Title.

My partner, toddler, and I have been in Charleston for about four years renting from family. Unfortunately, that's not an option starting in June (nothing bad or anything, just times up and we gotta move on). Looking for places to rent here has my head spinning at rental prices.

We're looking for a place where we can get a 2-3 bedroom house/condo (preferably not apartment) for like $2000. Am I out of my mind thinking that's reasonable? (Seriously, if I'm not going to find anything around that price, please be real with me)

I have a full time remote job, my partner has been a stay at home parent for the last three years but will begin working evenings wherever we move.

We would like to stay within 5 hours of Charleston (but understand this night not be feasible without living in bumfuck nowhere).

My partner is big into nerdy shit/board games, so anywhere that has an active gaming community would be ideal. I like the outdoors, so easy access to mountains/green space would be good. Ideally we want more mild summers. Politics aren't an issue (we're liberal but have dealt with SC politics my whole life)

Currently considering:

Hickory NC

Winston-Salem NC

Greenville SC

Spartanburg SC

Bristol TN (further away but whatever)

Johnson City TN

Pittsburgh PA (way far away, but I keep reading it's cheap and went to college near there/have friends in the area)

I would appreciate any helpful comments there are.

Edit: formatting