I have grown up in the southeast, but have had the opportunity to travel quite a bit throughout the country experiencing different lifestyles. To break this down not knowing your family here are some thoughts which hopefully help. Be confident with the flexibility being provided you will be able to find good schools, good people, and an enjoyable lifestyle based on what the southeast has to offer.
Number one decide if you and your family enjoy activities centered around hiking, biking, white water rafting, Fall Festivals, enjoying the change of seasons, bluegrass music, fried apple pies, wine country. If this is the case you will definitely enjoy living North GA, NC, Eastern TN.
Number two decide if your family would enjoy, the beach, surfing, boating, fresh water and deep sea fishing, tourist attractions, giving up the change of seasons for the most part, no more snow, are not bothered by high humidity 10 months of the year. Florida is a very diverse state with so much culture. It is a one of a kind lifestyle that no other state provides. Orlando or Tampa are both great cities. Not to big, but growing like crazy. A ton going on, year round sports for the kids, work all week then kick your feet up at the beach for a family picnic on the weekends. If you enjoy the water. move to Florida.
A key decision considering the new job.
I currently live 45 minutes north of Atlanta. I grew up in Florida and still have family living in central FL. I never thought Atlanta would be my choice, but I absolutely love this area. If your husband is going to be in and out of airports Atlanta is a great location because everything is a direct flight with Delta being based in Atlanta. The city offers everything you could imagine including, Broadway Shows, fantastic food, nightlife, professional sports, great people, awesome medical, and schools. The city is the center of the southeast. With this being said, yes traffic is horrible. You do get used to this after time, but it will be a major adjustment. For my family living close to the mountains, but only a couple of hours to the beach, a great climate with change of seasons, this is a great location.
Here are the cities I would live in if Atlanta was not home today. Charlotte is a great city! Hip, great lifestyle, home of Nascar (you will understand if you live in Charlotte), nice airport, great size town. Jacksonville, FL would be my choice if I moved back to Florida. No state income tax, not as many toll roads, not as much humidity compared to Orlando, Tampa, Miami. The beach is wonderful, but the water is not near as pretty if you lived further south. Jacksonville is like living in South Georgia, a little more of a small town feel being a medium size city.
If you decide on the mountain lifestyle also look into Chattanooga, Asheville, and Raleigh. These cities are big enough to be hubbed in the southeast for work, but small on scale. Each of these cities have great character, small town feel, and unique lifestyles. People that live I theses towns always want to come back after they move elsewhere. Chatanooga is the old little town which is coming back to life. Great downtown area, easy in and out airport, not to far from Atlanta for a day trip. Asheville in the heart of the Smokies, great art scene, small town feel, plenty to do, but not as convenient in regards to work for your husband (location). Raleigh, young, energetic, great schools, technology, provides a wonderful place to raise a family.
To close, you will experience a big change in your lifestyle. You will not replace the big sky, huge mountains, western desert if you relocate. You will enjoy what the southeast has to offer once you get settled!