Greenville vs. Wilson (Charlotte, Raleigh, Chapel Hill: apartment, low crime, chapel)

[rhc0607]

My husband and I are looking for a nice city in the north eastern part of North Carolina. We are looking to start a family and will be spending about 250-300K on a home. We are looking at Greenville, Wilson, and the suburb of Sims. How is crime, shopping, schools there?

[jesjontin]

I grew up 30 minutes from Greenville - a little town called Snow Hill. My husband and I have lived in Gainesville, Fl for the past 12 years. We were in the military for 4 years. We're actually looking at Greenville as a relocation area now. You know it must be a great town if you left at age 21 and at 35 decide to move back for good.

Wilson seems washed up. It's a city that tries to be Raleigh but is too "country" to be. There are great opportunities there for jobs but your home will be more expensive and it's not as laid back as Greenville.

Greenville is a college town. The small college, ECU, with alot of heart, soul, and spirit. This isn't the mountainous or rolling hills of N.C. Greenville is considered to be in the coastal region of N.C. You're only 1 1/2 hours from Kitty Hawk and maybe an hour from Emerald Isle or Morehead City. It's pretty flat, alot of farmlands all around, great shopping, 2 malls, great little specialty shops, incredible food (need I mention that EASTERN North Carolina barbecue?), and great deals on homes.

Schools are great. N.C. has state taxes so the teachers are taken care of pretty well. That whole area of N.C. puts major emphasis on family values, Christian morals, and a good education.

I do not know anything about Sims. I only know about outlining smaller towns like the Ayden-Grifton area and Farmville (I would not suggest living there, although Farmville does offer great culture and authentic shops and eateries).

I was a teenage rebel, one that vowed never to return to that whole area. I wanted to venture out into the world, live in different cities, and experience America. My conclusion - From Raleigh going East to the coast of North Carolina is the best place in the America that I've seen to live. It has perfect seasons, perfect weather, and Greenville is far enough away from the ocean that the main thing you worry about during Hurricane season are any close trees being knocked over.

Wilson has too much hustle and bustle. If you like that kind of thing, just move to Raleigh (which would be my second choice after Greenville). Greenville will provide you with relaxation, great neighbors, low crime, great family values, and good schools.

[jmarquise]

can I ask why you are considering the northeastern part of NC? where would you be coming from? good towns in northeastern NC are hard to come by unless you want a very small town with not a lot of job options. I have not spent a lot of time in wilson, or greenville. however, the fact that greenville has a major university is a major plus. good medical care and job opportunities. there are some nice smaller coastal towns in that area. I think it really depends on the type of work you do and job opportunities in that area.

[rhc0607]

My husband got a job as a territory manager(building products company) of northeastern north carolina. His territory is from wilson and greenville all the way to elizabeth city. He just started in the company, but the pay is incredible so we feel like you have to pay your dues to move up for a better territory. We will be living in an apartment for about a year and just want a town to live in close to the cities he has to visit. The northeastern coast of NC is not our first choice, but we can't pass the business opportunity up. We are from the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas, but have been in Denver for the past month doing training for his job. We just want to make it through the year in that area of NC and hopefully transfer to another area later.

[jmarquise]

I would almost suggest living in the outer banks!

[rhc0607]

what are the outer banks?

[xcountryspeedy]

I've lived in Wilson my whole life (in college now) and I definitely agree that you should pick Greenville. Although the shopping in Wilson is getting better, it will never trump Greenville and the Greenville schools are vastly better (especially J.H. Rose). And most of the eastern part of NC extremely undervalues education, but Rose is competitive with schools in the Triangle and Charlotte areas.
A few corrections of people above me though: ECU isn't small. It's bigger than UNC-Chapel Hill and only a little smaller than NC State. It's known as the biggest party school in NC, although Greenville itself is large enough to dilute the partying that spills off campus. Also, Wilson is not trying to be like Raleigh. Ask any resident. Our property is way cheaper than Raleigh's or Greenville's, which is why people from Wilson commute to both places for work. Also, there are NO job opportunities in Wilson (hence so much commuting). The county has one of the highest unemployment rates in NC.
In all, I recommend against moving to NE NC, but if you must, pick Greenville.

[Beffrey2]

Wow, if ECU is a small school it would be scary to see a large one! I think ECU has around 22,000 students......

Greenville and Wilson are two completly different towns. I guess to help you better, I would need more info on exactly what you are looking for. Since you have children, my opinion would be neither Greenville or Wilson. Not that Wilson is a bad town, but the schools are not great. Greenville is full of crime. I would look into New Bern if I were you. It is 45 miles southeast of Greenville near the coast. Great town to raise a family, I promise you. You will find home in your price range as well.

[PiraSea]

ECU had 25,990 students enroll in the Fall of 2007!!! You guys are right... not exactly a small college!

[cha cha]

jesjontin, you obviously have been away from the area for along time! i don't think one of the things you said about greenville were accurate. "low crime, incredible food (chain restraunts), small college", think before you post.