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I'm planning on relocating to the US in the near future (GC holder) and trying to figure out what is the place that I will most fit into.
So... little bit about myself:
- I'm 28yo, single
- Software developer (BSC and 3 years of experience in my origin country)-that's the main reason I'm considering the triangle area.
- Not a "big city guy", living in cities like NYC, Boston is not for me. I like to live in a "green" place with nature.
- Don't like very cold weather
My first consideration was the SF bay area, the only downside is the high housing\rent prices, and I'm not sure if it's worth it
Here are some questions I have about the triangle area:
- As I'm single and will relocate alone: is there many opportunities for single young people to meet new friends and socialize? activity options?
- I know there are a lot of tech jobs. But, does the salary range about the same as in SF bay area or is it lower (or significantly lower) due the lower cost of living in the triangle area?
- weather: how far is the weather in NC from the mild weather all year round in SF bay area? does it get very cold? a lot of rainy days?
- Since I'm Jewish, it would be nice to be part of Jewish community, Do they exist?
- Roughly, How much does it cost to rent a nice 1BR apt ?
- And finally, from the description above, do you think the triangle area is for me?
Spend a couple of hours on this thread and you can find most of your answers. Plus you need to come visit our area. Only you can answer most of your questions. Good luck. http://www.city-data.com/forum/ralei...des-photo.html
Location: Chapel Hill, NC, formerly NoVA and Phila
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Based on your first 4 bullet points, it sounds like it would be a decent fit.
-I'm not sure about the socializing opportunities for singles as I've only lived here as a married adult. I'll let someone else comment on that.
-I would guess that the salary range would be significantly lower than in San Fran. but San Fran. is one of the most expensive places in the US to live, so that wouldn't be too surprising. But someone who has lived in both places can probably comment more accurately.
-Depending on where you are coming from, the weather may seem year-round mild or it may seem cold in winters. If you're coming from Moscow, it's mild here year round. If you're coming from Tel Aviv, we have cold winters. SF, I believe, it more consistent weather year round. Here there are 4 distinct seasons. Summer is hot and humid (80's-90s). Fall and Spring are pleasant (60's-70s) and winter is relatively cold or relatively warm (30s-50's, with it mostly in the 40's I'd guess)
-There is a small Jewish community (again depending on where you're from). Compared to Tel Aviv it's very small. Compared to Iceland, it's pretty big. There are 2 synagogues in Durham plus 1 in Chapel Hill, and I think there are 4 in Raleigh/Cary. Plus there are a few Chabad centers around. Durham has a nice JCC. Raleigh has one, too but it's smaller. So yes, there is a Jewish community, but you really have to seek it out.
-1 BR are about $700-$1000, and probably higher for high-end.
-If you give more details about yourself and where you lived and liked or didn't like, it might be easier to say whether you would like it here.
Based on your first 4 bullet points, it sounds like it would be a decent fit.
-If you give more details about yourself and where you lived and liked or didn't like, it might be easier to say whether you would like it here.
Thank you for the elaborated answer!
I am coming from Israel, lived there most of my life. Lived in center of Tel-Aviv-Didn't like living there (Enjoy hanging out there sometimes, tough). too crowded. too noisy. too much of every thing. lived in the suburbs - bigger apt, cheaper rent, green and quite place - liked it a lot. but since Israel is very small - I was 20mins drive from places with much more "vibe" when I wanted to, and I am not sure if this is the case with the triangle area(?) hence my question about socializing, and meeting other young people.
Also I enjoy sport activities: Working out (gym), running outside, tennis, swimming.
Regarding weather: very cold weather is hard for me. Is there a lot of rainy days in the winter? and how cold does it gets?
Thank you for the elaborated answer!
I am coming from Israel, lived there most of my life. Lived in center of Tel-Aviv-Didn't like living there (Enjoy hanging out there sometimes, tough). too crowded. too noisy. too much of every thing. lived in the suburbs - bigger apt, cheaper rent, green and quite place - liked it a lot. but since Israel is very small - I was 20mins drive from places with much more "vibe" when I wanted to, and I am not sure if this is the case with the triangle area(?) hence my question about socializing, and meeting other young people.
Also I enjoy sport activities: Working out (gym), running outside, tennis, swimming.
Regarding weather: very cold weather is hard for me. Is there a lot of rainy days in the winter? and how cold does it gets?
From a socialization and activities perspective, you would likely find the are suitable. Crowded and Noisy aren't typically associated with this area.
Just some thoughts on the weather, with you coming from a warm, arid climate (I assume Israel is mostly a desert climate, although forgive me if that's a gross generalization.)
Most people in the US don't consider the Carolina's to be cold in the winters. Coming from Israel, you might disagree. What do you mean be "very cold." There is rain here all year round, but not so much that I've ever thought about it being too much. The summers are warm, but also very humid. So, if you're used to very dry heat, that is something to consider.
From a socialization and activities perspective, you would likely find the are suitable. Crowded and Noisy aren't typically associated with this area.
Just some thoughts on the weather, with you coming from a warm, arid climate (I assume Israel is mostly a desert climate, although forgive me if that's a gross generalization.)
Most people in the US don't consider the Carolina's to be cold in the winters. Coming from Israel, you might disagree. What do you mean be "very cold." There is rain here all year round, but not so much that I've ever thought about it being too much. The summers are warm, but also very humid. So, if you're used to very dry heat, that is something to consider.
Personally I don't think the summers are "warm" rather more like hot to scorching and humid.
Personally I don't think the summers are "warm" rather more like hot to scorching and humid.
THAT is a matter of perspective. We moved to Raleigh from Phoenix AZ two years sgo. No freeking way would we define our new home town as "hot to scorching. " Humid? Yeah, that's accurate, but not every day after day for months like the 115 dry heat of phoenix.
OTOH, our first winter here in 2012 was brutal - and worse when others told us, "this is mild! " In 2013, we went away fir January, luckily missing the worst cold in decades, and suffered thru Feb and march. Which didn't feel quite so brutal as the prior year.
THAT is a matter of perspective. We moved to Raleigh from Phoenix AZ two years sgo. No freeking way would we define our new home town as "hot to scorching. " Humid? Yeah, that's accurate, but not every day after day for months like the 115 dry heat of phoenix.
OTOH, our first winter here in 2012 was brutal - and worse when others told us, "this is mild! " In 2013, we went away fir January, luckily missing the worst cold in decades, and suffered thru Feb and march. Which didn't feel quite so brutal as the prior year.
Different experiences = Different opinions.
I agree it's perspective based on tolerance which is why I prefaced my statement with "personally". I've been to Arizona several times being I have family in Cottonwood and I lived a few years in El Paso, Tx which is also desert, trained out in the Mojave Desert 29 Palms, California and White Sands, NM during my military days so I'm quite familiar with the triple digit temps out west. But "personally" I believe that with the high humidity here the heat index tends to be higher than just warm and do get those scorching days where it's been 100+. Many folk here have also stated the heat here is pretty hot and even used the same term "scorching". It's the south so the high summer heat is to be expected. Florida is one place with high temps and consistent high humidity which is not my cup of tea so I try not to visit relatives and friends in Central Florida between April - October. Now South Beach?!! That's a different story. It's worth the short lived torture. ;-)
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