pros/cons to living in NC?

[DVCLiz]

If you look at the map on Realtor dot com, they have Charlotte listed int he Piedmont area, I went to Piedmont High School as well. The Piedmont encompasses different areas depending on whom you are talking to, or what you are trying to do. Apparently if you're buying a house and looking on that realtor site, or reading my High school History books.......they consider it the Piedmont. I was raised to know the Piedmont, and the Piedmont-Triad as two completely different things. The Piedmont is the middle of the state. The Piedmont Triad is Greensboro, Raliegh, Durham. Two different things.

The Piedmont section of NC is anything between the foothills and the coastal plain. It's a geographic designation.

The Piedmont Triad is Greensboro, Winston Salem, and High Point.

The Piedmont Triangle Is Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. Raleigh is not a part of the Triad and never will be.

 

[bcvgal]

LOL, my brother went to NCStae so I am required to hate you!

J?K! But I MUST root against the Heels

Your really gonna hate me because we root for Porter Ridge.
Also the piedmont is the whole middle of the state, from Va border south to SC. The HP/ Greensboro/Winston Salem area is called the Triad. Regardless we get all four seasons and going to the mountains for the leaves is wonderful. Biltmore is great too. Our fave beach is Sunset. It is so beautiful. Going there on Friday-can't wait!!

 

[Jennasis]

The Piedmont section of NC is anything between the foothills and the coastal plain. It's a geographic designation.

The Piedmont Triad is Greensboro, Winston Salem, and High Point.

The Piedmont Triangle Is Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. Raleigh is not a part of the Triad and never will be.

I can't help but think that "The Triad" is some evil conglomerate of criminal masterminds bent on world domination.

 

[DVCLiz]

I can't help but think that "The Triad" is some evil conglomerate of criminal masterminds bent on world domination.

In fact, we spend most of our time wishing we were Charlotte...

 

[Todd&Copper]

Pro: Fairly cheap cost of living.

Con: Lots of dumb hillbilles.
[This is a joke, in case someone thinks I am serious.]

 

[DVCLiz]

Pro: Fairly cheap cost of living.

Con: Lots of dumb hillbilles.
[This is a joke, in case someone thinks I am serious.]

Hillbillies live in Kentucky and Tennessee. In NC we are called rednecks. Just so you know....

 

[Minnesota!]

I have always been curious about NC.

I have a BIL that is from there and my SIL goes with him 2 weeks a year to visit his family. They both love it there and hope to move there permanently in a few years.

I have friends that lived there and hated it. Said that there are so many critters (their house was built on a black widow nesting ground). Not to mention the snakes and other icky things that invaded their property, etc. They moved out as soon as they were able...

So I have 2 very different reviews of NC.

DH and I would like to visit some day and make up our own minds.

What is the weather like there re:hurricanes? Do they ever effect NC much? What about ice storms, tornadoes, etc?

Thanks!!!

 

[DVCLiz]

I have always been curious about NC.

I have a BIL that is from there and my SIL goes with him 2 weeks a year to visit his family. They both love it there and hope to move there permanently in a few years.

I have friends that lived there and hated it. Said that there are so many critters (their house was built on a black widow nesting ground). Not to mention the snakes and other icky things that invaded their property, etc. They moved out as soon as they were able...

So I have 2 very different reviews of NC.

DH and I would like to visit some day and make up our own minds.

What is the weather like there re:hurricanes? Do they ever effect NC much? What about ice storms, tornadoes, etc?

Thanks!!!

I think other states have spiders and snakes, too. Just so you know...

As far as the weather, we do occasionally get a hurricane come inland - Charlotte was devasted several years ago. But usually the risk is much reduced unless, of course, you live on the coast. NC can and does get major hurricanes, just like every other Atlantic coast state.

We have been having some tornadoes this spring, but they are pretty rare, really. Usually an F1 or F2 at the most. The last tornado to hit my city was in 1936, although the interstate nearby was hit last week. But again, tornadoes are really pretty rare - maybe a few days in the spring when we have warnings.

Now ice storms are a different story!! We get them all the time - and they can be a pain because it takes several days for the crews to clear and rebuild the power lines. Snowstorms are typical in winter, especially in the mountians, of course. We have had much less snow in the Piedmont for the last several years - but we can and do get 10 - 12 inches occasionally.

If you live in NC and hear a forecast of snow, better hightail it to the grocery store and get bread and milk - we stock up even if the forecast says "scattered flurries" and only a few flakes fall. And we drive like morons in it because we don't really know how to do it.

But overall, we have beautiful 4 season weather and lovely geography.

 

[crazy4dabean]

What is the weather like there re:hurricanes? Do they ever effect NC much? What about ice storms, tornadoes, etc?

Thanks!!!

I can only speak of the Greensboro area. We were far enough inland that hurricanes were not an issue. The hardest hit areas are from the coast to maybe Raleigh. What we had to worry about were the tornados that the hurricanes would spin off. What always concerned me the most was the fact that our area didn't really believe in basements. Maybe it's the fact that all houses are built on clay (yes, there is no *dirt* in the ground). As for the ice storms, they usually hit the Atlanta area pretty hard and didnt creep much further north to us. By the time it came to us, it may have been a light snow. Whenever there is an ice storm coming, alot of people from GA would drive up and stay in the local hotels. One more thing to remember, since winter weather is not prevalent in NC, there's maybe only a few plow trucks. And they're not equipped with salt trucks. This means that when people hear there is a snow storm, they run to the local grocery stores and stock up on bread, milk, water and batteries (you wont be able to find any of these anywhere). They all hunker down and wait inside for it to pass. The streets are horrible should winter hit. They're not plowed and melt and freeze over time and time again. You better plan on staying inside in the event that happens (at least for a few days).

 

[sharlon]

I lived in Charlotte (Huntersville, a suburb north of town) for 4 years, and now I have lived in Asheville for 4 years. I have a different perspective as most here, because I grew up in Georgia, primarily Atlanta. We were VERY unhappy in Charlotte. I saw many of the same mistakes/problems that developed in Atlanta over the years happening in Charlotte. My oldest DD went to one of the better elementary schools in Char-Meck and at only 6 years old it was excessively overcrowded. Almost everyone in my family friendly neighborhood is either homeschooling or has moved further from town to either Iredell County or Cabarrus County, solely due to the schools. BTW, it took us a year to sell our house in Charlotte, and it was not during an "economic downturn". The market was just way too saturated.
Now, I will say I love the weather in Charlotte, but that is what I am used to.
As for Asheville, GREAT schools. My kids currently go to the only school in the state that has been an Honor School of Excellence every single year. It is a fantasic place to raise a family. The cons are the cost of living is one of the highest in the southeast. Real Estate can be higher than Atlanta. For us (probably not for you), the climate is a con. As I said, we liked the heat of Charlotte. It just doesn't get hot enough here for DH or I. We do get snow every year, although snow totals have been down the last 4 years. Normally the annual average is about 17 inches. It's been under 4 inches, I believe, the last 4 years. As for the driving in the snow in the south, you have to understand that most places down here do not have or need the equipment to deal with icy/snowy roads. It is far cheaper to just shut down for a day or two. Here in mountains, though, it is a much bigger problems due to the incline.

Anyway, I hope my rambling helps. Good luck!

 

[Villain-lover]

Sadly, we haven't had snow in Raleigh in 3 or 4 years. In fact I would list that as my only con.

Yeah, my mom lives there and it has seemed like areas right around Raleigh have seen a little snow, but not raleigh. Hasn't there been a little sleet though?

 

[Jennasis]

Yup, stay away from the Mecklenburg county school system!

As for the snow, the first year I lived here, they forecasted a "CHANCE of snow" for the following day. All the area school closed, adn they ran weather crawls on the btton of the screen about the pending snow. The next day it was sunny and not a flake had fallen, but the kids were out of school and every store was out of milk and bread. WHY they buy milk and bread is beyond me. Do these people live on french toast when snowed in?

BTW, "SNOWED in" is kind of a joke. The worst I've had in 5 years was about 6 inches of snow. It shut down the state for a day, but was nearly completely melted by the next day.

ICED in...that can and does happen. But again usually melts within a day or two.

We had some tornadic activity here (which is rare) just last week. An F1 I believe. Started a few miles from my home and moved east. We do get mountain winds or "gust-nados" from time to time where we get STUPID winds (60/70/80+ mph), but they are straight line winds. Can be damaging.

However, back in NY (Long Island specifically) I had blizzards, hurricanes, nor'easters, crazy humidity, high taxes, no property etc.. I went to visit family back there last weekend and couldn't wait to get the heck out of there and back "home" to NC!

 

[crazy4dabean]

As for the snow, the first year I lived here, they forecasted a "CHANCE of snow" for the following day. All the area school closed, adn they ran weather crawls on the btton of the screen about the pending snow. The next day it was sunny and not a flake had fallen, but the kids were out of school and every store was out of milk and bread. WHY they buy milk and bread is beyond me. Do these people live on french toast when it snowed?

LOL! I've always wondered why the bread and milk And it's soooo true about them closing at just the possibilty of snow. A few times I woke up and my daughter told me that school was closed. I looked outside and thought "Did I miss something?" There was not even a flake. Another thing that baffled me was closures for fog. There were numerous times that schools closed because of fog. I guess the school buses didnt want to drive in it?

 

[DVCLiz]

As for the snow, the first year I lived here, they forecasted a "CHANCE of snow" for the following day. All the area school closed, adn they ran weather crawls on the btton of the screen about the pending snow. The next day it was sunny and not a flake had fallen, but the kids were out of school and every store was out of milk and bread. WHY they buy milk and bread is beyond me. Do these people live on french toast when snowed in?

I think it must be in my DNA. When I hear a forecast of snow, I flash back to my mother and her panicky rush to the grocery store to buy bread and milk. We NEVER made French toast, so I can only imagine the bread was for sandwiches if the power went out and the milk was something you could keep cold outside if it stayed cold enough to freeze at night.

Anyway, I don't question - like the March of the Penguins, I drive to the grocery store and fight it out for the last loaf of store-brand honey whole wheat - whatever is left on the shelves!!!

 

[Angelhalo]

Your really gonna hate me because we root for Porter Ridge.
Also the piedmont is the whole middle of the state, from Va border south to SC. The HP/ Greensboro/Winston Salem area is called the Triad. Regardless we get all four seasons and going to the mountains for the leaves is wonderful. Biltmore is great too. Our fave beach is Sunset. It is so beautiful. Going there on Friday-can't wait!!

Agreed on the Piedmont thing. Thank you for "getting" me.

Porter Ridge!! Noooooooooooo! Hey is Archie still the principal there?

 

[Angelhalo]

I have always been curious about NC.

I have a BIL that is from there and my SIL goes with him 2 weeks a year to visit his family. They both love it there and hope to move there permanently in a few years.

I have friends that lived there and hated it. Said that there are so many critters (their house was built on a black widow nesting ground). Not to mention the snakes and other icky things that invaded their property, etc. They moved out as soon as they were able...

So I have 2 very different reviews of NC.

DH and I would like to visit some day and make up our own minds.

What is the weather like there re:hurricanes? Do they ever effect NC much? What about ice storms, tornadoes, etc?

Thanks!!!

We got hurricanes when we lived there, but they were mostly contained to the coast. In Charlotte the most we'd ever get was rain. I never had any problem with critters. But I didn't live way out in the country either

 

[Angelhalo]

Now ice storms are a different story!! We get them all the time - and they can be a pain because it takes several days for the crews to clear and rebuild the power lines. Snowstorms are typical in winter, especially in the mountians, of course. We have had much less snow in the Piedmont for the last several years - but we can and do get 10 - 12 inches occasionally.

If you live in NC and hear a forecast of snow, better hightail it to the grocery store and get bread and milk - we stock up even if the forecast says "scattered flurries" and only a few flakes fall. And we drive like morons in it because we don't really know how to do it.

LOL! ITA! part of the problem is that Charlotte is not prepared for big snow because it happens so infrequently. I used to work for the county and there were sooooo many complaints it wasn't even funny. But, they just get snow so rarely that it doesn't make sense for them to amp up their budget to add all sorts of snow removal vehicles. I went to school in the mountains of NC and was very used to Snow, but no one else was, so I'd play dumb on snow days and act like I couldn't get to work just like everyone else.

As for over crowding, we never had an issue. Not with the schools or anything, but we were in a really nice area. We lived JUST barely in Union County so I went to Piedmont High school, but I had many friends who attended Butler and Providence and never had any issues with danger or overcrowding. As with MOST cities, I think it just depends where you are.

I never had an issue with traffic either. Now that 485 goes almost all the way around Charlotte it is much easier to get around, and the Light Rail helps too.

It's not a perfect city. I don't think any city is. but it is my favorite place that I have ever lived. I've lived in Memphis, TN, Greensboro, NC, Boone, NC, Burlington, NC, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Miami, FL, Columbia, SC, and Orlando, FL. Charlotte beats them all by a mile.

 

[BoyLovesBuzz]

Yeah, my mom lives there and it has seemed like areas right around Raleigh have seen a little snow, but not raleigh. Hasn't there been a little sleet though?

Maybe here and there. My DD who is finishing up the third grade in Wake County (Raleigh) has, much to her chagrin, never missed a day of school because of weather. So in at least 4 years, nothing to write home about.

We are in year round school, so a snow day = Saturday school. Saturday school = play time and not a minute longer then the state mandated amount of time to count as a school day.

 

[BoyLovesBuzz]

Raleigh and Charlotte are in the piedmont region.

http://www.geology.enr.state.nc.us/proj_earth/pdf/color_physiography_600dpi.pdf

Triad = Greensboro, Highpoint, Winston Salem
Triangle or Research Triangle = Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill

 

[Angelhalo]

Raleigh and Charlotte are in the piedmont region.

http://www.geology.enr.state.nc.us/proj_earth/pdf/color_physiography_600dpi.pdf

Triad = Greensboro, Highpoint, Winston Salem
Triangle or Research Triangle = Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill

Thank you!