I've lived in both the Pittsburgh area and was born, and returned for nearly a decade, to Louisiana... and indeed, both are different than what we've encountered in NC. So it would be hard to really compare, and I wouldn't say any are "better", just different.
If I had to describe NC relative to a comparison to LA and PA, I'd probably have to state the obvious considering the geographic location of NC
NC does have aspects of "The South", but it also has aspects of "East Coast", "New England", and the West Virginia/Pennsylvania mountains.... again, all a function of where NC is relative to those regions.
NC also benefits from three distinct regions, that all have a slightly different "feel" and as such have attracted different types of people. As you may know, we have the coastal region, piedmont, and mountains, and each does have a distinct quality. When at the coast, you can sometimes imagine yourself anywhere from New England(in appearance) down to Georgia. In the piedmont, you can find it similar to any rural agriculturally based area in the South with flat or gently rolling fields and pine forests. And if in the mountains, the feel can be like being anywhere in Appalachia.
So it would be helpful to know what type of environment you like.
BTW, we live in Sanford. I wouldn't call it perfect, or many people's first choice, but we're happy with our adopted home town
I think that if work/income were not a factor, I'd be happiest closer to the mountains with more hills, streams, and hardwoods.
Good luck!
Al
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