Need Help Relocating to North Carolina (Charlotte, Raleigh: rental, crime, modular home)

[ccrinne]

I currently live in Ca. I like it here, but I am looking to live in a state where I can afford a comfortable home and live where life is a little slower paced. I am a single mom of a 10 year old daughter.

I need some info on good areas of NC. I'm looking for a smaller town near a bigger city to be able to enjoy some activities and attractions. Need a safe area without too much crime and good schools. I would prefer to have 4 seasons without too much snow, live relatively close to the beach (up to an hour away), but I am afraid of hurricanes. I would also like for the summers "cooler" than some areas, hopefully not more than 85 degrees.

I would like to live in an area that isn't too busy and congested and is affordable ($600 - $800 for 2-3 bedroom rental and roughly $175,000 for a 2-3 bedroom home purchase).

How about the job market? I am versatile enough that I don't worry too much. I work in an office environment (purchasing, clerical, etc).

Are my expectations too unreasonable? Any information would be helpful as I have no where to start. I have never even visited!

Thanks for any input available.

[mm34b]

The only region of NC that meets your climate requirements would be located in Western part of the state. However, the Atlantic coastline is over 300 miles away.

Asheville is the largest city by far in the region with a population of around 70,000. The Asheville Metro Area (Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood and Madison Counties) has a population of around 400,000.

http://www.geology.enr.state.nc.us/p...phy_600dpi.pdf

ASHEVILLE WSO AP, NORTH CAROLINA - Climate Summary

Asheville, North Carolina - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[RuralCoastalGuy]

I fully agree with mm34b and would like to add a few comments to hers. Any part of NC is subject to being struck by a hurricane as, since we have lived here, we have seen them pass through Charlotte, Raleigh and other points inland. Hurricanes aren't as scary as most people think and they sure beat tremors and earthquakes which you probably have experienced in Ca. I live near Dunn, NC which is a small city. It is about 40 plus miles to Raleigh and a bit less to Fayetteville, both of which are considered larger cities here. Raleigh is the largest city on our eastern side. We recently had temps in excess of 90 degrees for the better part of the Summer while suffering the state's worst drought at the same time. We are about an hour from the Atlantic Ocean. Homes can be bought here comfortably in your stated price range and you have the option of building a doublewide mobile home or modular home for under $100. I suggest you try a Google search on Raleigh, Charlotte, Wilmington and Greensboro as you can live rural outside any of those areas yet be about 20 minutes from the cities themselves. I guess you have to ask yourself what is more important, being near the beach and in a hurricane prone area or in the mountains where all your other requirements can be met but with a 3 hour drive to the beaches. Hope this helped even a small bit.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by Mikey_NC

I fully agree with mm34b and would like to add a few comments to hers. Any part of NC is subject to being struck by a hurricane as, since we have lived here, we have seen them pass through Charlotte, Raleigh and other points inland. Hurricanes aren't as scary as most people think and they sure beat tremors and earthquakes which you probably have experienced in Ca. I live near Dunn, NC which is a small city. It is about 40 plus miles to Raleigh and a bit less to Fayetteville, both of which are considered larger cities here. Raleigh is the largest city on our eastern side. We recently had temps in excess of 90 degrees for the better part of the Summer while suffering the state's worst drought at the same time. We are about an hour from the Atlantic Ocean. Homes can be bought here comfortably in your stated price range and you have the option of building a doublewide mobile home or modular home for under $100. I suggest you try a Google search on Raleigh, Charlotte, Wilmington and Greensboro as you can live rural outside any of those areas yet be about 20 minutes from the cities themselves. I guess you have to ask yourself what is more important, being near the beach and in a hurricane prone area or in the mountains where all your other requirements can be met but with a 3 hour drive to the beaches. Hope this helped even a small bit.

You have very precisely summed up the situation - I wholeheartedly agree

[RuralCoastalGuy]

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

You have very precisely summed up the situation - I wholeheartedly agree

Thank you for that! Coming from such a distinguised Senior Member I am flattered.

[CharNative]

Originally Posted by ccrinne

I need some info on good areas of NC. I'm looking for a smaller town near a bigger city to be able to enjoy some activities and attractions. Need a safe area without too much crime and good schools. I would prefer to have 4 seasons without too much snow, live relatively close to the beach (up to an hour away)...I would also like for the summers "cooler" than some areas, hopefully not more than 85 degrees.

I would like to live in an area that isn't too busy and congested and is affordable ($600 - $800 for 2-3 bedroom rental and roughly $175,000 for a 2-3 bedroom home purchase).

Sounds like paradise. Let me know when you find it.

Originally Posted by ccrinne

Are my expectations too unreasonable? Any information would be helpful as I have no where to start. I have never even visited!

As you can tell from my above comment your expectations are a little unreasonable. You may be able to find some of those things but they will come at a higher cost....such is life. I'm also not sure how you decided on North Carolina without at least visiting. My advice is to visit, and do a bit of soul searching, before you move.

[walidm]

Hmm, if you drop the weather requirements a bit, we can come closer to accommodating you. Google Indian Trail, NC. It's a nice area, has some nice schools, the rental will fit as well as the home price. The beach is about two hours east and the mountains two hours west. The temp is pretty moderate but with global warming, who knows.

Oh, forget the snow, the very mention causes panic and free days for gleeful children....