Ditto KK's Knoxville and Raleigh/Durham recommendations. My sister's at UT and my brother's at Duke
Charlotte's a good place, but it's grown VERY fast. Plat and Dallas from AEBN are there and could probably give you some good pointers on jobs/living/etc.
I'm close to TN, but I'm in a rural area - I probably have one of the 3 computers in the county
Clemson SC is a nice place. There are a few large companies around there and they have the mountains AND lakes. My son went to school there last year.
Ashville's beautiful, too.
College towns are good because the cost of living is usually low. Just be sure in this economy, especially in IT, that you get a job BEFORE you head out. Good luck!!