Need to get outta Pa!! Is NC the choice?

[cwolfe8229]

Originally Posted by livin

PA or NC there really is no big difference except for PHILLY and if I had to choose I would stay in PA. Not to mention NC unemployment rate is high like the stars.

Wow, I disagree completely. I think there is a huge difference between PA & NC. Maybe the eatern portion of PA is different from the west, but the differences between Pittsburgh area and NC is very noticable.

So first when I say PA, I mean Pittsburgh and it's suburbs:

The PA weather is very different from NC. The winters are longer and more harsh (more snow, more often). But in PA they know how to prepare for it and how to handle it when it came. In NC, everyone panics, then grinds to a halt until it thaws.

PA is very racially segregated, there isn't a lot of integration. Sure, there are lots of races around but they just aren't integrated like they are here in NC. My wife went to a reasonably large high school that only had one black and no asians in the entire school. Not to mention, based on personal experience only, it seems to me that many more folks in PA were racists than what I have seen here in NC.

PA is just not friendly, people don't wave on the streets, don't say hi to strangers, don't open doors or hold doors for others.

Conversly, NC is realy lacking in the recreational sports category. PA had far more and much better kids and adult sports programs like softball, soccer, volleyball, etc.

PA also seems to have much better school systems than what I've seen here in NC.

[LoveNordstroms]

Originally Posted by cwolfe8229

Wow, I disagree completely. I think there is a huge difference between PA & NC. Maybe the eatern portion of PA is different from the west, but the differences between Pittsburgh area and NC is very noticable.

So first when I say PA, I mean Pittsburgh and it's suburbs:

The PA weather is very different from NC. The winters are longer and more harsh (more snow, more often). But in PA they know how to prepare for it and how to handle it when it came. In NC, everyone panics, then grinds to a halt until it thaws.

PA is very racially segregated, there isn't a lot of integration. Sure, there are lots of races around but they just aren't integrated like they are here in NC. My wife went to a reasonably large high school that only had one black and no asians in the entire school. Not to mention, based on personal experience only, it seems to me that many more folks in PA were racists than what I have seen here in NC.

PA is just not friendly, people don't wave on the streets, don't say hi to strangers, don't open doors or hold doors for others.

Conversly, NC is realy lacking in the recreational sports category. PA had far more and much better kids and adult sports programs like softball, soccer, volleyball, etc.

PA also seems to have much better school systems than what I've seen here in NC.

Hey you! I'm in Pittsburgh right now. I've visited NC but I've never lived there and the last time I was in NC was 10 years ago - I imagine a lot has changed since then.
Since you are from the Pittsburgh area, may I pick your brain for a moment?
A few questions I have are:
1) Is there as much trash along the highways are there are in Pittsburgh? (Mainly it's from people throwing their cigarettes out the window.)

2) I'm not into sports, so college sports is fine with me. I only go to a Penguins, Steelers or Pirates game if I am dragged there.

3) I live in Peter's and I dislike the area. NOT the people, they are fine, but the area is spread out, horrible unsigned streets, no retail unless you are willing to drive 15 miles in one direction or 20 in the other.

4) We only have one grocery store here and it's trashed. Unless I want to drive to another town to get to one which is at least a 25 minute drive.

5) Restaurants are few and far between. One Target 15 miles away, one Best Buy (in the other direction) so shopping here is a pain since NOTHING is close to one another. Unless I feel like driving 25 miles away to the waterfront - and possibly get mugged in the process....

6) The underlying racism here makes me want to throw up. I campaigned for Obama and I still like the guy. This is a true story: Last year on Halloween, a few kids (probably around 8-10 years of age) literally kicked my Obama signs down RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME and called me a "n****r lover!" These kids thought nothing of what they said.
My neighbors, though they are extremely friendly to me, try to be polite, but cannot believe that I voted for Obama. This is a HUGE issue for me, I'm white, I'm also half Jewish, so I know how prejudice can hurt.

7) To get anywhere it's at least a 15-20 minute drive.

8) Everything here is OLD OLD OLD OLD OLD. Falling down old. I do not see the charm in a building that is too dangerous to live in.

Anyway, you catch my drift. I'm from the east coast and would like to stay here, however I am ready to move back to Scottsdale, AZ because I truly dislike how hard it is to live here and how dirty everything is.

[jp03]

Originally Posted by jodena1017

Honestly, born and raised here... gotta get out!! I hear so many great things about NC. My bestfriend lives in Hubert (he's a Marine) and tells me stories. I watch One Tree Hill faithfully! (I know I shouldnt make decisions on Hollywood lol) I love the scenery, the views... Also looking for a place that has a wonderfull school district. I know its a little early to look for schools, but before I know it my little guy will be starting school. He turns 3 on the 17th. How old do you have to be to start school in NC? I love the beach, but havent been any futher than Bethany Beach DE... I need to get on with my life, and start new for my son and I. I'd greatly appreciate the suggestions :-)

Advice...don't run FROM something. If you need to make a change do your homework VERY carefully. Moving to a new place doesn't work, trust me.

P.S. its really nice here, you may love it.

[leviathon713]

Originally Posted by jodena1017

Honestly, born and raised here... gotta get out!! I hear so many great things about NC. My bestfriend lives in Hubert (he's a Marine) and tells me stories. I watch One Tree Hill faithfully! (I know I shouldnt make decisions on Hollywood lol) I love the scenery, the views... Also looking for a place that has a wonderfull school district. I know its a little early to look for schools, but before I know it my little guy will be starting school. He turns 3 on the 17th. How old do you have to be to start school in NC? I love the beach, but havent been any futher than Bethany Beach DE... I need to get on with my life, and start new for my son and I. I'd greatly appreciate the suggestions :-)

I registered here just to respond to this question. I too thought I just HAD to get out of PA after spending the first 20 years of my life in the Hanover/York are of PA. I moved to Fayetteville, NC just before my 21st birthday and have regretted it ever since (I am now 30). I have lived in several different parts of the state, and haven't really been happy in any of them. The beach was great, but cost too much to live here.

A lot really depends on what you do for a living. Wages are considerably lower here, and there isn't very many jobs at all. Unless you can move knowing you have employment, I really wouldn't risk it.

There is a lot of racial integration, but what people won't tell you is that despite this integration, racism still runs just as rampant here as it does in PA. There are bad people everywhere, it doesn't matter what state you live in, there are always going to be people you don't agree with or get along with.

People down here seem to be much more "drama-oriented" than in PA, everyone wants to be in everyone's business.

As with what someone else said, do not run away from your problems. They will follow you, and worse, you will develop new ones to boot. Moving to a new area is not enough to change your lifestyle, which is probably more of what you are looking for.

The scenery depends on what area you want to move to. Central and eastern Carolina is really nothing but a bunch of flat, sandy areas. There are beautiful areas in the western part of the state, but they face the same unemployment issues there, only with higher living cost expenses than the flatter eastern areas.

Feel free to ask any questions you want to know, I'll try to be unbiased.

[sll3454]

Originally Posted by cwolfe8229

The PA weather is very different from NC. The winters are longer and more harsh (more snow, more often). But in PA they know how to prepare for it and how to handle it when it came. In NC, everyone panics, then grinds to a halt until it thaws.

"Panic" means to run to the store to buy bread and milk at the first mention of snow.

[NCInMyMind]

Originally Posted by leviathon713

Feel free to ask any questions you want to know, I'll try to be unbiased.

As you so clearly demonstrated your unbiased view in your post... Suspicious as this is your "first" post.

I lived in Doylestown, Bucks County, Pa. for several years. I was happy there and am happy here. There are many people from Eastern PA in the Triangle.

If you'd like to DM me, I can try to address some of your concerns.

[LoveNordstroms]

Originally Posted by leviathon713

I registered here just to respond to this question. I too thought I just HAD to get out of PA after spending the first 20 years of my life in the Hanover/York are of PA. I moved to Fayetteville, NC just before my 21st birthday and have regretted it ever since (I am now 30). I have lived in several different parts of the state, and haven't really been happy in any of them. The beach was great, but cost too much to live here.

A lot really depends on what you do for a living. Wages are considerably lower here, and there isn't very many jobs at all. Unless you can move knowing you have employment, I really wouldn't risk it.

There is a lot of racial integration, but what people won't tell you is that despite this integration, racism still runs just as rampant here as it does in PA. There are bad people everywhere, it doesn't matter what state you live in, there are always going to be people you don't agree with or get along with.

People down here seem to be much more "drama-oriented" than in PA, everyone wants to be in everyone's business.

As with what someone else said, do not run away from your problems. They will follow you, and worse, you will develop new ones to boot. Moving to a new area is not enough to change your lifestyle, which is probably more of what you are looking for.

The scenery depends on what area you want to move to. Central and eastern Carolina is really nothing but a bunch of flat, sandy areas. There are beautiful areas in the western part of the state, but they face the same unemployment issues there, only with higher living cost expenses than the flatter eastern areas.

Feel free to ask any questions you want to know, I'll try to be unbiased.

Oh course you don't feel comfortable there, you grew up somewhere else! Many people I know would choose to live where they grew up if given the chance (considering things work out fine such as job, house, relationship, etc.)
Unless your immediate family made the move with you, it never really feels quite like home without a family member to share it with. I hope you find a place soon.

[Nativechief]

I think it shows disrespect to go to a place where the long time tax paying locals need work and expect to find a job without going to the back of the line. Let me give an example.Its like a dog that has 8 puppies and only 6 teeties and then is faced with 3 or 4 more puppies wanting milk that arent even hers ..Charlotte isnt a place with extra teeties..sorry