[CTartist&musician]

My mom and dad moved to NC for about 5 years in early retirement. They lived about midway between the Outer Banks and Raleigh. We really like the city of Raleigh itself. I would say if you are comparing Raleigh with Hartford alone I like Raleigh better. When you throw in the suburbs I might think the greater Hartford area might have an edge.

Here is the problem with CT. Our cities are not the greatest (poverty, crime, drugs etc.) but the surrounding suburbs are very nice. If I had to pick just a city to live in I would pick Raleigh over Hartford because I always felt very safe in Raleigh. It might be just a perception and wrong but that is my perception.

[nep321]

Originally Posted by CTartist&musician

My mom and dad moved to NC for about 5 years in early retirement. They lived about midway between the Outer Banks and Raleigh. We really like the city of Raleigh itself. I would say if you are comparing Raleigh with Hartford alone I like Raleigh better. When you throw in the suburbs I might think the greater Hartford area might have an edge.

Here is the problem with CT. Our cities are not the greatest (poverty, crime, drugs etc.) but the surrounding suburbs are very nice. If I had to pick just a city to live in I would pick Raleigh over Hartford because I always felt very safe in Raleigh. It might be just a perception and wrong but that is my perception.

I definitely agree with you there, as far as the actual city itself. Raleigh is fairly suburban, quiet, clean and safer than Hartford. It's impressive and doesn't look blighted or depressed at all.

I like the Raleigh area, but not sure I could live there with the southern culture/accents. I couldn't handle Charlotte, so....

I even thought Richmond, VA was southern cultured, with accents, churches, etc.

[scratchie]

Originally Posted by nep321

The southern culture of Raleigh negates anything that may be considered a positive about living there, IMO. I do not find southern accents to be pleasant, but rather tacky. And bubba talk exists.

I can tell you've spent a lot of time in Raleigh.

Anywhere in CT is more aesthetically appealing than anywhere in the Raleigh area. Raleigh is bland.

Hartford ain't exactly Paris either, y'know.

[scratchie]

Originally Posted by nep321

Confederate flags are WAY more prevalent in the South, all over the place, and seen on a daily basis.

Have you actually been to the south, or only seen it on TV? I almost never see Confederate flags in Raleigh.

[nep321]

Originally Posted by scratchie

Have you actually been to the south, or only seen it on TV? I almost never see Confederate flags in Raleigh.

Yes. I have been to the South. A lot. I even stayed in Charlotte for a month. It was definitely southern cultured and too churchy/conservative for me. I saw the confederate flag almost every day. But even with a huge transplant population, the whole area still has a southern feel to it, complete with southern accents, confederate flags, megachurches, etc.

As for Raleigh, I have only been there briefly, one day. I would say I feel more comfortable in Raleigh than Charlotte. It's a little more liberal and slightly less southern, but still definitely southern. I have also been to Richmond, VA, which is southern cultured, too, though not as much as North Carolina.

[newerabuzz]

Raleigh has a humid sub tropical climate- with air conditioning needed from Mid to late May through early October- on most days. Winters are milder of course, but by no means are they like those in California, or even the Pacific Northwest, west of the cascades. Thunderstorms are numerous in the summer months once a week on average. Humidity is high throughout the summer, adding to a higher rate of discomfort. compared to Hartford.

Both Hartford & Raleigh in the future will see longer summer heat waves, along with increased precipitation

[JGBigGreen]

Cities in the south are southern cultured? Imagine that. How strange. I have spent a fair amount of time in Charlotte and I find it hard to believe that you saw the Confederate flag almost every day. Further, anyone with a passing familiarity with the south would never claim that Richmond, Virginia- the capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War- is less southern cultured than Charlotte, NC!

Originally Posted by nep321

Yes. I have been to the South. A lot. I even stayed in Charlotte for a month. It was definitely southern cultured and too churchy/conservative for me. I saw the confederate flag almost every day. But even with a huge transplant population, the whole area still has a southern feel to it, complete with southern accents, confederate flags, megachurches, etc.

As for Raleigh, I have only been there briefly, one day. I would say I feel more comfortable in Raleigh than Charlotte. It's a little more liberal and slightly less southern, but still definitely southern. I have also been to Richmond, VA, which is southern cultured, too, though not as much as North Carolina.

[spencer114]

I don't get northerners obsession with churches in the South. Church is just as integral to life in the North. If anything, houses of worship are more visible in the North. Is there a corner without a catholic church or synagogue on it in the NE? I'm an atheist so I just enjoy them for their contribution to the built environment... Ugly suburban mega churches are worthless but country and urban churches (mosques and synagogues) are lovely.

[spencer114]

Charlotte is WAY more Southern than Richmond, in just about every way.

[JGBigGreen]

In what ways do you feel Charlotte is more southern? I am genuinely curious since it looks like you live in Richmond.

Originally Posted by spencer114

Charlotte is WAY more Southern than Richmond, in just about every way.