Charlottesville VA vs Asheville NC vs Charleston SC

Hello, me and my wife (26 and 31) are remote workers and looking to relocate from the endless sprawl and hustle and bustle traffic of Charlotte. Our families are spread across the Carolinas and Virginia so we are looking to limit our search to those 3 states.

We don't want major metropolitan areas like Raleigh or NOVA but something more like a "Small/Medium Affluent/Educated City" vibe. Access to nature or a beach is a must for us. Politics of the state isn't a big factor. Charleston is tempting because we would live in the downtown Peninsula and love the warmer climate, beautiful downtown, and easy access to beaches. Its currently near the top of our list. Charlottesville is second because of its immaculate vibe and close knit community feel. Asheville is currently our third pick because it feels too isolated and gets very cold in the winter but we love the nature and community.

Any recommendations or words to help us out?