Best places to live in NC?? (Charlotte, Raleigh: hoa, jobs, hospitals)

[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.