Just head south on 75. I'm originally from Michigan but lived in Florida for 20 years. The conservative southerners aren't nearly as bad as I imagined them to be! Monster trucks are annoying, but the small town friendly vibe is still possible anywhere. I highly recommend northern Georgia and Tennessee. Apparently there is a name for us. A guy I met in Tennessee called us half-backs. We moved from Michigan/Ohio to Florida, and then we moved half way back!
I can recommend all of the following (for different reasons):
Quaint small towns:
Ellijay, GA: apple picking reminds me of michigan
Helen, GA: german themed town, tubing down the river
Dahlonega, GA: gold panning, cabbage patch place is nearby, vibrant shopping downtown area
City life:
Chattanooga, TN: love visiting here. lookout mountain, riding bikes along the riverfront. so much to do!
Busy/tourist activities:
Sevierville, TN: dollywood, smokey mountains national park, awful tourist traps (lumberjack show isn't even that bad), arts & crafts (lots of pottery and woodcarving shops)