We've also got the triangle, Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill (and Cary as well as RTP), along with the various periphery cities like Greensboro, Ashville, Wilmington, and Charlotte. It's not really that bad, but if you live in the boonies it's pretty boring as well as backwards, I agree. But even places some of the more medium-sized towns and cities aren't that bad.
Maybe I should try to organize a furry trip to the zoo...