Not in South Bend! It's all about the Notre Dame pride and chip on the shoulder there. I used to live about 20 minutes away. If you've ever watched A Christmas Story, that takes place near South Bend and is VERY accurate as to the local culture.

I haven't lived in North Carolina but my father is from Georgia and I've spent some time in NC. To me the Carolinas are the southern-est southern states. I like them but it's not everyone's glass of sweet tea.

If you can't visit both places, and if weather is not an issue for you (it would be for me, I always pick the warmest possible place out of any given choices), I'd do a lot of internet searching for local groups and stuff. Also try http://www.findyourspot.com.

Politically, Chapel Hill is more conservative than South Bend. But in day-to-day attitudes, South Bend is more conservative. (I went to the doctor there in 2000 and the receptionist had a dreadful time wrapping her head around the shocking fact that my DH and I have different last names.)

I don't know if that helps.... The two areas aren't all that different, as far as vital statistics and cost of living. The food is different, the local "feel" is different, and the weather is different. That's about it.