Charlotte or Raleigh? (Cary, Chapel Hill, Apex: chapel, houses, job market)

[findingmesomeday]

We've been looking to relocate to Raleigh. I thought something would pop for me job-wise, but it's just not moving as quickly as I'd hoped. Now we're thinking of switching strategies somewhat and looking towards my husband to be the one who perhaps lands us the job that brings us down there. Problem wtih that is he has heavy financial/banking experience and there's more opportunity for him to pursue in Charlotte. We prefer Raleigh but long term financial goals dictate we both work and save as much $$$ as possible, not realistic here in MA.

So I'm just exploring other possibilities. What do people generally think: Triangle area vs Charlotte area:

Quality of public schools
Housing
Cost of living
weather
job market

If we went to the Triangle area, we'd look to Chapel Hill or maybe Hillsborough. Neither one of us really like the newer housing development atmosphere. I don't know what would be comparable in Charlotte. Also, Wake Cty schools are going through some growing pains and I'd rather not have my kids participate in that exercise!

TIA!

[hapaleeretired]

I think Charlotte wins out in all areas except public schools.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by hapaleeretired

I think Charlotte wins out in all areas except public schools.

But you know, even though we have struggling inner city schools and overcrowding issues, I would still rather live here than in Wake county where they are still enforcing busing At least our kids have neighborhood schools and magnets to choose from.

[Waterboy526]

I say it's very debatable about the job market. Both are good markets, but are different in what types of jobs each offers. I would venture to say if you're involved in Banking than Charlotte would be the place to go, while if you're in the Bio-tech field Raleigh would have Charlotte beat. Both are probably about the same for IT, etc. So I'd say it's a push.

Also, as far as the weather, I don't see one area having any kind of advantage over the other (someone clue me in)!?

Housing might be a little bit more expensive in Raleigh, but there are many areas where I'm sure it's not much different than Charlotte as far as prices go. Plus as far as anyone coming from the high prices certain areas of the Mid-Atlantic, North East, and West Coast then I'm sure they would laugh at housing prices in either area (I'm from the DC area and I know I did).

Also, you can go to neigborhood schools in Wake County if you're willing to go year-round. Many kids also go to their neighborhood schools without going year-round. Wake County school system is actually growing faster then Meck's, so yes, with the limited taxes (compared to some other areas) there will be some growing pains and they can not always get the funding to build enough schools fast enough. Things will get better for Wake eventually and the Quality of the schools are great.

This is my opinion, so take it for what it's worth.

[friendnc]

We live in the Charlotte area and have in-laws in Raleigh. Both are nice areas, but we prefer Charlotte. Schools are a little better in the Raleigh area as a whole. But Charlotte's cost of living is a little lower, there's more to do recreationally, and, though both have great economies, Charlotte is the 2nd largest financial center in the U.S. Weather and "clean 'n green", they're about the same. The town/suburb in metro Charlotte to look at would be Belmont. It's a beautiful little town about 20 minutes west of uptown Charlotte. It's growing at a very reasonable rate, has awesome established homes, near many recreational assets/shopping/resaurants, LOTS of trees, very safe, and good schools. It's also a lot less expensive than Chapel Hill.

Again, Charlotte and Raleigh are both great, but it seems in your case, Charlotte would be a good fit.

[findingmesomeday]

Thanks. Please keep the opinions coming! For the record, we've already decided that, if we go to the Triangle area, we would NOT settle in Wake Cty because of the school issue. Chapel Hill and even Hillsborough (Orange Cty) top our lists right now.

One more question. I initially looked around Cary and quickly decided the planned sub-division layout of the area did not appeal to me. I lived in NoVa for a few years and that was one of the things I disliked most about that area. It was also one of the additional reasons I started looking in Chapel Hill. What is the Charlotte metro area like in this regard. One poster mentioned Belmont---does it look like what Cary/Apex/Holly Springs is becoming? Or is it more along the lines of the kind of 'burb you'd find in the metrowest Boston suburbs---lots of mature trees, houses that look different from eachother, etc.

Schools are an issue--we live in a town in MA with an excellent school district and I was delighted to find that CH schools are also very good. Would hope to find similar in the Charlotte metro.

I'm going to start checking out the Charlotte forum too.

[friendnc]

Yes, Belmont has very nice, well established homes/neighborhoods with lots of trees. VERY claen and well-kept. It does have new subdivisions on its southern tip, but in town, it sounds like what you're looking for. It's close to nearly every major thing to do in the metro area. I lived there in the 90's and loved it! It's a real hidden gem!!!

[findingmesomeday]

Originally Posted by friendnc

Yes, Belmont has very nice, well established homes/neighborhoods with lots of trees. VERY claen and well-kept. It does have new subdivisions on its southern tip, but in town, it sounds like what you're looking for. It's close to nearly every major thing to do in the metro area. I lived there in the 90's and loved it! It's a real hidden gem!!!

How are the schools in Belmont? On the Raleigh forum board, North_Raleigh_Guy posted some pictures of an in-town (close to downtown) area of Raleigh with just gorgeous older homes full of character and the districted schools are actually magnet schools so they're very good.

[nyxmike]

It is Gaston County schools and I am pretty sure the schools it is zoned for have a good reputation. Check out the Gaston County schools website.

[friendnc]

Originally Posted by nyxmike

It is Gaston County schools and I am pretty sure the schools it is zoned for have a good reputation. Check out the Gaston County schools website.

This is true. We have friends who have/had children there and are very pleased.