indie scenes for single young professionals?! (Charlotte, Raleigh: apartment, rent, chapel)

[emhurd]

My friend and I, both 25-year-old female teachers, are planning on moving to NC after this school year ends (mid June/July). We are looking for an area that offers an indie hipster scene for single young professionals...MUSIC, art, culture, nightlife with available boys (preferably 25-35 years old) We will be renting...on teacher's salaries...so we need a place somewhat affordable. And we were hoping to be more on the outskirts of any big cities, such as Raleigh, if possible.

Additionally, we need to start applying for elementary teaching positions for the following school year. I would appreciate any and all input for this search!!

[arbyunc]

Cool...we need more indie hipsters around here!

The best "scenes" will be found in the larger cities and college towns...the Triangle (Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh), Charlotte, the Triad (Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point), and Asheville. I'd say the most "hip" areas are Chapel Hill and Asheville. Charlotte, due to its size, will have a lot of nightlife and cultural activities, but in general it's a more conservative city than either Chapel Hill or Asheville. The Triad, although smaller than Charlotte, has a very active arts community, and the nightlife is picking up with downtown rejuvenation projects in both Winston and Greensboro.

Regarding the job search, start here:

Work 4 NC Schools


There are also a lot of threads on this forum about teaching jobs. Just click on the "Search this Forum" box (upper right on the NC forum main page), enter "teaching", and you'll find them.

Good luck!

[NCgirl]

In Charlotte there is NODA the arts district which is right outside of uptown. You could rent a 2 bedroom apartment uptown. Some of the least expensive areas are in the Fourth Ward which is close to the new NC Music Factory. Uptown contains the entertainment district with theatres and museums as well as many restaurants, bars and clubs. It may not be what you're looking for but one example is the new EpiCentre Complex.


Here are some links you may find helpful.

Queen City Music
Charlotte Musician
Charlotte Culture Guide
Creative Loafing - Charlotte

As for finding a teaching job, like many places the Charlotte Mecklenburg School district is having budget issues. Finding a position might be more difficult. If you are willing to commute to a nearby district you may have better luck.

CMS begins layoffs, postpones new schools

[emhurd]

thanks for your help guys!! if we consider raleigh/chapel hill, are there sides to stay away from?? (for example, more family-oriented neighborhoods, crime, etc.) again, we want to meet people around our age, as we are coming down without knowing any other friends. the same goes for the triad...from what i've read, it seems winston might be the better pick for singles, but are there areas to steer clear from based on what we are looking for? it seems that southern or western raleigh might be the better locations overall...