Why Are So Many People Moving To North Carolina? (Charlotte: HOA, homes)

[cassy1]

My husband and I just moved here last Dec from MI because the cost of living up there was so expensive. Also add in a factor that the auto industry took a big flop (another union negative), that alone took down the state. We were able to move and are enjoying the ride. NC is lots different, but in a very good quality, just watch where you move. Research on the internet into crime statistics (country is much better). Yes, the schools are suffering because of the state population growth, but that is much better than MI where the schools are suffering because of lack of money. There is a good life to be lead down here, and I sure don't compare NC to FL. For one thing FL is wall to wall people and houses, you don't find that in NC (except in real big cities and then you have the option to move in the country). All in all I am glad we made the move, it is a breath of fresh air down here. Good luck.

[spiritartman]

There's NO PLACE LIKE CALIFORNIA - it's so expensive to "buy" there - I'm looking for a coastal area - quaint town - not too crowded - not to boring either - but affordable and up coming - how's New Bern? - I know the "food" will come to NC no doubt - people are moving out of NY in droves - the more of a "demand" for better restaurants - they will appear - NC is here to stay as will be SC - the south shall rise again - LOL. Maine is lovely but cold as a son of a gun - Seems NC has a nice climate - but again - nothing like CA.

[cassy1]

My husband and I relocated to NC last year from MI. We relocated because the state is in horrible financial trouble. Houses are not selling, the auto industry has bottomed out and the cost of living is so high that one cannot keep their head above the incomming bills! We moved here and do not have all of the negative news about the economy, that in itself is worth moving to any state that is beginning a boom. Besides, NC is a wonderful and refreshing state to live in!

[kc5drumr]

Originally Posted by lukeb321

I agree NC has a lot of positives but there are also a ton of negatives. Overall I believe it still a good place to live depending what your willing to give up.

I'm considering moving to Greensboro to study for a Master in Counseling, and I'd be interested to know some of the negatives you've found in North Carolina. I've heard there is quite a bit of prejudice. Also, any information about what the people are like--fast paced, laid back, hippie, enviornmentally conscious, open-minded, do they rub you the wrong way, open and friendly, do people say hi and smile? Any information would be wonderful. If you have a minute to respond to this I would appreciate it. Thanks.

[cornbread]

I am trying to bring this message to as many of you "would be" Tarheels as possible. We don't need any more people. In most places here the infrastructure doesn't support the people we already have. The department of motor vehicles doesn't have the money to fix the roads, much less build more of them. The schools are bursting at the seams and it seems like all they talk about is building more. Why are these problems occurring? People keep moving here. North Carolina is now one of the worst areas in the country for urban sprawl. Houses on top of houses in cookie cutter subdivisions are being built with such a lack of individuality that if they didn't have the address listed on the mailbox you'd probably drive around for days trying to find your house. All the fields that used to be covered in crops are now sprouting houses (so much for the grass being greener on the other side). On top of all that, we now have one of the worst problems in the country for illegal aliens, especially since our state doesn't have an immigration court to deal with the problem. And I also saw a reply that stated that our government seemed to be pretty clean. Boy, where have you been? We've got a governor who has raided the rainy day fund, back room deals taking place (ala Jim Black, Speaker of the House), etc.,etc. I love N.C. because my roots run deep here (since at least the 1700's) and I hate to see what's been done to my home state. So, yes North Carolina used to be a great place to live and unfortunately now we're paying for it in many ways.

New state motto - "North Carolina - You don't know what you have until you lose it"

[Carolina_native]

cornbread,

well I think you speak for how many natives feel about this issue. I dont know what part of NC you live in, but I live in Denver NC near Lake Norman. Believe me I know all about the sprawl and unrestricted growth.

Some of my family lived in northern Mecklenburg county`until about 10 years ago because of Charlotte constantly creeping up towards them. They had a lot of land off of Hwy 16. Lots of fields and farms. Now it is unrecognizable, from only 10 years ago! Walmart, shopping centers, sudivisions replaced a once quiet community.

I realize that growth near a big city is close to inevitable, but at the rate new houses and stores are popping up its crazy. Its not just Charlotte but all its surrounding counties.

The Charlotte Observer reported this year that 80,000 people move here a year! The strain on the infrastructure is pretty bad to put it mildly. Anyone that says it differently has their head in the sand as most people here do when it comes to growth.

[pats]

[quote=KathyC0611;129012]

Originally Posted by lukeb321

I guess in some ways I'm spoiled but growing up on long island I had the beaches 10 mins away and the entertainment capital of the world 30 min. train ride. My love is music and although there are some great acts that come through NC- nothing compares to NYC - but hey nothing does when discussing entertainment.

Originally Posted by lukeb321

New Post:
I am currently living in FLorida, and except for the nice winter weather, I hate it. I am also from Long Island, and miss the people more than the entertainment,etc. I am looking for a place to live that is warmer than NY, affordable, and has some of us NYers living there. I am considering Cary- haven't been there yet- ust doing research and hearing good things about it. My question is if there is still a civil war being fought there, or are Yankees only a ball team there? I lived in Texas for a few years, and was afraid I would get lynched for being a Yankee!
I am wondering if anyone in this forum is a former NYer, and will give me the good, the bad and the ugly.Thanks!

Im an ex-new yorker. Wouldn't go back there if you paid me.....

Anyhow, I think the acronym attributed to CARY down here speaks for itself. Its stands for C-ontainment A-rea for R-elocated Y-ankees. Hope that helps.

Good luck.

-Pat

[cornbread]

[quote=KathyC0611;129012][i][b][i]

Originally Posted by lukeb321

...My question is if there is still a civil war being fought there?...

Well, now that you ask, there is a civil war being fought here, but not the kind you're thinking of. It is more of a culture war where people are moving here (invading) who don't care about the Southern heritage or way of life and would really love to change it with their enlightened cultural views. They don't like the mess that has been made of their own states so they decide to spread the love around, but just can't bring themselves to accepting our way of life down here. Just look at the disdain they have of the "Bible Belt". The truth is they would like to loosen up that belt a couple of notches. They don't care about the land or even the people really because they don't have any roots here. Many would almost prefer every spare piece of land be turned into a strip mall or subdivision (or maybe an entertaiment complex since it's so boring down here). So the newcomers are looking to start little enclaves or colonies of like minded people so their sensibilities will not be offended or their superior intellects can thrive. But inevitably their desire to help us poor Southern people gain cultrue and understanding gets the better of them and they start trying to change us again. The viscious cycle repeats itself over and over. The more visible results of this invasion is that our state is becoming one huge parking lot surrounded by a massive subdivision. One poster on this site talked about the endless forests in N.C. Well, maybe in the national forests, but everywhere else you go the trees are being cut down or bulldozed for new houses. All this amounts to "progress" for those that are flooding down here. Hope this helps you gain some insight into the mind of a True Southerner (and no, this is not a cry for help, except if you can help us by not coming here).

[twingirls2boys]

Cornbread, your southern hospitality is super. Quit the whining....

[Carolina_native]

Originally Posted by twingirls2boys

Cornbread, your southern hospitality is super. Quit the whining....

You miss the point.

If you live in a house surrounded by the life you have always lived, farms, small town, but then seemingly overnight your home is surrounded by shopping centers and subdivisions, you very way of life has changed, how would you feel?

Do you have a home town? A house or land that has been in the family for generations is now suddenly gone thanks to development?

But I guess if I complained it would be whining right?

I think cornbread was making the point that probably 80% of the people here now are new, they dont have roots here and could care less if a historic building here is torn down, or what land a shopping center is plopped onto, terrible traffic, overcrowded everything.

Maybe Im going on a limb, but I feel if we were speaking of your home and family roots you would feel differently.