Planning a trip to NC...which city would you choose? (Raleigh: chapel, co-op)

[Vagabond]

...I will have 5 days of vacation time saved up in April 2007. I would like to use 3 of these to visit one of NC's cities. I'm looking at Carrboro, High Point, Burlington, Gastonia or Clayton. I fully intend to move to NC in 2008 and my goal is to get a property that has at least an acre of land for $200,00 or less. I like older architecture and space space space, but I also want to be no more than 20-30 minutes away from a thriving enertainment center (food, shopping, theaters, clubs etc...)

So I guess my question is two fold: if you only had 3 days to check out a city you planned to move to, and your criteria was similar to what I've posted which of the cities that I've listed would you choose?

After choosing the city, what sights, sounds and places would you suggest I check out?

[Vagabond]

???

Was my question too vague?

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by Vagabond

...I will have 5 days of vacation time saved up in April 2007. I would like to use 3 of these to visit one of NC's cities. I'm looking at Carrboro, High Point, Burlington, Gastonia or Clayton. I fully intend to move to NC in 2008 and my goal is to get a property that has at least an acre of land for $200,00 or less. I like older architecture and space space space, but I also want to be no more than 20-30 minutes away from a thriving enertainment center (food, shopping, theaters, clubs etc...)

So I guess my question is two fold: if you only had 3 days to check out a city you planned to move to, and your criteria was similar to what I've posted which of the cities that I've listed would you choose?

After choosing the city, what sights, sounds and places would you suggest I check out?

Vagabond, the thing is all of these areas are not exactly huge so you could easily see at least four of them by staying in Burlington or Raleigh. Gastonia is the only one not in that part of the state. Nothing against Gastonia, but there are other places I might look instead if I were you (unless you have a reason like family being in the area to go there). I would suggest Newton for instance, which has easy access to Hickory for entertainment. Or maybe Granite Quarry south of Salisbury but convenient to Concord too. Good luck in your search

[RaleighRob]

Out of that list, I'd say Carrboro is by far the more interesting one, and the only one I'd consider living in. It's progressive, has a great art and music scene, wonderful restaurants/cafes and shopping, and is overall a really awesome place to be. I visit it at least monthly when I can, if not more, and always enjoy my time there. The Weaver Street Market is grocery co-op like none other I've ever seen...the shoppers actually own the store...and its food bar is great, with sometimes playing live music on the lawn. The ArtsCenter is a great place for a live show or art exhibit. Best of all, 90% of the things to do in Carrboro are within walking distance of each other, so you park the car and forget it!
And of course the rest of the Triangle (Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh) are nearby to add museums, more nightlife, colleges, parks and other amenities to your everyday life.

[fern33]

Originally Posted by Vagabond

...I will have 5 days of vacation time saved up in April 2007. I would like to use 3 of these to visit one of NC's cities. I'm looking at Carrboro, High Point, Burlington, Gastonia or Clayton. I fully intend to move to NC in 2008 and my goal is to get a property that has at least an acre of land for $200,00 or less. I like older architecture and space space space, but I also want to be no more than 20-30 minutes away from a thriving enertainment center (food, shopping, theaters, clubs etc...)

So I guess my question is two fold: if you only had 3 days to check out a city you planned to move to, and your criteria was similar to what I've posted which of the cities that I've listed would you choose?

After choosing the city, what sights, sounds and places would you suggest I check out?

Vagabond, I agree with the other poster regarding Gastonia. I don't think you'll be able to find property for that price in Carrboro but you may in Hillsborough. You might luck up in Burlington or Graham and I can help you in this area (I live in Burlington) but there's not much in the entertainment dept. unless you go to Greensboro (25 min. up the road). The shopping is improving alot here though with lot's of new restaraunts and strip malls going up.

Good luck!

[RaleighRob]

Originally Posted by fern33

I don't think you'll be able to find property for that price in Carrboro but you may in Hillsborough.

Yeah, if they choose Carrboro, and still want that large parcel of cheap land, then they'll most likely need to look outside of the town limits, either north towards Hillsborough or west towards Calvander/White Cross area.

[fern33]

Originally Posted by RaleighRob

Yeah, if they choose Carrboro, and still want that large parcel of cheap land, then they'll most likely need to look outside of the town limits, either north towards Hillsborough or west towards Calvander/White Cross area.

I agree, and it's not far from the action at all.

[fern33]

Vagabond, could you give us more info on your needs and preferences?

Are you retired or will you be seeking employment? Do you mind a rural area? What kind of entertainment are you interested in?

That would help us alot. Thanks!

[friendnc]

Knowing Gastonia very well, the only reason I wouldn't recommend it to you is because you the property tax rate is pretty high. What the above posters said about Hillsborough is a good idea. Rual, but still in the Raleigh area.

[Vagabond]

Originally Posted by fern33

Vagabond, could you give us more info on your needs and preferences?

Are you retired or will you be seeking employment? Do you mind a rural area? What kind of entertainment are you interested in?

That would help us alot. Thanks!

I am way late, but if you happen to read this
Not retired. I am in a flexible industry that allows me to work from a satelite office, so I can pretty much live any where.

Entertainment wise, I like live perfomances, art, music, theatre, concerts. If I relocate to NC, I would have no problem moving to a quiet town and commuting up to 45 minute to an entertainmemt district.