Take a look at Winston-Salem. Perfect location -- equidistant from mountains and beach. Lots of history, yet very contemporary with a revitalized downtown and one of the best health care facilities in the US -- Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

I live in Raleigh, but could very happily live in Wilmington or Asheville, just depends on what you want to be close to. I'm from right outside Winston-Salem, but don't find it quite as desirable as the other choices. However, many in my family are very contented there, and in the surrounding area.

Hey, it's God's country here in North Carolina .... it's practically all good! ;;)

wamderer. why don't you come on down to NC and look at Chapel Hill, Davidson, Winston Salem (good idea--small city that feels big). Shelby, Hendersonville.Whatever. Are you really serious. When do you think this move will happen. What level of housing do you want to enter.
Your "historical need" and moving to Sonoma is an interesting juxtaposition although I would NEVER say Sonoma/Napa were great places to live--but at least be honest.Hope you find your utopia/nirvana small case.

This is my 7th year in Chapel Hill and I love living here. Given what you are looking for, if I have understood correctly, you would really like it here. You just have to find the right house on the right street :-) (that's in the budget!). It's not called a "little piece of heaven" for no reason!

Check out housing around
1. Rosemary St. and Boundary St. intersection
2. Davie Circle off of Franklin St.
3. Hwy 54/Raleigh Rd and Greenwood Rd, right at the edge of campus

I, of course, meant that Napa/Sonoma would be great places to live.

Thanks oobylicious - exactly the type of info I was looking for.

Always hard to know what the "good" neighborhoods are in a new area..

Thanks so much.

There is a great little area with many retirees between Chapel Hill and Pittsboro...Fearrington Village. It is absolutely beautiful...but, of course, this area is definitely part of God's country. It is georgous--especially this time of year.

I live in southern Durham...a lot like Chapel Hill, but prices are a little less (not much).

I also think that Hillsborough and Apex are also good matches.

We are staying at Fearrington Village so that's good to know!

Fearington is VERY nice. You'll like it. The Europa in CH is also lovely. But for old Chapel Hill charm, the Carolina Inn would be the ticket.

When are you coming down?

Labor Day weekend. Wanted to spend more time, but I've just started a new job, so it's long weekends for awhile.

Gretchen, The Europa in CH is no more. It's now a Sheraton. Still on Europa Dr. though. Maybe you were thinking of the Siena?

Wanderer, the Fearington House is 5*/5-diamond for both the inn and restaurant. The only place in the state with that high ranking for both.

If UNC has a home football game that weekend, plan around it. The roads are stuffed with extra cars heading towards the stadium or park-and-ride lots.

Since you're a big fan of smaller communities, you should look at some Chatham County communities. Bynum, Pittsboro, Moncure, maybe even Goldston. Pittsboro would be the largest, and you could find some land to build a home down there.

Thanks. Probably was. Friends have stayed there and our Chapel Hill visiting days are pretty far in the past.