I live in a small town on the western side of the piedmont triad. Good medical care, low cost of living, not much traffic, amenities of medium size cites nearby, lots of recreational activities, moderate climate, 2 hour drive from big metro areas (Charlotte, Raleigh), 2 hours to Asheville, low crime, 4 hour drive to the coast.
I grew up on the coast. If I were going back to the east I would look first at the Crystal Coast area slightly south of New Bern (Beaufort, Swansboro, Cape Carteret). I’d also look at Elizabeth City, Washington, Edenton and some of the other quaint coastal towns north of New Bern and inland from the Outer Banks. I like Southport which is just south of Wilmington. I haven’t been to Greenville in 30 years, but I would check it out.
The coast does get hit by big hurricanes every 10 to 20 years. It is one of the unfortunate hazards of living near the shore. Floridians have the same issue. My parents moved from the coast to the piedmont about 2000 because they didn’t want to deal with periodic hurricanes anymore. I’ve lived in the piedmont for 40+ years, except for 5 years in southwest Florida. When I want to be on the coast I can take my travel trailer there in 4 hours or rent a condo inexpensively in the fall, winter, and early spring.
As for the mountains I agree Asheville is expensive and I wouldn’t live there full time. I like the village of Blowing Rock, near the college town of Boone. For those who want to be near Asheville look at Brevard or Hendersonville.
Lake Norman was great in the 1990’s before Charlotte exploded in size. Today it is too congested for my taste. There are other large lakes in the region beginning to develop year round housing. Look north of Hickory (Granite Falls) or at Lake James in western N.C.
If I were moving to the mountains for retirement I’d seriously look at Floyd Virginia which is 30 minutes south of the mid size city of Roanoke. It is also only a 90 mile drive north of Winston-Salem, NC which has a major medical center. Floyd is an eclectic community, with an arts and music heritage, starting to gain notice. Land is still inexpensive and the scenery is beautiful. Lots of outdoor recreation and cultural activities in the surrounding area. It is near the I81 corridor for easy travel north and south. Also right on the Blue Ridge Parkway (as is Blowing Rock, NC).
Central and piedmont North Carolina is blessed with major university research medical centers centers with strong national standing. Wake Forest is in Winston-Salem, Duke in Durham, and UNC in Chapel Hill. A nice benefit to living here if one develops a serious health issue.