Love Raleigh, was very difficult to leave! - 11/8/2006

I loved Raleigh/Durham, though I only lived there for a short 8 months. Not nearly long enough, and I fully plan on going back once finished with college! The perfect blend of city convenience and southern hospitality. Lots to do, friendly people (your neighbors actually acknowledge your existance - a vast improvement from Seattle!), and a safe place to raise a family or carve a living. Affordable housing, not packed together like sardines, and the climate is very, very nice! Distinct seasons, though not too much in the ways of extremes. School system is very good for the most part, though I never had the pleasure of experienceing it. Overall, the best city I've ever lived in.

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Love living in the South and in the Raleigh area! - 10/26/2006

I've been living in NC since 1990 and since 1993 in the Raleigh area (born and raised in Southeastern PA).... This area has a lot going for it (near a major airport if you need to get away, close to both the beaches and mountains for a quick weekend getaway, real estate prices reasonable compared to other similar sized areas of the country), and the area certainly has a lot more cultural diversity now than it had in 1993. There is a lot to do in the area (symphony, art museum exhibits, local universities if you are into college sports, and even a professional hockey team)! You couldn't pay me to move back up North now (I'm too used to the mild winters!). People may complain about the sprawl here, but it is so much easier to get around here than in the metropolitan areas of the North. It only takes me about 20 minutes to commute to work.

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City of the Future my ass... - 10/19/2006

I lived in Raleigh for 4 years and I just couldn't take it any longer. There is absolutely nothing to do other than argue about ACC basketball or which version of North Carolina BBQ is better. People are either narrowminded rednecks that left the farm in search of 'city livin' or high strung transplants from Pennsylvania or Ohio that are looking to buy a cookie cutter McMansion with their new money. There is no nightlife, no matter how hard people try to make 'Glenwood South' the new downtown. People in Raleigh are constantly comparing the city to places like Atlanta or Charlotte-PATHETIC. If you enjoy strip malls, suburban sprawl, yuppies, and computer geeks this town just might be for you. For those of you with more refined tastes: STAY CLEAR!

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Considering moving from Orange County, CA - advice - 9/24/2006

My new job allows me to live any place on the east / mid USA close to a major airport. I have been looking at Austin, Memphis, Nashville, Atlanta and now Raleigh. I am a senior IT person, single and 50s. Like sunny, warmish climate, affordable housing, cultural diversity and respect for education. And, if this job does not work out, I would need to find a similar senior IT position. Is Raleigh such a place? BTW, I of Indian (Asia) origin and would like to renew my cultural ties. However I equally love all cultures and mix well.

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quality of life?????? - 9/19/2006

am currently living in Flordia, south FL to be exact and I am exausted! I have to chose between NC or Atlanta and I thought NC was the top choice until I read these comments. FL is over priced, where people are just plane mean. I have visited NC; the people where the friendliest I have ever seen. To make a long story short I lived briefly in Chapel Hill, where I relly liked it, however, I am not married hence I don't feel it is for me. I disgard Atlanta becasue of the crime , as well as the low quality of the schools ( I have a child. I am a New Yorker, a veteran of Queens (Archer Bunker) and I don't want that life anymore. I want honest opinions about Raleigh, from someone who actually lives there or has lived there. Futher information, I am also single, "Christian in progress" and I have a Masters, so will it be the palce for me????

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Relocation to Raleigh from Madison, WI - 9/16/2006

Hi, I am considering a major move to Raleigh, from Madison, WI. My adult sons do not want me to leave but, it is too expensive in Madison, and the whole county and state for that matter. If you find an affordable area, there is nothing to do, no jobs, no culture or progression. I work in state govt and plan to look for work with the State of NC. It want to live in an area where there is acceptance of people and not in a racist area. I have no tolerance for bigots and ignornant people. Any words of advice? I am coming to take a look around. I could be happy anyplace I am so I don't think it will make a difference how many visits I make. Kat

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Relocation to Raleigh from Madison, WI - 9/16/2006

Hi, I am considering a major move to Raleigh, from Madison, WI. My adult sons do not want me to leave but, it is too expensive in Madison, and the whole county and state for that matter. If you find an affordable area, there is nothing to do, no jobs, no culture or progression. I work in state govt and plan to look for work with the State of NC. It want to live in an area where there is acceptance of people and not in a racist area. I have no tolerance for bigots and ignornant people. Any words of advice? I am coming to take a look around. I could be happy anyplace I am so I don't think it will make a difference how many visits I make. Kat

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Yet Another Tech Considering A Move To the Triangl - 9/3/2006

Hi. I'm considering moving to the Raleigh area because I have been told time and again that there is a strong and growing job market in Information Technology there. I currently live in Central Florida and the tech job market here is a joke. The cost of living continues to climb along with the house prices and the cost of insurance due to the recent barrage of hurricanes over the past few years. The only thing that never seems to go up is our salaries here so it's time for me to leave. I am a 29 year old single biracial female with a liberal mindset and an advanced degree in Computer Information Systems. I am looking for a place with a diverse population, with Museums and live music on a regular basis, and it must be near good universities as I intend to get my PhD in the future. I was born and raised in NYC so I am used to having a lot of activities, cultural, and educational resources at my fingertips. I also lived in Central Pennsylvania for a few years but left because I felt a great deal of hostility towards me because of my color. I would like an honest opinion about the NC Triangle area from someone who works in Information Technology about the job market and the requirements I have listed above.

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Raleigh does suck.. - 8/28/2006

I have been here 10 + years and have been open minded and optimistic about this city but at the end it's the same. Nothing changes. People are shallow and everyone has their own clique of friends,so it's hard to meet people because everyone has the: "I don't know you" mentallity. If you're a single male, good luck meeting women. This area has more men than women so you'll be competing for average, pudgy, plain bad attitude women with other men. Since I travel a lot with my job I get to see other parts of the world and the U.S.and I have realized Raleigh is truly overrated (I was more impressed with Omaha, NE!). The big thing here is to root for your favorite ACC team (yippie!!)and of course the transplanted Hartford Whalers... I mean the Carolina Hurricanes (BTW not one single player was born in NC as supposed to the Edmonton Oilers that has its fair share of Albertans)Many people here are "Christians" and are quick to point out that, drinking, dancing and gambling are wrong, but smoking weed and bingo is ok. Night life is very poor. There are a few bars on Glenwod ave. but they all play the same garbage every weekend. This city is by no means cosmopolitan or with and international flair. My advice: if you have a good job offer here, save up for 3-5 years and move away or try telecommuting from another city.

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Third World??? - 8/24/2006

OK, it sounds like the person who wrote the previous comment is obviously venting about something and not being very rational. America worse than any 3rd World country???? Perhaps you should go spend some significant time living in a 3rd World country like Ethiopia or N. Korea and then re-assess how you feel. Every place has its problems, but lets be real in our comparisons here. You're obviously having a bad day, but this isn't your sounding board. Raleigh is just like everywhere else in America...you take the good with the bad and hope to have some peace along the way.

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It's true, America is not a nice place to live any - 8/23/2006

No matter where you go to live in the States, America has turned into a place far worst than a third world country. All they care about is sucking up your money. The ONLY value here is MONEY. America loves to separate children from their parents and blame it all on child Abuse. Instead of spending BILLIONS of US Dollars on separating children from their parents, they should spend that same money on fixing all the problems that American families have. There is so much CHILD ABUSE here because they are constantly getting in your business on how to raise your child and it's making people angrier every day. Like for example...Welfare doesn't have money to help a single mother who cannot work because her child is disabled and needs constant hospital visits, and this same mother has to struggle to keep a roof over her head for her a her disabled child. But the Government has millions of Dollars to place this same child with some stranger that doesn't have a clue how the mother was struggling in the first place to care for this child. The US spends Billions of Dollars on Foster Care because "SOMEONE" gave a call to Child Protective Services to get you in trouble. But doesn't help you financially so you don't have to "STRUGGLE SO MUCH" so you can take better care of you child. They treat everyone like a criminal, yet those who are really mistreating their kids and they do all kinds of drugs are keeping their kids. Who understand this system?!!!! If you understand a system like this, help me, please??????

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Transportation in Raleigh - 8/22/2006

Transportation in Raleigh can be tough. Although there are new roads being added, the traffic continues to grow in most areas of Raleigh.

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Charlotte vs Raleigh - 8/20/2006

I currently live in the Washington DC metro area and I am considering a move to North Carolina. I currently work as a teacher and will continue to do so in North Carolina. I am curious as to what others may think of the differences between Charlotte and Raleigh? Potential advantages/disadvantages of each? I have lived in Nashville in the past and enjoy the size and laid-back mentality of the city. However, due to the lack of job growth and the growing crime rate, I do not desire to make a move back to the Nashville area. Washington DC has excellent job potential, but is unbelievably crowded and ridiculously overpriced. I feel that I am seeking an area that lands somewhere between the two of these cities. Where do both Charlotte and Raleigh rank in terms of quality of life? Would you recommend one over the other? Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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Overated - 8/13/2006

Expensive to live, not much entertainment unless you are into college sports

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Visiting Raleigh soon, want to move by next year - 8/13/2006

My family and I are visitng the Triangle area in about a week to check things out there and we want to move by the end of next summer. On paper, Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill looks pretty good, especially for low cost of living and rising economic opportunities. Being 2 hours from the Atlantic ocean is a huge plus. Our reasons for going? Tired of winters, tired of the 1-2 hour commute one-way when it snows, tired of the exploding high cost of living, especially housing, and a strong desire to live somewhere with four seasons, mild winters, a good economy and a strong education system, and a high quality of life. Raleigh/Durham seems to fit the bill on all accounts for us. Housing costs are quite reasonable compared to anywhere in the Twin Cities. I've read the negative comments and I can understand their points of view. The Twin Cities has a far smaller black population than Raleigh/Durham so diversity would be greater for us i we were to move there. The lack of public transportation plays such a small factor in our lives it's not even an issue. The Twin cities has one VERY expensive light rail line but has a pretty decent bus system. Traffic here is horrendous at times but not nearly as bad as it is on the east coast and the comments I've seen about the increasing traffic in Raleigh must be taken into context by the reader. The Twin Cities is a metro area of about 3 million whereas Raleigh/Durham is about 1.5 million. I think more than one Twin Citian would love to drive in traffic again when we were half the size. We were considering Houston, TX very seriously at one point but decided to go to Raleigh instead. There is a high quality of life in the Twin Cities but if we can get about the same in Raleigh/Durham for far less cost (and no snow or below-sero weather) then it will be a move well made. Would appreciate any comments. Thank you.

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Natives and Outsiders - 8/11/2006

Not being a North Carolina native, and having lived here only five years, I tend to look at the Triangle as an outsider. The people are friendly and would do anything for you, but many are rather insular in their experience, never having lived elsewhere. Probably if I were a native, I would feel right at home here, and not want to leave. Not being a native, I see both good and bad in this and feel somewhat isolated.

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Something for Everyone - 8/6/2006

One of the things I enjoy most about Raleigh is the fact that no matter who you are, where you're from, or what you enjoy doing, you can always find something to do that suits your needs.

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Can't wait to get to Raleigh! - 7/18/2006

I plan on driving from Fairbanks to Raleigh in late September-early October and I'm marking every day on the calendar. I lived in Raleigh in the 1970s and left home and have just been back for visits every once in a while. Now that I am divorced and starting a new life for myself, I can't wait to return and enjoy the varity of shopping and cultural events and the climate. I know I can find a reasonable apartment for $500 (1-bedroom). I am worried about finding a job with benefits as all I'm familiar with is food service but I know there are lots of opportunities. My parents and baby brother have lived there since 1968 and I'm looking forward to being close to them again. I'm leaving my adult children behind but they know Mommy has to look out for herself. There's absolutely nothing in the Fairbanks area to interest me and I know my kids would get out of they had the money and means to do it. Maybe some day they can. All I know is, I'm happier every day just dreaming about a winter with no snow, no cold, no sunrise at 11 a.m. and sunset at 3:00 p.m., no earthquakes, no moose, no ice, no weeks of -35. I'll take 100 degrees any old day! There are no outdoor pools in Alaska (atleast none that I'm aware of). When I think of swimming in a pool I think of echoes because it's all indoors. Can't wait to vegetate around an outdoor pool, eat fresh tomatoes, cukes, corn, peaches, shop in the well-stocked grocery stores. The smile on my face is getting bigger every day! If you want to move to Alaska but want to avoid the severe cold and have access to shopping and cultural things, live in Anchorage or the Matanuska Valley. Alaska is a wonderful place but I'm just tired of it. It's not a place for a middle-aged single woman.

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Thinking of Relocating - 7/13/2006

We are a couple in our late fifties born and raised in northern NJ, and living for 35 years in Southern CT. We have both had it with the winters here, and want to move south to semi-retire. We are both professional people and well educated. We are looking for a city atmosphere and condo style living. We are considering Norfolk, Va, but Raleigh has caught my eye. Can anyone help? We want a culturally rich, friendly atmosphere. Thanks..

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Raleigh is a good place - 7/11/2006

Let's get one thing straight Kurt, so are you telling me that if you are Mexican and work construction in Raleigh, you are most likely an Illegal? Who's to say they were Mexican, maybe they were Puerto Rican or Columbian? Or are they all the same to you? That's what it sounded like.... From a swamp Yankee (native Floridian): I've never lived in Raleigh.....went to college in nearby Greensboro and Greenville, but I've spent alot of time in the Triangle area. It has most of the amenities of a larger city, with a small city feel, very green, things are spread out, pretty tree-lined streets with good neighborhoods, low crime rate, pleasant year round climate, except for the summers (which arent bad since I'm from FL, but if you are from up North you'll think it's hot), housing is very affordable. Within close proximity to the beaches and mountains. Not very culturally diverse but getting better, especially b/c of RTP and UNC, NC State, and Duke. If you are from a reasonably sized city, going too far outside can be scary. And farther you drive east of Raleigh, be prepared for culture shock.....there's literally nothing for 80 miles till Greenville and we won't even talk about that town. Never ran into ignorant or racists in the Triangle area, but unfortunately there are still alot of people in NC that are unaccepting of other cultures, but you can't blame them entirely....its their upbringing and surroundings that causes this, there are alot of great people in NC and its a great state to live in if you are in the right areas, but its a state in transition on several levels, far more progressive than other areas in the South outside of the Atlanta area and Central/South Florida. With that said, there are still alot of great people in NC that are accepting and open minded!!

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