"My folks live in Western Carolina near Cherokee....different area in lots of ways than Raleigh."
Very indeed. I lived in Raleigh for 12 years (spent a year in Austin, TX); I've only been in Clayton since November. I like it better, it's more rural here. I'd love to live near the mountains someday.
I grew up on Long Island, NY. Now THERE'S one place I am glad I am no longer in. :)
If you want to head toward the mountains, buy now.
The price of mountain land just keeps going up.