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Taken from a link in another thread, here is one set of measurements based on a Livability score linked to several categories. In detail are four of the cities that have been part of this discussion.
Raleigh: Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed
Sacramento: Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed
Fresno:Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed
Colorado Springs: Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed
Of the four cities, the overall ranking from highest to lowest is:
1. Raleigh - 80 Exceptionally livable
2. Colorado Springs - 76 Extremely livable
3. Sacramento - 73 Very livable
4. Fresno - 71 Very livable
I poked around a bit at a suburban towns outside of Raleigh and Sacramento in particular to see how scores might be different and they are generally higher than the central city which isn't a surprise to me. But, again, Raleigh's suburbs outscore Sacramento's.
For Raleigh:
Cary -87
Apex -86
Wake Forest -83
Garner -81
Morrisville -84
For Sacramento:
Davis -80
Gold River -80
Rancho Cordova -74
Folsom -81
So far its looking like Raleigh is winning. Can someone chime in on Raleigh itself and not just the statistics.
How friendly are the people there do you have to light yourself I fire and wave your hands before someone in a store will look you in the eye? (that's how it is here) I live in the snob part of town,I 'm sure its not like that all over Portland.
What about road trip potential? I spent the first 4 years here driving every weekend. Oregon is very beautiful.
You can drive to the mountains or the coast in about 2 hrs and Seattle not to far away.
You cant swim in the water unless you have a dry suit. and the lakes and rivers are to cold to swim in 10 months out of the year. sightseeing doesn't just mean natural stuff. I i lived in Cali i would be visiting all the cool attractions they have there. unfortunately places like Tahoe or San Fran was a bit to far to drive on a whim
Other than Charlotte and Ashville I dont have a clue what cool places to see within 4 hr drive of Raleigh.
So far its looking like Raleigh is winning. Can someone chime in on Raleigh itself and not just the statistics.
How friendly are the people there do you have to light yourself I fire and wave your hands before someone in a store will look you in the eye? (that's how it is here) I live in the snob part of town,I 'm sure its not like that all over Portland.
What about road trip potential? I spent the first 4 years here driving every weekend. Oregon is very beautiful.
You can drive to the mountains or the coast in about 2 hrs and Seattle not to far away.
You cant swim in the water unless you have a dry suit. and the lakes and rivers are to cold to swim in 10 months out of the year. sightseeing doesn't just mean natural stuff. I i lived in Cali i would be visiting all the cool attractions they have there. unfortunately places like Tahoe or San Fran was a bit to far to drive on a whim
Other than Charlotte and Ashville I dont have a clue what cool places to see within 4 hr drive of Raleigh.
Oh my God, no! People will definitely look you in the eye and say hello. Cashiers will talk to you at the grocery store. Strangers will instigate small talk and people will even wave to and from cars from time to time. It's often disconcerting to newbies to the area....especially those from the northeast. Interestingly, those who move there (me included) often become some of the biggest cheerleaders of that culture and come to appreciate and love that about the city.
4 Hours: Washington DC (assuming no stopping and non rush hour travel)
4 Hours: NC Mountains
3.5 Hours: NC Outer Banks (non-interstate travel to Outer Banks)
3+ Hours: VA Mountains....some are closer than NC
ones because the range goes east as it goes north
2 Hours: Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach
1 Hour: Southern Pines and Pinehurst (if you are a big golfer)
While Charlotte is on the SC border, Raleigh is about 60 miles from the VA border. Most anything in VA and NC can be reached within a 4 hour drive.
Raleigh has a significant greenway system throughout the city that links major destinations and city parks. In conjunction, Raleigh has a pretty sophisticated parks and recreation department. Raleigh also has an enormous state park within it (William B. Umstead). It's almost 5500 acres of nature, walking trails, mountain biking, lakes, camping, etc.
College sports reign supreme in Raleigh and the Triangle but there is also NHL Hockey, minor league soccer and 2 minor league baseball teams in the Triangle.
Thats good to know Rnc, thanks.
how are the beaches?
Other than Gatlinburg TN and the SC oceanfront are there any man made attractions other than Disney world? within a 8 hr drive? I know there's a smallish amusement park in Charlotte but that's mostly roller coaster.
Santa Barbara is a mid sized city. Yes, it is expensive-so are most desirable areas. Irvine is mid sized and is one of the lowest crime cities in the nation- much much lower than the alternatives. Neither of these is ideal for "blue collar" workers because of the cost of living. I'd rather go to jail than live in Fresno, so I'm not sure why it's being touted here. Colorado Springs seems fairly dull. I guess if you don't have any money Raliegh would be the choice. But if you have SOME money, a mid sized California city like Santa Barbara would seem far preferable.
Santa Barbara is a mid sized city. Yes, it is expensive-so are most desirable areas. Irvine is mid sized and is one of the lowest crime cities in the nation- much much lower than the alternatives. Neither of these is ideal for "blue collar" workers because of the cost of living. I'd rather go to jail than live in Fresno, so I'm not sure why it's being touted here. Colorado Springs seems fairly dull. I guess if you don't have any money Raliegh would be the choice. But if you have SOME money, a mid sized California city like Santa Barbara would seem far preferable.
Sorry, that's a pretty dumb/naive comment.
If you have "some money" you can live comfortably in Raleigh. You have to be a millionaire to live comfortably in Santa Barbara.
Average household income in SB is $59k, average home price. $900k
Average household income in Raleigh $51k. average home price $250k.
Raleigh and especially it's suburbs have many upper middle class neighborhoods filled with high-tech and university employees...hardly "blue collar". Probably one of the most white collar and LEAST blue collar metros in the country.
If you win the lottery, Santa Barbara might be the ideal option. However if you are a "99%er", Raleigh is the far more ideal choice
Santa Barbara lost population in the last census while Raleigh grew faster than almost any other city/MSA. This suggests that SB is not just expensive, but in fact, OVERpriced.
Hey, I know what its like to live paycheck to paycheck. I lived in Hawaii most of my life. its prob one of the greatest places to live, but you may end up broke. what I'm looking for is basically
1. a fun happy place to live where the weather is not horrible and a joe smo like myself earning blue collar income does not have to dish out more then 50% of his paycheck just to pay the mortgage (my figures are not factual)
2. moving to a new place means you may not know a soul, so it would be a plus if the people you meet on the street / at the store don't act like you are invisible.
3. When your off work instead of staying home (because you don't know anybody) you can drive around checking out the sights / attractions.
Santa Barbara is a mid sized city. Yes, it is expensive-so are most desirable areas. Irvine is mid sized and is one of the lowest crime cities in the nation- much much lower than the alternatives. Neither of these is ideal for "blue collar" workers because of the cost of living. I'd rather go to jail than live in Fresno, so I'm not sure why it's being touted here. Colorado Springs seems fairly dull. I guess if you don't have any money Raliegh would be the choice. But if you have SOME money, a mid sized California city like Santa Barbara would seem far preferable.
Like I said earlier, you get what you pay for. there are some really great cites in California, But it would be almost impossible to live comfortably with blue collar wages.
I don't think of Raleigh as a exciting place, (never been there) nothing like say San Diego or San Jose or Hawaii. But after blowing all my money living the good life in Hawaii, its time to let the rich have there playground all to themselves.
Thats good to know Rnc, thanks.
how are the beaches?
Other than Gatlinburg TN and the SC oceanfront are there any man made attractions other than Disney world? within a 8 hr drive? I know there's a smallish amusement park in Charlotte but that's mostly roller coaster.
....Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA and King's Dominion just north of Richmond. Including Carrowinds, all are just under a three hour drive from Raleigh.
Others:
Wet&Wild is a water park in Greensboro less than 90 minutes
Six Flags over Georgia is west of Atlanta. It's probably at your 8 hour limit.
Six Flags America in Maryland. It's about 5-6 hours depending on DC Beltway traffic.
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