Considering relocating to NC (Charlotte, Raleigh: apartment, trip , job)

[mm34b]

Originally Posted by jama

We lived in the Greensboro, Winston-Salem for 7 years,from Pittsburgh originally. I am a physicist (research) and my wife is a college Professor. The schools(thorugh 12th grad) in NC generally speaking are terrible. Very, very overcrowded, poor facilities, high teacher turnover, very, very, very low teacher salaries, many teachers without appropriate credentials due to significant shortage of teachers across the state.

Additionally, do not forget the Yankee factor. We did not experience it directly, but many friends of ours were very suprised to encounter the disdain for the "yankees." The Southern folk simply do not like Yankees and they use that term in a derogatory manner. You will miss the North, i gaurantee it. Create what you are looking for in your home town are. Move closer to work, look for a new job, make new friends, etc...

On last note; the winter is tough in the north, but the summer is just as brutal in NC. Either way, a few months of not being able to do anything outside comfortably. However; there are more months of outside enjoyment in NC.

Generally speaking, I would agree that the average NC Public School is at a lesser level than average schools in the Northeast.


As far as the "Yankee" factor goes, I've found residents to be very friendly to Northerners except the ones who attempt recreate their outside culture here by demanding various government services and practices that are common in the North but not in NC. There's a reason NC taxes are much lower here than in the Northeast. Great public schools and government services cost money. Some Northerners don't seem to understand that and are unwelcome by the life-long residents. This attitude is more prevalent in the more rural areas of the state than in the urban areas such as Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte with their high concentration of Northern transplants.

NC is very diverse state in regards to climate. While Summer is hazy, hot and humid in the Eastern part of the state, the Western part of the state is much cooler. The average high for July in Asheville is 83 degrees, while Fayetteville is in the mid to high 90s. Total Winter snowfall in Fayetteville is trace amounts while Asheville is normally around 15".

I lived in the Northeast for 40 years and NC for 15 years. I do not miss the North and would never consider moving back. The best advice I have for anyone considering a move to NC, would be to pick your specific area of NC very carefully based on your family's personal priorities, such as climate, schools, heathcare, tax burden, population density, race, religion, recreation and available government services. NC has it all, but not all in the same local area.

[pluto]

Hi Recruiter..considering Taylorsville,Hickory,Asheville,areas for new life from Los Angeles...I'm creative so the furniture aspect attracts me..have many creative hobbies such as music,concrete and metal art etc....into gardening so a moderate climate would be good but I want the beauty of the mountains without too much cold and snow and access to at least a decent community college and somewhere the people are progressive and a good playhouse would be a good sign.Maybe the foothills somewhere around Hickory? Would like some acreage at a decent price without too many restrictions is this asking too much? I expect to compromise somewhere. Looking for beauty.. peace..nature..good people..and some place to just be. I have experience in different remodeling skills and could also sell some of my work where there might be some tourist traffic....any advice would be appreciated...thanks.

[fastfilm]

CMAC, could you elaborate on why the NC schools were considered deficient by your San Diego friends? Based upon seeing my husband's suffering in the over-administrated Los Angeles, gang-infested, no English-spoken public school system, I would say our schools are comparable to Dante's rings of Hell, unless one is in the rare rich sectors of L.A.

My husband wishes to continue teaching when we relocate to NC (we haven't scouted yet, so I can't elaborate) but that's why I want to know to which problems you refer. Is it problems with teaching science vs. a biblical opposition to same? Is it a new Hispanic population bereft of English language skills? Please help us factor the cons along with the obvious pros of lovely, verdant NC.

[Agent Maxwell]

Hello Everyone My name is Paul Maxwell and if you want any advice about Moving to NC give my a call or email me. I will be happy to answer anything. My team and I have help over 75 families move to NC.

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[recruiter]

nancy -
Nursing opportunities are endless in NC. Raleigh/Durham is the research triangle and has some great hospitals with UNC and Duke being in the area. Charlotte also has 2 major hospitals with research facilities growing fast. Some of the best universities in the country are in NC and costs for in state tuition is reasonable. The Raleigh/Durham area schools are better than the Charlotte Mecklenburg schools, as far as public goes. Both areas have great private schools.
From Jama's post, he doesn't like NC very much. I have several friends that are teachers and they complain about their jobs as much as teachers in any other state. I also have many friends in the banking industry who complain that their counterparts in NY make more than them. Cost of living is not the same so pay is different.
I moved here from NJ and PA and have never experience any Yankee factor. In fact, many of the best restaurants in Charlotte are owned by former chefs from the NY area.

[recruiter]

Originally Posted by pluto

Hi Recruiter..considering Taylorsville,Hickory,Asheville,areas for new life from Los Angeles...I'm creative so the furniture aspect attracts me..have many creative hobbies such as music,concrete and metal art etc....into gardening so a moderate climate would be good but I want the beauty of the mountains without too much cold and snow and access to at least a decent community college and somewhere the people are progressive and a good playhouse would be a good sign.Maybe the foothills somewhere around Hickory? Would like some acreage at a decent price without too many restrictions is this asking too much? I expect to compromise somewhere. Looking for beauty.. peace..nature..good people..and some place to just be. I have experience in different remodeling skills and could also sell some of my work where there might be some tourist traffic....any advice would be appreciated...thanks.

From what you are describing, Asheville or Hickory are nice areas. I would even consider the Blowing Rock/Grandfather Mountain area. Each has their own charm and are mountain areas. Some good colleges and community colleges in all these areas. Don't know much about the playhouse. The mountains of NC do get some snow during the winter months. No matter what, the mountains do get cold. I am partial to the Blowing Rock area for the Bed and Breakfasts, the art shops, local crafts, furniture, App State, etc. Land is fairly reasonable. Could even get a good deal on a commercial property.

[Agent Maxwell]

Len, Look at Winston Salem the have baseball and everything you listed, ALso loko up Clemmons it's 5Mins from winston-salem it was voted to 50 places to live in the USA.
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[C21Jay]

I live in the Triangle area and if I was going to move to the mountains I would move to one of the smaller communities outside of Boone like Blowing Rock or Banner Elk . Ashville and Hickory have both had a major influx of folks moving there in the last 5 years to where a lot of folks are moving back out now.
And regarding schools in the Triangle area, like anywhere else there are good and not so good. But regardless of the school your child attends, its parents involvement in their childs education and upbringing that ultimately helps them become their own individual best. My three sons have been in what people would call a less then good school system in Franklin county, and they have turned out great. Its parents that help make the school good or not so good not only for the students but for the teachers that are trying so hard to help prepart them for their futures. No, I'm not a teacher, but I have the highest respect for their need to help make a difference in each individual child. Some folks need to stop dwelling on the bad and start seeing the good to make things better. Sorry, off my soap box...
Jay

[MOVEME]

Hi CJ and anyone else out there,

I'm going to jump in again and ask some ?'s.

I was born and raised in the Piedmont triad area, (Kernersville, Greensboro, High Point), left in '85 with family to move out to California. Well, now I am considering with DH moving back to either Raleigh or Charlotte areas with my own family (3 small children) but have to say I am a bit hesitant since I have grown very accustomed to life here in California. Weather is great but I really miss the seasons and green. I live in the desert regions on this sunny state. Not my cup of tea. We're worried how we'll handle the humidity

We considered Austin or Dallas regions of Texas a year or so ago but found the high property taxes and high home owners insurance to be a deterrent. I am a stay at home mom so we live on one income. We are looking to find a larger home in a more family friendly environment that is more affordable. California is only for the double income wealthy it seems. We got in just before the housing boom hit, so equity is good. We'd like upgrade now without it costing us our futures.

What can you tell me of Texas vs. NC? Weather, humidity and pace of life? I like lots of amentities, shopping and nice, safe schools with a focus on education and not politics. We are more conservative than liberal.

We would be leaving family and all friends so it is a BIG decision!

I am amazed at how many people are moving to NC & Texas from other areas, especially Californians and Jersey folks. When we were there my Mom couldn't wait to get back home, she's native California. It was so slow and backwards then. Is it still somewhat slow or has all the influx of other people from other regions changed it?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Moveme

[Aestrae]

Hey Moveme, we're considering moving from Dallas to NC/Charlotte so I can tell you about MY location just north of Lake Lewisville which is just north of Dallas. I'm trying to figure out if DH's desire to get a job with competent administrators outweighs leaving our great house (4000 sq ft on a wooded acre near trails leading to a now mostly dry lake). Schools here are great and new and all are within 1.5 miles. Of course it took us 10 years of looking to FIND a house outside of the cheek to jowel dressed up Texas kitsch house though ours is definitely on the kitschy side (brick with arches inside and massive master bathroom and closets while the kids have teensy closets).

Many local schools have lots of portable building and still some overcrowding due to the massive influx of folks looking for more-affordable housing which we DO have. In my neighborhood homes are 2800 to 4100 sq. foot and run from $280 to $420. Good quality kitchens, ceramic tile, granite countertops. Swimming pools. Winter lasts…we didn’t have one really this year .. it last from about mid-December til mid February. It’s March and everything’s in bloom and I expect to be in the pool by the end of the month.

Figures we finally moved to our big house just 1.5 years ago.

My MAIN concern about moving to the Charlotte area where my husband’s looking at UNC Charlotte is the schools. I’d appreciate any input positive or negative in hopes of figuring out what to do. With 3 kids, 2 in elementary and one in HS, I know how important finding a good fit can be. I’ve got kids interested in Art/Music/Biology, at least right now. As a stay-at-home Mom I add enhancements to what the schools have and don’t know just what Charlotte has to offer besides a very good Children’s museum. The DFW area has tons to do with kiddos of all ages -- we have 2 good zoos, the Kimbell and the Dallas Museum of Art. Complexes of museums with history/science and various other areas to learn about. So though the area ain’t “pretty”here by coastal standards, it is QUITE liveable for those with kids who find that a trip to the local SuperTarget or Walmart is an outing. AND there is now an AIKEA in Frisco!

The minuses. Water bills are REALLY high. Ours run about $300 a month at times because you must water your house’s foundation or it cracks due to expansive clay soil. Property taxes are Very Scary. The state needs to work on formulas for school funding. Traffic here can be a NIGHTMARE though really not THAT bad for anyone used to real nasty traffic. You just don’t take certain roads at certain times and/or make sure you live in the right direction from work. There are loads of new roads planned and if we don’t move we’ll be sitting pretty when all the destruction is done.

Anyone know what traffic is like in Charlotte if you work at or near the University? We’d like to live near nature/streams and trees but in an area where folks’ pride in their school isn’t just linked to sports.