Piedmont and Coast dwellers, what are your thoughts on the Mounatins?

I’m from WNC and it’s pretty uncommon for locals to leave the mountains… like ever. Multiple members of my family won’t even go as far as Asheville because it’s too “weird” for them 🤦‍♀️ I myself have only been to Charlotte and Raleigh once or twice, and it’s SO different. Obviously because they’re cities, but I would have never known NC could be like that! So I’m curious to those who aren’t appalachians, have you been to the mountains? What did you notice was the biggest difference from where you live? Did you like it?