Here is why, in my personal opinion, the Triad is the best metro area in NC to live in. It is seriously underrated compared to the Triangle and Charlotte. The only reason those metros are more famous is because they have better white-collar job opportunities. That is a major factor of course and one that I don't want to underestimate (it is the reason why the Triad is growing at a slower rate).
But let's say you can get a comparable job in either of those 3 metros, or you work for yourself like me. Then, I say the Triad is the best choice.
Asheville and Wilmington are really "niche" metros for select groups, and Fayetteville is generally considered to be the weakest major city in NC, so I won't compare those here.
1) Equal distance to Charlotte and Triangle. It takes a little over an hour to get to either of these metro areas from the Triad, meaning Triad residents can easily get to and enjoy what
both of those metros have to offer.
Residents of the Triangle can't reach amenities in Charlotte as easily as Triad residents can. Meanwhile, residents of Charlotte can't reach amenities in the Triangle as easily as Triad residents can. And yes, many Triad residents take advantage of this.
2) Most amenities to be found in NC's 2 largest metros can be found in the Triad, meaning Triad residents don't have to travel to them except for certain things. CLT and RDU have more flights than GSO, there are nicer shopping malls (Southpoint, South Park, Lafayette Village, etc.) and college and professional sports, to name a few things. But for the most part, the Triad has nearly everything the other 2 metros have, and the gap difference is decreasing by the year with more luxury shopping coming to Greensboro and Winston.
3) Cheaper prices in the Triad. Charlotte and RDU are booming and have better economies, but with that comes more expensive real estate etc.
4) Less traffic congestion. Driving in Winston and Greensboro (especially Greensboro as it has super-wide highways) is a breeze compared to most other metro areas, including Raleigh and Charlotte. Greensboro was named one of the best cities in the entire USA to be a driver in (in fact I think it may have been in first place). Winston has older road infrastructure but they are currently doing major upgrades to it. But even then, if you avoid US-52, Winston is easy to drive in. Meanwhile, I've been stuck in quite a few traffic jams in Raleigh and Charlotte...
5) Winston-Salem in particular feels like a more "cultural" and historic city than those in the Triangle and Charlotte. It was the largest city in NC at one point. Charlotte has a very sterile, fancy, corporate vibe. While nice and impressive, you don't feel much of a home-grown, rooted, local culture in Charlotte (the huge number of transplants is part of this as well). Culture in the Triangle is dominated by RTP and the 3 universities. While it's nice and gives the area an intellectual vibe, it's not the same as in Winston.
Now that Downtown Winston has been revitalized, you can definitely feel that it is more of a "cultural" city than Raleigh, Durham, or Charlotte.
Now I'm not just talking about performing arts venues or concerts or festivals. But Winston is known as the "City of the Arts" for a reason. Also it's one of the most important historical settlements in NC--Old Salem is a gem, similar to Williamsburg. Old Salem is probably my favorite urban neighborhood in the entire state of North Carolina. Then you have the Downtown Arts District centered around Trade St in Winston, the yuppie/hipster 4th Street in downtown centered around Camino Bakery, and the lovely Reynolda Village and Reynolda Estate grounds adjacent to Wake Forest University. The Reynolda/Wake Forest area in particular has a similar intellectual/upscale vibe as parts of the Triangle.
I will admit the sprawl area of Winston around Hanes Mall and Greensboro's Battleground Avenue & Wendover Avenue is pretty darn ugly--but the Triangle and Charlotte don't exactly have pretty sprawl areas either.
6) While not offering many direct flights, Greensboro / PTI Airport is an absolute gem for check-in. I use it for my Trans-Atlantic flights and connect via Philadelphia usually, and check-in is sooo pleasant! There is usually no one in the TSA line
You can arrive at the airport 2 minutes before boarding and never miss your flight
CLT and RDU are great for more major airports, and of course the flight option differential is huge, hence why many Triad residents drive to those airports, but PTI's pleasant experience should count for something.
Just my thoughts, folks. Let's keep it civil. My post is not mention to criticize the Triangle or Charlotte, as I like those areas. Just why I feel
if you have a choice, career-wise, the Triad is a really strong bet.
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