Northern Virginia vs. Raleigh/Wake Forest (Arlington, Alexandria: fit in, transplants, chapel)

[mayhurst]

My husband and I are contemplating a move to the Raleigh or Wake Forest area of North Carolina (only if our children are accepted by the private school to which we've applied, since K-12 schools there are generally not as strong). I have lived in Arlington and McLean for a little over 40 years and think a change of pace and maybe fresh opportunities would be refreshing. I have three children ranging in age from 3-10. Although they do limited activities, the traffic we encounter can be so frustrating. They enjoyed checking out the places in NC related to their interests.

There is a lot I like about this area; however, I wondered if anyone has lived in the Raleigh or Wake Forest areas and your impression of how a Northern Virginia native might like it down there in NC. We have taken several exporatory trips and really enjoyed the people we met and the activities we did.

Any insights would be helpful. Thank you!

[jaywallace]

Originally Posted by mayhurst

My husband and I are contemplating a move to the Raleigh or Wake Forest area of North Carolina (only if our children are accepted by the private school to which we've applied, since K-12 schools there are generally not as strong). I have lived in Arlington and McLean for a little over 40 years and think a change of pace and maybe fresh opportunities would be refreshing. I have three children ranging in age from 3-10. Although they do limited activities, the traffic we encounter can be so frustrating. They enjoyed checking out the places in NC related to their interests.

There is a lot I like about this area; however, I wondered if anyone has lived in the Raleigh or Wake Forest areas and your impression of how a Northern Virginia native might like it down there in NC. We have taken several exporatory trips and really enjoyed the people we met and the activities we did.

Any insights would be helpful. Thank you!

We are in the same situation and plan on moving to Charlotte within a couple years. I stated in Chapel Hill two weeks ago and LOVED It!! My cousins are all down there and love it as well. Much different pace than northern Va, i like it.

[Flamingo13]

I'm interested as well, we live in Alexandria City now (originally from PA) we've been here awhile, looking for another area and investigating the Raleigh/Triangle area. There is alot here that we like but also aspects that we don't (no children in our case).

Hope someone has some insight

[Nancy in Nokomis]

We almost move to the Triangle area and I liked it much better than NOVA - a lot more trees - BUT - the traffic is still bad there.

[jgrfan]

I lived in Chapel Hill for a few years after living in DC.

I thought I died and gone to heaven.

My wife also taught in NOVA and in Orange county. My thought is people in NOVA and the Triangle have a high opinion of their school systems. Wake Forrest (in Wake county) is a growing area w/ families. If you can find the right jobs, you'll wonder why you didn't do it years ago.

[jgrfan]

Oh, and people complain about the traffic but its about 1/5 as bad. Really no problem at all.

[claremarie]

We lived in the Durham area in the early 1980s for graduate school. We loved it there, and would have liked to stay, but the DC area had far more professional opportunities for both of us.
We have been back to visit a few times since then, and though the area is far more developed and there is more traffic than 25 years ago, it's still not nearly as fast-paced and pressured a lifestyle as the DC area. There are MANY transplants, so you'll probably fit in about as well as you do here. You are correct to be concerned about the schools, as every family we know in either the Charlotte or Raleigh-Durham area sends their children to private schools.

[mayhurst]

Thank you for the responsive posts. I'll continue to check in, as you have been very helpful so far.

[goldenmom7500]

I considered moving there as well. I would say really the main issue is that it is growing fast. They keep making the lists of "best places", so everyone wants to go there. When I went to the boards on this site, like this past spring/summer, that seemed to be the central area of discussion.

[catdazzle2]

Hi, I am living in FL. Have a graduate degree also. Was wondering how you liked your move to VA? I am contemplating the raleigh area vs. the alexandria, va area.
Your input would be great. I'm also single too. So looking for an area that would be better for that as well.
Thanks, Melissa
Your post was from way back I saw.

Originally Posted by claremarie

We lived in the Durham area in the early 1980s for graduate school. We loved it there, and would have liked to stay, but the DC area had far more professional opportunities for both of us.
We have been back to visit a few times since then, and though the area is far more developed and there is more traffic than 25 years ago, it's still not nearly as fast-paced and pressured a lifestyle as the DC area. There are MANY transplants, so you'll probably fit in about as well as you do here. You are correct to be concerned about the schools, as every family we know in either the Charlotte or Raleigh-Durham area sends their children to private schools.