Any NY'ers regret the move to NC? (Charlotte, Raleigh: environment, relocate)

[BigHouse9]

Originally Posted by NC_Bound

so what is it that you don't like about where you live?

Too crowded - too much traffic - do not enjoy the housing development lifestyle, the urban sprawl and strip mall mentality. Just do not want to raise a family in that environment.

[clodhopper]

I believe one of the real advantages of life here in NC is that you can move about 50 miles or less and drop right out of the rat race...and still be in commuting distance of your work. It's been working for me for over 15 years.

Might as well say also....22 years ago when I first moved to NC, it seemed as if I had time warped back to the mid '60's. 4 miles from downtown found me in a basically untouched rural area that went on for miles through crossroads settlements, cotton and beanfields, forests and cutover woodlands.... This is still largely true today! Embrace it and enjoy it, life is short.

[BigHouse9]

Well said. Life is way too short and I will be embracing more if it if my plans hold firm.

[PhilX]

No matter where you move to in the world success often depends on a positive state of mind... in other words you must really want it to work.
Lets face it, no matter how much research you do into an area there will still be suprises awaiting around the corner.
From my experience everywhere has it's good and bad points (discounting Nirvahana and Utopia and Bejaysus have you seen the price of houses there? ?? ???).
PhilX
(Southern England)

[NYer]

What about the Cotswolds, Phil? don't ruin my fantasy & tell me it's not perfect there!

[PhilX]

OMG Ny'er you may hate me for all eternity...
So not too long then.

I'll tread carefully as you are with knowledge so may have relatives on this side of the pond.
LOL

The Cotswold’s covers quiet a large area by UK standards (small by yours). Limestone is plentiful so as you would expect old original cottages, farmhouses and village churches are all made from it.
An Idyll and very easy on the eye.
However...
What the Olde Worlde Tourist Information Shoppe won't tell you is that towns (cities more like) such as Swindon are composed of modern prefabricated factory units by the 100. With all the factory units come traffic and large roads to accommodate that traffic.
Though I've mentioned Swindon (cos I hate Swindon) most notable towns will have a factory estate glued on to its boundaries.

There are small villages that are beautiful with equally beautiful house prices.
The usual rule of “Gets what you pays for" applies.
Best Regards,
PhilX

[NYer]

I was joking with you!
My family members live in real houses. I get it!
It's just that when you drive through those beautiful villages with the thatched roof cottages, you sigh, and are transported back to fairytale land...and you dream of living there.
When I was in school there the Queen came to visit for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. We American girls (of course) were lined up for an hour, and waved wildly. We were so excited! Someone even began a chant of "Queenie. Queenie, Queenie"
Our fellow British students were not there, except for a few anachists who were quietly pushed away.
Afterwards they explained their mixed feelings toward royals. I did not know about their lack of awe, because my Auntie saves all the sections of the newspaper from all the jubilees, weddings & funerals, and my cousins are quite tight-lipped on the subject in order to be polite to her.
Maybe we can be worshipful because we do not pay for the upkeep of the royals! We also, as a culture, have a fantasy view of British culture. I find the real culture to be somewhat akin to the southern culture I am living in now. Charming, but still, quite human.

[billjr]

Originally Posted by clodhopper

I believe one of the real advantages of life here in NC is that you can move about 50 miles or less and drop right out of the rat race...and still be in commuting distance of your work. It's been working for me for over 15 years.

Might as well say also....22 years ago when I first moved to NC, it seemed as if I had time warped back to the mid '60's. 4 miles from downtown found me in a basically untouched rural area that went on for miles through crossroads settlements, cotton and beanfields, forests and cutover woodlands.... This is still largely true today! Embrace it and enjoy it, life is short.

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

[PhilX]

Originally Posted by NYer

I was joking with you!
My family members live in real houses. I get it!
It's just that when you drive through those beautiful villages with the thatched roof cottages, you sigh, and are transported back to fairytale land...and you dream of living there.
When I was in school there the Queen came to visit for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. We American girls (of course) were lined up for an hour, and waved wildly. We were so excited! Someone even began a chant of "Queenie. Queenie, Queenie"
Our fellow British students were not there, except for a few anachists who were quietly pushed away.
Afterwards they explained their mixed feelings toward royals. I did not know about their lack of awe, because my Auntie saves all the sections of the newspaper from all the jubilees, weddings & funerals, and my cousins are quite tight-lipped on the subject in order to be polite to her.
Maybe we can be worshipful because we do not pay for the upkeep of the royals! We also, as a culture, have a fantasy view of British culture. I find the real culture to be somewhat akin to the southern culture I am living in now. Charming, but still, quite human.

Phew!
Joking with me Eh???
Have mercy on your soul…
LOL
To answer your post,
Yes, the small rural villages are beautiful and their communities tend to be friendly and close knit, about as far removed from some of the stresses, strains and ills of modern day living as you can realistically get.

Interested to hear that you spent your childhood in the Cotswolds as an American Girl? ?? ??? …
Sorry Ma'am, but I had you down as a rough voiced, unshaven NY taxi driver! (... really must try and stop stereo typing).
Not sure when you were here (no clues because the Queen's been enthroned for 50+ years) but many villages will have changed little in appearance.

Anarchism is also still alive and well.
Like the US the UK is a democracy and “The Royals” still attract a degree of dissent.
Being fair handed, overall they are liked… if only because the alternative to Royalty is unthinkable.
President Tony B. liar just doesn’t carry the same panache does it?

Have to disagree with you about you not paying the upkeep for the Royals.
Tourism is an industry and locally I swear some days we are out numbered by US folk (little America).
The understandable need to discover their roots is a strong one.

It’s difficult for me to comment on the southern culture where you now live as I’ve yet to visit NC, but, did have the pleasure of meeting folk from the Carteret (sp?) County area who spent their holiday with us.
Fondest Regards,
PhilX

[LauraC]

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

Know what you are going "to do" in retirement and then move someplace where you can do those things to be happy. Everybody dreams of living in the mountains, on the beach, or in the country but what are you going to do the third week you are there?