I'm from the Northeast, born in Philly now live in rural Maryland...
I hate the Northeast, really hate the cities in the area - and to me personally - DC is a clusterbleep of the highest order. Expensive, crowded...
I've lived in and absolutely love the Carolinas. I don't know much about or cycling around Charlotte proper - but it's just a drive away from some of the best cycling on the east coast. Greenville is on my list as well.
Take a drive up I95 and note the change in driving/attitude the moment you get north of Richmond. Fast, aggressive, busy, crowded, messy - to me, the people and the city life are the same.