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I have not seen either place, but plan a visit soon.
In the meantime, I am trying to research which would
pertain more to my lifestyle.
I am 36, married, with 2 kids (ages 4 and 2).
I am a teacher (stay-at-home mom now and for a long time to come) and
my husband is a Physician's Assistant.
We are looking for an area that is:
low in crime
family oriented
we can get a home with a yard for under $250k in a GOOD neighborhood
great to excellent schools
downtown city life is not a plus (we have kids so as long as we
can have nearby shopping and movies, parks, etc., we're happy).
I have not seen either place, but plan a visit soon.
In the meantime, I am trying to research which would
pertain more to my lifestyle.
I am 36, married, with 2 kids (ages 4 and 2).
I am a teacher (stay-at-home mom now and for a long time to come) and
my husband is a Physician's Assistant.
We are looking for an area that is:
low in crime
family oriented
we can get a home with a yard for under $250k in a GOOD neighborhood
great to excellent schools
downtown city life is not a plus (we have kids so as long as we
can have nearby shopping and movies, parks, etc., we're happy).
Thanks.
This subject has been beaten to death. Visit both. They are really nothing a like in many ways. Both nice cities. You started a thread from Relocate America that rated Charlotte, NC as the #1 city in the US to move to for 2008.
Some people might say they are similar...visit for yourself and you will see that they are not.
You started a thread from Relocate America that rated Charlotte, NC as the #1 city in the US to move to for 2008.
This means nothing to me (relocate america does nothing for my decision making LOL).
I posted it for you guys, because I know that a lot of times people are beating down Charlotte, and I wanted to post something nice for you guys (I thought Charlotte deserved it). Afterall, it was a city (besides Raleigh) that I have researched.
Just wanted some opinions is all.
Sorry it has been a beaten topic. LOL
This means nothing to me (relocate america does nothing for my decision making LOL).
I posted it for you guys, because I know that a lot of times people are beating down Charlotte, and I wanted to post something nice for you guys (I thought Charlotte deserved it). Afterall, it was a city (besides Raleigh) that I have researched.
Just wanted some opinions is all.
Sorry it has been a beaten topic. LOL
Hey, that's okay, many questions get repeated around here, yours isn't the first
The thing is, BOTH cities have so much to offer that it is really hard to recommend one over the other. It really is all in what "feels" right to you once you visit. And please do plan to visit both - you will get such a better idea of the lay of the land that way. Just things to consider, in case they are important to you one way or the other:
Charlotte has twice the population of Raleigh
Charlotte has the NFL, NBA, NASCAR, AAA baseball and hockey
Raleigh has the prior Stanley Cup Championship Hockey team
Raleigh schools bus their students, Charlotte has neighborhood schools
Raleigh is closer to the beach by about an hour
Charlotte has a growing light rail system, Raleigh does not
Raleigh gets a bit more ice, snow and hurricane damage than Charlotte in general.
Raleigh is the state capital, most roads are in great shape because of that. Charlotte is treated like the poor step-child by Raleigh and some of our roads suck because of that. In addition, our criminal justice system in Charlotte is severely underfunded, also because of the way Raleigh treats us.
Raleigh is ringed by some of the top colleges in the nation, Charlotte has the prestigious Johnson and Wales Culinary Institute.
Homes are more affordable in Charlotte (though that does not mean they are cheap) than in Raleigh.
AJ, if you check the archives you'll see that there are numerous threads that address this exact topic (I think yours is the 3rd or 4th just this week!). Every time the subject is brought up, it all boils down to one thing: personal opinion. Some people prefer the Charlotte area and some people prefer the Triangle. There's no real rhyme or reason why people prefer one over the other. Honestly, I imagine most families could be perfectly happy in either area. The biggest deciding factor should be employment. Go wherever you and your husband are offered good jobs. The regulars on this forum - both in the Charlotte subforum and the Triangle subforum - strongly suggest that potential transplants secure employment before they move here if at all possible. There are jobs to be had, but they aren't as plentiful as many are lead to believe.
AJ, if you check the archives you'll see that there are numerous threads that address this exact topic (I think yours is the 3rd or 4th just this week!). Every time the subject is brought up, it all boils down to one thing: personal opinion. Some people prefer the Charlotte area and some people prefer the Triangle. There's no real rhyme or reason why people prefer one over the other. Honestly, I imagine most families could be perfectly happy in either area. The biggest deciding factor should be employment. Go wherever you and your husband are offered good jobs. The regulars on this forum - both in the Charlotte subforum and the Triangle subforum - strongly suggest that potential transplants secure employment before they move here if at all possible. There are jobs to be had, but they aren't as plentiful as many are lead to believe.
Good luck!
We wouldn't be moving anywhere without job security. My husbands a Physicians Assistant. I honestly don't know how people do that, especially with kids...what a risk! Even with savings.
We wouldn't be moving anywhere without job security. My husbands a Physicians Assistant. I honestly don't know how people do that, especially with kids...what a risk! Even with savings.
I completely agree! But we frequently hear from people who are considering moving to NC without jobs, just hoping for the best. Some people have somehow gotten the impression - from magazine articles or water cooler conversations or something - that the jobs are extremely plentiful here & that anyone and everyone can find employment as soon as they set foot in NC. Sadly that isn't the case & some people have found that out the hard way. Just want to make sure it doesn't happen to you.
Now that's scary. Wow. I read it even on citydata, people looking to move and asking how long we think it would take for them to get a job. Geez. How can anyone answer that? lol
This means nothing to me (relocate america does nothing for my decision making LOL).
I posted it for you guys, because I know that a lot of times people are beating down Charlotte, and I wanted to post something nice for you guys (I thought Charlotte deserved it). Afterall, it was a city (besides Raleigh) that I have researched.
Just wanted some opinions is all.
Sorry it has been a beaten topic. LOL
Wasn't being rude...hope you didn't take it that way. Relocate America had to gather data on relocations and I am sure they did their homework. Charlotte is a GREAT place to live. Raleigh is a nice placer but smaller. Visit both and you will find they are very different in alot of ways. Charlotte and Raleigh do not always get along and see eye to eye. Especially when it comes to government & politics.
GOOD LUCK!
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