European-Carolina similarities/Non high-tech/Medical jobs? (Raleigh: transplants, sales, job market)

[NCrelocator]

I love the people in NC (and much of the South) and only hope that the droves of transplants adopt and embrace their easy going, friendly way of life rather than trying to change things. My wife is European and similar to the South, the people in Europe tend to just enjoy life more and take their time rather than be so caught up in the 'rat race' disease which seems to infest so many areas of the US. I'm not really comparing Europe to NC because they are so very different, however, the genuineness of the people is what I find similar.

What is the job market like for those NOT working in the High tech and Biotech fields in the Raleigh/Triangle area? I've worked in various areas of sales and finance over the years which leads me to believe I would be able to find decent work in the Triangle but it would be nice to hear from some others who have transplanted to the area.


Any insight into the job area is greatly appreciated.

[brightmidnight]

What are some examples of how Europe is not caught up in the "rat race"? I've lived in Europe and I actually found that they are worse than Americans in many ways, as far as taking things so seriously and not enjoying life. They do ride bikes more. But, in France you can't step on the grass in parks if you go for a walk. There are rarely any nice parks at all. In England they drive like madmen just to get to the store a minute earlier. No one on the trains looks out the window at the beautiful countryside. In London, everyone on the Tube reads or plays with their cell phones rather than chatting or enjoying the subway atmosphere (I'm serious, as a small-town girl I love the subway!) It seems like all anyone wants to do in Europe is shop, the same as in America! You never see anyone taking their dog for a walk because fewer people have dogs or cats, especially in the cities.

One aspect of what I think you might mean is that Europeans often get socialized or subsidized healthcare so they don't have to worry about medical bills... although judging from my European friends, that just means they worry about their incredibly high TAX bills instead (at least 30-40%). French people, I know, can only work 35 hours a week and everyone there gets to take long vacations. But many people can't afford vacations due to the high taxes and they have a high unemployment due to the labor laws... Maybe people there are more into a "slow food" type of life?

But basically from what I've witnessed, I think this may be more of a myth than anything else.

[autumngal]

I lived in Europe for 8 years in diff countries. And I found in the UK everyone walked their dogs. On the moors, any common land, down at the beachside. Then afterwards you went to the pub. hee hee
In London I found it to be a proper little city with the whirlwind and all. And the same in most other countries once out of the cities and living in towns it was a change of pace, a slowdown.
So that is a comparison of sorts to here in NC.

[brightmidnight]

Perhaps I didn't get into the English countryside enough! I don't recall ever seeing people walking their dogs. But I was mostly in London.

I really like both places

[autumngal]

Originally Posted by brightmidnight

Perhaps I didn't get into the English countryside enough! I don't recall ever seeing people walking their dogs. But I was mostly in London.

I really like both places

In a way be glad can get over crowded with walkers, dog poo, hee hee.

Yes London would be more up to speed and the brain of England if you want, so it's gotta think faster.

[mcrcat]

My boyfriend has had some trouble finding a job not in the tech field. We expected it to be easy because there is a lot of employment growth. What we didn't factor in was the high rate of population growth. There are jobs out there, of course, but you have to look hard.