Come on down. We're far enough from Raleigh, but close enough to transport. Brief winter, acceptable summer. Beach 3 hours, mountains not as far. Music, music, music. Warm wonderful people - writers, readers, folkies, and not. Several world-class institutions of higher learning. Some rivers not quite spoiled. Some lovely farmland not developed yet, not overly expensive yet. Do I sound like a real estate agent? Maybe. I'd love to have such a place as you're fantasizing about when I retire [heeheehee] and won't ever be leaving here now that I've found it.