Some other suggestions not yet mentioned (at least I think not.) None of these will please many, or maybe any, but to my mind they gave some unique qualities
Winston-Salem NC - a nicer place than Greensboro, Raleigh-Durham, or (not recommended) Charlotte, but it is near all of them and farther yet still reasonably convenient to Asheville (2.25 hrs drive.) Property is higher quality and lower price, it voted 52% Dem and 42% Rep.
Roanoke VA - near Staunton VA in the southwest corner if the state; an attractive town, cheap, a bit artsy/hippie.
Knoxville TN - attractive city center, lots of loft conversions of historic hotels and office buildings, interesting housing stock and distinct neighborhoods, overall a fairly good job of revitalizing a downtown. Nearby Chattanooga is uglier and more pick marked by urban canning mistakes but has somehow become popular and fairly expensive. A 2.5 hr drive to Nashville which has become a bit if a traffic clogged hipster cliche, and not at all inexpensive. Memphis is grittier, poorer, but on something of a rebound, still pricier than Knoxville
Greensville SC was much hyped two or three years ago. I don't know it well at all but know people who more or less like it, but haven't heard anyone who quite loved the place. Upstate SC will always be Upstate SC for me, despite any degree of hype and hip quotient and whirring of economic engines.
Natchez MS is probably suited only for serious architecture fans, and those with a strong constitution for hearing all of your friends turn stupid and say things like, "but isn't that creepy, a whole town built on slavery? I mean, slavery was bad, right?" Yes, almost as bad as having no deeper understanding of slavery than that it was bad, right? Attractive town, beautiful setting, amazing architecture, a little blue oasis in a red stained state, good food, cheap houses, and a mayor who will pay $2500 moving expenses and $300 a month for a year to boost population.
North Carolina coastal cities/towns of Wilmington, Washington, New Bern, if you like ocean access and historic cities. Also Salisbury NC and Concord NC, both big towns/small cities near Charlotte.
Leesburg VA, Culpeper VA, Fredericksburg are towns/small cities with 18thC cores, none are cheap but each have fairly well developed centers.
Chesterton MD is a small college town of 18th and 19thC houses on a riverfront setting. Good for a quiet small town setting with easy driving access to Baltimore, DC, Philadelphia (a good location 8f you fly a lot.)
Some of the Philadelphia centered Main Line and more or less adjacent towns are really beautiful, prosperous, and villagey, with village life at your doorstep and easy access to the center of Philadelphia. Doylestown slightly to the north has been put forth in DL several times as a potential spot if gay infiltration.
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