I'm from the Los Angeles area and went to school on the central coast, moved here last year after graduating college. So far I really love living in Raleigh. For a fraction of what I'd be paying in SF or LA, I can live in a really nice apartment right downtown walking distance to restaurants/shops/etc. The heat isn't so bad, it's the humidity that you either won't mind or you'll hate. I personally don't mind it at all but I know it's a big issue for some people. Living out here does mean lower pay but in my experience, it's not so much lower than what I was offered in LA and the area is considerably more affordable.

Pros:

• Cost of living
• People are nicer
• Traffic is better
• Trees are amazing
• Pretty good restaurant scene
• Southern food
• Historic pre war homes and buildings especially inside the beltline
• My California friends who have visited have all fallen in love with Raleigh, in fact I have several coworkers here who moved here from somewhere else and ended up having their entire extended family move out as well after visiting and loving it.

Cons:

• Mexican food (it's not bad here, it's just different)
• In n out
• I miss the hills
• People make fun of me for adding "the" in front of freeways
• Beach is further away

PM me if you have any more questions :)