Baldwin County is beautiful, but it's growing very quickly. Crime is low, but not non existent. Baldwin County is the most conservative county in the most conservative state in the country. The people on the gulf coast of AL are very friendly. Gun laws are as 308rifleman says. I went with my son when he went to renew a couple of years ago. It took 10 minutes, start to finish.
Baldwin County is growing quickly, there are something like 500 houses either being built or in the planning stages. Fairhope and Spanish Fort are two very nice cities, Daphne less so, but not bad.
The trick is to live in Baldwin County, but work in Mobile. Mobile is on the verge of a boom. Airbus just went operational with their first US civil aviation facility at the former Brookley Airport There are other business moving in as well.
My son and his family move their from NJ five years ago. If they could, they'd stay there forever, but he is in the running for a promotion that would require them to move. That job, if he gets it, would be in Charlotte, NC. Apparently a lot of people he knows up there work in Charlotte, but live in York County, SC. From what my son has told me, the cost of living and taxes are much lower in SC. A couple of the towns have really good school systems.
Nashville would be second on my list of relocation spots after central Texas. Friendly people, cosmopolitan city, very good gun laws. I've never been to Knoxville, but I've been through it. Very pretty, but might be a bit more liberal than you'd like.
NC is not on my list of places to move at all. I know a lot of people who have moved their and love it, but I don't want to be in a purple trending blue state.
Mountains longish post matches what I've experienced in much of the south. Very friendly people, lots of gun owners, lots of outdoor stuff to do.
Baldwin County, Alabama is nice. Quiet, near Mobile Bay and Gulf Shores. Baldwin County Sheriff's Department is the licensing authority. Pistol license is "shall issue" and takes about 30 minutes or so to complete background check and photographs. Cost is $100 for 5 years, no restrictions on carry and is honored in 24 other states. Inexpensive, brand new real estate as well. Wife and I still have a vacation home there.