North Carolina anyone?

As some of you probably know, I am going back to the states for good in December.  My mother still lives in Orlando, FL but is really keen on moving to North Carolina-either Raleigh or Charlotte.  Most likely, it will be Raleigh.  I know there are a lot of NC'ers here, so I just wanted a little input on these two towns and the suburbs around them.  I am looking to move with her when and if she goes. 

As some of you probably know, I am going back to the states for good in December.  My mother still lives in Orlando, FL but is really keen on moving to North Carolina-either Raleigh or Charlotte.  Most likely, it will be Raleigh.  I know there are a lot of NC'ers here, so I just wanted a little input on these two towns and the suburbs around them.  I am looking to move with her when and if she goes. 

You're not going anywhere!! They don't even have French waiters in NC! 

You're not going anywhere!! They don't even have French waiters in NC! 

LOL...I'll just have to bring one with me.

Hmmm...well, Charlotte is icky, in my opinion.  The traffic is horrid and it's rather expensive to live there (same with Raleigh, though).  If I had to choose, I suppose I'd choose Raleigh, but I'd live further out in Cary.  The key is to find somewhere to live that'll keep you off I-40 as much as possible.  I think the best parts of NC are at the ends -- the coast and the mountains. If I were moving back, I'd head straight to Asheville, no questions asked.

Any particular reasons why your mom is interested in Charlotte and Raleigh?  Is she in the medical profession?

Ewww, yuck! Charlotte or Raleigh! I'd choose...neither! Lola's right...if you must live here, the edges are much better than the middle! I'm not a beach person but if I were, I'd choose Wilmington. As a mountain person, Asheville is definitely the place to be!

AF, pm me and let's discuss social work in NC. There's some stuff going on at the state level that makes it incredibly challenging these days.

I agree with them - the cities are nasty.  Head for the mountains if you can, it's beautiful there, especially in the foot hills.  The beach is nice too, but they do get huricanes, I don't have to say anything more than that.  I lived in NC for 4-5 years, and my mom has been there for about 20.  It's a beautiful state, no doubt!!  But stay away from the cities if you can.

~Liza

Who would you have Toffee lattes  WITH?     and  NO French waiters  to kiss there..    I have  friends  who live in  Cary and  love it.

Any particular reasons why your mom is interested in Charlotte and Raleigh?  Is she in the medical profession?

Yes, she is an office manager for a doctor's office and has been for many years.  She also started out as an LPN.

I started to look at Cary and it seems like a nice town.  I was looking more at suburbs with the cities nearby because now that I am living in London-I want space and peace and quiet!  LOL 

Try Apex as well

We're moving to Chapel Hill in December.  Just went back to check everything out, and although CH is a bit expensive, the schools are outstanding and town still feels small.  Fell in love with SouthPoint mall in Durham!!  Not wanting a long commute kept our search close to Chapel Hill.  Glad to hear about Wilmington as a thumbs up beach place - we'd like to spend some time visiting while we're waiting for our house to open up. 

I live in Chapel Hill for school (guess which uni I go to, hehe) and I really love this area.  There are lots of city-type amenities around (esp if you live close to Raleigh), but there's not a big-city feel here- laid back, southern hospitality, that kind of thing.  And the weather, is of course, beautiful.  The last week or so here has been particularly amazing- gorgeous fall colors and 75-80 degrees in November There's a cold front coming through, though, so that's probably the last we'll see of these temperatures for a few months....

Hey, AF, where are you now? Last I remember you were in Las Vegas for the holidays. Still there? Any progress on the move to NC?

As some of you probably know, I am going back to the states for good in December. 

This is the first time i've seen this thread!
I'm so shocked that you are leaving, or  have possibly already left...?   What happened?   I know you had some hassle with your job initially, but i thought you got that all straightened out...

Yes, I am in Orlando right now at my mom's house.  I didn't like the jobs they were offering me.  I was offered permanent positions at 3 different boroughs (2 in London and 1 in Brum).  But I hate Child Protection.  I couldn't sleep at night and I wasn't confident in my job.  And that was all I was being hired for and I just couldn't handle it anymore.  I'm looking at possible government jobs so I may end up in Europe again.  Who knows.  I may stay in Florida forever.  But probably not.  I'm still searching for a job though right now.  (hence why I've been on UKY more than ever! )