Smithfield, NC (Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro: schools, tornado, living)

[timdickerson]

Hello,
My wife and I are planning to relocate this summer and are considering the Smithfield area. What can you share with me about the town, schools, jobs, economy, weather, etc

[Carolina Girl]

Smithfield is small and as you know nearer the east coast. I don't have economic data on it, but I would not expect it to have great job opportunities. AS for the weather, the hurricanes can reach that far inland though it is usually more rain I think.

[mm34b]

Largest Employers in Johnston County

Talecris Biotherapeutics
Caterpillar, Inc.
Andrew Corporation
Sysco
Wal-Mart
PGI Nonwovens
Precisionaire of NC
Environ Products
Hospira
ThyssenKrupp Precision Forge
Novo Nordisk Pharmaceutical
Carolina Packers
Hagemeyer
IRC Shallcross/AB Automotive
Princeton Manufacturing
Purolator Products

[mm34b]

Smithfield Climate

Average High for January - 51.4
Average Low for January - 29.5

Average High for July - 89.9
Average Low for July - 67.2

Average Yearly Rainfall Total - 47.43"

[Bethanytedder]

My MIL lived in Johnston County were Smithfield is before she died and a tornado that was spawned from tropical storm Kyle nearly took out the entire road she lived on. It is probably 150 from the actual coast but if the storms continue to take the paths that they have seemed to take over the past few years, I wouldn't consider Johnston County far enough inland in case of a huge storm. Fran of 1996 went as far west as Raleigh and they were hit nearly as hard as I was some 90 miles closer to the coast than Raleigh is. But Smithfield is a smaller city/town. They do have a hospital and the schools well, I was not that impressed when I lived in Kenly. Ava Gardner was from Smithfield and they have this museum for her in uptown Smithfield. She died while I was living there and you couldn't move around for the funeral procession. But I have been gone from the area for 14 years and things do change I suppose.

[Carolina Girl]

Bethany is right. Hugo even went inland beyond Charlotte which is a very long way from the coast. We always joked about it before and it had never occurred until Hugo. But in Smithfield they do get quite a bit of it I'm sure. We have what we called 'hurricane weather' when I grew up. It is an overcast sky with somewhat high winds and rain, rain, rain here.

[timdickerson]

Hello Everyone,
Thanks for posting so much information. The temparture range is definitely something with which we can live. My wife will be seeking a teaching position while I'll hopefully be going to work as a line clearance foreman, clearing utility lines. I've had a taste of inland hurricane weather when we lived in Shreveport, La. although not quite as close to the coast. We're also looking at Greensboro, and just got some job leads in Lexington, NC. It's going to be interesting to see what happens.

Thanks again for all the help. Anything else you deem helpful would be appreciated

[mm34b]

Originally Posted by timdickerson

Hello Everyone,
Thanks for posting so much information. The temparture range is definitely something with which we can live. My wife will be seeking a teaching position while I'll hopefully be going to work as a line clearance foreman, clearing utility lines. I've had a taste of inland hurricane weather when we lived in Shreveport, La. although not quite as close to the coast. We're also looking at Greensboro, and just got some job leads in Lexington, NC. It's going to be interesting to see what happens.

Thanks again for all the help. Anything else you deem helpful would be appreciated

No shortage of jobs in NC for your line of work.