Raleigh vs Richmond.. (Charlotte, Welcome, Alliance: fit in, neighborhoods, theatre)

[blueva]

Hey all-
I am from Richmond and dont know much about Raleigh- I have never visited although I have been to North Carolina many many times.

I am thinking of visiting- its an easy 2 hour drive what do Y'all reccomend?

Also what are the people like? In Richmond I feel like Im in the South, but some places in NC have actually felt very "Northeast" to me, lol

Let me know what to do!

Thanks.

[Francois]

Well, NO city is as "Southern" in many ways as Richmond

But otherwise, they are quite similar in many ways--capital city of a "New South" state (vs. "Deep South"), lots of growth an modernization, etc. I grew up in Raleigh but think I would fit in in Richmond just because they are very similar (my mother was from Richmond and I have visited there many times over the years).

[rnc2mbfl]

My brother lived in Richmond with his wife for a few years before moving to Charlottesville. They found it to be very different from Raleigh, mostly from a societal perspective. They thought that the independent city/county thing that Virginia has caused more segregation and separation of wealth between the city and the county residents...different school systems, etc. They also thought Richmond felt more Southern than Raleigh (nod to the point about cities in NC feeling more NE - Raleigh is probably the top of that list)
You won't find Raleigh to be as historic as Richmond since much of it was built in the last 40years. It was a really small city back when Richmond was much larger. Nonetheless, Raleigh does hold onto its historic neighborhoods and cherishes what it has. Lots of Southern Virginians make their way to Raleigh for nightlife on weekends given the short hour+ ride into town. If you wanted to check out Raleigh, I'd come on either one of the planned festival weekends or a "First Friday" of each month. That evening, the city art galleries are open for evening an evening art walk. Then, I'd hit the hot spots in Glenwood South and the Warehouse District. You might also want to check out a performance at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts. The holidays also have their options for those who like that sort of stuff. The Oakwood candlelight tour and the famous "Christmas Carol" performance by Ira David Wood and Theatre in the Park that has been going on for what seems like a zillion years.
Here are some links to peruse.
Theatre In The Park | A Performing Arts Theatre located in Raleigh, North Carolina
Progress Energy Performing Arts Center - Home
Historic Oakwood - Raleigh, North Carolina
Downtown Raleigh Alliance :: Welcome

[blueva]

First Friday sounds good. Ill check that out!