New England type town (Asheville, Chapel Hill: motels, new home, neighborhoods)

[SunnyKayak]

moderator note:
Stick to the original topic please

[nerak219]

Sorry to have offended anyone. Moving is hard for me to do since I have moved many many times. I am looking for a little familiarity to help me adjust to yet another move. Really didn't think it would hurt to ask. Also every area has rude people as well as some great warm friendly people. Please don't lump all of us from the north as rude or cold. Thanks

[lizwolfspada]

To me, a New England town (OK, been to upstate NY, but never New England) implies something most Southern California towns don't have, a center, a walkable town square etc. I think many older towns everywhere have this and I wonder if that is part of what the poster is looking for. California, where I live, is horrible for this, because so many towns grew up along freeways or highways.
Liz

[havin fun]

For Nerak219 and lizwolfspada: Take a look at Southern Pines/Pinehurst area. Area meets most of your requirements except a local transportation system (1 taxi company) and nearness to the beach (2+1/2 hrs). 1:10 to RDU airport.
Pinehurst was actually designed by Fredrick Olmstead (designer of Central Park) back in the early 1900's, to resemble a NE town. He also helped with Biltmore Estate in Asheville.
Southern Pines is a very pretty Southern town.
Both are Quaint, Very Safe, Friendly, Relaxed communities.
Upscale without the pretentiousness.
Look at the stats on the opening page of City-Data: might be just the place for you.

[the 7 oh 4]

What about the 2 in the Charlotte area...not sure if I would exactly called it "New England"...but closest that I know of...

Birkdale Village - Huntersville, NC
&
Baxter Village - Fort Mill, SC

[Peppermintpatt]

Changing the mood and the topic a little, these are some links where you will find the New England atmosphere here in NC.

Swansboro Area Chamber of Commerce, Swansboro North Carolina (NC)

Beaufort, North Carolina on the Crystal Coast of NC & the Beaufort Historic Association

Town of Surf City (my area of residence)

Welcome to The City of Southport Web Site

Home (Wilmington, NC Chamber of Commerce)


These are coastal towns and among my personal NC favorites. Unfortunately (or in my
opinion, fortunately ) we don't get snow often, but when we do watch out! No one has
snow tires here so life as we know it stops! I have lived in NC all my life and in this area for four years. We have had no hurricanes of major magnitude since we have lived here, but suffered worse damage from hurricanes while living in Durham, Greenville, and Princeton NC. You never know where hurricanes will go, just like any other weather disturbance.

I believe you will find our state to be hospitable, friendly, and a melting pot of many cultures, just like our great USA. Good luck in your search!

[Ciao9999]

Originally Posted by nerak219

thanks for the smart remark.....will keep it in mind when i look at Asheville

Why move to a new place expecting it to be like where you left? That's a recipe for dissapointment. If you move to NC, accept it for what it is, and what it's not. If you want New England, stay there.

[lizwolfspada]

I'm not sure, I want to live in a small town, just explaining what I think of as a New England town. After 25 years of living in a small mountain town, I actually would like more a medium size city. I loved visiting Vancouver and I really like San Francisco, but even though my son lives there, renting one room in a flat, the cost is so prohibitive. I guess we'll have to visit NC and if we like it, spend a month wondering around the year we retire.
Liz

[GraniteStater]

Boone, NC would FIT the bill.
It is a college town home to Appalachian State University.
It is located at 3300ft up in elevation.
Snow can be quite common during the winter.
Summer temperatures are fantastic with highs in the 70s and 80s with low humidity.

[Ann in Oriental]

As someone from Mass. who moned to NC 22 years ago, I know just what you mean. We were in Rocky Mount for the first 17 years and I hated it so much I was almost suicidal.The natives were only friendly if you were a Baptist. Then my husband retired and we moved to Oriental (near the coast and New Bern) Lots of people here from the north! Population under 1000 in the "city limits" I'd still rather be in New England but I'm not unhappy here.They say hi Ann when I go to the grocery store.Not much if any snow, but it gets cold in the winter and there is a Spirit of Christmas Festival. Lots of people with sailboats and lots of boating activities.A small theater group, bookclubs, a wine and cheese store, a healthfood store, 5 restaurants, a Dr.s office,coffee shop etc.. So it's really small but that is part of the charm.For a much larger place with a New England feel I would say New Bern or Edenton.