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Remember also that Raleigh and Durham are much closer to the attractions in Virginia. You can be at the Williamsburg Water Country USA and Busch Gardens in a few hours. If you want REAL museums and the National Zoo, D.C. is a doable day trip (4 hours). You are also closer to the beach in Raleigh. I like Wake County much better than Charlotte.
I think RaleighRob summed it up nicely, as did NRG with that awesome list. Not many people relocate with the luxury of choosing where they want to live. Most people are limited by job choices, as well as proximity to family.
To have to choose between two great areas, without really knowing either one, would be difficult, and you're asking the right questions. Based on your priorities, I think RRob's answer is what you were looking for: there is a ton of stuff for families to do here in Raleigh.
The schools are top notch. Yes, there is rapid growth (as there is in several other areas), but the discussions you see on this board and in the media take a small segment of the populace that are unhappy with the solutions put forward and make them seem like a majority. The fact is, Wake is coping very well with the growth, and the quality of the education is still very good. Reassignments as new schools are built is the solution to overcrowded schools. Year round schooling is the solution to overcrowding as new schools are being built. Do I want my child reassigned? No, we love our school. Do I want her in a classroom with 40 kids with a frazzled teacher? Even bigger no.
I just hope you don't have the impression that everyone is upset with the shcools system in Wake, because that's not the case.
Well, that's not exactly helpful! Why did you even reply?
Every city is different. Yes, there are plenty of things to do in Raleigh and I'm excited that we might be moving there. But there are things that I'm used to having around, and with children, some things are more ideal than others. As I get closer to committing to a place, I am refining my needs vs. wants. Raleigh has everything I need, that's for sure. But for growing children, I WANT a zoo, a water park, an aquarium and a wide variety of museums and parks, not just a handful. I'd rather not spend a family outing in the car for hours and hours.
I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone in your concerns. We spent 4 days in Raleigh last month looking around and I left VERY worried that I'd pretty much seen everything just during our short visit. OBVIOUSLY we didn't go to the few museums, etc., but I felt like - how many times can you go to the same museum over and over again? We live in AZ now and I'm bored out of my mind b/c there's just not that much to do here - I'm a SAHM, so I need activities pretty much every day. I'm very concerned that I'll have the same problems in Raleigh that I do here - boredom.
That said, Raleigh's location is a strong selling point to me. It's close to Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, DC, and a short flight to Philly, NYC, Boston, and down to FL too. So while I'll have less variety with the day-to-day entertainment, there's more variety for long weekend entertainment.
Yes, you have those options in Charlotte too, as well as the theme park, but DC and Williamsburg are longer drives. I do think that, based on my online research, Charlotte offers more in the way of malls, and has more of a metropolitan feel to it. I'm kicking myself now for not driving down to check it out when we were in Raleigh last month. Next trip though.
At any rate, dh has not had any luck finding a job in either city, so this may not even be an issue for us (it's a lot harder to find specialized jobs there then I thought it would be). But I wanted you to know that I think your concerns are valid and you should definitely think hard about it before moving. If you enjoy the amenities that come with bigger cities (which I do), then you need to weigh whether the negatives (more traffic, crime, etc then in smaller areas) that come along with that are worth it.
[quote=Boatdrinks;373975]I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone in your concerns. We spent 4 days in Raleigh last month looking around and I left VERY worried that I'd pretty much seen everything just during our short visit. OBVIOUSLY we didn't go to the few museums, etc., but I felt like - how many times can you go to the same museum over and over again? We live in AZ now and I'm bored out of my mind b/c there's just not that much to do here - I'm a SAHM, so I need activities pretty much every day. I'm very concerned that I'll have the same problems in Raleigh that I do here - boredom.
QUOTE]
THANK YOU! That's exactly what I was thinking! I'm a SAHM, too, in GA, so I now plan on checking out Charlotte on a quick weekend trip. I'll let you know how it goes, Boatdrinks! The housing prices are about 10% less there, but Raleigh is still very affordable.
You need to check out Atlanta! We have all the things you are lookin for!
We're an hour north of Atlanta, now, that's why I'm so used to having all those great things close by! I will miss IKEA the most!
Thanks to everyone with their great points about Raleigh. I like NRG's list - the awesome thing about most of your museums is that there is no admittance charge! That's unheard of in ATL!
I was just looking for some voices of reason since I've lost mine in all of this relocation drama. Ugghh.
Not to add to you dilema, but if you really love Ikea, I beleive I read somewhere that Charlotte wil be getting an Ikea in spring 2009.
Seriously though, Raleigh and Charlotte are both excellent places to live. I would explore both and look for employment in both areas and go where you have the most opportunity. I don't think you can go wrong between the two.
Not to add to you dilema, but if you really love Ikea, I beleive I read somewhere that Charlotte wil be getting an Ikea in spring 2009.
Seriously though, Raleigh and Charlotte are both excellent places to live. I would explore both and look for employment in both areas and go where you have the most opportunity. I don't think you can go wrong between the two.
NOOOO!!! I wish you hadn't told me that! I had just decided that the people in Raleigh (at least the forum, anyway) are so helpful and nice, I shouldn't even be looking at another city. BUT, the promise of IKEA.... nah, 2009 is a long time to wait.
Not to add to you dilema, but if you really love Ikea, I beleive I read somewhere that Charlotte wil be getting an Ikea in spring 2009.
Seriously though, Raleigh and Charlotte are both excellent places to live. I would explore both and look for employment in both areas and go where you have the most opportunity. I don't think you can go wrong between the two.
I remember reading that on Ikea's website. They have a list of future stores...they have a lot planned over the next few years.
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