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We moved down here from Pittsburgh in February of 2014. We're 50-ish, had never lived anywhere other than Western PA, but have spent time in nearly every major American city over the years. We had visited Raleigh numerous times, so we were pretty familiar with the area. That said, we thought folks here might be interested in some of our observations over the past year (especially vs what we had expected). Overall, we're really enjoying it here, but like any area, it has it's quirks.
- The people: As friendly as I expected - maybe even friendlier. Kind of a midwestern friendliness, moreso than southern. Transplants are welcoming - even those from the NY/Boston/Phila corridor. Overall, people are perhaps a bit slower paced (retail checkouts, sidewalk walking, etc.) than I had envisioned. Not a bad thing though.
- Dialect/accents: I probably had expected more southern accents. It's probably more of a function of where we live (N. Raleigh - above I540), but we just don't hear many folks talking with a pronounced twang of any kind. I have noticed many more southern accents in the southern parts of Wake County (Clayton, Garner) however. Just an observation... neither good nor bad.
- Golf courses: I expected a whole lot more courses - both public and private. Geez, it's North Carolina and one can play nearly year-round. While I didn't expect the concentration of the Pinehurst area, for the relative newness and affluence of N. Raleigh, it's pretty surprising that there just aren't all that many courses (or even driving ranges, for that matter).
- Infrastructure: Roads here are first rate, and the government planning efforts look to have been done very well. Attention to detail for sidewalks and such for major thoroughfares (Six Forks, Creedmoor, Falls of the Neuse, Strickland, Lynn, etc.) is impressive. Upkeep is great too. The two-lane turns onto interstates is really well thought out and efficient. Really a refreshing change from up north.
- Housing developments and building quality: Really impressive all the way around. Nice attention to detail, great landscaping, and thoughtful planning, architecture and construction.
- Weather: How can one not love the climate here? Absolutely love it.
- Outdoors: Access to Lakes and state parks is first rate. Love the greenways in the area. With beaches available only 2 - 3 hours away, it's outstanding. Folks seem to be more active here - lots of runners and cyclists, boaters and hikers. We really enjoy this.
- Sense of community: This is probably the thing that's hardest to get used to. Maybe it's just N. Raleigh, but there just aren't many townships, boroughs or entities that have an identity of their own and give a sense of community. I realize that there's Clayton and Holly Springs and Wake Forest and Garner, but even Cary seems like one big sprawl. Folks ask me where I live... I say North Raleigh. For the most part, N. Raleigh is a huge geographical area that stretches from Rte 70 to Capitol Blvd west to east, and I440 all the way up to Rte 98, south to north. One's community seems to be only pretty much the housing development they live in. None of this is particularly bad, or a complaint... It's just different from the suburbs of most major cities.
- Schools: This tends to go along with the community comments. It's very different for us to not have the public schools naturally aligned with the communities. I guess that's part and parcel of having a county-based school system. The public HS we map to is over 10 miles away from us. That's maybe understandable for a rural part of the country, but this is a major metropolitan area! It's hard to have a sense of community when the school is that far away. The public schools certainly aren't as bad as what we were led to believe and what the ratings indicate. There are definitely a lot more private school choices than I imagined. There is also a whole lot more home-schooling here than what we were accustomed to, as well.
- Traffic/Drivers: Not much different than I expected. Pretty much the same as everywhere (except for the very largest cities).
Shopping: No issues with the shopping choices here. Southpointe and Crabtree are very nice malls. TTC is not a bad mall either. Cameron Village and the North Hills are really very nice shopping destinations too.
Dining: Many choices at all levels of eating out. It's fun to explore the different areas nearby - Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, downtown Raleigh... Great ethnic choices and quality. Only head-scratcher is: where are all the diners? Really surprised that they're so few and far between.
Waterparks: The area could really use one.
Local parks and sports facilities: Raleigh Parks does a nice job and has some great facilities. Well designed and maintained. Getting access to fields and such can be difficult however. It's clear that there's more demand than supply for soccer/lacrosse fields, baseball fields, etc.. There do seem to be a good many private and public facilities for tennis.
I saw the thread title and had a feeling it was going to be one of those "I've been here long enough to feel qualified to tell you how you're all doing it wrong" posts. Glad to see that wasn't the case, and glad to see you like the area so much!
We moved down here from Pittsburgh in February of 2014. We're 50-ish, had never lived anywhere other than Western PA, but have spent time in nearly every major American city over the years. We had visited Raleigh numerous times, so we were pretty familiar with the area. That said, we thought folks here might be interested in some of our observations over the past year (especially vs what we had expected). Overall, we're really enjoying it here, but like any area, it has it's quirks.
- The people: As friendly as I expected - maybe even friendlier. Kind of a midwestern friendliness, moreso than southern. Transplants are welcoming - even those from the NY/Boston/Phila corridor. Overall, people are perhaps a bit slower paced (retail checkouts, sidewalk walking, etc.) than I had envisioned. Not a bad thing though.
- Dialect/accents: I probably had expected more southern accents. It's probably more of a function of where we live (N. Raleigh - above I540), but we just don't hear many folks talking with a pronounced twang of any kind. I have noticed many more southern accents in the southern parts of Wake County (Clayton, Garner) however. Just an observation... neither good nor bad.
- Golf courses: I expected a whole lot more courses - both public and private. Geez, it's North Carolina and one can play nearly year-round. While I didn't expect the concentration of the Pinehurst area, for the relative newness and affluence of N. Raleigh, it's pretty surprising that there just aren't all that many courses (or even driving ranges, for that matter).
- Infrastructure: Roads here are first rate, and the government planning efforts look to have been done very well. Attention to detail for sidewalks and such for major thoroughfares (Six Forks, Creedmoor, Falls of the Neuse, Strickland, Lynn, etc.) is impressive. Upkeep is great too. The two-lane turns onto interstates is really well thought out and efficient. Really a refreshing change from up north.
- Housing developments and building quality: Really impressive all the way around. Nice attention to detail, great landscaping, and thoughtful planning, architecture and construction.
- Weather: How can one not love the climate here? Absolutely love it.
- Outdoors: Access to Lakes and state parks is first rate. Love the greenways in the area. With beaches available only 2 - 3 hours away, it's outstanding. Folks seem to be more active here - lots of runners and cyclists, boaters and hikers. We really enjoy this.
- Sense of community: This is probably the thing that's hardest to get used to. Maybe it's just N. Raleigh, but there just aren't many townships, boroughs or entities that have an identity of their own and give a sense of community. I realize that there's Clayton and Holly Springs and Wake Forest and Garner, but even Cary seems like one big sprawl. Folks ask me where I live... I say North Raleigh. For the most part, N. Raleigh is a huge geographical area that stretches from Rte 70 to Capitol Blvd west to east, and I440 all the way up to Rte 98, south to north. One's community seems to be only pretty much the housing development they live in. None of this is particularly bad, or a complaint... It's just different from the suburbs of most major cities.
- Schools: This tends to go along with the community comments. It's very different for us to not have the public schools naturally aligned with the communities. I guess that's part and parcel of having a county-based school system. The public HS we map to is over 10 miles away from us. That's maybe understandable for a rural part of the country, but this is a major metropolitan area! It's hard to have a sense of community when the school is that far away. The public schools certainly aren't as bad as what we were led to believe and what the ratings indicate. There are definitely a lot more private school choices than I imagined. There is also a whole lot more home-schooling here than what we were accustomed to, as well.
- Traffic/Drivers: Not much different than I expected. Pretty much the same as everywhere (except for the very largest cities).
Shopping: No issues with the shopping choices here. Southpointe and Crabtree are very nice malls. TTC is not a bad mall either. Cameron Village and the North Hills are really very nice shopping destinations too.
Dining: Many choices at all levels of eating out. It's fun to explore the different areas nearby - Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, downtown Raleigh... Great ethnic choices and quality. Only head-scratcher is: where are all the diners? Really surprised that they're so few and far between.
Waterparks: The area could really use one.
Local parks and sports facilities: Raleigh Parks does a nice job and has some great facilities. Well designed and maintained. Getting access to fields and such can be difficult however. It's clear that there's more demand than supply for soccer/lacrosse fields, baseball fields, etc.. There do seem to be a good many private and public facilities for tennis.
How nice to hear that you are enjoying it here! I am a NY transplant (almost 3 years in February) and I have loved it from the beginning too. Perhaps it's our perspective related to age (also early 50's)? Don't know but welcome and enjoy.
P.S. I am in Holly Springs and agree with you. Unless you "belong" to outside groups, associations or Churches, community is your subdivision.
You covered things nicely. The Triangle is just a great place to live and work, even with its warts.
I'm always amazed by the people here on City Data that are so down on life in the Raleigh-Durham area. Things have changed dramatically in the last thirty years (heck, they've changed somewhat dramatically in my eight years down here) but it hasn't ruined a good thing.
OP here again. One thing I forgot too. Post Offices! Why are there so few? Hell, I gotta drive 8-9 miles to Brier Creek to go to the back of a Hallmark store to mail a letter!
OP here again. One thing I forgot too. Post Offices! Why are there so few? Hell, I gotta drive 8-9 miles to Brier Creek to go to the back of a Hallmark store to mail a letter!
They are closing all over the place--this is a nationwide thing as the USPS claims to be losing money. You're not the only one to lament this.
Other things you mention, specifically a driving range and water park--used to exist here, too (a driving range was JUST torn down that had been there almost 50 years, on Falls of the Neuse Rd). Got to make room for all of those new amenities and subdivisions for all the folks like you moving in here
Maybe opening a diner is how you can make your millions...
They are closing all over the place--this is a nationwide thing as the USPS claims to be losing money. You're not the only one to lament this.
Other things you mention, specifically a driving range and water park--used to exist here, too (a driving range was JUST torn down that had been there almost 50 years, on Falls of the Neuse Rd). Got to make room for all of those new amenities and subdivisions for all the folks like you moving in here
Maybe opening a diner is how you can make your millions...
Just make sure you have large portions of potatoes and throw in onions for free if asked.
OP here again. One thing I forgot too. Post Offices! Why are there so few? Hell, I gotta drive 8-9 miles to Brier Creek to go to the back of a Hallmark store to mail a letter!
Where we moved from on Long Island, every town had its own Post Office. Down here, Raleigh is just Raleigh and they built them using different criteria and so they're not nearly as plentiful or convenient (for most of us, anyway). Generally speaking most people are within a 10-15 drive of the nearest one and that doesn't seem so bad.
Just make sure you have large portions of potatoes and throw in onions for free if asked.
And don't skimp on the ranch dressing!
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