Firstly, born in Red Bluff, CA; lastly, hanging out in Asheville, NC (another emerald city -- also used to work as a PIO in Eugene, another emerald city).
My DH loves Asheville. When he used to work for Caesar's Entertainment, he travelled there often. It has a fantastic school district, is a center for Art, and is visually stunning. One day, I will need to see it for myself.