Anyone from LI regret the move to N.C. (Raleigh: car insurance, condo)

[momix5]

I am looking to relocate to NC from LI, I wanted to know if anyone regretted their move?

[SUZYKOUBATI]

Good Morning, Li Mom! My Husband And I Are Also Planning A Move To The Raleigh-durham Area And Have Lots Of Questions. There Has To Be Someone Who Can Answer Our Question Of What's It's Really Like To Make The Move. It Will Be A Big One For Us Because We Eventually Will Open A Business In The Area.

Good Luck! Southerners Are The Kindest People You'll Ever Want To Meet.

[Chunkylover77]

Not at all. I miss some of my friends but the people down here are incredibly friendly on average. Plus it is not like you are moving to some remote part of the country that only has inbred townfolk. Raleigh is pretty diverse and you are as likely to have neighbors that grew up outside of NC as you are living next to native Carolinians. The biggest bonus is that I moved from a one bedroom basement apt in Long Island to a 4 bedroom house in Raleigh with the same amount of money being spent per month. Just a little bit better living conditions for my growing family.

[nynraleigh]

I am here 4 months now, I LOVE it...I never knew any other place than NY. I took vacations, but never lived anywhere but Long Island. I was born and raised in West Islip and then we moved out to Wading River. I am 33, so relocating as a young professional may be different. I can say being a young professional with no kids I can tell you what my experiences has been so far. I really can't say what it will be like for a family with children, I would imagine a great experience, since this area is mostly families etc...at least that is what I am seeing. I did plenty of research before making the move...almost a year of research and 4 visits in 2006...made the move in November 2006. I am amazed how clean it is here, everything is so clean, coming from Eastern Long Island I was used to that, but still. Everyone is so warm and friendly, even DMV...lol...no joke...everyone will say I'm moving because it's cheaper...well some things are some things aren't...I think just overall quality of life is better, driving is much more enjoyable...I don't see road rage like I did on the 495 on long island...not yet anyway...couldn't imagine it here anyway...I feel more relaxed here, even though my job is just as busy/challenging. Electric is cheaper, car insurance is cheaper, property taxes are cheaper, home prices (depending on the area) are much cheaper than Long Island. Food is about the same, some items are cheaper, but really don't see a drastic change in food prices, clothing is the same (Label Names in the Mall), prices are the same in your chain stores too...for example...if you go in Target here, and Target on Long Island, same prices. The most challenging thing so far for me is making friends, that's about it...the only thing I miss about Long Island is my friends and family, other than that...I do not miss one thing about Long Island. There is plenty to do here, I can't wait for it to warm up more to experience the outdoors. I was able to find a job in about 3 weeks after relocating here, all I did was interview the first 2 weeks, Thanksgiving came, and I was working the first week of December....so if I can do it that time of year, anyone can do it. I don't want to ramble...If you have any questions, please feel free to ask, if I don't know the answer, I will do my best to find out and help you. I have learned a lot from this message board and continue to thank everyone on here. It's a wealth of knowledge, I have used the search field a ton of times. Good Luck on your move, if you decide to do it...I know you will love it here.

[Lizardlips]

Originally Posted by nynraleigh

I am here 4 months now, I LOVE it...I never knew any other place than NY. I took vacations, but never lived anywhere but Long Island. I was born and raised in West Islip and then we moved out to Wading River. I am 33, so relocating as a young professional may be different. I can say being a young professional with no kids I can tell you what my experiences has been so far. I really can't say what it will be like for a family with children, I would imagine a great experience, since this area is mostly families etc...at least that is what I am seeing. I did plenty of research before making the move...almost a year of research and 4 visits in 2006...made the move in November 2006. I am amazed how clean it is here, everything is so clean, coming from Eastern Long Island I was used to that, but still. Everyone is so warm and friendly, even DMV...lol...no joke...everyone will say I'm moving because it's cheaper...well some things are some things aren't...I think just overall quality of life is better, driving is much more enjoyable...I don't see road rage like I did on the 495 on long island...not yet anyway...couldn't imagine it here anyway...I feel more relaxed here, even though my job is just as busy/challenging. Electric is cheaper, car insurance is cheaper, property taxes are cheaper, home prices (depending on the area) are much cheaper than Long Island. Food is about the same, some items are cheaper, but really don't see a drastic change in food prices, clothing is the same (Label Names in the Mall), prices are the same in your chain stores too...for example...if you go in Target here, and Target on Long Island, same prices. The most challenging thing so far for me is making friends, that's about it...the only thing I miss about Long Island is my friends and family, other than that...I do not miss one thing about Long Island. There is plenty to do here, I can't wait for it to warm up more to experience the outdoors. I was able to find a job in about 3 weeks after relocating here, all I did was interview the first 2 weeks, Thanksgiving came, and I was working the first week of December....so if I can do it that time of year, anyone can do it. I don't want to ramble...If you have any questions, please feel free to ask, if I don't know the answer, I will do my best to find out and help you. I have learned a lot from this message board and continue to thank everyone on here. It's a wealth of knowledge, I have used the search field a ton of times. Good Luck on your move, if you decide to do it...I know you will love it here.

I am so glad I read your reply. I was having the day full of doubts, like "what was I thinking moving across country" "I have lived in CA my entire life, why would I move", that kind of self talk. But I read your note, and I remember why I am moving.

As for you making friends, I know this sounds weird, but try "meetup.com"
It has groups for anything you can imagine. Just put in your zip code and look at all the "meetup" groups you can join. There is one for Bunko, with lots of ladies. That might help, plus they have "glow bowling" or something like that, where lots of people do bowling at night to just hang and meet people. Anyhow, I am sorry you are missing friends and family. Anyhow, just look at the web site, and see if anything interests you.
Liz

[elle67]

I am from Long Island as well. I grew up in Lake Ronkonkoma and have been living in Deer Park for the past year. I have also been working in Nassau County for the past few years, so other than my 4 years in college (Boston), I have been on LI my whole life.

I am also a young professional (24) and will be moving with my boyfriend (25) to Cary NEXT week! We've been planning this for several months now and we can't wait to get there. We've been down to visit at least a half dozen times over the past few months, and we absolutely love it.

My BF has a job lined up, but I have not secured one yet. Regardless, I believe this is the best time to move...I don't have a house to sell first or any children to uproot. I've got nothing to lose. When you've gotta go, you've gotta go!

[lynnsprufera]

Originally Posted by SUZYKOUBATI

Good Morning, Li Mom! My Husband And I Are Also Planning A Move To The Raleigh-durham Area And Have Lots Of Questions. There Has To Be Someone Who Can Answer Our Question Of What's It's Really Like To Make The Move. It Will Be A Big One For Us Because We Eventually Will Open A Business In The Area.

Good Luck! Southerners Are The Kindest People You'll Ever Want To Meet.

We relocated from Smithtown/St. James. There were so many reasons; standard of living, costs on LI, business conditions but also it felt like it was time for a change in my life. My husband has been working hard reestablishing his business and it has been an adventure. Not only is the costs to raise a family more favorable here, there are so many interesting commercial avenues to explore. We just went into contract on an industrial condo unit that was only 111.00 pr sq ft. It is brand new with low taxes. His business can be competitive here as it was no longer on LI. It's nice to have hope for yourself and your children's future again.

[citydweller]

I was just looking over the meetup site and they have over 432 top interests within 25 miles of Raleigh. Ought to be something there for everyone!
http://www.meetup.com/cities/?dbCo=u...es-&-Community

[momix5]

My friends moved 2 years ago, they love it they are in Wake Forest, they moved b/c they could never afford a house on Long island, who would want to! We spent time there last summer and spring loved it, tried to sell up here did not work out, I am going to list my house next week again and hopefully with a few St. Joseph's statues and a lot of luck in this market it will sell! I just wondered if anyone regretted it! because we are looking into SC. as well.
To the lady from St.James where did you live in Saint James? I grew up in Smithtown!

[LAURIE BRANDI]

I Love Nynraleigh's Posting. I Just Came Back From The Apex, Cary Area And Loved It. I Am Originally From Staten Island And Live In Florida. I Am Tired Of The Hot Weather And Road Rage. You Can't Imagine How Rude The People Are In South Florida. Your Posting Was Amazing. You Said So Many Things That I Have Been Wondering About. You Really Hit Most Of The Questions That Have Been Running Thru My Mind. I Want To Relocate So Bad. Can You Please Tell Me If You Know Anything About The Murphy Nc Area? I Fell In Love With The Apex/cary Area But Heard Murphy Is Cheaper And Even More Relaxing. It Is So Confusing When You Are So Many Hours Away And You Can't Spend Weekends Traveling That Far. Any Help You Could Give Would Be So Much Appreciated. And The Other Postings Were Also Very Helpful. So Thank You Every One That Has Posted On This Site. Have A Great Weekend.