Been all over the map, and now researching the triangle area.....HELP (Charlotte: transplants) - Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary - North Carolina (NC) -The Triangle Area - City-Data Forum

MB2 · 06-10-2007, 07:03 PM

Hi there

I've been ALL over the map and creation, and STILL haven't figured out on where to be.

I moved from PA to Port Saint Lucie/ FL, stayed for 4 years, "mastered" 3 hurricanes (2 'head on"), but the tremendous increase of HOI and taxes drove us out. We are currently back here in PA (in -laws), and try to re-group.

We did extensive research starting in Troutman/ NC all the way down past Charlotte/ NC.....and I really question, if I would like it there. Traffic and cost, and the "feel" for the area, are just a major factor.
So, we went to Chattanooga/ TN and Knoxville/ TN (I am very familiar with Knoxville, but my husband isn't), and we didn't "feel" it there either. At one point my husband mentioned St. Augustine, which I let him know, that I would NOT move back to FL, due the high costs all over the state down there.
So, here I am researching the Triangle/ (Cary in particular) area, and driving people nuts here on this side of the forum

Sorry guys.....

What can you tell me in comparison with Charlotte area?
How is the job market, employment, unemployment ratio?
Anything anybody can tell me, is greatly appreciated!
Thank's....

mcmartian · 06-10-2007, 07:26 PM

. remember what field you work in makes a big difference. I saw a posting about a person that was an advertising wiz in NYC complaining about not finding jobs that pay well in RTP. My thought was of course not! NYC is the meca for marketing and that's not RTP's main focus.

you might want to put your resume out there on monster and stuff and hope that a recruiter calls you with job opportunities. that helps guide a decision too.

mfrank2109 · 06-10-2007, 07:41 PM

According to the May 25th Triangle Business Journal: "The unemployment rate in the Durham metropolitan statistical area, which includes Durham, Orange, Chatham and Person counties, was 3.6 percent - unchanged from March. The rate in the Raleigh-Cary MSA, which includes Wake, Johnston and Franklin counties, also remained steady at 3.4 percent." I've never lived in Charlotte so I'm not sure how much I can compare the two other than Charlotte is alot bigger city than Raleigh and has from what I've been told a more vibrant downtown. I would imagine costs for both would be similar. Major employers in the Triangle are IBM, Glaxo, Nortel, state government, medicine (Wake Med, Duke, UNC-CH). I personally feel that this part of the US has perfect weather, four seasons with a little snow. Most people here are from somewhere else so in that way it makes it easier to meet people. Each city that makes up the Triangle is different in their own way. Chapel Hill being a smaller college town that tends to be more liberal than the rest of the area. Durham has more of a blue collar feel and is probably the most diverse, Raleigh is the state capital and the largest of the cities in the Triangle. It's downtown is starting to take off but is still considered to be a bit boring. Cary is primarily white and affluent. These are all generalities of course - best bet is to come down for yourself and check it out. Good luck.

MB2 · 06-10-2007, 10:52 PM

Thank's so much for the info. I am on my way (tomorrow, to be exact), and can't wait to "snoop" around a bit.

NC man · 06-11-2007, 09:26 AM

I would use caution in using unemployement percent as a true reflection of the job market in NC. Over 45,000 people moved into the raleigh area alone last year and a good percent of them came with out jobs. Since they are from other states they do not file in NC for benefits and are not counted as unemployeed. Also a lot have settled for lesser paying jobs or several part time jobs to try to make a go of it here. This board has a had several frustrated transplants looking for jobs. Best thing you could do is get employeed before considering a move here, its my advice but who really cares what I think.

findingmesomeday · 06-11-2007, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcmartian

remember what field you work in makes a big difference. I saw a posting about a person that was an advertising wiz in NYC complaining about not finding jobs that pay well in RTP. My thought was of course not! NYC is the meca for marketing and that's not RTP's main focus.

you might want to put your resume out there on monster and stuff and hope that a recruiter calls you with job opportunities. that helps guide a decision too.

FYI: I'm in marketing and have had 2 job offers there already and I think I'm about to entertain a 3rd.

ducter · 06-12-2007, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NC man

I would use caution in using unemployement percent as a true reflection of the job market in NC. Over 45,000 people moved into the raleigh area alone last year and a good percent of them came with out jobs. Since they are from other states they do not file in NC for benefits and are not counted as unemployeed. Also a lot have settled for lesser paying jobs or several part time jobs to try to make a go of it here. This board has a had several frustrated transplants looking for jobs. Best thing you could do is get employeed before considering a move here, its my advice but who really cares what I think.

This is a good point. Also people that found jobs easy will always say the market is great. Need to talk to all people....

mach · 06-12-2007, 06:49 PM

I think any place would be better than Western PA. not sure were your from. Job Search | one search. all jobs. Indeed you can pull up lots of ads. I don't think Monster shows up on the searches. It's always 6 one way half a dozen the other way. I was at a subway today I couldn't get my onions chopped up because the person making my sub could not understand what I was saying.

Hey that is what my parents tell me......