Some like Wilmington, NC. College town, on the water. Also consider Charlotte, or property on Lake Norman.
I love Greenville SC. Savannah and Charleston both have large numbers of retirees. I don’t think Ashville and surrounds are particularly warm but I am a Southerner.
Athens GA (specifically Clark and Oconee Counties) might work for you. The state of GA is fairly conservative but with UGA there the influx of professors etc makes the area more liberal than most of rural GA or suburban Atlanta.
@Tiredofsnow OP just said East Coast, not by the ocean. Asheville one of her choices is also not by the beach. The upstate of SC , as well as NC has access to many beautiful lakes if OP wants water access.
Yes, thanks, carolinamom2boys, I think I misinterpreted the Greenville SC post as a response to Chedva’s question. I am from NC and grew up in Virginia so I am pretty clear on your other points. 
I prefer open water to lakes, myself, but I grew up by the ocean and was born on what they’re now calling the “Inner Banks” of NC.
@Tiredofsnow I spent many summers on Emerald Isle and Swansboro. Beautiful area.
Yes, it is (I’m from a little further north) but my hometown floods if someone in Bermuda sneezes :).
I think the Carolinas and Virginia are such beautiful states, but I admit prejudice.
@oldfort …I am in the homes of retired patients every day and your comment is spot on! It seems there are phases of retirement that I am learning about. The seclusion of the patients I see in sprawling suburbs is very real. They can no longer drive and the kids and grandkids are all busy and can only occasionally give them a ride or take them somewhere.
Yes, I’m trying to get my inlaws to consider that. They’re lifelong New Yorkers and grew up in Brooklyn and Queens and could easily go back. One of their sons is a real estate agent in NYC and deals with really high end places. Nothing like having a doorman and a super around to help you out when things get difficult! The problem is getting my MIL to downsize and move out. I don’t think it’s happening.
New Bern, NC
We both grew up in NJ (metro NYC), and my husband’s mother didn’t drive so they were in the city all the time. If I could afford to live the way I would like to live in NY, I’d do it in a heartbeat. Husband, not so much. And we can’t afford to live the way I want to!
You have to consider the availability of comprehensive medical care, which Asheville does not have. I love it there, otherwise. I think Greenville would be a good choice- or Wilmington. We changed our whole retirement plan when we moved to middle Tennessee. We had planned to retire to Colorado (near Glenwood Springs) but realized it is too far from Denver and good air transportation and major medical centers. We love the Nashville area, although right now since it has become the “it” city, there are some issues that go along with that. We are staying here and like most everything about it.
Right now, no state income tax in Florida. The Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Sarasota/Bradenton area offer a varied selection of homes, condos, ranches and apartments. Good medical care, cultural activities, shopping and services for those in retirement age, as well as a nice mix of young and older demographics.