If you like the city, and the taxes and related problems, then Charlotte might be the place you'd be happiest.
If you'd prefer smaller cities, 60k or less, and/or more rural areas or then look north to Concord, Kannapolis, Mooresville, Salisbury and surrounding areas.
If you want to be on a lake, there are a few possibilities. The largest, Lake Norman, is nice, but has a nuke plant if that's an issue.
Plus, not uncommon to run into more than a few NASCAR drivers and personalities. Charlotte Motor Speedway and most of the teams are here.
Cabarrus/Concord and Kannapolis/Rowan city/county sales and property taxes are among, if not the lowest in the area.
I'm not familiar with the SC side of the border other than passing through, so I can't comment one way or another.
I have a 300mi response zone with Charlotte being the most important. We have people S. & W. of Charlotte. The need is north so that traffic is not a problem.