Welcome to Permies, Anna.
The one community that comes immediately to mind was just brought to my attention recently: Here's an article in Mother Earth News about
The Possibility Alliance
A friend visited there and she fell absolutely in love with the place. She was from Canada, however, and did not want to move to the U.S. permanently. The Possibility Alliance is not in the South East, but it otherwise fits your bill, I think. Good luck in your search.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."-Margaret Mead "The only thing worse than being blind, is having sight but no vision."-Helen Keller