'The Rural Life, Small-Town' thread (Raleigh, Asheville: sales, apartment, Home Depot)

[SunnyKayak]

[Sailaway50]

What a beautiful photo. I, too, just "stumbled in", and have been thinking about moving form an urban area to North or South Carolina for years.....or another "rural" or " country" area with my two daughters. I like the West, but I think the pace there is getting a little harried also and there are quite a few transients....not transplants, transients!.

I have lived in a very far out "suburb" before (I'd say marginal country?), and have spent a great deal of time in the Rockies.

I have several questions:

1. Is it reasonable for a single mother (now, wasn't before) to think about a rural area?
2. Is there a different attitude about divorce, do you feel, in rural areas?
3. Or, do you feel there is a more welcoming atmosphe
4. I am thinking of this after my one daughter finishes high school...being not TOO far from a State U so she could come home on weekends would be great..
5. The city has changed drastically....many of the advantages we loved have disappeaered, and the new changes are not to our liking. We seek a quieter environment with more "real" people.....

Any thoughts? I'm open to anything. Thanks.

[SunnyKayak]

I think with today's day of age that it more common scene to have a neighbor that has been in a divorce so I dont see no problem there. There is plenty of rural areas in counties that surround Wake County (county Raliegh is located). I hope you are ready for the change we do things here with a no rush vibe.

[witchseavey]

We are one year out of Chicago and into paradise. My biggest regret is that we didn't move sooner.

We have goats, chickens and guineas. We've encountered chiggers and tics and the cat brought us a nice big black snake (which was relocated back outside with kitchen tongs). We make more of our own fun (playing music with our neighbors instead of going to the opera, it's a good trade) but there's plenty to do between classes at the extention, stargazing, learning about bee keeping, keeping up with the garden and, and, and. There are also festivals and farmers markets and other big events it seems like all the time.

[Sailaway50]

Thank you for the last three supportive posts.

As far as no "rush vibe", this is what we are looking for, truly. My two and I feel ready, but I'm sure there would be adjustments, of course. I am very disappointed at the aggression and increased "rushing" here in Chicago. I hear you. We are truly looking for more serenity and, well......nicer people.

I'll stay with the thread, and look at some areas....Wake County a good place to start, then? Suggestions? I'm open.

Thanks again.....

[witchseavey]

We're loving it here in Chatham County.

I remember the foxfire books! Gosh, it's been years, but I'll bet my sister still has them somewhere. I must ask her to see if she can dig them out for me.

How about the Whole Earth catalog?

I'm reading a wonderful book at the moment called "Coming Out of the Woods by Wallace Kaufman about his development of "Hippie Town" right down the road from me. He was a pioneer back to the lander and his naive city boy exploits are hysterical and familiar. Disabusing me of any romantic Thoreau like notions I might have had, and making me laugh out loud in the process. Although I do not (yet) have flying squirrels in my attic, I did have a black snake in my kitchen. (The cat was so surprised that I did not treasure his gift instead removing it with kitchen tongs).

[CSieting]

Hi we are planning to move to one of the Carolinas. For work (my husband is a trim carpenter ) and for better weather etc.. Iam a homemaker, but will have to get a job down there. Our kids are 7 & 9, we would like to move someplace that has good neighborhoods, (lots of kids to play with) a good school, shopping within 10 miles and good medical available. Any suggestions? What's the weather like down there?

[Nims]

To start with, he best way to scope out any one area in NC (as well as other states) is to narrow down your search to a specific county (even if it isn't the last place you'll check). There is a NC county map as a sticky at the top of our NC forum. Check out the demographics in the area, look (toward the bottom) for sizes of the cities/towns that make up the county. Keep narrowing it down.

Once you have chosen a likely area, then go to the NC forum and ask the questions in the section you're looking at (like 'Western')

The City-Data explanations for each city (or county) will tell you all the facts (weather, demographics, income, etc, etc).

Once you have zeroed in on a county, you can visit the on-line Chamber of Commerce sites to get photographs and more information.

It can be a long process, but this is a big and diverse state with much to offer. Good luck with the preliminary work. Come back and ask more specific questions when you have a list.

[SunnyKayak]

Nims and others I really hope you get a chance to live your "Rural Life Dream" in this state. I hope for the best in you making it possible.
I want you to get a chance to enjoy serenity, happiness and peace that this state can provide.

[RuralCoastalGuy]

Originally Posted by CSieting

Hi we are planning to move to one of the Carolinas. For work (my husband is a trim carpenter ) and for better weather etc.. Iam a homemaker, but will have to get a job down there. Our kids are 7 & 9, we would like to move someplace that has good neighborhoods, (lots of kids to play with) a good school, shopping within 10 miles and good medical available. Any suggestions? What's the weather like down there?

Sounds like Raleigh would be a good place to start your search and I would suggest you post your query in the Raleigh forum.. I lived in Raleigh before moving to the countryside and can tell you that there are many good neighborhoods there. The weather here is diverse and depends upon whether you move west into the mountains or east to the coast, or somewhere in between. the mountains are cooler and the coast is warmer but, all in all, I think we have very good weather here. Raleigh has one first rate hospitals and medical centers too.