Often called "The Paris of the South," nearby Asheville is one of the most vibrant cities in the region. Take a stroll through downtown and check out the fascinating galleries and architecture that have led it to be named among the 25 Top Arts Destinations in the country by AmericanStyle Magazine for seven years and counting. And be sure to check out the phenomenal restaurants that have made this a hot culinary destination in recent years.

Just minutes from The Preserve at Little Pine you'll discover Hot Springs, which was named for the natural mineral springs flowing underground. Set aside an afternoon for a relaxing dip in the healing waters, then spend the evening visiting the shops and restaurants downtown. You might even strike up a conversation with an adventurer hiking the Appalachian Trail, the famous Maine-to-Georgia path that runs through town.

Head just down the road to explore Weaverville and Marshall. Both of these towns possess a small-town charm of a by-gone era, with shopping and fine dining.

All around you'll find thousands of acres of national forest, so prepare yourself for some of the best whitewater rafting, hiking, skiing and mountain biking in the South. Or plan a Sunday drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, with stops at Mount Mitchell (the highest point east of the Mississippi), Cherokee Indian Reservation and the Folk Art Center of the Southern Highland Craft Guild.

Add to this access to some of the nation's best healthcare, award-winning universities and colleges, and four mild seasons, and it's no wonder Asheville and Western North Carolina have been called a "Second-Home Mecca" by Pinnacle Living (Fall 2004) and one of the "Most Desirable Places to Live" by the New York Times (September 2002).