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My husband just applied for a position at a company in La Grange, NC. We currently live in NJ where we are from. We have wanted to move more south so we are hoping it happens, however, I know NOTHING about NC.
We have three children (10, 8 and 6) and most important to us is school system, hands down. My kids are into sports (baseball, soccer, softball) as well so that would be important to us.
We also would like low crime, good restaurants, shopping, etc. nearby.
My husband just applied for a position at a company in La Grange, NC. We currently live in NJ where we are from. We have wanted to move more south so we are hoping it happens, however, I know NOTHING about NC.
We have three children (10, 8 and 6) and most important to us is school system, hands down. My kids are into sports (baseball, soccer, softball) as well so that would be important to us.
We also would like low crime, good restaurants, shopping, etc. nearby.
I don't think I"m forgetting anything else!
I'm not sure La Grange would be a good fit.. it is really in the middle of nowhere. You are about an hour and fifteen from Raleigh, which is probably the closest place that meets what you are looking for in good schools, restaurants, shopping, etc.
La Grange seems like an unusual choice if you've never lived in the area. Small towns might be less accepting of "Yankees" than larger areas would be. I grew up in NY state, though that was 30+ years ago. We first lived in Greenville, NC starting in 2005, and there was some resentment of outsiders - I have a feeling that attitude might be even stronger in a small community like La Grange. Personally, I'd focus on one of the larger metro areas for shopping, dining, etc. We're very happy with the Winston-Salem area. The closest cities would be Kinston and Goldsboro - not exactly the most desirable cities in NC, to most people (especially Kinston).
My general advice if you do move to NC: don't focus on how things are different here. Just because something is handled differently in NJ doesn't mean it's the right way to do it in NC. For me, there are VERY few things about the northeast that I miss.
Also, I think this belongs in Eastern NC sub-forum, doesn't it? I had to google La Grange as I didn't recall where it was (I think I drove through it once).
Yeah, I'm surprised that LaGrange would have the kind of job that someone from NJ would apply for. It really is a "one-horse town" and even the larger places nearby--Kinston and Goldsboro--are not what I can imagine someone wanting to move here for.
Here is City-Data's page on LaGrange. (BTW, the "a" is a long A, as in "range", if he gets an interview and has to pronounce it). Just not much there and the schools in surrounding counties are not good.
We have three children (10, 8 and 6) and most important to us is school system, hands down. ....
We also would like low crime, good restaurants, shopping, etc. nearby.
Uhh - I am not sure that LaGrange is a good choice for you. The crime rate is higher than average, and it is nowhere near any sophisticated shopping. The Chef and The Farmer in Kinston is about the best restaurant in the area, otherwise you will see Eastern NC barbecue places.
If the OP's husband does get the job, I suggest the family look at the Rosewood Elementary and Rosewood Middle School districts on the west side of Goldsboro. They are about 23 miles (or 30 minute drive) from LaGrange, but are the best rated schools in the area. They are surrounded by agricultural country, but there are some new home developments catering to the military at Seymour Johnson AFB.
If I were you, I'd strongly consider living in Greenville. Otherwise, Goldsboro or Kinston. Pick your poison.
BTW, it's not that these are bad places to live. They are great places to live for the people from there. But they aren't easy to assimilate into if you're not from around here. It's kind of like working for a family business. No matter what happens, they are family and you are not.
Last edited by BullCity75; 10-31-2014 at 01:44 PM..
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