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I don't see why anyone would. You expressed your reasons for wanting to live in another place without bashing this place. Nothing wrong with that! I hope you'll be very happy in Seattle.
We're not planning on leaving here anytime soon as we really enjoy it. On the other hand, Maine is incredibly beautiful state. We almost moved north of Portland, ME to the Brunswick/Wiscasset area several years ago. My husband's sister lives in Austin, TX and loves it more than any other place they've ever lived. Although I've never been to Seattle, my cousin lived there for many many years and loved it. I guess I'm just saying there are many wonderful places to live and people need to live in a place that works for them.
It's weird for us. We've been here for almost 6 years. We have two kids and life is good here. We don't have to make a huge amount of money to live well and have pretty much what ever we want. Our house would cost a million bucks back home....but we still miss the Hudson Valley of NY. We often discuss going back and buying a place in Dutchess County....but then we'd be broke again and back in the rat race. So we stay here and visit NY every year. Don't get me wrong...it's nice here. But there's not much to offer as far as hiking and waterfalls. Sure, we can drive to the mountains and stay for a few days, but that's not the same as what we were used to. Just my thoughts.
There are places in New York state that are gorgeous. People tend to hear "New York" and think everyone lives in a highrise in Manhattan.
For me, a perfect life would be to live in NC from November to May, preferably at the beach (any beach) when there were few tourists, and then live in a cottage or nice home on one of the Finger Lakes in NY from May to October. Then we'd be able to spend time in Canada, too. The summers have little humidity, and the lakes are gorgeous. I'd be sure to go to the Renaissance Fair in Fairhaven, New York. It puts any similar event held at the Raleigh fairgrounds to shame. It's held in woods way out in the middle of nowhere, and it's blast. In Canada, I'd go to Niagara-on-the-Lake and further north to Port Hope. I'd attend every single fair or festival held in the area (New York and Canada), and there are plenty. I'd attend the Scottish festival in Fergus, Ontario.
I've spent some time in Maine, on vacation and attending a writers workshop. When crossing a street at a stoplight in Rockport with a friend, the driver of a stopped car screamed at us, "GO BACK WHERE YOU CAME FROM!" We felt fortunate he didn't run us over. Such hatred.
At the end of the week, when our class ended, ten of us (and the instructor) went to a bar in Rockport next door to the police station. It was 9 pm on a Friday. We went in, the bartender gave us drinks, and then he started to turn the lights off and on. There were about 10 other people there (locals). They all stared at us. The bartender continued to switch the lights off and on. Finally, we drank what we could of our drinks (hardly anything) and left. We were oblivious to anyone WANTING to treat us badly, and we thought, "Oh, they must be closing early for some reason."
As we stood around the outside of the door, trying to decide where to go next, we noticed NO ONE ELSE left the bar. Hmmm.
I'm not trashing Maine. I'm just sharing facts. It was quite a while ago. I hope things have changed. Didn't make me want to visit again.
My friend and her husband spent a year living in the area, though, and they loved it.
There are places in New York state that are gorgeous. People tend to hear "New York" and think everyone lives in a highrise in Manhattan.
For me, a perfect life would be to live in NC from November to May, preferably at the beach (any beach) when there were few tourists, and then live in a cottage or nice home on one of the Finger Lakes in NY from May to October. Then we'd be able to spend time in Canada, too. The summers have little humidity, and the lakes are gorgeous. I'd be sure to go to the Renaissance Fair in Fairhaven, New York. It puts any similar event held at the Raleigh fairgrounds to shame. It's held in woods way out in the middle of nowhere, and it's blast. In Canada, I'd go to Niagara-on-the-Lake and further north to Port Hope. I'd attend every single fair or festival held in the area (New York and Canada), and there are plenty. I'd attend the Scottish festival in Fergus, Ontario.
I've spent some time in Maine, on vacation and attending a writers workshop. When crossing a street at a stoplight in Rockport with a friend, the driver of a stopped car screamed at us, "GO BACK WHERE YOU CAME FROM!" We felt fortunate he didn't run us over. Such hatred.
At the end of the week, when our class ended, ten of us (and the instructor) went to a bar in Rockport next door to the police station. It was 9 pm on a Friday. We went in, the bartender gave us drinks, and then he started to turn the lights off and on. There were about 10 other people there (locals). They all stared at us. The bartender continued to switch the lights off and on. Finally, we drank what we could of our drinks (hardly anything) and left. We were oblivious to anyone WANTING to treat us badly, and we thought, "Oh, they must be closing early for some reason."
As we stood around the outside of the door, trying to decide where to go next, we noticed NO ONE ELSE left the bar. Hmmm.
I'm not trashing Maine. I'm just sharing facts. It was quite a while ago. I hope things have changed. Didn't make me want to visit again.
My friend and her husband spent a year living in the area, though, and they loved it.
I'd love to live south for the winter and go up north for the summer. I always wonder how ppl can afford to do that. I think if we live in NC, we will get a little of both. It sure is beautiful up north in the summer and fall, after that it's just too much with the long winters. IMHO, I feel Raleigh has the northern feel with the southern hospitality which I like. Everyone is so friendly in NC.
A huge number of my parents retired friends have a winter home in North or South Carolina, and spend summers back up in upstate NY. Real estate is so dirt cheap in their part of NY that its not hard at all.
Maine is a great place to visit. The winters are very harsh. The people aren't very friendly. Cost of living is high and good jobs are hard to come by. Other than that it's great
For us, Maine will be a great place to live. We're used to harsh winters, having lived in WI for 20 years. (And yes, we really do miss winter...) Cost of living in Maine depends on which part of the state you're talking about. Southern Maine is expensive, not so much central and northern parts of the state. As for Mainers being unfriendly, I've met my share of unfriendly folks right here in NC (including several of my neighbors). From experience, Mainers are reserved, not necessarily unfriendly. (Remember, they have to deal with much rudeness from vacationers all summer long.) There are nice and not so nice people anywhere you go. We already have many friends in Maine, and can't wait to call it home!
There are places in New York state that are gorgeous. People tend to hear "New York" and think everyone lives in a highrise in Manhattan.
For me, a perfect life would be to live in NC from November to May, preferably at the beach (any beach) when there were few tourists, and then live in a cottage or nice home on one of the Finger Lakes in NY from May to October. Then we'd be able to spend time in Canada, too. The summers have little humidity, and the lakes are gorgeous. I'd be sure to go to the Renaissance Fair in Fairhaven, New York. It puts any similar event held at the Raleigh fairgrounds to shame. It's held in woods way out in the middle of nowhere, and it's blast. In Canada, I'd go to Niagara-on-the-Lake and further north to Port Hope. I'd attend every single fair or festival held in the area (New York and Canada), and there are plenty. I'd attend the Scottish festival in Fergus, Ontario.
I've spent some time in Maine, on vacation and attending a writers workshop. When crossing a street at a stoplight in Rockport with a friend, the driver of a stopped car screamed at us, "GO BACK WHERE YOU CAME FROM!" We felt fortunate he didn't run us over. Such hatred.
At the end of the week, when our class ended, ten of us (and the instructor) went to a bar in Rockport next door to the police station. It was 9 pm on a Friday. We went in, the bartender gave us drinks, and then he started to turn the lights off and on. There were about 10 other people there (locals). They all stared at us. The bartender continued to switch the lights off and on. Finally, we drank what we could of our drinks (hardly anything) and left. We were oblivious to anyone WANTING to treat us badly, and we thought, "Oh, they must be closing early for some reason."
As we stood around the outside of the door, trying to decide where to go next, we noticed NO ONE ELSE left the bar. Hmmm.
I'm not trashing Maine. I'm just sharing facts. It was quite a while ago. I hope things have changed. Didn't make me want to visit again.
My friend and her husband spent a year living in the area, though, and they loved it.
I'm sorry you had a bad experience in Maine. I can tell you from personal experience that what happened to you unfortunately happens in small towns everywhere. It's not just a Maine phenomenon. (Once we drove back roads to Atlantic Beach, and stopped at a small restaurant in a small town. Everyone stared at us like we were aliens, making us feel very uncomfortable.)
Why is it such a crime to like states that aren't North Carolina? There's no need to attack this person just because they have an opinion.
Well said.
That out of the way, here's why I'm leaving this state as soon as possible. Please, don't read further if you're desperately in love with NC and can't stand to read a bad word about her. No state is perfect for everyone. If you enjoy living here, I can't be happier for you, but everyone has an opinion and this is mine.
I hate the 'locals', their accents (ya'll *shudder*), the way they drive, the way the houses look, the way the city doesn't keep up with mowing the grass along the highways like they should. Why don't they build curbs out here? Is there a shortage of cement?
I hate the political climate (though, I have to admit I was very impressed and proud of NC last month), the physical climate, the humidity, POLLEN DROP (oh, holy cow), the way people treat their pets, the overflowing abundance of fundamentalist Christians (not that I hate the people, just too much of a good thing so you can put your scathing indignance away).
I hate the local 'culture' (big SUVs, fast food and spend, spend, spend).
The schools are crummy, the kids have attitudes and no one seems to know how to properly use a blinker or merge onto a highway (really, you're not supposed to go 30mph while trying to get onto a highway where everyone else is going 65-80mph... I promise). It's the long, skinny pedal on the right - push it.
Also, can we please ban cell phones while driving already? It's not rocket science.
I hate how greedy developers gobble up every scrap of 'unused' land and build droves of hideous, cookie-cutter townhomes (which, so you know, 'townhome' is just a fancy name for 'apartment') -- as if we need one more. Trees are okay once in a while, too, you know!
There's no parks out here, either. Maybe it's just an 'out West' thing, but there's no public neighborhood parks for people to enjoy. It's called enriching and building a community, Raleigh. Maybe you might try it once in a while -- if only you could get the basics of building a road or highway, then you'd have some more money to play with.
I hate how all the shopping complexes all have the same stores in them: Briar Creek, Cary Crossroads, Triangle Town Center, that new place out in Apex off the 64 -- ALL THE SAME.
No one comes here on their tours (music-wise), you have to drive up North or to Atlanta for any good shows.
I hate when they drive farm equipment on the roads, but there's never any locally grown produce in the stores to show for it. Isn't Food Lion BASED in NC? Why aren't they helping their own state instead of hurting it?
There's nothing to do on weekends except spend money (no good clubs, not enough locally owned, non-chain restaurants and is busking illegal here or what?). They can't seem to put together a decent 'festival' either. Sure, there's the coveted State Fair (which is just a basic fair with four of every ride and ten of every food stand where everything is three times as expensive as it should be), but that's a big bore after the first trip. Did anyone else get suckered into going to that Greek Festival at the fair grounds a month or so ago? We paid to get in only to realise it was a big dinner party put on by some church - they had about FOUR vendors. Big, fat, waste of money to get in.
I hate the joke they call 'downtown', the highways don't make sense, too many roads are circles and they all change names a half a billion times - it's like the civil planners have ADD or are just sadistic jerks that want you to always be wondering what happened to X road and where the hell-o you're headed now.
...Uh, I think that about covers it. Don't get me wrong, there's some nice things about NC. I enjoy the flea market at the fairgrounds, the farmer's market with the funny German pastry guy and the Asian lady that sells flowers and sometimes you come across this awesome person that's just so quaint you want to take them home. But, really you're too far away from the mountains (real mountains, not foothills) while not being close enough to the beaches to enjoy them, so what's there to do except want to leave?
That out of the way, here's why I'm leaving this state as soon as possible. Please, don't read further if you're desperately in love with NC and can't stand to read a bad word about her. No state is perfect for everyone. If you enjoy living here, I can't be happier for you, but everyone has an opinion and this is mine.
I hate the 'locals', their accents (ya'll *shudder*), the way they drive, the way the houses look, the way the city doesn't keep up with mowing the grass along the highways like they should. Why don't they build curbs out here? Is there a shortage of cement?
I hate the political climate (though, I have to admit I was very impressed and proud of NC last month), the physical climate, the humidity, POLLEN DROP (oh, holy cow), the way people treat their pets, the overflowing abundance of fundamentalist Christians (not that I hate the people, just too much of a good thing so you can put your scathing indignance away).
I hate the local 'culture' (big SUVs, fast food and spend, spend, spend).
The schools are crummy, the kids have attitudes and no one seems to know how to properly use a blinker or merge onto a highway (really, you're not supposed to go 30mph while trying to get onto a highway where everyone else is going 65-80mph... I promise). It's the long, skinny pedal on the right - push it.
Also, can we please ban cell phones while driving already? It's not rocket science.
I hate how greedy developers gobble up every scrap of 'unused' land and build droves of hideous, cookie-cutter townhomes (which, so you know, 'townhome' is just a fancy name for 'apartment') -- as if we need one more. Trees are okay once in a while, too, you know!
There's no parks out here, either. Maybe it's just an 'out West' thing, but there's no public neighborhood parks for people to enjoy. It's called enriching and building a community, Raleigh. Maybe you might try it once in a while -- if only you could get the basics of building a road or highway, then you'd have some more money to play with.
I hate how all the shopping complexes all have the same stores in them: Briar Creek, Cary Crossroads, Triangle Town Center, that new place out in Apex off the 64 -- ALL THE SAME.
No one comes here on their tours (music-wise), you have to drive up North or to Atlanta for any good shows.
I hate when they drive farm equipment on the roads, but there's never any locally grown produce in the stores to show for it. Isn't Food Lion BASED in NC? Why aren't they helping their own state instead of hurting it?
There's nothing to do on weekends except spend money (no good clubs, not enough locally owned, non-chain restaurants and is busking illegal here or what?). They can't seem to put together a decent 'festival' either. Sure, there's the coveted State Fair (which is just a basic fair with four of every ride and ten of every food stand where everything is three times as expensive as it should be), but that's a big bore after the first trip. Did anyone else get suckered into going to that Greek Festival at the fair grounds a month or so ago? We paid to get in only to realise it was a big dinner party put on by some church - they had about FOUR vendors. Big, fat, waste of money to get in.
I hate the joke they call 'downtown', the highways don't make sense, too many roads are circles and they all change names a half a billion times - it's like the civil planners have ADD or are just sadistic jerks that want you to always be wondering what happened to X road and where the hell-o you're headed now.
...Uh, I think that about covers it. Don't get me wrong, there's some nice things about NC. I enjoy the flea market at the fairgrounds, the farmer's market with the funny German pastry guy and the Asian lady that sells flowers and sometimes you come across this awesome person that's just so quaint you want to take them home. But, really you're too far away from the mountains (real mountains, not foothills) while not being close enough to the beaches to enjoy them, so what's there to do except want to leave?
Lotta issues with "hate" here.
Sorry for your all-consuming "hatred."
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