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It seems to me that so many people from the north are moving to NC that the attitudes will eventually be more open and tolerant and the population will be more diverse.
Yeah we need to get rid of all those nasty Johnny Rebs clinging to their guns and religion and bring in all the "tolerant" yanks.
Frankly you seem to be doing some serious wading in the cliche pool. I've been all over this country and experienced plenty of "tolerance" (or lack of it) in the North and the South, from liberals and conservatives, and from minorities as well as "the man." None of them exactly have a lock on "tolerance" or a lack of it. Further, NC is plenty "diverse" but I also resent (and am quite sick of) the implication that NOT being diverse is somehow bad or evil.
Anyway, near as I can tell most cities or bigger towns in NC aren't exactly hard-core conservative, but aren't exactly San Fran either...hard to say but you might be better off there.
When I saw your post my first reaction was, sure, come on, you will fit right in. Then I saw where you are planning to move (Hickory, Newton, Maiden, Conover, Morganton) and I started bellylaughing. I used to live in Longview, which is in this area. I am sure you have heard the term, Bible Belt. This area is the buckle of the Bible Belt.
You may want to change your choice of locations to Asheville, Boone, Durham, or just use the map someone gave you to look for the blue. I loved the Hickory area because of its people and churches. They will be very nice to you, because they will be nice to everybody; but you may not have too much in common with them.
When I saw your post my first reaction was, sure, come on, you will fit right in. Then I saw where you are planning to move (Hickory, Newton, Maiden, Conover, Morganton) and I started bellylaughing. I used to live in Longview, which is in this area. I am sure you have heard the term, Bible Belt. This area is the buckle of the Bible Belt.
You may want to change your choice of locations to Asheville, Boone, Durham, or just use the map someone gave you to look for the blue. I loved the Hickory area because of its people and churches. They will be very nice to you, because they will be nice to everybody; but you may not have too much in common with them.
NCN - you put this perfectly!!! You were in Longview - I was in Viewmont, LOL. I enjoyed living there and can truly say - had a group of friends who were very interesting and from varying socio, economic and political backgrounds . . . but I had those friends b/c I had been there a long time . . . worked in sectors wh/ put me in touch w/ lots of creative people (not just execs) . . . and the thing that bound us all together was a very long history as well as family and school ties. It would be hard for a newcomer to easily become part of a group like that.
Thank you all so much! This is really helpful. The last thing I intended was to offend anyone. I have been excited about the prospect of moving to NC. It looks beautiful, and I know it has a lot to offer. Then just about everyone I know started telling me that I might find it difficult for the reasons I put in my post. I will focus on the areas mentioned.
Also, what can you tell me about Spencer, and Salisbury? Are they very rural? Is the crime rate high in Spencer? Or just in East Spencer? Are Gastonia and Kannopolis very rural as well?
I do plan to visit for a couple of weeks late Jan. - early Feb.
Thanks,
sj
PS
I've been looking for properties in my price range ( low) one came up in Newton that I loved. I called the realtor. That house was no longer available, but they told me they could show me properties anywhere in the state. I've been looking in the Piedmont Triad area, I think it looks good. The realtors though, I guess because it's their territory, have been steering back to the Hickory area, and haven't been following up on listings in other areas. I do think the Hickory area looks beautiful, so was going with that. I am so glad I found out now that it would not be right for me!
And a lot of the things I started to wonder about I not only heard from friends, but on this forum.
Spencer and East Spencer are probably the most rural. They are just outside of Salisbury. Kannapolis and Gastonia are part of the Charlotte metro area.
Here are city-data's pages with info about races, income levels, crimes etc.
Spencer Population in July 2007: 3,368 East Spencer Population in July 2007: 1,775 Salisbury Population in July 2007: 28,736 Kannapolis Population in July 2007: 41,487 GastoniaPopulation in July 2007: 71,059
It seems to me that so many people from the north are moving to NC that the attitudes will eventually be more open and tolerant and the population will be more diverse. The state seems to be on a cusp.
Am I going to be miserable in NC until things change, or if they don't?????
Thanks.
sj
You forgot to mention we are all a bunch of heathen rednecks that cling too tight to our religion and guns. Oh and not many of us have teeth too. And we can't really drive well either. And we talk funny.
And come on down to Hillsborough too like other have mentioned, heck just come to Orange County. You will just love it. Our own county commission stated publicly that Republicans are not welcome either. There were stake outs at the OC Republican Party Office too, even had some threats. It'll be fun.
PS
I've been looking for properties in my price range ( low) one came up in Newton that I loved. I called the realtor. That house was no longer available, but they told me they could show me properties anywhere in the state. I've been looking in the Piedmont Triad area, I think it looks good. The realtors though, I guess because it's their territory, have been steering back to the Hickory area, and haven't been following up on listings in other areas. I do think the Hickory area looks beautiful, so was going with that. I am so glad I found out now that it would not be right for me!
And a lot of the things I started to wonder about I not only heard from friends, but on this forum.
Okay. Newton IS Hickory, practically speaking. They are only a few miles apart. And Newton is NOT where you are gonna be happy.
Whatever area you are interested in, you need to find a realtor IN THAT AREA who can really answer your questions.
yeah we need to get rid of all those nasty johnny rebs clinging to their guns and religion and bring in all the "tolerant" yanks.
lol
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