Jenn and I are moving on Saturday from Chapel Hill to Charlotte, due to her new job in a well-considered major hospital in downtown Charlotte. Cost of living is really reasonable--there are dozens of places to live, and everyone's running "specials' for new tenants, and it looks like a great place to be.
She had also received offers from a place on the NC coast, in Elizabeth City. We both decided against that move due to fears of coastal hurricanes, floods, and weather-related issues. It's also less "fun" to live near the ocean, as the humidity and salt in the air affect everything. I would suggest researching weather and climate issues as well.
A secondary consideration is air/environment quality. Several states have elevated levels of cancer and other diseases; some would say that it's from downwind problems from coal-fired power plants or industrial groundwater pollution. Of course, others dismiss this entirely.
We also researched traffic patterns and congestion, believe it or not, in deciding where to live in the city, and the nearness or availability of major airports---necessary for my job, natch. Good luck with your search and your move.