Wilson..... Yes or No? (Charlotte, Raleigh: fit in, crime, attorney)

[da3234]

I have been looking to move from NY to NC for a job offer. I have heard nothing but negatives about the Rocky Mount area. I was originally excited to move but now I am hesitant. My hope was to escape the crushing NY tax burdens ($5000 prop tax on $138,000 home) but now I'm wondering if I should stay put, as nobody has anything nice to say about the I95 area of NC.

How about Wilson, or is everybody just down on NC?

[Jake Ryan]

I used to live in the Wilson area back about 8 years ago. Back then it wasn't very desireable, but lately there has been a lot of development with new restaurants, Target etc... I'm not sure what you're looking for, it probably doesn't have as many things to do socially as where you're from. I'd take a ride down there and check out Wilson or Greenville.

Good luck

[cassy1]

Are you looking for country type living, or suburbs? Wilson has a lot to offer, and it is not a crime riddled city, one just needs to hook up with a good realtor to keep you in the good areas. From what I can see about Wilson, it is clean, the housing is reasonable, it is growing, and new businesses are moving in. All cities have crime, just remember that. NC is a wonderful state that is in a boom right now, the economy is strong and the people are great. Can't understand why people talk negative about it, unless they are very negative people to begin with.

If you are serious about moving, I agree with coming down for a week visit. That gives you time to hook up with a realtor and drive around to get a feel of the area. Good luck.

[Chedonna]

Please read the prior posts especially the one about "Yankee calling all Yankees", I currently live in Wilson and I wish i could say the overall expericence was what I have experienced visiting down south. Such a shame because I was hoping for a nice community away from a lot of crime , good schools and better relationships for my children.To but it bluntly most people are very very friendly,couteous, but once you open your mouth.you get a much different response and i have not yet been able to connect with anyone. Its not from lack of trying or me being negative, because thats not my nature towards people,.Unfortunalty the views held by most of the locals is yankees are bad news..

[da3234]

Would you do it again? Have your children been treated differently? I dont really mind if someone calls me a Yankee (they are my favorite team), but if someone gives my children a hard time just for talking differently then that would bother me.

My family has been so excited about moving, but now I'm concerned. I understand the South is entirely different then where I come from, but I really didn't plan on being stereotyped and discriminated against.

[Jake Ryan]

I think it's a shame that people feel that the "south" is a place where "yankees" are treated differently because they have a different accent. I moved to the Charlotte area about 16 years ago and yes, I was made fun of in high school because I talked funny, but that's just kids being kids and it made me stronger. I didn't come down here with an attitude that just because something didn't go my way, I was being discriminated against because I was up north.

I think that you won't be alone wherever you move down here whether it's Charlotte, Raleigh, or Ayden NC there are plenty of people just like you who want to get out of the rat race and move somewhere where you won't be killed in taxes. I say take a drive down with your family and have an open mind and you'll be fine. If you find it "too southern" in Wilson, maybe come down to Charlotte where a large number of the population is from up north somewhere. It's absolutely gorgeous down here!!!!

Good Luck,

[cassy1]

So sorry that it is not working yet Cheyanne, keep on keeping on! Sorry got your name wrong.

For the original poster, if you are frightened of a smaller town then have you thought of the posibility of moving closer to Raleigh? It is about a 40 minute trip to Wilson and then you can be in a bigger city. There are lots of possibilities and you should not be worried about your social interraction. I work in a very small office and we have 3 of us from the northern states (our office is 7 people). Once again, I have never been treated differently because I am from a different state. I have been called a yankee once, and that was in jest and I laughed louder than the person who called me it.

Kids are kids and I just somehow can't amagine any child making fun of another because of where they have moved from. Children just want to play and have fun. I think once you get here you will find your fears unjust. PM me if you want any other hints about nicer areas to live. Any by the way Rocky Mount has some very nice, upscale neighborhoods too. Where the parents are younger and the kids all go to school together. Both of the attorney's I work for are in their mid 30's and live in very child friendly areas.

[vetegnc]

I lived in IL for 28 years, lived near Wilson/Rocky Mount for 8 years, and just moved away (to PA).

**I never had a problem being a "yankee" (of course, they'd joke with me that I'm a 'midwesterner' instead), as long as you're not defensive about it
**Wilson is a growing area and has a lot going for it...
BUT
**Schools aren't that great (most people with any money send them to private)
**If you're used to a large city, Wilson may not do it for you (their mall...stinks!! We'd go to Rocky Mount's...much better, but still not what you'd get in bigger areas...but Raleigh malls (and plenty of them) are only 45 minutes away)
**Surrounding areas (and large parts of wilson)...very poor economy, poor frame of mind that goes with it...be very, very careful.

My biggest complaint was the lack of outdoor activities. I now live in the mountains of PA, and am now the happiest I've ever been. So, I'd sit and ask yourself (and your family), what's the most important things to you? I realized that everything that I really wanted wasn't there, but a lot of people I left behind are very happy.

(oh! and the summers are HORRID with humidity...GOSH, I don't miss that!! But, the winters are very mild....people FREAK with only 1" snow!)

Best wishes!

[Chedonna]

Originally Posted by da3234

Would you do it again? Have your children been treated differently? I dont really mind if someone calls me a Yankee (they are my favorite team), but if someone gives my children a hard time just for talking differently then that would bother me.

My family has been so excited about moving, but now I'm concerned. I understand the South is entirely different then where I come from, but I really didn't plan on being stereotyped and discriminated against.

No, this has been a very hard learning experience it breaks my heart for my children who cry at night and wonder why they dont fit in, how they have to deal each day in school and yes sometimes discriminated against because they don't understand the lingo, or quite catch what the teachers are trying to explain . Yes i love my house and the lower taxes but it does not replace what truly matters in life and I wish you luck, and if Im still here if you decide to go for it,please let me know, you can at least start out by knowing someone friendly. Im only being honest about our experiences, Im told that if you go to Raleigh or one of the bigger cities its not quite as bad, but then you have more of the crime, housing prices are a little higher and i believe there is year round schooling to deal with the influx of new people which doesnt appeal to me personally. Where are you comming from by they way?

[Wire120]

Wilson has improved itself over the last 5-10 years. That area has some potential. Wilson use to be inferior to Rocky Mount but now has surpassed it by leaps and bounds.