Country life or Down South?

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2/7/2013
We just recently moved from LA to a small town on the Eastern shoreline of Ct. It's a village really with a number of towns nearby which blend together to form the shoreline. What an adjustment. We were looking for more nature and less expense as well as the change of seasons. We pretty much got it except its more expensive here for some items like food and of course heat.
We have lived in NY, Miami, La and now Ct. I am from Ct which is why we moved here. It's beautiful and familiar but now we see it might not be the ticket.
Both my husband and I are having a tough time adjusting to the cold winter and gray days and are not sure if this is really the right place for us. We like the abundance of nature and the lack of traffic and rude people that LA has but think maybe a smaller city would suit us better and more temperate weather.
Anyone know about Asheville or any other town on North Carolina that might work?
We are both liberal Obama people who are not religious, have no kids and are entrepreneurs so need to be in a hip area with good food, arts and opportunities for growth.
Any input wold be welcome!
Amanda | Old Lyme, CT