There's about 70,000 people in Asheville, so I guess there are about 70,000 opinions about that. I can only answer from my own experience. I would agree more with your first statement, that Asheville is an oasis like Austin, but would not say that anyone who doesn't live in Asheville is uber-Christian and right-wing (I live 25 minutes outside Asheville!) I can say this: I traveled for 10 years all over the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Central America. I lived in many mecca towns and loved them all. But it wasn't until I came to the Asheville area that I felt I could buy a house and stay a while. What first appealed to me was that Asheville was a town that collectively knew how to have a good time, and I saw every type and class of people having a good time together rather than keeping themselves segregated. The city is surrounded by national forests and amazing beauty. And as a member of the counterculture, I feel and have always felt that I am not only tolerated, but supported and encouraged to be what I am. I the last few years, Asheville has begun to suffer from its own goodness as more people move here into new developments and drive prices up. But it's still my favorite place. I would say to just come and visit and see how you like it.