Please help with school/town decisions (Charlotte, Raleigh: chapel, employment, good schools)

[infjspirit]

Hello, i'm new to this but think it's a wonderful forum!

I am currently a student in the Social Work program (BSW) at Appalachian State in Boone, NC. I love the mountains but the sad reality is that the cost of living is too high for the minimal jobs that are available.
I do want to attend Graduate school in NC (to save $) and the best programs I have found in small towns are at ASU, UNC-Chapel Hill, and ECU.
I will be seeking full time employment right out of school, which is the reason for my panic and search to relocate.
I do not like big cities so Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham and Fayetteville have been crossed off my list. I want to remain in an envirnment that has a small town feel and work within the rural populations. I have a 7 year old daughter, as well, so I would like to live in a relatively safe and active area, too.
I understand that Chapel Hill is nice and "liberal" which is cool. I also understand that the cost of living is probably just as bad as Boone. However there is more opportunity for employment in the Triangle.
My real question is about Greenville. ECU has a nice Social Work program, but is the Greenville area a nice place to settle and raise my daughter? Ideally I would like to keep my career in or around the city I attain my Masters degree in.

Or should I just choose UNCC and live out in the country. Charlotte is HUGE which = employment...maybe. The problem is, I hate humidity and i'm big into nature (which is why i adore mountain living!) Where could I still get some elevation but not be to far from school/work?
HELP!
Thanks for you'lls input!

[infjspirit]

21 views and no replies???!

[lovethecarolinas]

Originally Posted by infjspirit

21 views and no replies???!

may I suggest you send a PM to "rsogirl"...I think she might be able to help you.

Good luck!

[alice_61]

Chapel Hill is expensive, including child care. Usually it is harder to get a job in a field near a school with a program in thatfield, since a lot of graduates want to stay in that school's area.

[infjspirit]

ty Alice; good insight!

I would love to stay in the mountain area and continue to attend Appalachian State in Graduate School. Mostly because I want to remain in the rural mountain area. I would likely consider seeking employment around Hickory, Morganton, or Wilkesboro.

The Triangle seems like a nice place to live, but I don't want to go broke trying to keep up; especially with raising a daughter!

I am going into the social services field, and we typically do not make a ton of money

Any other suggestions?

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by infjspirit

ty Alice; good insight!

I would love to stay in the mountain area and continue to attend Appalachian State in Graduate School. Mostly because I want to remain in the rural mountain area. I would likely consider seeking employment around Hickory, Morganton, or Wilkesboro.

The Triangle seems like a nice place to live, but I don't want to go broke trying to keep up; especially with raising a daughter!

I am going into the social services field, and we typically do not make a ton of money

Any other suggestions?

As a single mom working a job that won't ever make you rich, I would say avoid the triangle for sure. Cost of housing is just too high, like it would be in Charlotte. However, you could go to UNCC and live out in Concord or Harrisburg. Those are nice smaller communities with good schools that are convenient to UNCC. But since you like the mountains so much, why not try staying at APP to finish your degree, THEN moving to whereever your best option for a job is at that time? Greenville is very flat, and a bit more humid being closer to the coast, so take that into consideration

[mm_mary73]

Originally Posted by infjspirit

21 views and no replies???!

Sorry, I fell asleep. What does your advisor suggest? Any Senior internships? Have you taken the GRE? Applied or been accepted anywhere? Seems as if you should start there first so you'll know your options and what is available to graduate students. Also, don't think that getting into graduate school is as "easy" as getting into undergraduate school. Take advantage of the GRE help that's available.

[infjspirit]

Thanks Mary,

Talking to my advisor is the next step. Luckily he is the director of our program here at ASU at him and I get along real well. As well as the rest of the Social Work staff. I've been hard at networking this past year. I am only a Junior level BSW thus far, but my future and planning is very important to me. I also have good connections with our local state chapter and have made personal connections with our state chapters director and her staff.

I work at our local homeless shelter as an overnight supervisor and have developed important connections with people in our community. I do not want to leave this area at all because of the connections, layed back lifestyle, and mountain views!

ASU is top choice (of course depending on GRE) but UNC Chapel Hill is the "nationally ranked program". I have been convinced that the Triangle is too pricey for a single social worker with a daughter. So WNC is where I need to stay...where exactly is the real question!