If it's American Trad you are after - may I recommend Kentucky/ Virginia brders /or/Arkansas Ozark region / - the people are very nice and not messed up by tourism like NC- Going to NC looking for folk is like going to Nashville looking for Country! It ain't there no more! Also recent large industries located there. A very big nasty flood ruined a large part of the state recently.

Fionna Richie made the same error when locating in the USA!