I vacationed in North Carolina and have some input. The research triangle has a decent tech scene and a pretty alright nightlife. While NC has some stigma as a

I vacationed in North Carolina and have some input. The research triangle has a decent tech scene and a pretty alright nightlife. While NC has some stigma as a pretty conservative state (drive through rural NC and you'll see confederate flags flapping in the breeze) the major cities are fairly liberal - if that matters to you. There are Code for America chapters in Raleigh and Durham so there is that. I enjoyed the cities and NC is definitely a contender for escaping the insane rental prices of the Bay Area.