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I am wanting to relocate to the East coast from Seattle. I would love to explore options on the coastal areas of North Carolina. I am relocating as I am fleeing a domestic violence situation. Therefore, I would like to find an area that is not only affordable but safe. Public transportation is also important as I am planning on leaving just about everything behind. I do not know where to begin to explore. I do not have any children, so schools aren't particularly important. Any suggestions or thoughts? I would be willing to explore outside of North Carolina as well. I am just so used to living near water, that I cannot imagine giving that up.
There is bus service in Jacksonville, Greenville and Wilmington, although almost everywhere else is car dependent.
The employment picture is a bit difficult unless you have some great job skills. The unemployment rate is around 9% in the coastal counties.
Some alternatives to consider are the Charleston and Virginia Beach/Hampton Roads areas. Both have slightly better job markets and public transportation.
None of the urban areas are totally safe, just reasonably so.
I would opine you would be better off in one of the cities in teh Piedmont. They generally have more services, more support, better public transportation, better cost of living, just all around better for someone who is getting reestablished.
One might think the crime rates in Virginia Beach and Charleston are high. However, on the CD crime index, they are both less than the national average, and have been declining over the last years.
There is drug-related crime all over eastern NC, but law-abiding citizens should not be affected. Jacksonville's crime rate is lower than average, Wilmington's is a bit higher, and Greenville's still higher.
Where you go depends on the job skills you have to offer. I know you could get restaurant and bar-tending jobs fairly easily in Jacksonville and Wilmington. If you have nursing or other medical experience, look at Greenville. If you have any high-tech experience, you are better off in the Triangle.
Thank you for this information. As far as job skills, I come from working high end retail and currently work with kids and teens who are in crisis, doing case management. I would love to be able to go back to school eventually. (I'm 31) I would be fine with going back into the hospitality industry if it meant surviving.
I work a lot with law enforcement and so I understand that there will always be drug- related crimes everywhere. You just have to be smart about it.
Ill start doing some research on the cities that have been suggested!
Ill start doing some research on the cities that have been suggested!
The only place with high-end retail is in Wilmington. I guess there are kids in crisis everywhere. Good Luck!
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