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Location: Splitting time between Charlotte and Raleigh (work)
61 posts, read 71,486 times
Reputation: 39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sundaze
This is a nice area, with many amenities for families, but that being said it isn't real exciting.
Please explain what you would want to make it exciting. What is it lacking? Does it not have art, plays, bars, clubs, dining, shopping, parks, trails, gyms, etc.?
[quote=Teleprompter in Chief;10091016]Please explain what you would want to make it exciting. What is it lacking? Does it not have art, plays, bars, clubs, dining, shopping, parks, trails, gyms, etc.?[/QUOTE
Hey, if you like it you like it. I didn't say whether I do or don't. That being said I have lived a lot of different places and some have more or less going on. If I were a young single just starting out Raleigh wouldn't be my first choice. If I were adverse to driving I would want a place with more public transportation, more places to go without driving. If I were part of a young couple raising a family I would appreciate the many activities for kids. All I am saying is different people like different things.
Location: Splitting time between Charlotte and Raleigh (work)
61 posts, read 71,486 times
Reputation: 39
Quote:
Originally Posted by sundaze
Hey, if you like it you like it. I didn't say whether I do or don't. That being said I have lived a lot of different places and some have more or less going on. If I were a young single just starting out Raleigh wouldn't be my first choice. If I were adverse to driving I would want a place with more public transportation, more places to go without driving. If I were part of a young couple raising a family I would appreciate the many activities for kids. All I am saying is different people like different things.
I am not debating you or anyone on this. I am just asking what people would want to see here that is not. I haven't seen that communicated by many people. I hear them say it is boring or it's not as good as place X, but no examples are given. I am looking for specifics.
Please explain what you would want to make it exciting. What is it lacking? Does it not have art, plays, bars, clubs, dining, shopping, parks, trails, gyms, etc.?
Charltondude, I just returned from NYC and I can safely say that compared to large cities, the Triangle lacks many things, the most obvious thing to me is our lack of comprehensive public transportation. Although our public transportation is improving, it is still lacking as we still do not have light rail from Downtown Raleigh to RDU to Durham/Chapel Hill (that route needs to be put at the top of any public transit list). That being said, I love Raleigh and the surrounding Triangle, I have been here for 13 years and do not plan on leaving anytime soon, but I do see how some people could get bored here.
Since the OP is asking for specifics... I'll list what I'd like in a city and y'all can tell me if you have it. Here's the thing, I'm a DINK (Duel Income No Kids) and past my 20's. I like to shoot pool and darts, but I don't drink and can't stand smoke (unless it's a bonfire), I like bonfires, I like to go dancing, but ballroom dancing, not night clubs. I would enjoy the museum or zoo as well as the ballet or opera and of course a fabulous restaurant to dine at afterwards. I must have a coffee shop and nail salon in order to feel civilized. I couldn't care less about sports, but would like a nice big park to throw frizbee or play bocce. I will need a gym for my Zumba and Yoga classes. And of course a church (LCMS). I think I've filled all my days there. If ya got all that, I couldn't possibly be bored.
I think some oversimplifications are being made here. It isn't just about if something "exists" in any given place, but the quantity and quality of it.
I often wonder if it's the people who are the ones that are actually boring.
I never lack for things to do or places to go. And, while it might not be the same things or quantities of things that larger cities might offer, I think the Triangle does a very fine job of giving me options.
No, I'm not boring, to start with. Let's cut that train of thought off at the station. I frequently dress up in costumes for no reason, dance with things that are on fire, and generally do my best to make my own fun.
Additionally, as to why people move here if they want something different--I'm here for graduate school. It was the best option for my program, so I'm stuck until both my partner and I are done.
It's not a lack of things to do that's the issue. Yes, if I wasn't discriminating about what kind of thing or in what category or interest group, I could, technically, find something to do all the time. I mean, I could arguably walk in a park for several hours, walk in another one, go to several generic bars, etc. Or I could go to an art walk. Which is..pleasant. Okay. I mean, I've been to several in the area already, and they're not exactly show-stoppers. Many of them aren't even really walks--you have to drive to get from venue to venue.
But what I look for in a city I find exciting is a unique, vibrant urban life. I came here from Asheville, which is considerably smaller than Raleigh, but still manages to have its own, unique culture(s). There aren't just standard bars and museums to go to--there are really interesting and different ones to go to, with a whole range of fascinating live shows! There are hookah bars and chocolate lounges! There's a whole well-established vaudeville and burlesque circuit, and of course interest and activity in local food/agriculture. And the mountains to hike, of course. These "hills" and parks just can't compare.
Or take NYC. Different neighborhoods with a fascinating blend of cultures, the beautiful, the bizarre, the chic, the shabby, everything all blending together, new surprises on every corner. You can be part of an amateur jello-wrestling night! You can go sing Korean karaoke! You can have Chinese ice cream! You can walk in Jackson Heights and smell curry coming from every corner!
No, I'm not boring, to start with. Let's cut that train of thought off at the station. I frequently dress up in costumes for no reason, dance with things that are on fire, and generally do my best to make my own fun.
Additionally, as to why people move here if they want something different--I'm here for graduate school. It was the best option for my program, so I'm stuck until both my partner and I are done.
It's not a lack of things to do that's the issue. Yes, if I wasn't discriminating about what kind of thing or in what category or interest group, I could, technically, find something to do all the time. I mean, I could arguably walk in a park for several hours, walk in another one, go to several generic bars, etc. Or I could go to an art walk. Which is..pleasant. Okay. I mean, I've been to several in the area already, and they're not exactly show-stoppers. Many of them aren't even really walks--you have to drive to get from venue to venue.
But what I look for in a city I find exciting is a unique, vibrant urban life. I came here from Asheville, which is considerably smaller than Raleigh, but still manages to have its own, unique culture(s). There aren't just standard bars and museums to go to--there are really interesting and different ones to go to, with a whole range of fascinating live shows! There are hookah bars and chocolate lounges! There's a whole well-established vaudeville and burlesque circuit, and of course interest and activity in local food/agriculture. And the mountains to hike, of course. These "hills" and parks just can't compare.
Or take NYC. Different neighborhoods with a fascinating blend of cultures, the beautiful, the bizarre, the chic, the shabby, everything all blending together, new surprises on every corner. You can be part of an amateur jello-wrestling night! You can go sing Korean karaoke! You can have Chinese ice cream! You can walk in Jackson Heights and smell curry coming from every corner!
So. You get the difference now, maybe?
So, your first post on C-D is in response to a thread that's almost 2 and half years old and on the topic of "boring"? That's very interesting.
Ditto for me from what Andy64 said! We moved for the weather, cost of living ( well at least for houses, property tax and for us car insurance was less ) and knew it would be different. But we also wanted different. I miss family back in NJ but that is about it. I don't miss NJ. I don't miss the miles of traffic, bad winters, rude people and over priced houses coupled with costly property taxes. I don't think people visit enough or really think about what areas they move to. A lot do...don't get me wrong but I know of others who didn't do their homework. We love it here
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