How would a 38-year-old single, highly educated female from the BIG CITY like Raleigh? (Charlotte: real estate, apartment)

[Zippy7fo]

Lived in both...

-Raleigh is better if your 30 plus...especially if your comfortable with things slowing down... 10 pm and you will not see any cars on the streets...their is a nightlife if you need it...but it ain't like NYC

-Traffic is on par with Cbus...very good
-I would say Raleigh downtown is much cleaner and devleoped compared to Cbus
-both have a ton of transplants
-both have access to water 2 hrs or less...lake erie vs atlantic ocean..both are beautiful
-you got mtns in nc 2hrs to the west
-food- i give the advantage to Raleigh...but not by much
-both have great and convenient airports...
-I think Columbus parks system is better...
-Weather...listen, this will be the biggest adjustment...90 for 40 - 60 days...the first time I experienced it I got sick...I was not used to that level of intensity of heat...Cbus in the summertime is wonderful....85 on the regular..

Go for it...but make sure you have a job lined up...the job market just like Columbus is pretty tight...

Originally Posted by Fitness Gal

Hello everyone, and thank you in advance for your advice (except from the people not wanting us Northerners - especially NYCers - moving to Raleigh - LOL). I am hoping to get your opinion of life in Raleigh based on the information I provided below.

I've been interested in moving to Raleigh for some time now because I don't like living in Columbus, Ohio as I get older. I also don't want to go back home to NYC due to gray sky (not blue - LOL), the battle for parking (can't give up the driving lifestyle), and tiny and expensive apartments.

I hear that Raleigh has similarities to Columbus like the way the neighborhoods look and the cost of living, but that it is a bigger city, more urban, more "on the map", and has lots of transplants like me (especially from NYC). I also hear that Raleigh has a highly educated population. Plus, the drive between Raleigh and NYC when visiting my mom is 1.5 hours less than from Columbus, and I would guess, the driving route may be a bit more scenic (I currently have to drive through KKK land to get to NYC which makes this Russian-American gal very nervous during the drive).

Why do I dislike Columbus? I liked Columbus in 1997 (in my mid-twenties) when I moved here to attend grad/prof school at OSU. But, I am now 38 and single, my friends moved away, and most people in Columbus seem to be married with children. Plus, most people in Columbus are from Ohio - so, they have extended family and a well-developed friend network from their younger days. So, I don't have an outlet to make new friends or do much socially. Plus:
- there isn't much to do in Columbus in terms of cultural events (even on my own);
- everyone is married with kids, so it's nearly impossible to make friends;
- sports - the entire city is comprised of the Buckeye football CULT. I have nothing against sports, but I have grown very frustrated because it seems that everyone (and I mean everyone) is an avid Buckeye football fan --- not because they really love the Buckeyes, but (and it's only my opinion) because they want to "belong". It's like they're drinking the Buckeye "kool-aid". Raleigh, on the other hand, has 3 major schools with big sports (Duke, UNC, NCS) which is very cool and makes for a healthy local rivalry and diversity; and finally
- the more I live in Columbus, the more I am starting to feel like everyone is the same - mentality, likes and dislikes, food choices, favorite vacation spots, etc.

So, with all this being said - if you're still reading this way-too-long message, I would love your opinion.

[annesg]

Originally Posted by North_Raleigh_Guy

I'm not sure I trust the assesment of whether Raleigh is boring or not from a person who prefers places like Columbus Ohio and Richmond Virginia. It's kind of like taking hair styling advice from Donald Trump!

LOL!!!! However, I'm FROM Richmond (I'm an "FFV"--First Family of Virginia), so I have to take umbrage at your comment....while secretly agreeing--I'd NEVER go back!

[ncsualum2004]

I have never been to Columbus so I can't compare but I am from Durham, lived in Raleigh for a while and now live in NYC. I absolutely love living in NYC but I was for the most part ok with living in the triangle.

Far as things to do... I often would save links of websites and just check those frequently. Can I do whatever I want every weekend like NYC? No but I felt like most weeks I could find something.

I am 29 and honestly the vast majority of people I know where married by 27 and many already have kids. There are singles out there but it takes time to form those friendships, obviously not as easy as when you were in school and had more time. This is even an issue in NYC to an extent. Yeah there are way more single people here but I know lots of my friends complain how hard it is to make friends here too. I do know there is a Raleigh women's meetup group that is very active and they do all sorts of things - the group includes single and married. If you start going to lots of events it's an easy way to make friends.

[gunni]

We moved from Columbus 15 years ago and never went back !!...I never really liked Columbus, boring and cold most of the time and only entertainment was movies or eating out.
Raleigh and Triangle area in general is very scenic, and interesting with 3 major universities, and diverse population. It is still largely a suburban lifestyle *but* there are lot of fun things to do, and close to the Beach and Mountains..and you will feel quite at home amongst the many North Eastern relocatees. You will find people from all over the country and the world living here.

If you already have a good job lined up, then you should give this area a try.

[meh_whatever]

I'm wondering why you're worried about being "highly educated" in a place like Raleigh, right down the road from RTP and with so many colleges in the Triangle area. There are many of us here who have degrees beyond a BA/BS.

As far as Rusdian women being in danger in (alleged) "KKK Land" I don't know why you'd be overly concerned just driving through unless you're very dark skinned. I'm actually doubting that there is a KKK Land somewhere on the road between OH and NYC, but I'm pretty sure there's still KKK activity here. It's not exactly out in the open, mind you.

If you have a job, move on down.

[Hamish Forbes]

Originally Posted by meh_whatever

I'm wondering why you're worried about being "highly educated" in a place like Raleigh, right down the road from RTP and with so many colleges in the Triangle area. There are many of us here who have degrees beyond a BA/BS.

As far as Rusdian women being in danger in (alleged) "KKK Land" I don't know why you'd be overly concerned just driving through unless you're very dark skinned. I'm actually doubting that there is a KKK Land somewhere on the road between OH and NYC, but I'm pretty sure there's still KKK activity here. It's not exactly out in the open, mind you.

Phooey!! The notion that there is KKK activity in Raleigh is simply ridiculous. Nonsensical! Absurd! The people of Raleigh (and the Raleigh Police, who are a pretty decent bunch of men and women) would never tolerate this kind of thing. You must be thinking of some isolated incidents in rural Johnston County about 40 years ago. The whole notion is just bizarre. I don't know what the motivation for this kind of post is, but if it's to stir up racial tension, take it somewhere else.

Regarding the matter of education, poster from NY may be interested to know that the educational level in Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill is just about the highest in the United States. More PhDs per capita here than pretty much anywhere else.

[meh_whatever]

Originally Posted by Hamish Forbes

Phooey!! The notion that there is KKK activity in Raleigh is simply ridiculous. Nonsensical! Absurd! The people of Raleigh (and the Raleigh Police, who are a pretty decent bunch of men and women) would never tolerate this kind of thing. You must be thinking of some isolated incidents in rural Johnston County about 40 years ago. The whole notion is just bizarre. I don't know what the motivation for this kind of post is, but if it's to stir up racial tension, take it somewhere else.

Regarding the matter of education, poster from NY may be interested to know that the educational level in Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill is just about the highest in the United States. More PhDs per capita here than pretty much anywhere else.

You a native, Hamish?

I didn't say the Klan was "active" as in lynching and beating people. But, if you think they don't have small groups and meetings, I'd bet hard money you're wrong.

And really, if they wanna do that (while I vehemently disagree with their policies and politics) the cops aren't gonna stop them. It's not illegal to think hateful thoughts, or meet to talk about them.

Just illegal to act on them.

[Green Irish Eyes]

We seem to be wandering a bit off topic here, folks .....

[meh_whatever]

Originally Posted by Dark of the Moon

We seem to be wandering a bit off topic here, folks .....

Sorry about that.

I just didn't want the OP (since she mentioned the KKK being a fear of hers) to be worried about anyone attacking her here.

Also didn't want her to assume we don't have KKK gatherings. I'm sure we do here and there.

I'm no fan of them, but I've also never heard of Rusdians being targeted. That's news to me.

[Ms Harmony]

The Raleigh area is very nice. It is a big city lifestyle I think. I am originally from a big city, and this isn't much different tbh. It is isn't as many big cities around it, to make it seem even larger.

I will say tho, the gas prices are rediculous, and the rents are very high for what you get if your not careful. And you really need to shop around for a good house price. Cost of living is high here, compared to other cities in NC, basically. Unemployment is rough here atm as well from what I see around me. We moved here from a coastal town, not small.. and husband is making less, and we are paying a lot more for everything. And I just don't get the high gas prices.

It is a good mix of many cultures tho, and a busy town. Lot's to do, and nice country side if you like that sort of thing and want to get out of the traffic a bit.