Thinking about relocating at 23...so where-to? (Charlotte, Raleigh: appointed, renting, chapel)

[Stratocaster86]

I live in SW Pennsylvania and need a change of scenery very badly. I'm a 23 year old male education major and will be looking at attending a few job fairs in the Spring to see where I end up. I'm presently looking at Texas, Arizona, North Carolina, Florida, and Virginia. But basically I'm interested in Raleigh/the Triangle or Charlotte as far as North Carolina goes. I don't need a lot of money to be happy...hence the teaching profession; it's a passion and I love it so far. I'm interested in moving just to have an upgrade in the quality of life department.

My prospects are simply that I'd like to go to a place with:

1. Good school systems.
2. Potential to live happily/comfortably on $40K a year.
3. Opportunities for musicians of all varieties.
4. Nice music scene whether large or small.
5. Tons of down to earth and overly friendly people(...people who don't look at you funny when you open a door for them, haha).
6. Great weather.
7. Large 20s crowd/great for the 20-30 age group, but still great to settle permanently.
8. A "modern" yet laid-back vibe.
9. People who are actually proud of where they live.
10. And most importantly...A place with a lively 20-30s dating scene where there's potential for meeting somebody who's actually interested in building a long-term relationship.


Any comments, suggestions, or advice would be appreciated. Would I be able to live comfortably renting out at the median rate with a $35-$40K starting salary? Thanks.

[jstn]

I would say that either Raleigh or Charlotte would definitely fit the bill. Possibly Austin Texas as well. Keep in mind, Charlotte and Raleigh are a drive home to visit family in PA. Texas would be a flight = more $$$. - something a new teacher won't have much of.

Personally I moved to Charlotte when I was your age - 10 years later it's where I'm raising my family. I love it here.

Florida and Arizona, ah, leave those places to the retirees. Virginia, especially NVA, probably way to expensive for a new, single teacher.

If you like a more urban feel- Charlotte. If you like more college town feel - Raleigh. Visit both and see what you think.

[le roi]

#1, #2, #5, and #9 can be just about anywhere, and has more to do with your friends & neighborhood than a certain city or state.

#6 and #8 are highly subjective

So essentially you're looking for a place - probably a city, not a town - with a good music scene and people in their 20's and 30's. The Triangle, Charlotte, Wilmington, and Asheville all come to mind. I will say, though, that as a concert-goer I've been very disappointed by Wilmington's music scene. I guess it just depends on what you're into.

[DanielleNC]

I would say in NC the Triangle or Charlotte. Great for younger adults and have the best job opputnities in the state. Asheville and Wilmington are great to visit, but there's only so much you can do. They aren't close to much else. After living in Wilmington for a year I realized this and moved back home. Make a trip to each area and see which one feels the best to you and of course go where the jobs are! In the Triangle you have Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill so you have a variety of choices and a different feel for each area. We are all so close to each other so it's a quick drive for something to do. This area is growing so fast and of course that means more schools. The economy is pretty rough right now but we will always need good teachers.

For music:
Durham just opened up the new performing arts center:
Durham Performing Arts Center
And of course the famous Cats Cradle:
WELCOME TO CAT'S CRADLE!
Raleigh has many of the larger concerts and smaller scenes:
http://www.visitraleigh.com/visitors...usic_concerts/
Hillsborough, a small town between Durham and Chapel Hill has the Blue Bayou:
The Blue Bayou Club (http://www.bluebayouclub.com/index.htm - broken link)

Downtown Durham is having so many great changes with it's revitalization!
http://www.downtowndurham.com/

Durham Bulls
http://www.dbulls.com/

Food!
http://www.bonappetit.com/magazine/2...est_small_town
http://www.bonappetit.com/blogsandfo...cas-foodi.html

And so much more! I'll DM you a great link on Durham.

[al_roethlisberger]

Check out Sanford, we always need enthusiastic teachers Sanford is very affordable, and is uniquely centrally located between Greensboro, Raleigh/Durham, and Fayetteville.

Live Well Centered.

City of Sanford, North Carolina - The Official Government Website

Downtown Sanford, INC. | Sanford, North Carolina


Al