If you are looking for a smaller town feel, with mid-sized city resources, and centrally located to the Triad/Triangle, you might also consider Sanford. We have many from the Ft. Bragg area that choose Sanford for the low cost of living and quality of life aspects. The commute is 20ish minutes, depending on where in Sanford one starts from.
You would have no problem finding a home within your budget around Sanford, and a pretty nice one at that... probably with land to boot!
Live Well Centered.
City of Sanford, North Carolina | Official Government Website
Good luck!
Al