North-Central North Carolina, anyone? (Charlotte, Raleigh: for sale, houses, to buy)

[Nims]

We're interested in moving into Warren County (abutting the VA border) but haven't seen any specific thread about this area. I would like any pros/cons. I haven't had much luck with specific weather details (amount of snow, max highs and lows in winter). Since we now live in Florida, we know what hot/humid weather is all about! I'd appreciate any general information anyone can offer. Thanks to all!
Nims

[mm34b]

This is the only weather station for historical climate averages I could find in Warren County.

ARCOLA, NORTH CAROLINA - Climate Summary

Warren County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau

Warren County Economic Profile

http://www2.nccommerce.com/cmedis/co...ren_2006Q3.pdf

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by Nims

We're interested in moving into Warren County (abutting the VA border) but haven't seen any specific thread about this area. I would like any pros/cons. I haven't had much luck with specific weather details (amount of snow, max highs and lows in winter). Since we now live in Florida, we know what hot/humid weather is all about! I'd appreciate any general information anyone can offer. Thanks to all!
Nims

Just curious, why Warren County?

I personally love Surry County (also abutting the Virginia border).

[TomnNC]

Warren has easy access to major arteries and the climate is mild. Warren County is one of the 13 counties in the Research Triangle Region. The county has an abundance of rolling hills and farmland, rivers and lakes, beautiful forests and small towns. Warren is about 50 miles north of Raleigh and roughly three hours from either the foothills or sandhills.

[Nims]

Thanks, TomnNC, you about summed it up. Small town life is very appealing to us -- we live in a small town between two larger ones, but on Florida's Gulf Coast. We want less crowdedness and 'attitude' and more friendliness and relaxation. Plus, we like what we've seen for old homes for sale and the pretty downtown. As long as there is a library there, I'm a happy camper! Anyone out there actually living in Warrenton? (We'll be making a visit in October, to scope things out....)
Thanks for everything,
Nims

[Nims]

Hi, Nims again -- Thank you for the Arcola weather site, mm34b. At least I'll know what to expect about shoveling the driveway (not!)

I just have one question: I've posted requests for information about this area (Warren County, Warrenton) and have gotten very few responses -- is this because the area is not very populated?

We're looking at an old (old!) house to buy, and we really don't want to make a big mistake about whether the area will be right for us. We're just regular people (I'm an RN, my husband works in retail) and want to find a peaceful, friendly place to live.

Any help is really appreciated!

Nims

[mm34b]

I doubt your going to find many City-Data members, if any, who actually live in Warren County. The entire population is less than 20,000 with less than 900 residents in Warrenton.

[beckymiller75]

Hi I live in Warrenton!

Actually, we just moved here in June from Orange County, NC. We chose to live here for a very simple reason -- the house was free! My grandmother gave us her childhood home, so we couldn't resist!

I like living here, but to be honest, I don't really do much business here in Warren County. My husband works in Durham and I SAH. I go to Henderson, Vance County, for most of my shopping -- Walmart, but there are 3 grocery stores here in the county. There are 3 fast food resturants and couple of other eateries, but not a great selection.

PM me of you want to know more!

[trustmeiknow]

I have lived in Warren County for most of this year, and let me tell you, it's QUIET. It is mostly farms and contains a big lake which is slowly gaining in popularity. The people around the lake are mostly Northerners and are very nice to be with. There are some huge houses but there are mostly small houses and trailers.

The problem with this area that I have is there is nothing to do. There are only a few restaurants. Two I've been to in Warrenton are quite bad. One claims to be an Italian restaurant but the "Italian" is so bad you're better off getting the chicken fingers. The Chinese place does not have the best-tasting food, either, and the people who work there scream at each other constantly! There are a couple Subways in the area which are good, Andy's hamburgers/hot dogs which is pretty good, and Manny & Olga's pizza (Greek, not Italian) which was good the one time we went there.

There is zero shopping. They're building a convenience store near the lake, and there's one other little store on the lake (I'm not sure if it's still in Warren County, either) which sells some snacks/alcohol but has weird hours and in many cases only one of each item! There is a dollar store. There are grocery stores but they are not great. They leave moldy fruit out for people to buy. Some fruit we bought had no taste at all. They don't put expiration dates on the fish! They do not have anything fancy or out of the ordinary. Very, very, very basic stuff. Also the deli in one is closed more often than it's open.

The weather is very nice. It is almost always hot out which I love. Other people are not crazy about that, of course. This year there has been almost no rain.

When I am there I feel like I'm being choked because there is just nothing, nothing, nothing. Lots of rundown houses and abandoned buildings. Goats eating one house, no joke.

Oh, most importantly, if you want/need medical help, fire dept, anything quickly, forget it. Everything of that nature is far away.

People who live there admit they have to go to Raleigh to do everything, which is about 90 minutes away. Who wants to drive that much?

No animal care. People shooting deer on side of road. Stray dogs on sides of roads. Do not get a pet if you choose to live here.

So obviously I'm not a fan. Go to Raleigh or Charlotte or live by the ocean. Much better!

[lifelong]

Originally Posted by Nims

Hi, Nims again -- Thank you for the Arcola weather site, mm34b. At least I'll know what to expect about shoveling the driveway (not!)

I just have one question: I've posted requests for information about this area (Warren County, Warrenton) and have gotten very few responses -- is this because the area is not very populated?

We're looking at an old (old!) house to buy, and we really don't want to make a big mistake about whether the area will be right for us. We're just regular people (I'm an RN, my husband works in retail) and want to find a peaceful, friendly place to live.

Any help is really appreciated!

Nims

I have lived in Warren County all my life, wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I have 2 sons who also don't want to be anywhere else. And yes, they are some of the people who are hunting deer and running dogs. I guess people from other areas have never considered what it would be like if the deer were not hunted and thinned out. Anyway, I love it here. I am also an RN and work in Warrenton, 10 minutes away from home. Let me know if you are interested in a job. If you move here expecting excitement, forget it. It seems to me that the people who complain move here to get away from the busy city life and then complain because it is not here!!!!!!!!!