Yes, probably the same old questions...new thread (Charlotte, Raleigh: real estate, low crime)

[Seattle_PT]

Hi everybody,


My wife and I are looking into Eastern NC for relocating.
Maybe someone could help us out?
We are now living in Seattle. Last spring we took a trip out to South Carolina to see Greenville. It was nice, but we were not willing to move there.
During the trip we ventured over to Myrtle Beach and explored Carolina Beach NC.
We really liked NC.

We did drive through Wilmington, and I'd have to say that what I saw was very Ghetto.
Not at all what we are looking for. At the same time we just drove through, so maybe it is very nice.

We really want to move out of Seattle. The home prices are insane, and the weather is pretty gloomy.

We'd like to try East NC but dont know where to start.
We are looking at Calabash, New Bern, Jacksonville, Moorehead city.
We like the weather, and the ocean.

What we are looking for.....

Safe...low crime rate
Family Friendly
up and coming. A good place to invest.
somewhat diverse ...or at least very open minded (my wife is Japanese)
somewhat modern....restaurants, shopping etc

We are in our early 30s...not much into crazy night life...but not retirees either.

Any suggestions ?

Maybe we are asking for too much

[pandorasbox]

Holly Ridge in a small quiet town not to big and the only thing it has going for it ,is that it is a good place to invest in .The boom town hasn't hit yet but it is coming. You would be 5 minutes from beach 25 miles either way between Wilmington or Jacksonville. But the only night life is on the Island. (Topsail Island). Matter of fact I will sell you my restaurant there.

Originally Posted by Seattle_PT

Hi everybody,


My wife and I are looking into Eastern NC for relocating.
Maybe someone could help us out?
We are now living in Seattle. Last spring we took a trip out to South Carolina to see Greenville. It was nice, but we were not willing to move there.
During the trip we ventured over to Myrtle Beach and explored Carolina Beach NC.
We really liked NC.

We did drive through Wilmington, and I'd have to say that what I saw was very Ghetto.
Not at all what we are looking for. At the same time we just drove through, so maybe it is very nice.

We really want to move out of Seattle. The home prices are insane, and the weather is pretty gloomy.

We'd like to try East NC but dont know where to start.
We are looking at Calabash, New Bern, Jacksonville, Moorehead city.
We like the weather, and the ocean.

What we are looking for.....

Safe...low crime rate
Family Friendly
up and coming. A good place to invest.
somewhat diverse ...or at least very open minded (my wife is Japanese)
somewhat modern....restaurants, shopping etc

We are in our early 30s...not much into crazy night life...but not retirees either.

Any suggestions ?

Maybe we are asking for too much

[GucciLittlePiggie]

If you're coming from some place like Seattle, I would think Raleigh or Charlotte might ease the shock of a smaller city. Raleigh, specifically, seems like it would be safe(r), family friendly (especially the suburbs), up and coming, a good place to invest, etc. it's definitely not a big city in terms of crazy night life, but it has stuff to do, especially with Durham and Chapel Hill so close by. I'm not sure what your draw to the coastal area is, but personally, I'd rather live in a place like Raleigh and drive to the beach for a weekend than live out there and have to drive every time I want somewhere good to eat/shop/etc. Anyways, just a thought. I'm from the Boston area, and though about Seattle and Portland, but am pretty set on Raleigh. Good luck!

[Bill Hitchcock]

Seattlle_PT,
I picked Morehead City to live in. Actually I came here for a weeks vacation and almost 30 years later.......................

The coast of NC offers a tremendous amount of diversity-Both inner and outer banks.
For example-If you like "city life"-Wilmington would probably be your best best. The city of Wilmington has ten times the population of Morehead City. It's a college town, the film industry is there and a lot more.
By the way-If you just drove thru the main road of Wilmington-I can understand your impression. In my opinion-Morehead and Beaufort are very unimpressive too if you just drive the main road thru.

It really boils down to your likes and dislikes. Real Estate prices will fluctuate tremendously too with the different areas.
Bill

[LBIkid]

I agree with Bill regarding Morehead and Beaufort as these are more year-round communities and not as seasonal as most beach towns. Wilmington has a very nice downtown and probably offers the most in the way of nightlife and restaurants. I'd skip Jacksonville as the town and population are dominated by Camp Lejeune Marine Corp base. New Bern is nice because its on the river, but can be a bit sleepy if your coming from Seattle.

[Seattle_PT]

Thanks everybody for the replies.

Suffice it to say, we still arent sure !

[Dymediva21]

I'm a native from Jacksonville, NC and it seems like what you're asking for, you can't find it here...yea, we're close to the beach, but this is a MILITARY town, i.e., if you and your wife don't work on one of the bases here, you're less likely to get a good paying job with benefits...2 major call centers here, almost everybody and their mother works there...now they actually do have some suburban areas like Williamsburg Plantation and Turtle Creek that they're building new homes for cheap, if you're looking to buy a home...rent's the cheapest I've seen, but then again, people don't pay you enough to do your job here either...pretty diverse, like I said, military town so we have to deal with all sorts of people who come through here...as far as crime, well...it's not bad, it's really not, but just to see what can happen in this town, check out YouTube and type in "Lauterbach" or this link:
YouTube - Maria Lauterbach Case - National Billboards Going Up - WITN


IMHO, I'm trying to leave this place, I'm 23 y/o and I'm just not ready to settle down here...there's growth coming to this place, but it's not here yet, and I don't wanna wait...HTH

[trlhiker]

Lots of nice places around here but stay away from Jacksonville.

[LLN]

I think Wilmington gets a really bum rap if you come in from the south, and stay on 17 (business, I think). It does not show well at all from that approach. It is booming and has a huge film industry. You should give it a second chance. New Bern is pretty good, but is a long long way from Seattle. Our mall is poor, though we are 2 hours from a great mall in Raleigh, and closer to good malls in Greenville and Wilmington, and to a lesser degree, Morehead City and Jacksonville. Greenville is home to ECU and with its Med Center, and Med School, it has really taken off, too, but a bit farther inland.

I really like "little Washingon" or as the locals say, the "Original Washington" That is southern small town living at its best, water and only a couple of stoplights.

Plymouth is even smaller, but folks like it a lot, too. Edenton and Williamston, on the sounds, to the north should be considered, as well.

Good Luck.

[gvmesun]

I love the city of Manteo. You're attached to the mainland, but surrounded by waterfront. I can't answer as to the jobs, the crime rate, etc. Whereas we usually stay nearby on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Manteo looks different with more greenery, more permanent housing, and easier highway access.