Hey There - I am from NC too. I am from the Sandhills area. My husband and I are moving to Kent this summer. And my daughter is going to be attending university in Scotland starting in September. You will probably find out a lot of answers to your questions here. I have been going back and forth between the US and Britain for over 20 years, I am just not coming back this time.
Take care...
Barbara
PS. I will miss Southern Food though. But, the English are the best bakers, in my opinion. A lot of that rubbed off on Southern bakers.