Tell me about Fayetteville (Charlotte, Raleigh: chapel, theatre, college)

[Storz]

What is Fayetteville like? Topography, culture etc? I realize there will be a HUGE military presence there but will I feel like a total outsider being more on the "green" side of things? My other possibility for moving to NC is the research triangle area, I've been to Carrboro/Chapel Hill etc and absolutly love the culture, college atmosphere and I was really blown away at how green the entire city is.

[gcd01]

Storz,

From what I've expierenced, Fayetteville is very flat, and gets very HOT (I recall reading it holds the state record for heat). I don't think it is a really 'cultured' city, just your basic SE US medium-sized city but with a heavy military presence. Let me put it this way....from what I've read here, most people don't move there unless they have to.

Raleigh/Durham/Cary/Chapel Hill (the 'Triangle') is much more 'green', very cultured with loads of things to do and TONS of stores and shopping. Prime Outlets, three LARGE malls (two are just around 4 years old), shopping centers everywhere. Restaurants everywhere. The topography is more interesting, it's pretty hilly in parts. A couple of snowfalls every year.

PM me if you need some more info on the Triangle.

[joanchris2000]

Fayetteville is much like the previous poster said, flat, huge military presence, but as non-military my family has not felt unwelcome, usually people just ask WHY would I move here if I didn't have to
We moved here for a job for my husband, which, I'm sorry to say didn't work out, but happy to say he's moved on to 'greener' pastures in Charlotte (we're still in Fayettevill til summer). Not much shopping here (just spent last two weekends in Charlotte area, WOW. Not much culture, though there is a regional theatre I visited once for a Children's Christmas production, very well done. From the looks of things, at least in the local guides, there do seem to be things to do, just not sure how many folks actually do them....we tried to go to the botanical gardens on a posted open day, to find the gates locked tight.
As for being green, we were surprised to not find a blue recycle bin when we moved here, there is supposed to be a push to get curbside recycling here, but not sure if they'll cough up the cash to fund it. My daughter, after seeing her first pics of Charlotte (she's 8 mind you) said it was so pretty there, not "old, brown and rusty like Fayetteville".
Enough said. (she even agreed to her assessment once we got there)
Joan

[Storz]

Thanks for the input, your responses are similar to everything I've heard about the area. We have ruled Fayetteville out, right now our main focus is the Triangle, then Charlotte...I'll keep everyone posted to where a job is finally found!

[mariegirl]

I moved with my ex from Raleigh to Fayetteville about ten years ago. I gave him a year for us to get back to Raleigh. I stayed for a year and a half and ultimately left him behind because I hated the city so bad. Personal achievement, success, progression - they just were not there. I would never, ever go back. There are so many better choices of beautiful cities and towns in NC.