North Carolina: More like South Carolina or Virginia? (Charlotte, Raleigh: tax, live in)

[Dave O]

I'd say that NC is more like SC but only because of NoVA. If you carved NoVA out of VA then all three states would be very similar.

[Waterboy526]

Originally Posted by Dave O

I'd say that NC is more like SC but only because of NoVA. If you carved NoVA out of VA then all three states would be very similar.

Agree somewhat with you there. I grew up in NoVA and most people believe the South started in Fredericksburg, VA (50 miles south of DC). Even my mother and father in law who live in South Side Virginia (about 2 hours north of Raleigh) considered where I grew up to be pretty much like any other Northern State. They're pretty much correct. NoVA is much more like the Northeast then Raleigh. I live in a nice area of North Raleigh that reminds me of parts of NoVA somewhat (because of all the transplants), but I work in a section of Southeast Raleigh that really reminds me more of Alabama or Mississippi. Even though this area is progressive, it has not been taken over to the extent NoVA was right after the civil war and since. 100% of NoVA has been taken over by Yankees and more recently immigrants, etc...but you can still find many areas around Raleigh that are very much like the deep South.

I think parts of Southside VA have more in common with NC, but I still believe they think they are better and not as "redneck" to some extent.

[cooperwx]

Goegraphically NC is more like VA: mountains, foothills, and a large inland body of water (Chesapeake in VA, the sounds in NC). Each has a crescent of major metros (DC, Richmond, tidewater in VA; RDU, Triad, CLT in NC). In both states, these areas have significant amounts of transplants. Both have a small city in the mountains (Roanoke, Asheville). Both have a college town in the mountains (Charlottesville, Boone).

[Waterboy526]

Originally Posted by cooperwx

Goegraphically NC is more like VA: mountains, foothills, and a large inland body of water (Chesapeake in VA, the sounds in NC). Each has a crescent of major metros (DC, Richmond, tidewater in VA; RDU, Triad, CLT in NC). In both states, these areas have significant amounts of transplants. Both have a small city in the mountains (Roanoke, Asheville). Both have a college town in the mountains (Charlottesville, Boone).

One more observation on the DC suburbs of VA as compared to Charlotte or Raleigh. While there are similarities...IMO NOVA had their huge rush of Transplants in th 70's and 80's and now are filing the ranks with more foreigners. Raleigh & Charlotte are getting a huge influx of middle class whites (along with hispanics).

In a broader sence, No.VA already feels like any Northeastern City. You won't find too much, if any Southern culture, minus all the muesems and historical places that are there. While people in Raleigh complain about all the Northeasterners moving in, it has a long way to go and might never reach the level that No.VA turned into many years ago. Plus No.VA has DC right next door, so the Federal Govt. and Govt. contract jobs saturate the market. Overall a much different feel from Raleigh IMO. That being said, I'm sure Raleigh is a much more different feel then Charleston, SC.

I think it's better to assume that certain areas of NC are more like SC and certain areas of NC are more like VA, then just talking about entire states. NoVA is like nothing in the Southeast.

[NYC2RDU]

Originally Posted by Dave O

I'd say that NC is more like SC but only because of NoVA. If you carved NoVA out of VA then all three states would be very similar.

How many years have you spent living in Virginia?

[Dave O]

Originally Posted by NYC2RDU

How many years have you spent living in Virginia?

I spent 4 years living in the DC area.

[NYC2RDU]

Originally Posted by Dave O

I spent 4 years living in the DC area.

Should we take your opinion regarding comparing Virginia (non-NoVA) to either North Carolina or South Carolina with a grain of salt (BTW, did you live in South Carolina)?

Coincidentally, I would agree with your assessment regarding Virginia and North Carolina but based on the rules I'm not qualified to do so.... yet.

[citydweller]

I really haven't spent much time in Raleigh (though hoping to move there) but from my point of view it feels much more southern than Va Beach where I am. Saying that though I think Va is much more Mid Atlantic than NC but probably one day NC will feel more so because of the influx. Maybe we should start another thread asking is NC the Mid Atlantic as I have heard others who want to argue the point lol.

[chisoxfan]

I don't live in western North Carolina -- just a frequent visitor to the region -- so my observation is certainly open to criticism. But it seems to me like anything west of Asheville might more closely resemble Tennessee than either Virginia or South Carolina.

[CAROLINAKAYEE]

North carolina is the place to be.
I was born in charlotte but married and move to sc.
I hate sc there is no hope as far as jobs and things to do here other then the beach,
there is no growth here.


I live in marion sc and all i see it is good for is for retirement the weather here is nice year round and only 45 min'ss from the beach.
Alot of people move here from jersy and new york,
but you can live here cheaper then nc.
Thats the only good i see in sc.