City/town with LOTS of trees and some hills? (Charlotte: salon, apartments)

[TiredOfSFL]

Hi! I just recently began researching NC as my future state home; I picture myself living in a city or town where there are many streets lined with big ol' trees and maybe some little green hills, and/or parks with lots of trees where one can walk and ride a bike in. Can anyone help me with names please? Also, a source of pictures will be greatly appreciated!

[SunnyKayak]

Check out Winston Salem the neighorhoods surrounding Wake Forest Bowman Grey Baptist Hospital

[ILikeCallingNCHome]

Yes, you just described the Triad (Winston-Salem, Greensboro, High Point) perfectly! I moved here in late '84 from Chattanooga, TN. When I got here I was DELIGHTED by the GREEN I saw--even in downtown areas.


The above photo is my own delightfully green home--energy efficient and surrounded by lush woods. [
Moderator cut: no private websites here. sorry

[ibeg4sushi]

Lost of trees, but I think you'll get more hill variety closer to Winston-Salem. Can't beat this area for its lushness of greenery though! (And how about those 6 inches of rain we got in the last two days, waaahooo!!)

[TiredOfSFL]

Thanks everyone! I'm very pleased that you are all confirming my first choices to explore. I have been lurking here for at least a week, gathering all the information I can about Greensboro and "outskirts", which so far is my first choice; however, I'm also considering W-S.

Now, if I can further impose on your kindness, a couple more requests please. But first, a little intro: I'm a non-smoking, non-professional Latina over 50 (very youthful though), possible employment choices will be either clerical, in a beauty salon (have an active, Cosmetology license) or in retail so my income will be rather low, I'm pretty frugal though and if I've survived here where housing is 52% higher and general cost of living 28% higher than over there, I believe I could surely make it in NC.

#1) I will need to rent an affordable small apartment in a fairly safe neighborhood that is close to shopping and, if at all possible, public transportation. for "emergencies" . I have a car but it's 8 years old so I feel it's just practical when you don't know anyone to be able to get around on your own in case it broke down- I made a similar choice when I first arrived here 11 years ago and was really glad I did! Because of size, I'm guessing G'boro is cheaper to live in than W-S. My best friend, who is going to retire to the mountains with her husband in about 3 years, even recommends the outskirts because it would probably cost less... A "no frills" complex or privately owned apt. would be great; by that I mean that I don't need a pool, tennis court, gym, etc. My main requirements are that cats are OK, preferably not carpeted and NO central a/c (due to allergy) A fast internet connection available would be nice (though not essential), just a clean place that's not run down with No roaches and decent neighbors.

#2 I'm thinking though that W-S probably offers more jobs but maybe in my case that won't matter... What I need to know is if I could still find an apt. that I could afford in or around W-S that meets my basic requirements.

Thanks again!

[mm34b]

The Arbor Day Foundation awards U.S. cities with a "Tree City" designation. These NC cities have been on their award list for 20 or more years.

RALEIGH
VALDESE
ST. PAULS
SALISBURY
MONROE
FRANKLINTON
CARRBORO
CARY
DURHAM
WENDELL
WILSON
GRAHAM
RED SPRINGS
SOUTHERN PINES
JACKSONVILLE
ASHEVILLE
CHARLOTTE
WAKE FOREST
LAURINBURG
FARMVILLE
EDENTON
BREVARD

[TiredOfSFL]

Originally Posted by ILikeCallingNCHome

Yes, you just described the Triad (Winston-Salem, Greensboro, High Point) perfectly! I moved here in late '84 from Chattanooga, TN. When I got here I was DELIGHTED by the GREEN I saw--even in downtown areas.


The above photo is my own delightfully green home--energy efficient and surrounded by lush woods. Read more about it here.

Congratulations on your green home, I love the idea! I hope to be able to admire it in person someday!

[Kootr]

Winston-Salem is known as the "tree city". It also has nice gentle hills throughout Forsyth County.

[SunnyKayak]

A slogan Winston-Salem could adopt

"A great city for sledding"

[ibeg4sushi]

Originally Posted by TiredOfSFL

Thanks everyone! I'm very pleased that you are all confirming my first choices to explore. I have been lurking here for at least a week, gathering all the information I can about Greensboro and "outskirts", which so far is my first choice; however, I'm also considering W-S.

Now, if I can further impose on your kindness, a couple more requests please. But first, a little intro: I'm a non-smoking, non-professional Latina over 50 (very youthful though), possible employment choices will be either clerical, in a beauty salon (have an active, Cosmetology license) or in retail so my income will be rather low, I'm pretty frugal though and if I've survived here where housing is 52% higher and general cost of living 28% higher than over there, I believe I could surely make it in NC.

#1) I will need to rent an affordable small apartment in a fairly safe neighborhood that is close to shopping and, if at all possible, public transportation. for "emergencies" . I have a car but it's 8 years old so I feel it's just practical when you don't know anyone to be able to get around on your own in case it broke down- I made a similar choice when I first arrived here 11 years ago and was really glad I did! Because of size, I'm guessing G'boro is cheaper to live in than W-S. My best friend, who is going to retire to the mountains with her husband in about 3 years, even recommends the outskirts because it would probably cost less... A "no frills" complex or privately owned apt. would be great; by that I mean that I don't need a pool, tennis court, gym, etc. My main requirements are that cats are OK, preferably not carpeted and NO central a/c (due to allergy) A fast internet connection available would be nice (though not essential), just a clean place that's not run down with No roaches and decent neighbors.

#2 I'm thinking though that W-S probably offers more jobs but maybe in my case that won't matter... What I need to know is if I could still find an apt. that I could afford in or around W-S that meets my basic requirements.

Thanks again!

What are the chances of you being able to make a weekend trip out this to have a look around? No matter how much (or how little) time you can spare for that, I guarantee you that it's worth it. It's nice to be able to see it with your own eyes, talk to people in person, and explore. VIEW apartments. *nodding* We took 2 trips out here, though I wanted more: one for a week touring several cities in the Piedmont, and the second was 2 days and that's how we found our apartment. I even had the flu, but still had a great time. For a nice break, have lunch at Jason's Deli at the Friendly Center (G/boro). They serve free ice cream!

Also, if you can pick a time when some semi-major events are going on, it makes it more fun and easier to speak to people about the area. Like you know, an arts festival, something along those lines.