North or South Carolina? (Charlotte, Raleigh: job market, neighborhoods, school)

[Gulley]

Does anyone have any info on either North or South Carolina? Are there safe, reasonable places to live? How's the job market (Printing industry) and the pay? We're thinking of moving from Wisconsin. Tooooo cold in the winter! Any info would be appreciated!

[Girl]

Gulley, please don't take this the wrong way, but THIS WHOLE FORUM is about North Carolina. So yes, there is a lot of info here. Take the time to read through a few dozen of the posts to get an idea of what's in NC, and then head to the SC forum and read a few dozens posts about the areas down there.

But asking "what's up with NC and SC?" is not a good way to start trying to get info here.

Good luck with your search.

[JohnE1000]

I used to live in NY, then SC, and now I live in NC.

The cost of living in Columbia is very low, and housing is dirt cheap. Taxes are low as well, but the earning is low. People are very nice; however there is not much diversity. The city lack the culture feel, if you know what I mean. So, to sum it up I would have stayed in Columbia if there were better job opportunities.

Raleigh NC is more diverse than Columbia. Almost everybody is from somewhere. Plenty of job opportunities and the pay is good, however you will spend it all in housing and living expenses. Housing and living expenses is much higher comparing to Columbia. Taxes are much higher as well.

Columbia
Pros
Cheap housing
Low living expenses
Low taxes

Cons
Lack of diversity
Lack of culture
Lack of job opportunities

Raleigh
Pros
Diversity
Culture
Job opportunities

Cons
Housing is expensive
Taxes
High living expenses

[NCN]

"The city lack the culture feel, if you know what I mean." by JohnE1000.

I'm interested. What do you mean?

Sometimes I get the feeling that some of you are saying, "This is a beautiful state with great weather; now if we could get rid of all the natives, we can just take over and enjoy ourselves."

[Contreras-21]

Hi Gulley-
I will be moving from Calif to Nc around November.
I'm in the Paper end of the printing business and it is kind of a "mecca" for papermills and/or distribution (which is what I currently do; Merchandiser for a paper distributor)
Not sure exactly what you do, but Domtar Paper (supplier) is moving alot of their operations to Fort Mill, SC. Check out their website (www.domtarpapers.com)
I've been on the distribution end my entire career (20 yrs) and I'm looking to make the move to supplier. Check out the Merchants in the area too. Camdus Printing is a pretty big printer in Charlotte, give the a shot as well.
Last resort would be to get a head hunter involved; last only because I have no idea where to begin with that!
Good luck in your decision; I've made a life changing one myself. Born raised in Ca as well as my husband but we thought we'd give it a shot and make the move.

[JohnE1000]

Originally Posted by North Carolina Native

"The city lack the culture feel, if you know what I mean." by JohnE1000.

I'm interested. What do you mean?

Sometimes I get the feeling that some of you are saying, "This is a beautiful state with great weather; now if we could get rid of all the natives, we can just take over and enjoy ourselves."

This is not what I meant.
What I meant is that lack of education, and lack of diverse population made Columbia a closed society. You still find many people there who believe in Confederacy and still hang the Confederate flag. The majority of people there are blindly conservative republicans, without the ability to discuss or support there ideas and values. I am not against that, but one should be able to engage in an educated discussion.

Discussions of civil rights such as gay rights and apportions are totally off the table, and you will make enemies very quickly if you do. There is no separation between church and the state as the constitution calls for. In Richland county, the largest county in Columbia, shops has cannot open on Sunday until 1:30 PM.

Because of all the above reasons, the city lacked in education, museums, artistic events, etc.

I lived and went school in NY, and when I moved to Columbia it was a culture shock for me and my g/f. We felt like we went back 100 years in time.

Comparing that to Raleigh, you find the majority of people are well educated. People are open minded, and there are many events in arts, music, etc.

[michymm]

I think alot is a matter of what you are used too. While comparisons are good, they are not always apples to oranges.

You cannot compare a large city like NY or LA to the south or even the midwest. There is no comparision (And I do not mean this is a neg way) I am just stating they are so different one cannot compare.

After reading so many of these posts, everyone is trying to compare where they are from to where they are now and complain how an area doesn't have what they are used too... You can move from one area in a state to another and see the same types of differences (IE NYC compared to upstate - they are very different yet both in NY)

I think it is human nature to try and compare but when you decide to move to a new area, you need to try and not compare, those who compare and complain what they missing from where they left are usually the ones who become unhappy with the choice.

There are 50 states within the US, each different and with the pros and cons and there are always both, you have to weight it out and decide what is best for you.

[JohnE1000]

Originally Posted by michymm

I think alot is a matter of what you are used too. While comparisons are good, they are not always apples to oranges.

You cannot compare a large city like NY or LA to the south or even the midwest. There is no comparision (And I do not mean this is a neg way) I am just stating they are so different one cannot compare.

After reading so many of these posts, everyone is trying to compare where they are from to where they are now and complain how an area doesn't have what they are used too... You can move from one area in a state to another and see the same types of differences (IE NYC compared to upstate - they are very different yet both in NY)

I think it is human nature to try and compare but when you decide to move to a new area, you need to try and not compare, those who compare and complain what they missing from where they left are usually the ones who become unhappy with the choice.

There are 50 states within the US, each different and with the pros and cons and there are always both, you have to weight it out and decide what is best for you.

Very well put.

[beyondthecurve]

My partrner and I came to charlotte a few months ago. The northern suburbs are pretty rural. The place to be if you're gay is either Dilworth, NODA (arts district) or, if yoiu don't want Uptown living, go to South Charlotte. Very gay friendly and lots of good neighborhoods. Don't move to Concord, Kannapolis or points north unless you want the rural religious right nearby. Oh, and don't move over the border to South Carolina. Lonely for gay people...

[UpeoWaMacho]

Well, for one, it'll bring all the taxes that many places in the north are saddled with. I'm formerly a WI resident myself, and know all about the taxes there.