Been in NC all my life.
Myrtle Beach is a tourist trap. Unless all you do is golf, then Pinehurst area is a bazillion times better. I wouldn't go on an all-paid vacation to MB even if you paid me.
NC, in general, is great. Wife is a NC native also and we tried to do as much traveling as we could before we decided that there was no reason to leave. Four temperate seasons, mountains and the beach, great people (other than Concentrated Areas of Relocated Yankees: Cary
), conservative (bathroom issue is BS), guns good, etc.
Western half is rolling hills (up to the mountains), hardwoods, and pork shoulder BBQ. Eastern half is flat, pine trees, and whole hog BBQ....the BBQ thing is important
.
Lots of other things to consider.....Loris, Long, and Conway are kinda no go...
Happy to talk to you anytime.