Any NY'ers regret the move to NC? (Raleigh, Durham: work, housing)

[lilybell]

Hi everyone,

Ive been reading with interest everyone's comments about North Caroline vs. where they come from (New York, New Jersey etc.) My mother always said, "If you are not happy, it doesn't matter where you move because you are taking yourself with you." I'm from Massapequa, New York, and I'm looking forward to moving to Charlotte sometime this spring or summer. I did live in Charlotte some time ago, and I realize it has changed over the years, but the people have always been gracious and kind. I'm aware of the differences, but I'm willing to adapt to the changes for a slower paced life. I'm not concerned about the food because I love to cook.(I'm Italian) My mom would be proud! Of course New York is different, but there is good and bad no matter where you go. Long Island has beautiful beaches and also lots of drugs. There are beautiful sections of Long Island, but also areas of crime and gangs. On the whole, people just want to live safely, and happily. We must respect one another. Be kind and remember a smile goes a long way. I want to be part of Charlotte's community. I'm coming down with a good attitude and hope I can be a blessing to someone else. I wish everyone the very best and I really hope you make the right decision for you and your family.

[2PrettyKitties]

My DH and I moved to NC from NY last year. We were born and raised NYC (Bronx and Manhattan). It took us 5 years to make a decision to move here. The only regret we have is that we didn't do it 5 years ago. Yes, NYC is known for it's unique shopping, Mom & Pop groceries, Restaurants, etc., etc. Hello, that is what makes it unique! I do miss going to the corner Pork, Cheese or candy Store to get the things I need. I can order anything online (power of the internet)and get it in 24 hours. For Downstate NYers (LI, Westchester) housing is cheaper, Property tax is cheaper. Schools, I wouldn't complain about. Anyone from NYC proper knows that they just got away cheap down here. Up there you have to be concerned about the public school system. That mean, tuition, tuition, tuition, to the tune of $5k per year for low, per kid, times 12 years. Right now NYC temperature is at 19-25 degrees. With the wind chill factor it feels like -2 to 5 degrees. Can't say that I miss that. I don't miss snow. I love the extended season of mild temperatures. I love that in October I didn't need my parka and I didn't have to heat the car before getting in. My electric bill and gas bill are a breeze. Yes, food and services are more expensive. But this is just trade off. You want Broadway Plays there is Broadway Series South. Same productions, it's just the road show. These shows have to be good. The have to entice you to go to Broadway. Want Restaurants, there are plenty. Those of us who are Italian don't need Italian food - we cook it at home. While I can't get all the products I want, like the Mozzarella, I can order from Ivarone or Pastosa on line. Besides, no one needs to eat that everyday, and, it's a big treat when you do get it. Pizza, bagels -- I haven't found an exceptional Pizza place to my liking but that doesn't mean the ones I've tried aren't good. We all have to remember that everyone "cooks" for the regional taste. We are just accustomed to another flavor. Bagels - everyone knows that it is the water that determines the taste. NC is lucky to have a similar mineral content in there water as NY. NYBD (New York Bagel and Deli) in Cary is as good as any NY Bagel nosh establishment.

[SoldiersWifey25]

Originally Posted by 2PrettyKitties

My DH and I moved to NC from NY last year. We were born and raised NYC (Bronx and Manhattan). It took us 5 years to make a decision to move here. The only regret we have is that we didn't do it 5 years ago. Yes, NYC is known for it's unique shopping, Mom & Pop groceries, Restaurants, etc., etc. Hello, that is what makes it unique! I do miss going to the corner Pork, Cheese or candy Store to get the things I need. I can order anything online (power of the internet)and get it in 24 hours. For Downstate NYers (LI, Westchester) housing is cheaper, Property tax is cheaper. Schools, I wouldn't complain about. Anyone from NYC proper knows that they just got away cheap down here. Up there you have to be concerned about the public school system. That mean, tuition, tuition, tuition, to the tune of $5k per year for low, per kid, times 12 years. Right now NYC temperature is at 19-25 degrees. With the wind chill factor it feels like -2 to 5 degrees. Can't say that I miss that. I don't miss snow. I love the extended season of mild temperatures. I love that in October I didn't need my parka and I didn't have to heat the car before getting in. My electric bill and gas bill are a breeze. Yes, food and services are more expensive. But this is just trade off. You want Broadway Plays there is Broadway Series South. Same productions, it's just the road show. These shows have to be good. The have to entice you to go to Broadway. Want Restaurants, there are plenty. Those of us who are Italian don't need Italian food - we cook it at home. While I can't get all the products I want, like the Mozzarella, I can order from Ivarone or Pastosa on line. Besides, no one needs to eat that everyday, and, it's a big treat when you do get it. Pizza, bagels -- I haven't found an exceptional Pizza place to my liking but that doesn't mean the ones I've tried aren't good. We all have to remember that everyone "cooks" for the regional taste. We are just accustomed to another flavor. Bagels - everyone knows that it is the water that determines the taste. NC is lucky to have a similar mineral content in there water as NY. NYBD (New York Bagel and Deli) in Cary is as good as any NY Bagel nosh establishment.

Just curious when did LI get cheap, cause I just moved from there almost 4 years ago and it was very expensive. As far as Upstate albany those areas might be a little cheaper.

[I'minformed2]

I believe she was saying "for people in downstate ny, it is cheaper....to live in NC". It is cheaper in NC than downstate NY is what she was saying. While it is actually more expensive to live in NC than Upstate NY.

[berryjuice4life]

yes she was refering to nc being alot of cheaper than NC..that is where she is now...

[LRV476]

Originally Posted by Carolina Native

North Carolina was a wonderful place until we got so many people moving into the areas and crowding things. I often wonder why so many NY'ers move here and then constantly complain about everything. The problems you described are caused by so many people moving here.

LOL. My husb and I are considering moving to NC from N.CA- we grew up in MD, near DC- but that area is too expensive to move back. I was reading the responses on this, and I thought the following: Pricing is going to change, based on demand. Simple economics. Most people are considering moving to NC, because the price of housing is more affordable - but pricing will go up, based on supply vs. demand. (again, economics)

As a transplant from East Coast to West Coast, when I first moved, I grumbled that there was no mall and no CULTURE. But, as the area was a mere infant in terms of growth, I decided to sit back and embrace the things I liked, the reason we'd moved in the first place; we did a lot of traveling up mountain, foothills, or into cities those first years. Now, after 7 years, I have seen a vast difference, and a large amount of growth. Sure, there is now traffic in front of the (5-year old) mall on that (7-year-old) six-lane road, but the city (not town anymore) is booming and expecting more growth, which inevitably means more taxes, etc. You pay for what you get and vice versa. Also, keep in mind that the more people who move into an area, the less the area may retain authenticity- it will end up morphing into something else, be prepared to accept it.

Bottom line, if people are moving somewhere to make a better life for themselves, 1. they can't expect to be the only ones and 2. that better life will not just emerge- problems can still pass over county lines. (now relinquishing soapbox)

[I'minformed2]

I couldn't agree with you more and I am glad that you are at least ONE future transplant to this area who DOES realize it is going to be very different in the future and not what everyone expects. People just need to realize it......NC is going to change, it's going to have the same problems that all other previouslly fast-growing areas had. If you are running away from JUST those issues (high taxes, overcrowding, high home prices, rising crime, etc.) then you might as well stay put where you are. Only come here if you are prepared to deal with the same aformentioned hassels that many seem to think will go away forever once they come here.

[Carolina_native]

Im not against people trying to better their lives. But I would point out that you can move to NC, but there are other areas to live than just Raleigh or Charlotte. I know that Charlotte and Raleigh is where alot of the jobs are, but everyone should keep an ear as to what state and local politicians are doing. Google is opening up a data processing center in Lenoir, Target Corp. is opening in Newton, ever heard of these towns? Probably not much, if at all. The state is wooing companies to areas of the state that have been hit hard economically, not exclusively to Charlotte or Raleigh anymore.

[NC Calling]

Originally Posted by billjr

Sounds like just the kind of area we're looking for to move to for retirement. Do you mind saying what town you're in ? BTW, we're moving from Connecticut.

Bill

We moved here from the Chicago area and live just west of Winston Salem in Davie County (central part of NC otherwise known as the "Piedmont"). 20 - 30 minutes drive outside W/S gives you mountain views, wineries, antique stores, horse farms, rolling countryside. A traffic jam is 6 cars at a stop light! Winston Salem/Greensboro have great access to transportation, a convenient airport, Wake Forest Univ., excellent hospitals, 2 hours to Asheville, 4 hours to beaches. Depends on what you're looking for, but this area is no where near as crowded as Raleigh or Charlotte. Cost of living is favorable also.

[Bull City Rising]

Originally Posted by Carolina_native

Im not against people trying to better their lives. But I would point out that you can move to NC, but there are other areas to live than just Raleigh or Charlotte. I know that Charlotte and Raleigh is where alot of the jobs are, but everyone should keep an ear as to what state and local politicians are doing. Google is opening up a data processing center in Lenoir, Target Corp. is opening in Newton, ever heard of these towns? Probably not much, if at all. The state is wooing companies to areas of the state that have been hit hard economically, not exclusively to Charlotte or Raleigh anymore.

Yeah, but let's be realistic. Google's going to create only 210 jobs over 4 years, and these are data center jobs, not highly "value added" IT positions (analysts, sysadmins, programmers, DBAs, etc.). And Target is building... a distribution center. Target's a better company to work for than most, but distribution centers usually go to places with cheap land, inexpensive labor force, and lots of freeway connections.

I wouldn't expect deals like these two to bring in much collateral job growth. Lenoir is *not* going to see an IT boom because of a Google data center.

If you want maximum flexibility in career choices, it's no different in NC than any other state: look at the cities. Here, that's the Triangle, Charlotte, and the Triad.