[m82labs]

The Raleigh NC area has quite a bit of tech, and if you stay about 20-25 minutes outside of downtown you can get that rural lifestyle while still being close to the city and tech companies. Specifically if you stay south of the city. I have 2 acres and regularly see cows across the field in my backyard but I also have a good selection of local tech conferences and reliable fiber internet.

[tcoppi]

Agree Raleigh and the general Triangle area is a good one. Maybe surprising for most here but Maryland and Virginia is like this as well. We're more expensive but you can get 1-3 acres within an hour commute of DC and/or Baltimore with a relatively robust tech scene, especially if you're willing to work for the government. Areas like Frederick, MD even have reasonable rail commutes into DC!