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I'm from the Valley of the Sun and I'll tell you it's nice here in Charlotte. I've only been here since Feb and it has only rained a handful of times, it's usually bright and sunny. The weather is heavenly so far. I haven't missed the weather in Phoenix yet and I don't think I will. Well maybe in the Winter.
It's certainly not gloomy with no everyday drizzle, I would hate that and I would be out of here.
Not trying to burst any bubbles, but you do have to consider that most of the state is currently in a drought.
The rain is periodic & heavy when it occurs... but then the sun comes out! yippee! It is not like the NW with overcast days all the time. The difference b/t the Charlotte area & CA is that you get four seasons, although they are mild. If you are comfortable with the average temps over the 12 month period, you should be ok. I think that the biggest difference b/t N.C. & the NW & CA is that you can find a nice home at any pricepoint. Rent is cheaper too! Just check the area out for schools & crime.
The rain is periodic & heavy when it occurs... but then the sun comes out! yippee! It is not like the NW with overcast days all the time. The difference b/t the Charlotte area & CA is that you get four seasons, although they are mild. If you are comfortable with the average temps over the 12 month period, you should be ok. I think that the biggest difference b/t N.C. & the NW & CA is that you can find a nice home at any pricepoint. Rent is cheaper too! Just check the area out for schools & crime.
If you are considering Hickory take a look at the Northlakes area of Caldwell County. It has a Hickory address but Caldwell County taxes which are a lot less. If schools are an issue South Caldwell is highly rated. If employment is an issue it may be a problem. The economy is reeling from all of the furniture manufacturing jobs going to China. Charlotte is a pretty long commute from Hickory in horrible traffic. We moved to Caldwell County for the weather. It has been wonderful. When it does rain in the summer it doesn't rain all over.You can drive into and out of it any number of times. We have four seasons none of which are extreme. You want snow? Drive forty miles and go skiing. If it gets too hot for you go up the the cool of the mountains for a picnic or some hiking. Something that hasn't been mentioned is lightening. There is a whole lot of here at times and it can be pretty scary. I have been told that we are second to only Orlando Florida in lightening strikes. Also, if you have allergies this area can be brutal in the Spring and Fall.
Good luck.
We haved lived in Fla since 2004 and before that CA for 25 years. We want to get out of FL for many reasons most recent homeowners ins went double. We love the Hickory area but when you said lightening I freaked.It sounds as bad as FL where there is warnings every afternoon. i just can't take it.I do love the area though and I loved CA but we are out priced there.Is what you say true? Please say no.
Thanks NCgirl just another map for me to obsess over.I have weatherunderground, Noaa and accuweather.My husband says I pick the negitive one but can't help it.
Compared to Southern California, almost anywhere in the world is going to seem rainy to you. In the grand scheme of things, its no worse than most places east of the Mississippi.
Short answer is NO! I moved from So Cal too..and am a native CA. In CA, when it was going to rain it went on for days...here, it might rain hard for an hour or two. In the summer, if it rains, at least its warm, and the storms are hit & miss, and brief. Even the winter storm systems seem shorter...like maybe a day.
My husband & I were both really worried about all the rain and thought we would really dislike it. Strangely, we both now look forward to it because its brief and everything is cleaned and our plants watered. We do not have sprinkers, so we welcome the rain! At least we don't have the evil June gloom like in LA!!!!!!!!! Always hated that!!!
PS...what we don't like is the cold...but its fairly brief as well...but by the end of this last February, I had had it!! But then it turned warm, so we survived another winter (only our 2nd)!
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lived in seattle & ca - not like the nw
