Northern Cali to Charlotte: Enviromental/Vegan Friendly sections? (Raleigh, Durham: chapel, home)

[StarE]

My partner and I are condsidering moving to Charlotte from Northern California in order to be closer to family because we're going to have a baby. We're both finishing up our Master's and looking for a good job market, which Charlotte seems to have. We're also into green living, such as organic farming, 'natural' living, and we're both vegan. I know Charlotte isn't known as a hotbed for such ideas, but are there resources in the area such as vegan restaurants, Community Supported Agriculture farms, leftist leaning political groups, environmental non-profits, etc.? Thanks for any input.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by StarE

My partner and I are condsidering moving to Charlotte from Northern California in order to be closer to family because we're going to have a baby. We're both finishing up our Master's and looking for a good job market, which Charlotte seems to have. We're also into green living, such as organic farming, 'natural' living, and we're both vegan. I know Charlotte isn't known as a hotbed for such ideas, but are there resources in the area such as vegan restaurants, Community Supported Agriculture farms, leftist leaning political groups, environmental non-profits, etc.? Thanks for any input.

Oh boy. You lost me at "leftist leaning political groups". Please, keep that agenda back in California. Liberal we can deal with, many here are in fact liberal. But leftist? Please, I rarely do this, but I would like to recommend you reconsider your move here, for your sakes and ours.

[StarE]

Wow. Thanks for the input. I will definitely heed your advice.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by StarE

Wow. Thanks for the input. I will definitely heed your advice.

Honestly, I am not trying to be rude or unfriendly, I just don't think you would find what you are looking for here. This is the Bible Belt and fairly conservative, though to me not oppressively so. You however, would most likely find it a hard place to adjust to. Like I said, there are liberals here, and both groups of people coexist pretty well. But leftist views are a whole other level. And personally, as open minded as I really try to be, for me this would be like telling the Communist Party to move on in and make themselves at home - and I just could not do that.

[nyxmike]

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

Honestly, I am not trying to be rude or unfriendly, I just don't think you would find what you are looking for here. This is the Bible Belt and fairly conservative, though to me not oppressively so. You however, would most likely find it a hard place to adjust to. Like I said, there are liberals here, and both groups of people coexist pretty well. But leftist views are a whole other level. And personally, as open minded as I really try to be, for me this would be like telling the Communist Party to move on in and make themselves at home - and I just could not do that.

Do you support far right views? I would rather have StarE move here than some conservative wacko. I would look at Asheville, Chapel Hill/Carrboro/Raleigh area and even Atlanta if I were you. Your welcome here StarE (anybody should be regardless of their views), but you might have a hard time adjusting. Charlotte is still scared of a lot of things and it is quite sad. It pretends to be a "big city" but it sure doesn't act like one.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by nyxmike

Do you support far right views? I would rather have StarE move here than some conservative wacko. I would look at Asheville, Chapel Hill/Carrboro/Raleigh area and even Atlanta if I were you. Your welcome here StarE (anybody should be regardless of their views), but you might have a hard time adjusting. Charlotte is still scared of a lot of things and it is quite sad. It pretends to be a "big city" but it sure doesn't act like one.

My personal views aren't the point. I detest ANY extremes in political thought. And seeing as this is a more conservative state than liberal one, I just don't think the op would feel very at home here.

[Plan R]

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

My personal views aren't the point. I detest ANY extremes in political thought. And seeing as this is a more conservative state than liberal one, I just don't think the op would feel very at home here.

I think that's a pretty big generalization, and I think that warning someone off the whole state comes close to being an "extreme in political thought" itself. (And also an atypical response from someone who adds an awful lot to this board.)

The generalization of NC as conservative is true to some extent, but certainly not as a rule or everywhere. Democrats hold the governor's seat and a majority of the congressional delegation; republicans hold both Senate seats. In presidential elections, the state goes republican, but not by as wide a margin as in years past. Legislatively, the state is mixed -- for example, there is a basically a hold on imposing the death penalty, and gay couples can adopt children (not true in FL, and some other states), but there is also a state law prohibiting unmarried people from living together, etc.

Bottom line, it's a mix, and it varies drastically from place to place. Carborro (right next to Chapel Hill) is one of the most liberal places I've ever seen -- the city gives domestic partner benefits to same-sex couples, and regularly passes resolutions condemning the Iraq War, the Patriot Act, etc. NC has a fascinating political history, too. I think there is a place for anyone, although there are certainly enclaves in the state where people of strong political persuasions, whether left OR right, might feel uncomfortable.

As far as actually answering your question, I think Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill are probably more liberal than Charlotte. There are also plenty of organic farms all over the state, and lots of farmer's markets. Plus, you mentioned wanting to have a baby, and the state is a wonderful place to raise children. Not sure about political groups, and don't know about community farms, but a friend does belong to some sort of membership in a farm, where she gets a big box of organic vegetables delivered (or maybe picks up?) once a week. Is that what you mean?

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by Plan R

I think that's a pretty big generalization, and I think that warning someone off the whole state comes close to being an "extreme in political thought" itself. (And also an atypical response from someone who adds an awful lot to this board.)

The generalization of NC as conservative is true to some extent, but certainly not as a rule or everywhere. Democrats hold the governor's seat and a majority of the congressional delegation; republicans hold both Senate seats. In presidential elections, the state goes republican, but not by as wide a margin as in years past. Legislatively, the state is mixed -- for example, there is a basically a hold on imposing the death penalty, and gay couples can adopt children (not true in FL, and some other states), but there is also a state law prohibiting unmarried people from living together, etc.

Bottom line, it's a mix, and it varies drastically from place to place. Carborro (right next to Chapel Hill) is one of the most liberal places I've ever seen -- the city gives domestic partner benefits to same-sex couples, and regularly passes resolutions condemning the Iraq War, the Patriot Act, etc. NC has a fascinating political history, too. I think there is a place for anyone, although there are certainly enclaves in the state where people of strong political persuasions, whether left OR right, might feel uncomfortable.

As far as actually answering your question, I think Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill are probably more liberal than Charlotte. There are also plenty of organic farms all over the state, and lots of farmer's markets. Plus, you mentioned wanting to have a baby, and the state is a wonderful place to raise children. Not sure about political groups, and don't know about community farms, but a friend does belong to some sort of membership in a farm, where she gets a big box of organic vegetables delivered (or maybe picks up?) once a week. Is that what you mean?

Then we agree in part - NC as a whole is generally a conservative state - though of course not completely the same across the board There are pockets of very conservative places and pockets of very liberal places. But overall, the state is conservative. Additionally, I do agree that Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill are more liberal than Charlotte. However, there is a big difference between liberals and leftists. A person interested in "leftist politics" would find it very difficult to find others of like mind - contributing to them feeling like outsiders and potentially never really being comfortable or at home here. My suggestion to her to reconsider was made with that in mind.

[SunnyKayak]

I agree far as political enviroment you would be better off in Durham, Chapel Hill and Carrboro area.

Far as organic there is ton of threads of what is available here

Farms check out Welcome to NCFarmFresh.com ~ A directory for fresh North Carolina produce and products. to find local fresh items.

[carolina_guy]

As I mentioned in the political thread, Asheville or Boone would better suit you,