North Carolina anyone?

Sorry to hear it didnt work out... 

Thanks.  That's ok.  I moved over to the UK alone with no job and no home and I survived all the crap that came at me so in the end it was a learning experience.  Even though I didn't like my job, I still learned a lot from it so I'm grateful in that respect. 

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. 

I'm originally from Raleigh and I'll be glad to offer any advice and I'll try to be as impartial as possible.  But I do have to say that sad town, Cary really is as sterile as they come.  This is a town where it is illegal to leave your garage door open!  How bad is it, well if you know the retail chain Talbot's they even told Talbot's they couldn't have their signature red door.  So what does the rest of the Triangle joke about Cary.  Its an acronym for Containment Area for Relocated Yankees, you know us Southerners aren't too fond of anyone from the northeast.  :-)

Seriously though, let me know and I'll be glad to answer any questions.

I'm originally from Raleigh and I'll be glad to offer any advice and I'll try to be as impartial as possible.  But I do have to say that sad town, Cary really is as sterile as they come.  This is a town where it is illegal to leave your garage door open!  How bad is it, well if you know the retail chain Talbot's they even told Talbot's they couldn't have their signature red door.  So what does the rest of the Triangle joke about Cary.  Its an acronym for Containment Area for Relocated Yankees, you know us Southerners aren't too fond of anyone from the northeast.  :-)

Seriously though, let me know and I'll be glad to answer any questions.

Wow, that does seem prudish.  I like to live in downtown areas where the bars are near and the elementary schools are not.  Is there a good place like that in Raleigh?

I'm originally from Raleigh and I'll be glad to offer any advice and I'll try to be as impartial as possible.  But I do have to say that sad town, Cary really is as sterile as they come.  This is a town where it is illegal to leave your garage door open!  How bad is it, well if you know the retail chain Talbot's they even told Talbot's they couldn't have their signature red door.  So what does the rest of the Triangle joke about Cary.  Its an acronym for Containment Area for Relocated Yankees, you know us Southerners aren't too fond of anyone from the northeast.  :-)

Seriously though, let me know and I'll be glad to answer any questions.

LOL, OMG You are SO right about Cary.
However it was appealing from the standpoint of no billboards, neons signs and the shops being hidden in wooded areas.
The traffic there is HORRIBLE though now.  A few nice pubs though.
We looked at homes there before settling in Raleigh.  However, we have kiddies so Im afraid we wont be much help in finding the bar scene American Fox. 

We looked at homes there before settling in Raleigh.  However, we have kiddies so Im afraid we wont be much help in finding the bar scene American Fox. 

LOL   That's ok.  I usually find them eventually.

LOL   That's ok.  I usually find them eventually.

North Raleigh is very very nice.
Near malls, sports bars...and not but a few miles from the downtown area.
Plus the lake is an added attraction if you like boating, skiing, swimming.
There are loads of pocket places with their own entertainments areas, cinemas, bars..TONS of food choices!
I rate it very high.
Traffic isnt a problem at this north end either.  The 540 during rush hour towards the hub of the research triangle is practically empty, yet at the other end of Raleigh I-40 is messy..but NOTHING compared to the traffic jams in England.
 

Wow, that does seem prudish.  I like to live in downtown areas where the bars are near and the elementary schools are not.  Is there a good place like that in Raleigh?

Yep it's a section just on the outskirts of downtown Raleigh called Glenwood South.  Lots of great places to eat, drink, socialize and even live!

Dh and I are planning to move back to the US in Spring 2008. I would like to move to North Carolina, preferably (west) Asheville, as it has always been one of my favourite states. Dh has visited there before, too, so he is in agreement. My home state is Florida, but I really cannot cope with the heat and humidity there (even when I lived there!).

Anyone know where at in west Asheville to look for a house? Even outside the city limits is fine. Thanks! Any suggestions are appreciated!

Mel

Dh and I are planning to move back to the US in Spring 2008. I would like to move to North Carolina, preferably (west) Asheville, as it has always been one of my favourite states. Dh has visited there before, too, so he is in agreement. My home state is Florida, but I really cannot cope with the heat and humidity there (even when I lived there!).

Anyone know where at in west Asheville to look for a house? Even outside the city limits is fine. Thanks! Any suggestions are appreciated!

Mel

Oh Asheville is beautiful.  I wish we could have moved there...but the pull of the IT jobs were in the triangle.
Asheville got some horrible weather last year with the hurricane run offs and flooding so many people lost jobs and homes.
I would LOVE to buy and old Victorian B&B there. But poo! my hubs is a techie.

Asheville is my favourite city in the entire world -- lived there for 7 years before moving over here.  Love it love it love it!     Tis my spiritual home.  Did all my jogging in the cemetery in Montford and wasted sooooo much gas driving all over the city and its outskirts.

Is there any particular reason why you want to live in the western part of the city?  It's such a small city that I can't see why you'd need to limit yourselves....you'll be in driving distance to everything no matter where you live!     I don't know if things have changed since I lived there, but west Asheville was the "backwoods" area, particularly the further out you went -- nothing wrong with that, but it's quite far removed from the more cosmopolitan feel of downtown and northern and southern areas of the city.  It is beautiful out that way, though, if you keep driving up Leicester Hwy and get further up into the mountains.

Thanks Lola and Cinnacoco. I think the main reason for the western part is I would be closer to the mountains! I absolutely love them and the closer the better in my opinion but if, of course, the whole city is lovely, then it doesn't really matter!

Lola: I'd be like you - trekking all over the place!
Cinnacoco: That's a lovely plan - maybe one day you'll be able to have your B&B!

Wherever you are in Asheville, you'll be near the mountains, since it's in the mountains!     I lived in North Asheville off Merriman Ave up toward the Grove Park it was a fantastic area.  Weaverville is a nice little place to look as well as it's only about 15 minutes' drive down into Asheville and the house prices will be lower. 

Lola's right....just about anywhere in Asheville will be fine although the west is more....er hum....countrified, so to speak.  Good luck finding just the right spot!

I don't mind the more countrified parts. I think I will be happy anywhere really, just as long as it's near Asheville. LOL  I have been on the Yahoo! real estate site and searched for houses. There are some nice ones and for not much money. I keep telling dh that you get far more for your money in the US property-wise than you do here, especially when you live outside a city.

As much as I love England, I really can't wait to move. I miss my family and friends, not to mention feeling quite out of touch with American culture!