"I gotta get outa this place" Savannah, GA, to Philadelphia, PA...

[mnhtnbb]

50. I have a good friend who lives in Media, PA

12 miles west of Philly. Loves it. She's an academic on faculty
at St. Joseph's University. We grew up together in northern Jersey,
so yeah, we're definitely both Yanks.

http://www.mediaborough.com/

My brother lived in Berwyn, PA for some years when
he was working at GSK. They liked it, too, but
he and his wife are Repubs. I visited them several
years--at Christmas--and I thought the surrounding
small towns were quite picturesque. It's a little farther
out of Philly--about 24 miles--but a mainline town.

On edit: I live in Chapel Hill, NC and I LOVE it here.
I know there are several other NC folks on DU.
The Triangle area--Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill
is vibrant--better job opportunities than the rest of NC--
and Chapel Hill is an oasis of blue. All the universities
and colleges in the area tend to make it more liberal,
accepting, and cosmopolitan. Yes, NC has its share of
rednecks outside the Triangle (but Asheville is quite
progressive, too) but I think you'll find cost of living
a little better if you stay in the south and locate
yourself in a progressive town. There are lots and lots
of transplants in the Triangle, in fact the town of
Cary is considered an acronym for Containment Area
Relocated Yanks.

Good luck!