I am a big fan of NC because that is where I was born and raised! I'm only a South Carolinian by marriage. Even though SC has a much prettier flag (if you've ever visited here you'll notice the palmetto tree/moon on everything).
Anyway, we have some good friends who recently moved to Raleigh. My family lives in Carteret County which is at the beach
It seems to be 5 hours from anywhere in NC to Charleston.