zadazoom

My husband and I are going to spend the next 6-12 months in Asheville, and I'm wondering what West Asheville is like in comparison.

We're looking for an area that is artistic, where we can go grab coffee in afternoon (and I don't just mean Starbucks) , go browse book stores (I don't just mean Barnes and Noble or Borders) and have some great food (eh, no Applebees or TGI'F), and go to some nice produce markets (I'm kind of a foodie). Mom and Pop-owned places are ideal. It would be nice if we can walk to these places, if they're in walking distace. I know downtown Asheville is kind of cool, but how about West Asheville? How far a drive is it from downtown Asheville? What do you think of it, and would it be good for an artist or writer whose had enough of being too isolated in the boring suburbs?

Thanks.

SO, after many years of being away from San Francisco, I am going to return, and I am very excited because I miss it very much. But also I'm kind of worried. My husband and I (and our cat, Stinkerbell) are planning to rent and don't want to spend more than $2000 a month for at least a one-bedroom place, prefer hardwood floors. I wonder how far $2000 will go. How is rent in S.F. these days? I left back in '96, and after that I know it sky-rocketed. Also, how are the east bay areas, like Oakland and Berkley ? I hear they've changed, in some cases for the better. I do not want to be too far from SF if I have to live on the east bay. An ideal place for me is where I can get coffee that is NOT from Starbucks, and equally non-corporate bookstores and restaurants.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Also, I know of Craigslist and do check there.