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My partner and I are seeking to relocate to the Triangle area of NC (from upstate NY). I went to college in Charlotte and am a little familiar with NC in general, but only traveled to the Triangle once for a basketball game.
She has an interview set up at the end of this month and we are planning to visit to see if the Raleigh area might be a good fit for us. We are a twentysomething lesbian couple, both in professional careers. We're planning to scope out some neighborhoods to live and for entertainment as well.
So, my questions are: What should we see/do (on a weekend) that might give us a good feel of the area?
Are there any specific areas that are LGBT friendly or have a high percentage of 'young professionals'?
Are there any areas that might have a funky/alternative feel with shops, restuarants, etc.?
Note: We've lived in very urban areas (DC/Maryland) and more suburban areas with little or no nightlife/diversity (central FL, upstate NY) and we're looking for something in the middle; not huge crowds but cultural diversity would be ideal.
The Triangle is very GLBT-friendly (I am a gay man who grew up here and has been in the "community" for 30 years), but kind of lacking in traditional "nightlife". Any of the points of the Triangle would be fine for your family, but Durham is kind of known more for Lesbians. The one "girl bar" here is Steel Blue near downtown Durham (they are men-friendly but it's probably 80%+ women--Raleigh's bars are more male). Ninth Street in Durham is the "funky" area (near Duke East Campus) and that's also the part of town where NC Pride is held every year. If you like singing or chorus concerts, the Common Woman Chorus is a longstanding Durham group. And, my favorite weekend of the year is the NC Gay & Lesbian Film Festival which is held in downtown Durham.
The area in general has many mixed-sex GLBT groups, such as bowling leagues, softball, book groups, parents' groups, etc. But there is quite a bit of mix with the nongay community, so it's not insular at all. It can take some "tapping into", thoug, which is why it's a good idea to go to some group things just to meet a few folks and hear about other goings-on.
Where is your partner's interview (what city)? As I say, anywhere in the Triangle would be no problem, but if you get to pick, Durham is "where the women are" moreso than Raleigh, so to speak Chapel Hill/Carrboro is the most liberal part of the state, and Carrboro is particulalry "crunchy" if that's your scene.
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Thanks Francois! That sounds amazingly promising. My partner has been sold on the idea of Chapel Hill, but it's great to know Durham is also very friendly. She has an interview in north Raleigh so we'll have to look into what the commute would look like from Durham.
the commute from Durham to North Raleigh might be challenging on a daily basis. I'm always eager to convince people of Durham's awesomeness, but the cute neighborhoods near downtown Raleigh might be better for you--Cameron Village, Boylan Heights, Five Points...
One town resident interviewed said that Clayton was a family oriented town.
Stick with Raleigh, Durham, or Chapel Hill. My diverse North Raleigh neighborhood would welcome you, but the downtown areas others suggested would offer you more clubs and activities.
Necessary to write that Clayton could still be considered as it is a family oriented town and does have its fair share of LGBT couples with intact houses.
Necessary to write that Clayton could still be considered as it is a family oriented town and does have its fair share of LGBT couples with intact houses.
Saturnfan-
I know local LGBTs, all with their houses intact. Don't judge too harshly or quickly. The media loves a good story.
Arson Evidence Does Not Point to Gay Hate Crime Arson evidence doesn't point to gay hate crime :: WRAL.com
Thank you everyone for the feedback - it is much appreciated! I am printing it out and will take it with us when we come down. As far as the rural areas go, we are very much less inclined to live in a rural area just because we've done enough traveling through rural areas to know where we don't feel as safe/welcomed. And, I am completely open to the idea that we have our own biases against rural areas as well - that may be contributing to our discomfort. However, it is just our preference to stick to the larger, more diverse areas.
Again, thank you all!
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Chapel Hill/Carrboro is the most liberal part of the state, and Carrboro is particulalry "crunchy" if that's your scene.
