Hello Moms,
My husband and I are considering relocating to North Carolina with our 8yr old, and our 3yr old. However, we're confused about which city is the best for us. We're looking for a safe neighborhood low crime rate, fun activities for the kids, a very good school district, close to public trasportation, and overall a great place to live and raise our kids. What area do you suggest? Thanks in advance.
Let me explain to everyone, my husband is Active Duty Military and his orders here will be up in Sep. So as of now they are not sure where he will be stationed, he's switching to AGR, so he has a choice between VA, GA, OR NORTH CAROLINA. Thank you in advance.
just one area I suggest to stay away from FAYETTEVILLE .
Stay away from Fayetteville.
NC is really varied- from mountains to beaches and everything in between. Cities, country, small towns, etc. I suggest you figure out what type of living arrangement you want, along with your budget, and that will narrow your choices. For example, Chapel Hill is great, with the college environment, but if you'd rather be closer to the mountains or want somewhere more affordable (although you can find cheap places there- not easily, though), farther west would be better. I like Raleigh- there's lots to do, a great parks system, good schools, universities, a night life, plenty of safe neighborhoods, good wages, and about halfway between mountains and beaches. NOWHERE will you find good public transportation. Seriously. That's the biggest drawback.
Some towns here have higher unemployment that others, such as Greensboro- Winston-Salem-High Point) (the Triad). The Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) is doing better than a lot of places, though.
I have issues with Fayetteville and Durham, mostly because I find the crime rates too high and school systems lacking, although some people wouldn't live anywhere else.
I need more info. Is your husband getting a job transfer? If that's the case, you will need to live close to his office. Or, does your husband work at home for himself, allowing you to literally live wherever you want? (and if so, I am SO JEALOUS!) If you can live wherever you want, I hear Asheville is gorgeous. However, if your husband works for someone and gets laid off, you will not want to be living in Asheville, as there are not many jobs there. You will want to live in a big city like Charlotte, since he would need to find a new job. I hear Raleigh is beautiful! Again, consider his job situation and live where it would make most sense.
While I miss my family up north, North Carolina is amazing! The weather is fairly decent (although the summers are extremely hot and humid), and the people are full of southern charm and grace. May I suggest you living in the Raleigh area? This is where we are, and it is filled with tons of young families. Most people in NC find Charlotte to be the young, singles/newly married scene, while the Raleigh area has established families. Asheville is great for trips, but it is an extremely granola town, so if that isn't your thing, you will find it difficult to meet people. (i.e. friends who live there know a family who lives in a tree house!) Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina are all fairly well established towns that offer plenty to do, decent priced homes, safe neighborhoods, and quality education (considering it is the south). The biggest difference down here are the county wide schools. There aren't districts, so really, if you can make a case for it, your kid could go to school anywhere in the county. Public transportation is a joke, but you will find that anywhere in NC. There just truly is "no such thing." Activities abound in our area as well. There are plenty of free museums, a zoo that is a little over an hour away, mountains that are 2 hours away, and a beach that is about 2 hours away as well. If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me, and good luck!
P.S. From your choices, I would personally choose either VA or NC!
Seeing as how your husband is active military, I'm assuming you would be living in Jacksonville, NC if you were to decide on NC. I lived there for a year and loved it. The weather is beautiful, beaches all around, and the people are very nice. Emerald Isle is not far of a drive either. If you are guys are more mountain people, I doubt you would appreciate the heat much. My mother actually lives in VA, not far from the town where base is located. I absolutely love it there....it is clean, great schools, and always tons of stuff going on for kids all around the city. Good luck to you and your family!!
move to the mountains... its beautiful!
Most people I know with children love living in Charlotte and the Raleigh/Durham areas. I have several really good friends with kids who live in both. We love Asheville and Western North Carolina, but it's very hard to find jobs there unless you are moving there for one that's in place already.
I would suggest the Monroe area; I've lived here since August of 2006. Not Charlotte, where crime is certainly on the rise. Here, the beach and mountains are both only about four hours away, so you can go on a day trip in either direction over the weekend. There are multiple schools in the area and the crime rates are decent. As far as I can tell, the public transportation is decent. There are parks fairly close by and the newer neighborhoods generally provide pools and play areas along with other amenities.
just where are you moving too....you have asked about moving to three different states in three different questions all within the last hour!!!!!
.
