Preston...wow, how the hell are you?
I've lived all over the south...here's my pics for you.
Raleigh/Durham, NC. Three colleges (Duke, UNC, NC State) plenty of culture, southern as well as world. Best place in the country right now if you want to find a job. Housing is still fine if you go to the durham side and out ot the country.
Asheville, NC. My favorite. It's another world to itself, I hope it stays that way long enough foe me to move there.
Charlotte NC. (See a pattern here?) NC in general is an awesome state. Charlotte is the banking capital of the country...not many people know that, but go there and you'll see it. Super clean city with real estate bargans galore.
Atlanta, GA. Atlanta is cutting edge in a lot of ways, although in my opinion losing ground as far as the tech market to places like Raleigh and even Albuquerque. Still, Atlanta is one of those cities you could possibly never leave because you can do almost anything you want there, from hiking to five star dining (which I go to ATL just to stay in hotels and eat awesome food. Haven't been in about 2 years though.
Virginia - Look at the DC area. Geographically it may not be deep south, but I promise you will find sweet tea and country living galore. Culpeper/Warrenton are good, Charlottesville is still considered to be a cutting edge rural city, which is interestingly enough credited as the place that started the outdoor mall concept. Two colleges close by help out a bit too, plus there is an excuse for a ski slope not too far away.
Louisiana...I'm from there. Loved New Orleans, haven't been back since Katrina. Louisiana's negative side is the tax system and overall ability to make a decent living, IMHO. I love the land...the politics make me sad. Not saying it's not possible...it's just touch unless you have a good niche.
Texas. No offense to anyone there. But if you think you like it...maybe try Austin. Otherwise...at least for me...it's fun to visit.
Good luck bro. If you need info on somewhere you're going, let me know, I'll give you the inside info and any contacts I may have that can help you.
WLG