Moutainous terrain doesn't begine until you get into the westernmost territories. Traveler's Rest (actually a town's name) is at the bottom of the ridge, right below the continental divide, and was the stopping point for travelers to rest and recover before beginning that long, agonizing trial over the mountainridge and into Hendersonville, NC.
Another mountain town you might have heard of is Clemson. It's your standard college town with some superhot honeys, and there is work in the area. I'm not sure about the living costs, but it can't be too bad.
Greenville is east of TR and not mountainous in the least. We're in the piedmont, which makes walking around really nice. The upside is that there is plenty of work, costs aren't high, and housing is good. A few hours drive will see you in them thar hills, or sunning on the beach.