I don’t think the people doing those livability surveys actually ask any of the people who live in those cities what they think. Asheville’s nice if you have a lot of money and can live on scenery, but if you have to look for a job when you move there, lots of luck.
Not to say Asheville isn’t a nice town. It’s just that the city fathers are short-sighted and stuck in the mud. My friend could regale you with stories for hours.
I was born in California, raised in Oklahoma, spent time in Conn and New Hampshire, and now living in Texas. But the best time was spent in Durham as a graduate student at Duke from 88 through 95. Daughter was born at Duke and we would love to move back. So if anyone in the RTP needs a good Unix Geek let me know. We would move back in a heart beat. The best thing about Durham (even though it doesn’t sound like it) is that $250K houses are within blocks of shacks. It makes for an interesting mix. Carolina on my mind…