I just wanted to put in a few words for any of you out there that might be interested in the southeastern part of NC...any part past Raleigh-Durham, NC. My husband grew up in Raleigh, we met there and then moved out to Greenville, NC (about an hour east) where I finished school (East Carolina University), went up north to Virginia (just across the border from Greensboro, NC), and then came back "home" to the Greenville area this past fall where my husband is a high school social-studies teacher. A few things to keep in mind as you move from "up East" to the "South" from a New York girl (Rochester, NY area...but still!) who did the same (and lived to tell about it!):
1. You will be very pleased with the standard of living and prices for land. houses, etc...especially if you end up in a smaller town. Even things like gas prices are different! Try not to tease your fellow Southerners too much on their accent-they'll probably give it right back to you! And yes, despite your best effort, it won't take much time before you yourself are saying, "Y'all!"
2. People can be very friendly, but you will probably take a bit of ribbing about being a "Yankee"...maybe more than you realize. Try not to take it personally! Immerse yourself in the culture and try not to spend too much time saying things like, "Well, in (fill in the state), we did it THIS way." North Carolina culture is rich and deep and well-defined. Take time to find out all about the beautiful state you are now claiming as your home.
3. Going with #2, be prepared to be immersed in a different culture. Language, food, traditions, hobbies, etc...I was amazed when I moved from NY how many people go to church every Sunday here!! I came from a very religious family that was sort of an egnima in the North, but here I was just one of many who found church a normal part of my week. I remember being very blown-away by this. That's not to say that people are more "spiritual" here...it is just very much a tradition/expectation for many to go to church on Sunday. (Bible Belt and all!)
4. I love the fact that we still get seasons here!! I mean, depending on where you are in the state (western versus eastern) you may get just as much snow and ice during the winter as you did up North! The Mountains of NC are especially prone to this type of weather. However, even though many areas of NC get snow on a yearly basis, people will always panic-run to the grocery store and buy out all the milk and bread, etc. You may be surprised to find that schools close for very little precipitation! (I still chuckle every time schools close when there is barely a touch of white on the ground!) And, again, although people may get snow, many MANY do not know how to drive in it. So even if there is barely an inch or two on the ground, please keep in mind that Southern drivers have a tendency to "freak out" in this type of weather.
5. I am a bit nervous on the state of NC education system. Sure, anyone will tell you that our university system rocks! Both my husband (a teacher) and I (a nurse) are proud graduates of the University system of North Carolina. Please take advantage of these wonderful areas of learning! However, as my husband is a high-school teacher and has dealt with both big city schools as well as small country schools (where we are now)...public education in North Carolina is NOT up to standard. Of course, there ARE good schools in NC (most are in the bigger cities), but the majority of our schools are dealing with the overwhelming problem of trying to "break the cycle". So many of our kids come from undereducated parents, and as you all know, education starts in the home. Add in socially promoting kids who are not passing the state tests (see Raleigh's News and Observers' front-page article on this topic a few weeks past!!) and overcrowding in the classrooms (especially in the Raleigh-Durham area!) and you have an education nightmare! I urge you for the sake of your children to DO YOUR HOMEWORK when you think about moving. RESEARCH the schools that have been MOST productive in tests scores, resources, parental involvement, etc. Do not "assume" that the smaller country schools with have more "charm" or more "old-fashioned" values...Ha. My husband hears more about drugs, sex, and parties in his school of 700 than in his last school of 2300!! Please don't leave out private schools when you think about school options. That has DEFINITELY the most disappointing and disturbing part of our move especially as so much of my husband's life is educating young minds.
7. Despite what you are told, I think you may find it quite interesting how much emphasis people down here place on "race"-how much the "racial undertones" come out at the local and state level. This was a very eye-opening area for me as a young naive WASP who grew up without any real racial confrontations. In fact, I still have a hard time grasping my brain around the whole issue...it just WASN'T an issue where I was growing up! My husband, a true Southerner, is still a bit touchy himself on the whole race issue just because it does permeate much of the culture here and comes out in the foreground whether or not it should have a presence. When people around here fly the confederate flag, it is not *just* a red-neck thing to do. It is a statement. Still.
I hope that helps a little in the plethora of information you have probably been assaulted with!! Moving is such a hard process-good luck in whereever you choose to live!
IVY
Indian Trail here I'm a NC native and don't want to live anywhere else (except MK) Taxes lower than Meck and schools seem to be run soooo much better. DS going to the new middle school-very nice. Housing cost is alot better in Union Co too. Very good realtor is www.allentate.com browse around and you will fine something you will like. Zippa I'm originally from High Point and lived in Archdale for 6 years. Say Hi to LA(lower Archdale) for us.
We go to church in Indian Trail so we drive through there every Sunday and Wednesday. We love the area!
) welcomed and included in many circumstances in many places.
The Yankee invasion continues 
), arts and entertainment, education, and tax information. It is very helpful!!!!!!!!!!! If you are serious about moving, you can buy it online.
