Any Californian's regret your move to Raleigh?? (Durham, Cary: apartment, rental)

[DanielChang]

I grew up in San Jose, CA and moved to Cary, NC about 4 years ago. I like it here for the most part, but there are some annoyances.

1. Traffic can get congested on Davis and 55 (the major thoroughways into RTP). The widening projects should help this out. Yeah, I know, it seems trivial by comparison to the 10 miles drive up 85 from Saratoga to Mountain View during rush hour. But people that say there's no traffic are just kidding themselves.

2. There's really not as much selection of ethnic restaurants.

3. There's not as good selection of shopping at malls. I think it's because there's fewer buyers and less competition from different stores, but I'm finding fewer "good deals" when shopping at the malls.

4. Less selection as far as produce in supermarkets too, although it's getting better with the Trader Joes.

Certain things cost less (well, housing, mainly) but a lot of things cost more.

[Gurl]

Originally Posted by rnc2mbfl

I have read all the comments people have made about boutique shopping, healthy restaurants, etc. If those are important to you, I'd definitely look closer to the center of the cities instead of the outlying suburban developments. .

Can you recommend some specific healthy 'cuisine' restaurants?

[saturnfan]

Sweet Tomatoes

[OmegaBaby]

Originally Posted by jinxor

1. Traffic can get congested on Davis and 55 (the major thoroughways into RTP). The widening projects should help this out. Yeah, I know, it seems trivial by comparison to the 10 miles drive up 85 from Saratoga to Mountain View during rush hour. But people that say there's no traffic are just kidding themselves.

While that's true, I still find traffic congestion around here easier to deal with. If I'm stuck in traffic, at least I'm saying to myself in the back of my mind "they're expanding this road, and so the traffic won't be as bad in 1 or 2 years" instead of "this traffic is only going to get worse and worse". California appears to have given up trying to keep ahead of traffic congestion.

[Gurl]

Originally Posted by jbognar

While that's true, I still find traffic congestion around here easier to deal with. If I'm stuck in traffic, at least I'm saying to myself in the back of my mind "there expanding this road, and so the traffic won't be as bad in 1 or 2 years" instead of "this traffic is only going to get worse and worse". California appears to have given up trying to keep ahead of traffic congestion.

Also, here, you can still take a 'side route' that moves. In Cali, all roads are parking lots.

I finally got GPS here, and it's re-routed me several times around traffic pile ups.

Love it.

[suncat]

Originally Posted by Gurl

Can you recommend some specific healthy 'cuisine' restaurants?

I like the Irregardless Cafe in Raleigh.
Irregardless Cafe

[rnc2mbfl]

Originally Posted by Gurl

Can you recommend some specific healthy 'cuisine' restaurants?

Irregardless Cafe on Morgan Street was started by a Berkeley couple 30-odd years ago. They feature vegetarian dishes in addition to carnivore ones.
Irregardless Cafe

Humble Pie: Tapas restaurant in the warehouse district. I always enjoyed their fresh and healthy options. Welcome to Humble Pie Bakery and Restaurant

Bloomsbury Bistro: This is a real locals secret hidden in a small shopping center in Five Points. You won't be disappointed. Bloomsbury Bistro . Nationally Renowned Cuisine . Raleigh, NC 27608 . 919.834.9011

The Duck and Dumpling at Moore Square: Asian/Chinese. Not all menu items are "healthy" but they do have healthy options. The Duck & Dumpling - Raleigh, NC

The Rockford: Glenwood South above some shops and across the street from Hibernian. This is a really laid back restaurant that serves healthy salads, sandwiches and some hot plates. Side dishes offer diners a choice of 2 or 3 options. This is a really cool, inexpensive date night restaurant this is not only cost effective but will show your date that you are a little more hip than the next guy.

Those are just some ideas that came off the top of my head. I am sure there are more. Good luck.

[SALUKI_LOVER]

We moved here from So CA 3 months ago and couldn't be happier. All I really miss are my parents and siblings but California itself . . nope and yes we would do it again.
In terms of savings, we have found the housing and our car insurance to be cheaper of course and the gas but that's about it. We love love love the slower pace of life and just being out in the beautiful surroundings. Of and did I mention that most people speak english (sorry, I know not politically correct but true); it's our home-sweet-home.

[candimax2000]

Hi,we didn't move from Ca but we go there quite a lot and one thing we are always amazed at is the traffic.We can only conclude that most of one's time is spent commuting and we always wonder what time does the average person has at home to spend with the family.
I know just using that is not a judge but I know that should surely be a welcome change for anyone coming from Cali.Not to mention,the beauty of NC and less smog.

But,i am just saying..

[M0MMYX3]

Hi there,
I didn't move from CA to NC, but here was my path after we got married:
Ohio to North Carolina - 3 years between Raleigh and Durham, NC
North Carolina to Connecticut - 8 years
CT to CA - 13 years

I would give anything to move back to NC! I even found a new community online, at Cape Fear, NC, near Wilmington, NC, on the coast. It was beautiful! However, my daughter's boyfriend just moved to VA to CA after graduate school, so we will probably stay in SD.
I love it here, I just miss people I used to be close to.
Oh well!
I know that NC has grown too, more traffic on the highway, but we also heard from a colleague of my husband's, that Raleigh county schools got annexed into the city (good), but Durham county schools (where we used to live) also got annexed into the city. (bad.) My husband used to work at RTP, Research Triangle Park.
Good luck! Go for it!!
Me