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I couldn't have said this better myself Basically, I am worried that much of Raleigh's downtown scene revolves around NC State, as well as neighboring Duke and UNC.
My condo in Raleigh is in a Downtown district and I can tell you that the scene does not revolve around the Universities. I am in my 40s and never feel like I am a mile from the state's largest university (which I am).
Raleigh has been growing very rapidly for years. Its growth is indirectly tied to the universities through the Research Triangle Park. But, it's the highly educated workforce that draws the growth of more highly educated people and the businesses that employ them. Pre-recession, the city was growing so rapidly that it could hardly keep up with itself. Now that the recession has given the city a breather, people are anxious for that growth to accelerate again. The downtown scene is no longer in its infancy but it isn't mature yet either. The energy of being part of its emergence is palatable. New residences, businesses, restaurants and entertainment have sprouted like weeds in the last few years and it the nightlife gets more busy on more days per week as time goes by. I am very satisfied with it and I have South Beach as my comparison other home. There are definitely many places to go that simply "out-price" the college scene. Plus, like all other states, establishments that require one to be 21 years old prevent most college students from entering them.
If you want to be part of an emerging city, I'd take a look at Raleigh.
As for Minneapolis, I do not have bad things to say about it at all. I really like it. I have enjoyed my times there and would be perfectly happy to call it home. But, then again, I have friends in Iowa City and loved it there as well. I am, however, a huge "hater" of cold weather (hence my florida digs).
Um, I think she wants to move on from her college life. College towns are great when you are in college, but when you graduate you may want a more "big city" feel.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fashionguy
She didn't say she was satisfied with the size of Iowa City, did she? Having lived in a place for sometime doesn't mean that she likes it or she thinks it is perfect. Maybe it is because Iowa City is too small that she wants to move.
Wow you guys are slow. Did you actually read what I posted or just skim through it? The Research Triangle is 10X the size of the Iowa City metro area, so it's still quite a large step up in terms of metro population. 160,000 vs. 1.6 million.
Ignore it if you want to. I've spent more than 18 years in Raleigh & Durham and still live here today. Even in just the past few years there has been tremendous revitalization in the urban areas in Raleigh & Durham.
Hey I love the Triangle. It's my second home. But I stand by my statement that the metro areas couldn't be more different, and that the Triangle feels completely suburban and disconnected (and as dark as the middle of nowhere on the roads). I happen to like all these things except the disconnected part.
Wow you guys are slow. Did you actually read what I posted or just skim through it? The Research Triangle is 10X the size of the Iowa City metro area, so it's still quite a large step up in terms of metro population. 160,000 vs. 1.6 million.
(sigh!) You missed the point! Go back and read the OP's response to my post.
I never lived in Raleigh, but have visited plenty. IMO, Minneapolis easily tops Raleigh, but I might find certain things about Minneapolis more appealing than you so it's hard to say. Good luck.
IMO, Raleigh easily tops Minneapolis.
Hmmmm, snow mobile or 4-wheeler? I'll take the 4-wheeler thank you (and the sweet iced tea too).
In Minneapolis roads are cleared right away of snow. When I was living in the Triangle the ice storms and a little bit of snow shut the whole place down. Minneapolis is much, MUCH larger than Raleigh, too, so I'm not sure what Raleigh would to Minneapolis in.
That said, I would choose Raleigh over Minneapolis because I like suburban living and how everything is carved out of the forrest. And the fact that once and a while you can wear shorts in February. And I like North Carolina as a state much more than Minnesota, though Minneapolis's metro area is downright gorgeous with practically thousands of lakes.
BTW your username "urbancharlotte" is kind of contradictory. Charlotte? Urban? LOL.
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Basically, I am worried that much of Raleigh's downtown scene revolves around NC State, as well as neighboring Duke and UNC.
Um, I think she wants to move on from her college life. College towns are great when you are in college, but when you graduate you may want a more "big city" feel.
