I lived in the People’s Republic of Chapel Hill for five years. My seven-year-old daughter was badly bullied because we had a Bush sign in 2004. Avoid the hardcore liberal places if you have kids, because the kids will find out that you are not a True Believer, and there’s no forgiveness. Anyplace else, the biggest issue is Duke versus North Carolina. Better pick a side.
Also you must understand what BBQ is in NC. For one its not a verb. Second if you must choose between soda or pop, its safe to to go with coke. Using one of those words will get you strange looks.