Possibly Moving to Charlotte From Los Angeles, CA (Asheville, Boone: appointed, ski resorts)

[brichard]

Originally Posted by asegura

Oh Man I'm not looking forward to any kind of humidity. My wife is Sicilian and I'm Mexican so she has been taught by my mother how to make good Mexican food. We prefer the cold than the heat as when its cold you can bundle up as when its hot you cant walk around naked. I hope all works out for me and my family. I'm sure I'll miss California as I lived here all my life but its that time to try new things.

My sentiments exactly! I grew up in North Carolina, enduring that humidity every summer, but I still hate it. I just moved back to DC after seven years in California. The thing I dreaded most was having to face that humidity again. I don't like the cold back here, either, but I hate the heat/humidity more. Like you say, there's only so many clothes you can take off. That's exactly what I tell people all the time. The entire time I lived in San Diego, I never turned on the air conditioning in my car, and didn't even have it in my house. But there's no way you can survive in Charlotte without air conditioning.

By the way, there is a large Mexican community in North Carolina. And consequently many authentic Mexican restaurants. So I don't know why people are saying you can't get good Mexican food in NC. You can, because I've had it.

[nascarnancy]

Originally Posted by brichard

Maybe better yet is Huntersville. My brother and his family live there. Home prices are VERY reasonable in Huntersville, and it's only a few minutes drive to Lake Norman.

Should have clarified better, just pointing out where the lake was.

[nascarnancy]

Originally Posted by asegura

Well if I do move out there I will have to invite you guys over and I can have my wife whip up some real good Mexican Food. All this talk about food is making me hungry. Well I cant wait till I taste the BBQ up there. Is there any good Italian Delis out there? Would you agree that the Cultural there is missing?

DH and I are in! My BFF's grandmother used to make homemade tamales at x-mas, oh they were so good!

[vindaloo]

Originally Posted by brichard

My sentiments exactly! I grew up in North Carolina, enduring that humidity every summer, but I still hate it. I just moved back to DC after seven years in California. The thing I dreaded most was having to face that humidity again. I don't like the cold back here, either, but I hate the heat/humidity more. Like you say, there's only so many clothes you can take off. That's exactly what I tell people all the time. The entire time I lived in San Diego, I never turned on the air conditioning in my car, and didn't even have it in my house. But there's no way you can survive in Charlotte without air conditioning.

By the way, there is a large Mexican community in North Carolina. And consequently many authentic Mexican restaurants. So I don't know why people are saying you can't get good Mexican food in NC. You can, because I've had it.

I don't like humidity either. But, after having moved back from Florida, I do enjoy the fact that it gets comfortable in the mornings and evenings. Not so in Florida. San Diego has wonderful weather. However, it is not similar to that in L.A. Los Angeles is hot, muggy and poluted, so Charlotte won't be a dramatic change from someone from L.A.

Regarding good Mexican food, you are absolutely correct. We have over 100K Mexicans in town. Probably a third of them have restaurants (probably over exaggerated), but some are really good. It would't be possible that only bad cooks come here. My London friends look forward to coming to Charlotte and eating Mexican because there "aren't" any really good ones in London. And as you know, Americans are know for being bitchy and complaining no matter how good things are. That is why they call us "Ugly Americans" overseas. So naturally, outsiders are going to ***** and ***** until we all kill ourselves.

Asegura, I am getting the hint that you are having second thoughts about relocating. You can deal with the heat and humidity. We have three other seasons that are really comfortable. Do more research for other factors. You may find that the good override the bad or visa versa. We're a long way from Calif. so be sure you don't make the wrong decison. I am getting really tired of whinners. Please! don't become another one. Good luck in your decision.

[Sepulgeek]

I miss the homemade tamales. My dad used to bring them home from work.

Brichard, PM me some of the places you go. I haven't looked too hard for Mexican places. I miss the King Taco and Taco's Mexico places. I used to go to a small ma and pa place in the City of Industry to eat. I loved there Sope's.

I grew up in the SGV. It got hot there. I used to have to use the AC all the time. The valley are usually 10 degrees warmer than the coastal areas of LA. I dont remember this past summer being too bad on the Humidity. It might have been a light humidity summer. One thing I miss about So Cal is being able to walk around in Shorts and a T-shirt on Christmas Day.

[asegura]

I'm not getting second thoughts just want to be informed. I would probaly whine no matter so just take it with a grain of salt. Ever since we sold our house my wife has been pushing me to move out of state. I don't do very good with change but its getting so bad out here in Cali that I'm willing to move.

Originally Posted by vindaloo

I don't like humidity either. But, after having moved back from Florida, I do enjoy the fact that it gets comfortable in the mornings and evenings. Not so in Florida. San Diego has wonderful weather. However, it is not similar to that in L.A. Los Angeles is hot, muggy and poluted, so Charlotte won't be a dramatic change from someone from L.A.

Regarding good Mexican food, you are absolutely correct. We have over 100K Mexicans in town. Probably a third of them have restaurants (probably over exaggerated), but some are really good. It would't be possible that only bad cooks come here. My London friends look forward to coming to Charlotte and eating Mexican because there "aren't" any really good ones in London. And as you know, Americans are know for being bitchy and complaining no matter how good things are. That is why they call us "Ugly Americans" overseas. So naturally, outsiders are going to ***** and ***** until we all kill ourselves.

Asegura, I am getting the hint that you are having second thoughts about relocating. You can deal with the heat and humidity. We have three other seasons that are really comfortable. Do more research for other factors. You may find that the good override the bad or visa versa. We're a long way from Calif. so be sure you don't make the wrong decison. I am getting really tired of whinners. Please! don't become another one. Good luck in your decision.

[brichard]

Originally Posted by Sepulgeek

I miss the homemade tamales. My dad used to bring them home from work.

Brichard, PM me some of the places you go. I haven't looked too hard for Mexican places.

Sorry, I should clarify. I used to live in Charlotte many moons ago. I was living in San Diego until recently and just moved back to DC. I visit Charlotte sometimes because my brother is there. I can't vouch for a specific Mexican restaurant in Charlotte because I haven't looked for one there, though I've seen enough Mexican restaurants from the outside. When I said I had had good Mexican food there, I really meant in North Carolina in general. The specific places where I've had good Mexican food in North Carolina is in Asheboro. But surely, if you can find good Mexican food in Asheboro, you're bound to be able to find it in Charlotte.

[nascarnancy]

Well when you have a favorite restaurant it's always hard to find a replacement. Honestly we haven't found a lasagna we like yet either. We ate at the same Italian restarant 17 or 18 years. So everyone has their favs. DH is very particular about his chili reno's!

[brichard]

Originally Posted by vindaloo

Regarding good Mexican food, you are absolutely correct. We have over 100K Mexicans in town. Probably a third of them have restaurants (probably over exaggerated), but some are really good. It would't be possible that only bad cooks come here. My London friends look forward to coming to Charlotte and eating Mexican because there "aren't" any really good ones in London. And as you know, Americans are know for being bitchy and complaining no matter how good things are. That is why they call us "Ugly Americans" overseas

I couldn't agree more. I've seen plenty of those "ugly Americans" overseas and they are such an embarrassment. One example I'll never forget: I was on a water taxi in Venice and there were some high schoolers from the States on there as well. We passed several small boats with Italians on them. Whenever we would pass one of these boats, these kids would give the people the finger. Nice way to greet people when you're visiting in THEIR country!

As for London and its dearth of good Mexican food, no doubt that's true. But to its credit, London does have some of the best Indian food on the planet. That being said, I've also had some VERY good Indian food at a restaurant in Charlotte (University City area).

[CharlotteGal]

Originally Posted by Sepulgeek

I miss the homemade tamales. My dad used to bring them home from work.

Brichard, PM me some of the places you go. I haven't looked too hard for Mexican places. I miss the King Taco and Taco's Mexico places. I used to go to a small ma and pa place in the City of Industry to eat. I loved there Sope's.

There are a few threads about Mexican places -

Here's one

Here's another - that has a post with links to other discussions. Like a Matryoshka doll!