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My boyfriend and I are leaving the triangle because it's too family oriented. I've found that there isn't much to do for adults who don't want children. And so many of the activities here are extremely child-centric.
And it's been very hard to make friends here. Because so many people have children, it's hard to meet 20 and 30 somethings who have time for friendships. I moved here from San Diego where it was effortless to find friends. We can't wait to leave!
My boyfriend and I are leaving the triangle because it's too family oriented. I've found that there isn't much to do for adults who don't want children. And so many of the activities here are extremely child-centric.
And it's been very hard to make friends here. Because so many people have children, it's hard to meet 20 and 30 somethings who have time for friendships. I moved here from San Diego where it was effortless to find friends. We can't wait to leave!
You have an interesting point of view, one I suspect that is based more on your own personality than the area's. Since moving to the Triangle I have met many childless couples who love the area.
To be honest, the people I know who left NJ did it to find nice. They were nice people who couldn't take the negativity anymore.
Yes, yes, and yes! As a former NJ resident, I approve this message. I remember when we first moved here, I had to shed my NJ negativity. The people were so nice, I initially found it off putting. I didn't quite know how to process the friendliness. I built this wall around me and didn't know how to begin to tear it down.
In NJ, everybody seems to be rush, rush, rush, me, me, me, get out of my way if you move too slowly.
Now when we go back to visit my in-laws, I feel like a fish out of water. I can't wait to get back on the road to come back HOME! When I see that Welcome to Durham sign on 85, I feel the warm fuzzies.
Eh, I knew and still do know a lot of really nice people in NJ, growing up there. I always bristle at the mention of people not being nice because it's misunderstood here. It's not that at their core, people from NJ are jerks.
There is a culture of hypervigilance, though, plus the massive rushing (that I feel is partially traffic based) :-D
So OP - there are a lot of childfree people in Durham (I'm one of them) and I think it's a fine area for the childfree. I'm more concerned that you find Bridgewater to be "not nice" and you're seeking nice and that may be a major reason for your move? I think I know what you are looking for - more of a general friendliness among strangers and customer service? You will find that here, absolutely. Even the DMV
Child Free & in N. Durham. We have no problems with finding / connecting to other CF folks.
There did used to be a CF meetup also - I haven't been on there in a while but another option.
We met a few other CF couples & then fell into the larger group which is a diverse group (CF by choice, by chance, empty nesters, etc). So my guess is once you meet another couple or two the rest will just sort of happen by introductions.
For the area, just pay attention when looking at houses. You can get a feel quickly if a subdivision has lots of kids, is dog-friendly, mostly older couples, etc. Our neighborhood is a combination so is fairly quiet & no issues with kids running though our yard. And really, what you get moving in will change & you can't control who buys the house next door/down the street.
As for things to do, get out & explore. We find plenty (too much really) that is adult oriented (tonight at the Museum of Life & Science is the adult only "Science of Eats"). Our problem is too much to do & not enough time to do it all . If you get online with the city, museums, Durham Magazine, etc. you'll start to get a feel for everything going on in the area.
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. If you get online with the city, museums, Durham Magazine, etc. you'll start to get a feel for everything going on in the area.
