Relocating from CA (Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Cary: transplants, rent, new house)

[MOVEME]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if anyone has transplanted from California to N.C. If so, what do you think? I'm worried about the humidity and bugs.

I was born and raised in Kernersville, High Point, Winston-Salem, Greensboro area. I don't know what it is like now. I moved away in '85. My husband ,myself and 3 children(8,6&5) are seriously considering moving back there for a more family-friendly environment that is much more affordable. I truly miss the GREEN COUNTRY!! I live in the dry desert and hate it.

I can see that we aren't the only ones thinking about relocating back to N.C. That is encouraging. I have heard that Union County is a good place to live and so is Cary, N.C.

Any info on these areas and experiences would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[richkat]

As one of the many Californians migrating out of the state, I've tried the Pacific Northwest and am now in Florida. I know that NC seems to be the latest state for Californians to head for. If you want to check out one person's experience, read her blog at http://odyssey-nc.blogspot.com/.

[richkat]

Terry - I hear ya. When we left CA and arrived in OR, we couldn't believe the friendliness and sense of ease of getting around and actually running into other Christians. We knew we had entered a period of healing. Due to job transfers, we found ourselves in Ohio for a year and now in FL. We really do miss the West Coast - lack of humidity, bugs, hurricanes, etc. and not so conservative. CA is too liberal for us but this side of the country feels too conservative. Not sure if we should return to the NW or try NC? How would a moderate do in NC?

Thanks for your input.

[mm34b]

Originally Posted by richkat

Terry - I hear ya. When we left CA and arrived in OR, we couldn't believe the friendliness and sense of ease of getting around and actually running into other Christians. We knew we had entered a period of healing. Due to job transfers, we found ourselves in Ohio for a year and now in FL. We really do miss the West Coast - lack of humidity, bugs, hurricanes, etc. and not so conservative. CA is too liberal for us but this side of the country feels too conservative. Not sure if we should return to the NW or try NC? How would a moderate do in NC?

Thanks for your input.

Just depends where you choose to live in NC. It is a very politically diverse state . Some parts are very liberal while other areas a very conservative. You may want to take a look at the 2004 election results by county. NC has 100 counties. My county (Henderson) in the Blue Ridge Mountains, went 65% for Bush while in Orange County it was 67% for Kerry. Statewide the vote was 56% Bush & 44% Kerry. Nationwide was 51% Bush and 44% Kerry.

Results by county

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pag...ounty.000.html

[richkat]

Thanks, mm34b. Will do. What a great idea.

[andrewarchdale]

Think long and hard about NC,we did or so we thought, and have been living in the outskirts of SE Greensboro for 6 months, after moving from Southern California.
If more affordable housing is your only reason for moving, forget it.Taxes are higher , utilities are higher, local government is based on the good ol boy network and a shambles, school system is a mess.
Pluses are absolutely better and less frenetic road system and yes generally people are friendly, all ethnic backgrounds.
However the laid back Californian lifestyle is not evident and absolutely if you are not a church goer, then forget it.I am shocked at how churches on every street corner are run as businesses, and pervade the way everything is done here.This IS the Bible Belt and do not underestimate how that influences how all the local communities are run.If that is your background then great, but if not you may well feel excluded.
We have experienced a mild winter and so far summer has not been that humid.
We are all coming from different directions when relocating, but take advice of others, maybe rent first and then decide if NC suits your LIFESTYLE.

[Linus]

Originally Posted by MOVEME

I was born and raised in Kernersville, High Point, Winston-Salem, Greensboro area.

Come on home.

[flipster]

The Triad hasn't changed too much since you've been gone. More people and traffic and houses/buildings. When they built I-40 bypass, it changed a lot of things between Peter's Creek Parkway and Jonestown Road.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by andrewarchdale

Think long and hard about NC,we did or so we thought, and have been living in the outskirts of SE Greensboro for 6 months, after moving from Southern California.
If more affordable housing is your only reason for moving, forget it.Taxes are higher , utilities are higher, local government is based on the good ol boy network and a shambles, school system is a mess.
Pluses are absolutely better and less frenetic road system and yes generally people are friendly, all ethnic backgrounds.
However the laid back Californian lifestyle is not evident and absolutely if you are not a church goer, then forget it.I am shocked at how churches on every street corner are run as businesses, and pervade the way everything is done here.This IS the Bible Belt and do not underestimate how that influences how all the local communities are run.If that is your background then great, but if not you may well feel excluded.
We have experienced a mild winter and so far summer has not been that humid.
We are all coming from different directions when relocating, but take advice of others, maybe rent first and then decide if NC suits your LIFESTYLE.

Greensboro NC is not the whole state of NC. Just like Buffalo NY is not the whole state of NY.

[jimj]

we moved from Nortern CA to Union County (Indian trail) and thought we did ok until about 6 months in. 3000 sqft brand new house for 230k, taxes weren't horrible but the people that lived in our subdivision were. Mostly transplants from the east with the attitude to match. We sold and left but now we miss the south, specifically the central location that we were in. Don't miss the tornado warnings or the hurricanes, the bugs don't really bother us, miss the fireflys. The schools (we were told) were great but soon found out otherwise. The schools were at twice capacity, they actually lost 2 kids on a field trip to the mountains and wondered why parents were upset. I would not recommend Indian Trail but would not deter anyone from looking at other places in NC. Rent FIRST!!!!!!