To all those seeking to live in NC, what exactly is it that you are after? (Charlotte: landscaping, to buy)

[bluedevilz]

Originally Posted by Miker2069

Brian, you said what you feel and experienced very well, with that said you're not going to be labeled a troll or banned here. The forum is based on a civil disucssion, many of the threads offer point/counter-point discussions.

You are among a lot of people who are here and are happy to be in North Carolina, or who are preparing to move here and are excited about that. Those who are not happy with NC are here to, there just aren't that many on the forum. I've been a solid member here for about a year, so I've seen this discussion many times, and normally the discussion goes sour when someone (either pro or against NC) says something like "...you just don't understand...". I'm not saying you are there, but, that's typically how it ends up. What happens is that every post they make is some form of that, and they post it in many threads (thereby going off topic) and then assume they are being singled out when a mod closes or deletes it.

Probably the best advice I've ever seen is a simple statement- "do your homework."

I can somewhat relate to your feelings in that I was very disenchanted with Boston for a variety of very legitimate reasons- in fact my very first post here (as some have reminded me) communicates several frustrations. However I found it wrong of me to tell someone they shouldn't move to Boston because *I* was done with it. I don't think that's the right answer either.

It reminds me of a friend who always told younger single guys, "if you want to stay happy, don't get married and don't have kids...". We all got a little chuckle out of it, but while his marriage was bad, the entire institution isn't flawed. In fact the advice should have been "do you homework, it's a big decision...".

So again, just do the homework, and draw your own conclusion.

Great post....

I have been here several years now after living my entire life in New England and I have never regretted moving here once...

My family has met many, many other families that have relocated from all over to Chapel Hill and Hillsborough, the number that are unhappy about the choice is pretty small...

That being said, no one place is right for everyone....don't just look at the housing prices on the web, visit the areas you are considering, talk to as many people as you can.....make sure it is the right place for you.

Everyones experience is different but I can say I did not take a cut in pay, my salary and benefits are much better than they were in MA, the house we bought on 2/3 of an acre would have easily cost twice as much in MA (and that would have been in a town an hour or more from where I worked) my commute is 15 mins (compared to the hour or more each way in MA), the weather IS much nicer ( don't miss the snow AT ALL ) and I have found the people to be incredibly friendly.

I have never experienced the Southern "hostility" that some here would make you think is rampant. I have never felt uncomfortable about being a "Yankee" and trust me, with my Boston accent, I don't blend in well. I DO go out of my way to be friendly to people, I don't complain about "how such-and-such was SO much better up North" and I am involved in the community with school, sports etc.

NC isn't a utopia for everyone but its been pretty close for my family...

[natalielorenz]

Originally Posted by Trail Majic

I wish I could find a retired couple who were looking for a quite town in NC.
If the would move in and take care of a nice little motel and I would furnish
about everything you need down to a private telephone line

ok, now first of all that is a big promblem and now you have to do somthing
i was in the same sit. once and it's not good!!!!!GOODLUCK!!!!!!

[Njrover0216]

My husband and I are moving to NC because of cost of living. He is a police officer and here in Maryland we can only afford a townhome. I want a nice quiet neighborhood for my child to play in. I want a backyard with neighbors that can only hear me when I am outside I love the warm weather, but like a little bit of seasons. The weather here in Maryland is wonderful, but I can not afford it. So the main reason for us is cost of living and wanting to remain a stay at home mom until my children are in school. My mom did it for me, therefore I believe I owe it to them. Before I had children I worked in the education field, and plan to go back to work when they are in school.

[pdcanady]

I would like to add my name to the growing list of "those who moved to NC and wouldn't think of living elsewhere". We had started bringing our children to "the High Country" as well as the mountain regions of TN, GA and VA for years when we decided that Beech Mountain was the best for us. We bought a lot in the 70s and built a home on that lot in 1990 when we knew that we wanted to spend as much time here as possible. When we started counting the days to when my husband would be able to retire we knew it would not be long before we could at least spend 6 months here and 6 months with our extended family in FL. Once we started that, however, it was very evident that the stress and hectic pace of FL life was no longer for us so after the first two years not only did we decide to make NC a full time residence but most of our family made the same decision and are either relocated or in the process of trying to sell their homes to make that relocation. Some day maybe the cold and snow will be too much for me but for now I have my piece of Heaven on Earth and am glad to have friends, family and happy acquaintences in this place that seems to have God smiling upon it as a special place indeed.

[smalltownusa]

There's no right answer to the "why are you moving TO or FROM an area" question; each situation is uniquely ours and no ones will match...that said, I believe the sudden rush of "everyone" moving south has more to do with burned-out baby boomers ages 45-65 who just want a change more than anything else. We are the largest pre-retirement/retiring group ever and although moving south isn't a new phenomenon, the size of the "herd" moving is unprecedented....

I'm in the much maligned upstate NY and have brothers and friends who have headed to NC and love it...myself, I love Va and that's where our compass is pointed in 4 years. Florida has never appealed to me but warmer winters do so the happy median is Va. for us.

I have a hard time to contain my gypsy tendency and wish I could just uproot and go but jobs and a highschooler keep us here for now....

This has to be the hardest decison any family makes as family/friends are always left behind but if nothing else, these forums give the best way to achieve the "perfect" move and that's what will keep me reading until my own U Haul is packed!!

[DawnW]

here are some reasons we moved:

Cost of living
Housing costs contuing to rise
Good job opportunities
Clean air
Room to move around
Decent sized city but some rural areas as well


Dawn

[Coldwoods]

It's the sexy southern women!

[pradalady70]

Ummmmm let me see. I live in Ohio and it snows a lot!!! I need some sunshine and I happen to love NC. Need I explain anymore about the SNOW part????

[StoneyJ]

My first post here. I have lived in a resort town, Destin Florida, since 89 but have seen this coastal city's charm get paved over with condos and the invasion of the "tourons". I have also survived numerous hurricanes. Property taxes and insurance are off the charts and we are looking at yet another dicey hurricane season.

I miss four seasons and low-density living. As long as I can get to a good air hub like Charlotte I don't feel landlocked.

Several Floridians in this area are getting fed up and looking elsewhere.

I may not be able to check forums very often so accept my apologies in advance for tardy responses.

[FaeryMeg]

I want culture, warm weather, and a change of scenery. Up here, all we have is snow most of the year. We have very little culture unless you consider drinking, hunting, and snowmobiles culture. Our summers last about 3 months and our growing season is about the same. I'm a gardener and I really want a longer growing season. I want to be a writer and I don't have the support, workshops and writing groups, here. I've met many nice people from NC and I think the area fits my interests.