about 30 mins. from Asheville rather than in town. There is some spectacular scenery in this area and fabulous wilderness hiking. Touring Cades Cove in TN by bike (in the off season and not on a weekend) is also a special thrill but unfortunately, the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge TN area is overrun with tourists and commercial development.
Boulder disadvantages: non stop sprawl and development all the way from the Denver airport. Why not go to Steamboat Springs or Aspen instead?

Mary:
We just returned from visiting Boulder and researching if it would be a place to live. I found 2 jobs but they pay LOW compared to cost of living. The other was right ...avg home 500K. We met with a realtor who talked about surrounding areas to live...all seems expensive. We could get a 'fixer upper' for 200K! It is your call. Why not visit and see for yourself. IMO Good: You are in the mountains so hiking is accessible and there are alot of bicyclists (snobby though). Bad: modern hippies, college town of students whose parents can afford it. The people are very holistic in their approach to life

If you are to visit... A great B&B is The Inn on Mapleton Hill. They have a website. Judy is the owner and very nice stay.

Good Luck.

Thanks for all the great ideas! They both sound so wonderful that I'm going to have to go to one of the places this summer, and the other one next year. Too bad they're in opposite directions.

Mary,

I just came across this forum - 11 years after you started it! If you get this message, could you let us know what you decided? Did you visit both Asheville and Boulder and where are you now?

I am considering a move from IL myself.
Thanks!
Troy

Troy, the likelihood that Mary is still around is pretty slim. Why not start a new thread and ask questions related to what you are interested in?

I wasted a bunch of time reading before I realized it was an ancient thread. But wanting to see pretty mountains and trying to choose between the Rockies and the smokies was sort of ludicrous to me.
BUT I will also say that Asheville is a VERY happening place these days. But much quieter and laid back than Boulder.