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We are looking to relocate to northern NC from Reston, VA (originally from NYC). I am looking for a place not too far from Rocky Mount (family there). However, I want a place with strong schools and lots of family activities, restaurants, malls...things to do for the entire family. I am a full-time telecommuter so no worries about commuting to work but I don't want to be far from supermarkets, malls etc.... Okay, so obviously I have a fear of feeling isolated in the country! Can anyone recommend a city that offers what I'm looking for? The cost of living in Reston is too high!
I'm not sure if this is close enough to Rocky Mount, but if you are sure you don't need a job, Asheville is a fun little town with plenty of culture, a nice college that does a lot of community activities, a good hospital, and just about all the stores and amenities you could want. It's still a small town, though, so you can easily get out into the country. It's a little pricey, but some areas aren't too bad (I like Chunn's Cove section, myself).
Charlotte is my favorite of the big cities, but it may be too much like Reston. And, with the exception of housing, I think the cost of living is about the same in NC as in Reston area. BTW, I live just a few miles from you. There are quite a few people from Northern Virginia who move down to the Carolinas, so you will feel at home. (Just don't bring our bad aggressive driving habits with you, most of us left Virginia because we wanted to leave that behind.)
Even if the cost of living isn't reduced by 25%, the quality of living will increase 100%.
Since you're used to driving an hour or so to take part in many of the activities of the DC area, you'll adapt pretty well if you find a place that's 30 minutes or so from any of the larger towns down here. That will reduce the real estate costs and give you a chance to enjoy having some open space around you that isn't covered with asphalt.
If you want all of that within a few minutes drive, Raleigh is the place. If you want to live between Raleigh and Rocky Mount, you will be in a small town or country where there is no malls or fine dining. The drive is close to an hour between the two. We live between the two near a couple of small towns (Bailey and Spring Hope) Both are quaint. Oh by the way did i mention our house is for sale??? Pick and choose the schools some are good and some are not so.
We are looking to relocate to northern NC from Reston, VA (originally from NYC). I am looking for a place not too far from Rocky Mount (family there). However, I want a place with strong schools and lots of family activities, restaurants, malls...things to do for the entire family. I am a full-time telecommuter so no worries about commuting to work but I don't want to be far from supermarkets, malls etc.... Okay, so obviously I have a fear of feeling isolated in the country! Can anyone recommend a city that offers what I'm looking for? The cost of living in Reston is too high!
Thanks!
You'll want to be near Raleigh in this case -- perhaps North Raleigh, Knightdale, or Wake Forest... or out further east along US 64. Raleigh is, with Charlotte, one of the two big metros and (especially within Wake County itself) has excellent schools. Further east in N.C., you aren't going to find strong school systems or much in the way of cultural activities.
You might find Cary to be very similar to Reston/Tyson's Corner; it is on the "other side" of Raleigh, meaning a longer drive to Rocky Mount, but still not a bad drive.
If you want all of that within a few minutes drive, Raleigh is the place. If you want to live between Raleigh and Rocky Mount, you will be in a small town or country where there is no malls or fine dining. The drive is close to an hour between the two. We live between the two near a couple of small towns (Bailey and Spring Hope) Both are quaint. Oh by the way did i mention our house is for sale??? Pick and choose the schools some are good and some are not so.
Yes, if you want to be close to your family, to me the Raleigh area is a no-brainer, probably in the Johnston County area.
I know this is an old post, but I'm curious where you ended up moving? I grew up in Durham, and now live in Reston, VA. I'm considering moving back to the RDU or Charlotte area. Diversity is important to me, but was nonexistent when I lived in NC. How is it now?
I know this is an old post, but I'm curious where you ended up moving? I grew up in Durham, and now live in Reston, VA. I'm considering moving back to the RDU or Charlotte area. Diversity is important to me, but was nonexistent when I lived in NC. How is it now?
There are different types of "diversity", but the cities in NC should all meet your criteria. You don't say how long it's been since you were in Durham, but it has grown tremendously in cultural amenities in the past 15-20 years. Raleigh has never stopped booming, and I hear the same things about Charlotte.
There are smaller subforums in this board for more localized questions (e.g. The Triangle, or Charlotte) but first step would be to take a visit back to Durham and see how much your home city has changed! Spend a few days in Charlotte, too, if that's also on your list. It's just a few hours from NoVA
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Try Asheville or Charlotte
