Move to NC or SC? (Charlotte, Raleigh: employment, safe area, school)

[steelcitygirl]

Can anyone give an opinion or advice on which state or area would be a better place to move to? I am looking to meet other singles, find employment in property management and attend events/things to do for someone of my age. I'm 40 (out of the partying stage) but looking to meet others around my age and looking to live in a safe area. I'm somewhat familiar with Columbia, SC but what is Raleigh/Durham like? Safer? Are there many things to do there? Events? Is it true that it is harder to meet singles there? As a single female, I felt unsafe in Columbia. Not sure if I want to go back there??? Any opinions or areas someone could refer me to??? Thanks!

[mfrank2109]

I'm from SC and went to school and lived in Columbia. Also lived in Charleston for 4 years but have lived in Raleigh for 14. While I actually like Columbia, I think Raleigh overall is a much better place. It's a bigger city, more vibrant with alot of people from all over the country moving to the area. It is also very safe and the shopping areas seem to be safer than some of the ones in Columbia. It's also not quite so dominated by the local university as Columbia is and the summers aren't quite as hot and humid. Not sure what the singles scene is like, but I know several single co-workers in your age group that use the online meetup groups (just for lunch, etc.). You may want to look into Charlotte. Alot bigger city with a more active nightlife. Hope this helps.

[steelcitygirl]

Thanks so much for the information! Only one question...(maybe I'm out of the loop?) but what are the "on-line meet up groups"??? Sounds like something I might be interested in when I move. Thanks again for your help!!

[DanielChang]

Check out meetup.com, SteelCityGirl. They have meetups in almost every city on almost every subject/interest. Free to register on the site, not too expensive to "organize" a meetup (I think it's $70 a year) group if one doesn't already exist. The cost for each meetup event is set by the organizer and usually is just used to cover the costs of the venue or event.