Good luck on the east coast. I lived there for 5 very long years. Weather can be a drag depending on where you live. We were in CT where the winter lasted what seemed to be 6 months and the summer dragged on forever with humidity that made it practically impossible to do anything during the day. Noreasters shut the coast down a few times a year and then you spend the next week or so shoveling your way out of your driveway.
Every place has it’s drawbacks and in the end being close to family/friends matters most. We decided that we liked being outdoors more than we liked experiencing the long winters and oppressing summers and we wanted to actually live near people who did not have a constant frown on their faces. Be sure to check out any state you choose, people can be very closed/reserved on the east coast — it’s a cultural thing and once you break through the demeanor you may actually meet a few people you can call a friend.
From what we hear people like NC quite a bit. I believe someone on this site lives there now.
