Help!!! Moving to Asheville... (Charlotte, Greenville: neighborhoods, airport, activities)

[jbob]

Hello, My family and I are moving to Asheville this summer from a small town in Colorado. I have a few questions. If anyone can help me out that would be just great.

Are there any multi-day private river trips in the area? If so, what is the permit system like?

I am a little nervous about moving to a "big city", although also very excited. Are there any neighborhoods you can recommend that are fairly self- contained. I mean- bike paths, resturants within biking or walking distance, rec center, park. I am also looking for a family area because I have a 2 year old and another soon to be on the way. We would really like to stay under 300,000. (the further under the better)

I know it snows a bit in the winter, do the roads get real icy? I am asking because I drive a front wheel drive car in Colorado because although it snows alot is never sticks around and never is too icy. Would you saw front wheel drive is all you need for winters there?

How far is it to the airport in Charlotte? Is that the closest airport? How about the sirport in Asheville? Is it worth it to fly from there?

Does anyone know if there is a family center or any sort of organization that helps to schedule play groups and activities for moms and kids?

Thank you all for your time and if anyone has these answers it would be great!!!

[mm34b]

I'm in the Asheville area. As far as air travel goes, the residents around here use the Asheville-Hendersonville Airport and the Greenville-Spartanburg, SC Airport which is a hour from Asheville. The charlotte airport is around 2.5 hours away.