Come to Durham -- among the best food towns in the southeast and the nation, Durham is imminently walkable. Between DPAC, Central Park, Ninth Street, and Brightleaf, you can walk all over downtown in about 20-30 minutes. The food and bar scene is outstanding. It's also (and reasonable people can disagree) convenient to the rest of the Triangle via Durham Freeway, US 70, and I-40. I've got a list a mile long of places to go in Durham.
If you'd prefer to be in Raleigh, I like downtown around Moore Square, Cameron Village, and toward NCSU. While North Hills is convenient-ish I find it to be a bit bland and just like what you'd find in Atlanta or Charlotte (new high rises, national chains, vague gestures toward 'quirky urbanism') which is fine, but not really an example of a specific place. Downtown has The Pit, Trophy Brewing and Pizza (which is outstanding), Raleigh Beer Garden (among the best in the country), CAM Raleigh, and a lot of other options.
For sightseeing, Durham has Duke Gardens and the Nasher Museum of Art, a Bulls game at the stadium, a show at Beyu or Pinhook and any of a dozen other places. Raleigh has NCMA and its 140 acre sculpture garden (and just opened park expansion), and movies on Friday nights. Umstead Park for trail running or biking, and Oakwood/Saint Augustine's for beautiful classic neighborhood wanderings.
And that doesn't even get into that OTHER college town.
Let me know if you decide on coming. I love the pics.