I was raised in NC, attended UNC, and lived in NC until moving to the Tampa Bay area 8.5 years ago. If you love outdoor activities, vegetable gardens in the winter, NO STATE INCOME TAX...then this is certainly the place for you.
The FL Gulf coast is pretty conservative too, and some areas around here are overwhelmingly conservative. I have never, ever regretted the move from NC to FL.
I moved to NC from the Tampa area about two years ago.
I really wish I hadn't done that, and hope to rectify that mistake soon!