Best places to live in NC?? (Charlotte, Raleigh: chapel, house, employment)

[wintergreen]

Hi,

I happened upon this site during my research about NC. My husband and I currently live in the SW area of Virginia, moved here from the Seattle area about 5 years ago...whoa...it's a culture shock here...too small of cities, poor job advancement market, but the highlights are the weather and the housing market, both of which we have gotten accustomed too. We are considering a move down to NC......we want better opportunities for jobs/better pay and a larger city...not neccessarily Seattle size, but amentity availability. I am a nurse, he is in IT. What is the best large city in NC? We wouldn't mind living outside of the city, close to a good area, restaurants, shopping, etc. Another note on the housing area, we would like to get a house with some property; minimun of 1/2 acre+. Of course, we are still keeping the idea of moving back to the northwest open....but the weather is much better out here in the east! Any comments, websites, would be helpful. Thanks

[wnc-eky-me]

Well Charlotte is the largest city and has several good hospitals for employment and being the largest city I am sure there are some good IT positions for your husband.

I guess the next largest city/area would be Raleigh area. It includes Chapel Hill and Durham and it has seemed to be the place most moved to lately in NC. It has some great Hospitals and has lots of culture but I have heard has some serious traffic headaches (esp. Raleigh)
Then you have Greensboro/Winston-Salem area another great hospital in Winston NC Baptist Hospital.

But as far as IT jobs I would have to say Charlotte or Raleigh area would be the best choice.

For restuarants etc. again Charlotte or Raleigh will have the edge.

But for weather I would give that edge to Winston-Salem area.

[john879]

another good choice would be greensboro, one of the biggest cities in nc, has a population of about 300,000. its got a couple of good hospitals, and much better job opportunities than raleigh charlotte winston etc.

[Francois]

Originally Posted by wintergreen

I happened upon this site during my research about NC. My husband and I currently live in the SW area of Virginia, moved here from the Seattle area about 5 years ago...whoa...it's a culture shock here...too small of cities, poor job advancement market, but the highlights are the weather and the housing market, both of which we have gotten accustomed too. We are considering a move down to NC......we want better opportunities for jobs/better pay and a larger city...not neccessarily Seattle size, but amentity availability. I am a nurse, he is in IT. What is the best large city in NC?

Charlotte is the only really "large city" in NC. Raleigh is #2 in population, but it is by far mostly suburban/sprawl, and the downtown is more like that of a "small city". Beyond Charlotte, you're looking at Atlanta...there really aren't so many "large cities" in this corner of the US.

[westcoastbabe]

OK...Here is the skinny....Born and Bred in Charlotte...Don't mean to HATE...but....you all ready know about the 'culture shock"...so i wont even digress...Charlotte is overrall is a nice city...I have seen it grow...but I have also seen it fall from "graceland"....Everyone flocked here when the "living' was good...YOu would have thought it was the promise land...Now it just plain bad....Unemployment here is at 12%/too many people here which means there arent enough good jobs to go around...Charlotte is great for affordable housing...and if you can land the "great job"...Speaking as a single person...it is definitely a "married town... Not much of cultural scene neither... Just a friendly opinion...

[luv2goboating]

We have lived in Seattle (Ballard) too and yes, it is quite an adjustment to the east coast. We have lived all over the SE and have never found that truly "Seattlite/Pacific Rim meets granola vibe", that is so fun about Seattle.

The best thing that you can do is to go to a college town, live in an in-town neighborhood where you can walk to something (art gallery, bakery, coffee shop with open mic night, funky restaurants) near a whole foods and plenty of nightlife.

Have you considered Charlottesville, VA (Dave Matthews territory) or Ashville, NC (granola, art galleries, funky restaurants, hiking, mountain biking, river rafting, birkenstock friendly). Boston and New Hampshire are the only other places that we have found somewhat comparable to Seattle.

Good Luck.

[lowtide1]

I see that no one has mentioned Asheville. It is not a large city, but a very cool place with, I hear, the same type vibe as places like Portland, Oregon and Seattle. Sometimes called little SoHo. Great downtown where everyone hangs out. Beautiful mountains to hike- Blue Ridge Parkway is all around. Lots of art, not too much crime. Some cold and snow in the winter but not too much. Only a 4 hour drive to Charleston, SC and beautiful beaches. What could be better???