What part of North Carolina is the best fit for me? (Charlotte: best city, chapel)

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by Vanilla32

Could you elaborate on that a little more?

Vouchers do transfer, but I believe the VALUE of the voucher is dependent on the median income in the area where you will be renting. So that would be the first thing I would check out.

And secondly, there are usually waiting lists (longer than a year) here for the better places. Sec 8 housing here is not typically located in very nice areas. Just letting you know that now so no big surprises. I fear you would be landing in as bad (or worse) a situation (as far as housing) than you have right now.

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by Vanilla32

My plans are still in development..currently I am studying graphic design.. I am not so concerned with employment because I plan to focus on school.. Which leaves me with flexiblity. And I am fortunate to be able to do that because I receive survivor benefits from my son's deceased father. And I have a secretarial background so I will be starting out with temp agencys. I basically just need a change of environment, a less harsh climate, and a better quality of life which I continually hear that the south you get more for you dollar..

As far as buying a house, you can get more house for the money. But as far as living expenses, NO. This why one of the posters asked earlier - where are you hearing this. Gas, groceries, utilities, car registration, insurance, etc. are as high - or higher - than the NE. You can buy a bigger house and less taxes on your house, but not on other things. For ex., we tax groceries here. Our gas prices are also high here compared to most areas.

[Aerobars]

Originally Posted by NCgirl

Just out of curiousity....where do you hear this? I ask because I'm a NC native and I'm read that on these forums a lot. Is it coming from friends, neighbors, business partners? CNBC?

I'm originally from NC, my family lives in VA, and I am currently in NYC. Just a few examples: I went to the grocery store and bought a 12-pack box of coke and 6 bottles of beer (Sam Adams, not bottom shelf, but nothing too fancy). My grocery bill was $21.74, for 12 cokes and 6 beers! (Yes, grocery store, not convenience store). Rent in my neighborhood is around $2000/month for a studio (maybe 500 sq feet, maybe, and window mounted AC). In addition to federal and state taxes, there is a New York City income tax. The city taxes your income above what the state and federal government do! I could go on, but yes, NC, VA (even the DC area) all start to look appealing.

[Vanilla32]

"Sec 8 housing here is not typically located in very nice areas. Just letting you know that now so no big surprises. I fear you would be landing in as bad (or worse) a situation (as far as housing) than you have right now."

Yes..I have the same fears..

[flyingpiggy]

Downtown Chapel Hill is definitely walkable. Go to Franklin Street, the main street downtown, and the sidewalks are filled with people eating ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery or gelato from Sugarland, lining up to go into restaurants, or just palling around.
Downtown Carrboro is also liveable and walkable. Weaver Street Market has a big lawn that is FILLED with families, people eating organic food from the Market on the lawn, and musicians.
Both towns obviously have more residential areas that still have sidewalks and people outside, but people don't walk from their home to the store or anything.
It should be noted that both towns have free (and good) public transportation.

[joey2000]

Originally Posted by Vanilla32

I am a vegetarian and an artist with hippie parents

Didn't have to read anything else. Asheville area is the obvious answer.

[the 7 oh 4]

Asheville (quite artsy) or Winston-Salem (DADA Downtown Arts District is neat) or Charlotte (2 artsy areas NODA & SouthEnd...2 different Gallery Crawls).

GOOD LUCK!

[anifani821]

But how much Sec. 8 is there going to be available in A'ville? That is part of her question that she really has to know about b/f she moves here.

[meltinjohn]

Originally Posted by Vanilla32

I am considering relocation to North Carolina. I am thinking about Asheville, Charlotte, Winston-Salem or Raleigh.. I was raised in Cambridge, MA which is very educated and culturally diverse as well as being a city of it's own and a hop, skip and a jump from Boston. I lived in New York City for a year and loved the energy, culture and creativity. But it is too cold, dirty and expensive as well as too competitive and fast paced for me.. I am a vegetarian and an artist with hippie parents..lol I am a 32 year old single mom..I have a section 8 voucher and my income is 1500$ a month and I will be going to school to get myself out of poverty. I like to be near a city but I like the quality of life of the suburbs. I want my son to be in a good school.. We are in an armpit of Rhode Island now and my 7 year old son gets called profane names and has kids throwing rocks at him on a daily basis..it's all around negative (it's a rough town like most low income neighborhoods). I value culture, artists, free thinkers... Any feedback is greatly appreciated..

As a m*******, I am in FL and looking to move to NC within the next yr or 2 maybe so I can be a halfback on the way back to MA lol. Asheville I determined fits my personality best also

[NicR]

Originally Posted by meltinjohn

As a m*******, I am in FL and looking to move to NC within the next yr or 2 maybe so I can be a halfback on the way back to MA lol. Asheville I determined fits my personality best also

i'm originally from boston, i know what those *** mean, lol!