Question for residents of NC.

[guspech750]

So recently my wife just finished her MBA and is soon by years end going to get her masters in nursing. So with that comes opportunities for her to find new and better employment else where. We have been thinking and looking online at homes, prices and taxes etc etc in North Carolina.

Where are some nice areas, towns, cities to be looking at?
Or where should we avoid looking?
Where do my fellow Merc peeps live?
How's the year round weather typically?
Lots of humidity?

I know my questions are vague. I'm just looking for some input from my peeps on your experiences in NC.

We probably would not do this for a year or two unless she gets an offer she couldn't refuse.

And we are so ready to leave this joke of a state.


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DTR + 4.10's + Eaton swap = Wreeeeeeeeeeeeeeedom

[Marauderman]

I personally think Charlotte is your best bet --with the medical field here one of the best--the big plus is that the Blue Ridge Mountains keep most all BAD weather away from us --more like a barrier--and you are never more than a morning drive from the mountains. the beaches, or Atlanta.....and so much more --cannot tell it all here--

I want to type so much more--...but this is a top spot on your list --do not look elsewhere --do check it all out--Tom

[Raleigh Marauder]

Greensboro/Winston-Salem is a nice area. I grew up there and still visit often. I'm in Raleigh now and it is annually voted one of the best places to live in the country (actually the whole Triangle area). Personally, I would probably prefer G'boro/Winston (the Triad), but my job has kept me here. There are many medical opportunities in Raleigh/Durham, G'boro/Winston, or Charlotte, including major hospitals in all areas. Then you have Greenville (eastern NC), Wilmington(coast), (mountains) but I can't speak for the medical field opportunities there.

You've got a variety of climates from one end of the state to the other, but yes, the humidity can get bad during the summer months. You'll just need to do some research on climates.

[SC Cheesehead]

"...Where are some nice areas, towns, cities to be looking at?
Or where should we avoid looking?
Where do my fellow Merc peeps live?
How's the year round weather typically?
Lots of humidity?"


Lots of great communities. We lived in the Southern Pines/Pinehurst area for 7-8 years before moving to SC, they've got a nice new regional medical center there:

http://www.firsthealth.org/

Fayetteville has a large VA hospital, but the community is kinda rough.


Like Tom said, Metro Charlotte's a great area, one of the fastest growing areas in the country for good reason.

If you're interested in SC, lots of good opportunties down here, too.

Spartanburg and Greenville are home to two large hospital systems, my wife works for Spartanburg Regional at one of their clinics.

http://www.ghs.org/

http://www.spartanburgregional.com/Pages/Home.aspx

Myrtle Beach is a great area, too; what's not to love about the beach?

As for the MM guys, we're all over both states, but I personally think the SC guys are the coolest...;)

I love the weather in the Carolinas. As a friend once told me, "Spring comes early down here, and Fall sticks around late..." Only maybe a couple weeks of cold weather, and I don't recall it ever getting down near zero. Most "winter" days get up into the high 30s - mid 40s.

Summers can get warm, but unless you're on the coast, humidity isn't all that bad.

I've been in the Carolinas for over 20 years and have enjoyed it immensely.

Tell you what, if you're planning to come down to MV11, why not head down a couple days early and swing over to my place (minor detour to ATL) and I can show you around the area.

[Marauderman]

^^^^^^^^^ he is right---for sure--But here in Charlotte-There is CMC--Carolina Medical Center--Very Big here--check it out-- And with a Master's--well --just go B I G!! remember --the weather is key--and here we have the only Barrier on the East Coast to push most all of it away---most because it has to go south to Atlanta before it can even get a rush to here --by then--it's all gone sour--check it all out --we have the Mountains---the only barrier on the planet--

[Marauderman]

Ok --a bit excited--I agree from ^^^^---but Rex is also correct--a tremendous amount of difference where you land on so many things --mostly due to the mountains that do protest us--the earth rotates east to west--and the mountains are west of us--so there you go-=-

[SC Cheesehead]

^^^^^^^^^ he is right---for sure--But here in Charlotte-There is CMC--Carolina Medical Center--Very Big here--check it out-- And with a Master's--well --just go B I G!! remember --the weather is key--and here we have the only Barrier on the East Coast to push most all of it away---most because it has to go south to Atlanta before it can even get a rush to here --by then--it's all gone sour--check it all out --we have the Mountains---the only barrier on the planet--


^^^^^^ Yup. The mountains block any of the real nasty storms, the only time we get snow or ice is a storm coming up from the South, and like Tom says, up through ATL. That maybe happens once, or at most, twice a year; one day and then it's gone.

[Marauderman]

The saying in Charlotte weather wise is--if Atlanta has it--so will we--why--because its below the lip of the mountains--and the wind blows east on a rotating earth going west--so the up draft gets to Charlotte eventualy--hey --I sound like Kyle---that cannot be happening-!!!!!!!!!

[Shaijack]

Joe I have a house in Winston-Salem, three acres and a big house. I could sell it to you for a fare price. I will send you info if interested.

[IwantmyMMnow!]

Stay away from the Fayetteville area! I was stationed there for just 15 months and had my car broken into twice, witnessed a shooting, and got sucked into a bar brawl.

If you desire a larger city, Charlotte, the Triangle area, and the Triad area should be your #1, 2, and 3 choices. I grew up in the Charlotte area and it is amazing how much has changed...not only in Charlotte but the areas around Charlotte as well. I'm certain there are plenty of medical opportunities in these areas.

If you want a smaller city, Asheville is the place to be. We average only 13 inches of snow during the winter and high temps in the summer are typically low to mid 80s. The medical opportunities here are expanding, but not on the same level as the bigger cities. Asheville is 4 hrs from the coast, a little less than 4 hours from ATL, 2.5 from Charlotte, 6 from Louisville. There are 3 major NASCAR race venues within 4 hours of here (Bristol, CLT, ATL), if that's your thing. Lots of great golf courses within an hour of here.

Living within the city limits of wherever you are increases your taxes. Public school system is hit and miss. Taxes overall are getting a little ridiculous lately, but managable.

We'd be glad to have ya....

[SC Cheesehead]

Stay away from the Fayetteville area! I was stationed there for just 15 months and had my car broken into twice, witnessed a shooting, and
If you desire a larger city, Charlotte, the Triangle area, and the Triad area got sucked into a bar brawl.should be your #1, 2, and 3 choices. I grew up in the Charlotte area and it is amazing how much has changed...not only in Charlotte but the areas around Charlotte as well. I'm certain there are plenty of medical opportunities in these areas.

If you want a smaller city, Asheville is the place to be. We average only 13 inches of snow during the winter and high temps in the summer are typically low to mid 80s. The medical opportunities here are expanding, but not on the same level as the bigger cities. Asheville is 4 hrs from the coast, a little less than 4 hours from ATL, 2.5 from Charlotte, 6 from Louisville. There are 3 major NASCAR race venues within 4 hours of here (Bristol, CLT, ATL), if that's your thing. Lots of great golf courses within an hour of here.

Living within the city limits of wherever you are increases your taxes. Public school system is hit and miss. Taxes overall are getting a little ridiculous lately, but managable.

We'd be glad to have ya....

Yeah, well, you're just that kinda guy...;)

[lji372]

Awe man.... Moving away from all your marauder brothers for better weather?... Priceless
I'm a little jealous :D

[bugsyc]

Come to Myrtle Beach...It's North Carolina but better,no inspections at all.Bike weeks,car shows,cruise ins and a great place to live...Just my 2 cents....N.C. Raleigh/Durham area,Ashville or down by South Carolina like Willmington....Lots of great citys and lots of country,depends on what you're looking for....You my friend are in an envious position...Really can't go wrong with any of these spots...Best of luck...If I can ever be of help,just let me know.

[Roadwarrior]

All that everyone had said before is true. I highly recommend at least a week's time (maybe more) to actually see at least Charlotte,Raleigh-Durham & Greensboro-Winston Salem-High Point (Triad) areas as well as Greenville-Spartanburg & Myrtle Beach,SC. Most research you can get online for housing, schools, cost of living etc. in all of these areas.

P.S. The Carolina Marauders DO welcome DTR's here.:D

[guspech750]

This some great info fellas. I really appreciate it. Hopefully my wife will get the new position at her work, gain some more experience and then we can leave Illinois in a year or two.

The more and more houses she looks at, the more she wants to move.

I've even began the search for drilling companies and there seems to be quite a few.

And of course there are my Marauder peeps to look forward to!!:burnout:


Sent from my iPhone 4S

DTR + 4.10's + Eaton swap = Wreeeeeeeeeeeeeeedom

[fastblackmerc]

If you are looking in the Raleigh area check out Cary.... that is where I live.

Voted #5 in Money Magazine's Top 100 Places to live.

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2006/snapshots/PL3710740.html

[SC Cheesehead]

This some great info fellas. I really appreciate it. Hopefully my wife will get the new position at her work, gain some more experience and then we can leave Illinois in a year or two.

The more and more houses she looks at, the more she wants to move.

I've even began the search for drilling companies and there seems to be quite a few.

And of course there are my Marauder peeps to look forward to!!:burnout:


Sent from my iPhone 4S

DTR + 4.10's + Eaton swap = Wreeeeeeeeeeeeeeedom

Not to mention greens, grits, and the world's best sweet tea...

[IwantmyMMnow!]

Not to mention greens, grits, and the world's best sweet tea...

Don't forget Sun-Drop, Cheerwine, and the infamous RC and a moon pie.

Lotsa good BBQ, too.

And of course a WAFFLE HOUSE on every corner....FTMFW!!! :banana:

(Just had lunch there a little while ago...YUMMMMMmmmmmm)

[fastblackmerc]

Don't forget Sun-Drop, Cheerwine, and the infamous RC and a moon pie.

Lotsa good BBQ, too.

And of course a WAFFLE HOUSE on every corner....FTMFW!!! :banana:

(Just had lunch there a little while ago...YUMMMMMmmmmmm)

Eastern or western BBQ?

[IwantmyMMnow!]

Eastern or western BBQ?

BOTH!

Do they have the mustard-based by you, or is that just in the low country of SC?

[Marauderman]

I've even began the search for drilling companies and there seems to be quite a few.


Sent from my iPhone 4S

DTR + 4.10's + Eaton swap = Wreeeeeeeeeeeeeeedom

There is one big one here in Charlotte---"S&MC" is widely known here--down your alley I suspect.......

[SC Cheesehead]

I'm a big fan of Lexington style. :food:

[gdmjoe]

Was relocated to NC in the late '80s by work. Choose the Panther Branch community (SE of Raleigh between Garner and Fuquay Varina) for its rural, agricultural, folksy atmosphere. Blended right-in.

Had it not been for my parents failing health and early retirement package from work, would have moved to either Yanceyville (foothills near the NC, VA border) or somewhere in the Ashville / Black Mountain area. *Development started to move into the Panther Community area.

From my ~20year experience of living in NC, it's all GOOD! http://www.gdmjoe.com/thumb.gif

*EXCEPT for those damn Yankees in Cary - Concentrated Area of Relocated Yankees. :D
.

[Raleigh Marauder]

BOTH!

Do they have the mustard-based by you, or is that just in the low country of SC?

Pretty much a South Carolina thing. There's definitely not any around Raleigh.

[Raleigh Marauder]

Eastern or western BBQ?

Eastern. And when I get to Columbia, a taste of mustard-based.

[fastblackmerc]

BOTH!

Do they have the mustard-based by you, or is that just in the low country of SC?

Hard to find anything but Eastern round these parts.

[IwantmyMMnow!]

Eastern. And when I get to Columbia, a taste of mustard-based.

There's a place right next to UNC-A that serves great BBQ....Luella's. Good thing my Mom lives in Charlotte, cuz she'd be black and blue all the time.

(Tastes so good, it'll make you want to smack your Mama!)

[Raleigh Marauder]

Hard to find anything but Eastern round these parts.

And not even much good barbeque in Raleigh or Cary...

[fastblackmerc]

eastern. And when i get to columbia, a taste of mustard-based.

+1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!