From San Diego to Black Mountain/East Asheville?? (Charlotte: rent, new home)

[SD&NC]

First post; I hope I get it right.

Husband and I are looking to buy (cash out) a small home in the East Asheville to Black Mountain area. We just spent two days in Black Mountain two weeks ago (so pretty; great dining at The Cellar). Loved the park at Tomahawk. We hope to spend about $275k-$300k.

My husband will continue to work here is San Diego/So. Cal area for at least another 6-7 years so we will rent here. We are in our early 50s; last child graduates college in May.

I'm trying to get a clue about East Asheville; we just passed thru it on our way back to Black Mountain from Asheville. Is it nice? Any residential areas anyone can suggest there? We hope to buy a house with 1/2 an acre, with lots of trees. Prefer sidewalks.

Also is A/C a requirement back there now? Seems all new homes have it so it makes me wonder if it's not a necessity now.

I know my questions are open-ended; we own a small place in Charlotte and have traveled a lot in WNC. We love the mountains and the people; the Asheville area seems to keep calling us back. Thus we want to be close to its downtown; I hate freeway driving (likely due to our CA freeways, which are terrifying).

Any neighborhoods any body can suggest ?

Thanks to all who respond.