Raleigh-Durham vs Austin & Denver (Cary, Chapel Hill: transplants, power lines, chapel)

[oshay]

Hi all:

I am looking for a change. More green, outdoor activity (run, hike, bike), friendlier people, slower pace, South West/West vibe, lower cost of living, and a generally healthier less frantic life style.

I am a single (hetero) Black prof. female from midwest . I just got a job offer in the triangle and am considering the move. I currently live in NYC where I have lived for 10 years but am totally burnt out. Don't need to have 1000 things to do.. just a few coupled with interesting, diverse people for conversation.

How diverse, liberal and interesting is Raleigh-Durham/Chapel Hill really? How radically different from Austin or Denver/Boulder--my dream cities? Thanks!

[MrsSteel]

Well, I don't feel properly qualified to compare the Triangle to Austin or Denver, but I have a feeling you could be happy here.

The Triangle is very green. That's usually the first thing that strikes people who visit here. There are oodles of trees here - especially tall pines. There are miles and miles of greenways and walking and biking trails all over the Triangle. Many of them are publicly owned (like the American Tobacco Trail that winds through Durham, Chatham, and Wake counties) but many neighborhoods have their own wooded trails, too. There are biking, running, and walking clubs of all sorts if that interests you.

The people who move here from the northeast say that the lower cost of living and slower pace of life are major reasons why they moved here. People tend to be quite friendly and you'll have more luck with this if you stay open and friendly yourself, too. If you can relax and embrace the lifestyle, you're sure to be happy.

The population is quite diverse in my opinion. The universities and the tech field in Research Triangle Park attract people from all around the country (and around the world) to this area. Raleigh and Durham are quite diverse racially-speaking. I believe about 30% of Raleigh and 40% of Durham is black. As for political leanings ... well, I think of the Triangle as a blue puddle in the middle of a red state. It isn't as blue as some would like but, again, there are a lot of transplants living here from all over & that provides a nice mix.

Based on what I've heard from friends who've lived elsewhere, the Denver area has more outdoor activities and Austin certainly has more live music, but I think you will still find plenty in the Triangle that will make you happy ... especially since you've already been offered a job here! If you can come down for a visit, please do. After a day or two here you should know whether you like it or not. Good luck!

[dcgrl]

You know, in contrast to what Mrs Steel said, I didn't know I would like living here until I lived here. We visited a few times and thought "meh." but then we moved here, and it seemed like a whole community opened up for us. My saying about the area is "It's a great place to live, but I wouldn't want to vacation here."

We moved from the Boston area, where we enjoyed all the activities, but honestly, we find ourselves doing more here. It is green and tree-y, but I don't find the scenery overwhelmingly beautiful (it isn't in Austin, either). But people do get outdoors and bike or run around the lakes in raleigh, or the greenways in Chapel Hill and Durham.

Lots of smart people here, diverse population, a pretty welcoming environment. If you're looking for a change, and you've got a job offer, what do you have to lose?

Did you come down for an interview?

[I'minformed2]

You can find just about everything you mentioned in the Raleigh area except for the "West/southwest vibe". Raleigh is in the southeast. It's east coast meets deep south. Raleigh is probably more similar to Baltimore, MD or Richmond, VA than it is to Austin or Denver.

[saturnfan]

One big difference. Very little public transportation in the area.

[Francois]

I think mrssteel summed it up VERY well. I've never been to Austin, but similarities to there would be the "Blue puddle in a Red State" (although NC is actually quite democratic at the state level--our Gov and statehouses are predominantly Democratic, albeit the moderateconservative sort) and NC is much more "Purple" politically than Texas is; it's the state capital, educated population, and certainly the "progressive spot".

I've spent a week in Denver and found that while downtown Denver is beautiful and the mountains around are breathtaking, the terrain of the Denver environs itself is flat and ugly (desert-ish). By contrast, central NC is lush and green, just hilly enough to be interesting, and a Heavenly climate in spring and Fall. The winters are wimpy for anyone North of DC (though we get lots of ice storms, no fun for the power lines!) and the worst part of our weather is the oppressive July-August heat and zapping humidity, for about 3 weeks every summer.

But, we are a day trip from the beach, which you can't say about either of those places, and while our mountains aren't the Rockies, they are the lovely Blue Ridge and Great Smokies. I really think the DIVERSITY in NC means that almost anything is within driving distance, and I don't know that Austin and Denver quite have that.

[James Taylor]

Originally Posted by I'minformed2

Raleigh is in the southeast. It's east coast meets deep south.

Wow... I don't think Raleigh has ever been summed up so well in so few words. You really nailed it.

[Snowpea]

Data from the last US Census (2000). By the numbers:

- The most North Carolinian community is Durham, followed by Raleigh, Chapel Hill and Cary.
- The most Southern (but not from NC) community is Chapel Hill, followed by Cary, Raleigh and Durham.
- The most Northeastern community is Cary, followed by Chapel Hill, Raleigh and Durham.
- The most Midwestern community is Cary, followed by Chapel Hill, Raleigh and Durham.
- The most Western community is Cary, followed by Chapel Hill and Raleigh/Durham.
- The most international community is Cary, followed by Raleigh/Durham and lastly Chapel Hill.

I do not get a 'deep south' vibe in the central metro area. North Carolina is the Old North State after all. I find more of a South meets the mid-Atlantic sensibility. Unfortunately for the OP the South West/West coast influence on this area is minimal. Still, the Triangle has diversity, lots of greenery and plenty of opportunity for outdoor recreation. This metro seems to have a more laid-back feel than the metros further North on the East coast. There is also a friendly atmosphere within the various communities (though there is little neighborly love shared between the communities). Lastly, I find the Western half of the Triangle is about 1/3 Republican and 2/3 Democrat, whilst the Eastern half of the Triangle is about split 50/50. Extreme liberals would likely be more comfortable in Durham or Chapel Hill but moderate liberals could do well in any of the four main cities/towns (along with some of the surrounding towns).

[I'minformed2]

only 21% of the population of Cary is from the Northeast? That is much lower than I would have thought! lol. Raleigh being east coast meets deep south was basically my saying that it is NOT western/southwestern. It has a somewhat busy-business/work oriented vibe to it like the rest of the east coast further north, but also at the same time a slower paced enjoy the BBQ, Nacar, and college football feel of the old south.

[MrsSteel]

Those are very interesting charts, Snowpea. It's a shame that they're 8 years old, but it'll be fascinating to see how much (or how little) those statistics may change with this year's census.