Likely Relocating to NC - Any Posters Made the Move from LA? (Raleigh Area)

I was stationed in NC for 2 years. Loved it. People are great. Much friendlier than LA.

Weather was not bad. Little colder than LA in the Winter, but nothing crazy. I don’t think it got below 20. You’ll get 4 seasons, solid beaches, and friendly people at a relatively cheap CoL

NC is better quality of life than LA but that’s not saying much

I have 2 friends that have made the move and they are both happy, although one misses the food, LSU, and the Saints.

I moved to Bryson City about 10 years ago. WNC is like an entire state in its own right. Don’t expect gainful employment in your field here unless you’re a business owner, attorney, in the medical field, or have a background of natural resource management. Industry simply doesn’t exist. For example, one of my best friends here has an accounting degree from UGA, but is employed as a VP at the casino in Cherokee. I know you said you’re moving to Raleigh, but just a heads up for anyone considering moving to this area. Employment can be difficult to come by here unless you’re willing to take a massive pay cut. I had an established business before moving that allowed me to operate from anywhere so for me it was different, but I get applications daily from people with backgrounds totally unrelated to what we do that moved to the area just wanting a job

One of the most noticeable differences for me when I moved here full time was how clannish this area is. It is not like LA in the sense that people are always looking for a reason to gather, cook, and have a party. People here generally stick to their families and are weary of outsiders. Now, that’s not to say that they’re bad people, because they are not and I have many good friends that have given in to my south LA ways of wanting to cook and party for everything. It just takes time.

Taxes for me are a wash and I don’t think about it much. Cost of living is relatively cheap and I feel like my tax dollars are actually used properly, which can be a shock at first as well. The first time I saw a pothole develop on my road in BFE Bryson and the next week the state had fixed it and moved on, I was in disbelief.

Weather is fantastic year round. The summer months are hot and humid, but cool down in the afternoon and get cool at night. We get just the right amount of snow in the winter, and having a true fall with changing leaves, cool weather and big harvest festivals is something to behold coming from south LA.

If you’re the type to not get outside, this area may not be for you. I am constantly hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting and kayaking. This area has incredible scenery in all four seasons and you should utilize it every chance you get.

Sorry I couldn’t be more specific to the Raleigh area, but I hope this helps you get a better feel for the changes you will see.

Oh, and find yourself a woman that your mother likes enough to teach to cook or else you’re eating chicken, potatoes, and green beans the rest of your life!

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You really don’t realize how significant football is in SEC country until you move to a place like this

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Yep. I like college basketball a little but it ain't football.

I spent roughly 4 months in that area working on and off for a few years. I liked it and could easily live there. It's nicer than any area of Louisiana even though I didn't like the people as much.

I may fly there in a couple of months. If my tattoo artist will ever get back to me.

Cary was one of the best places I’ve ever lived.

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1. Any posters have relocated to NC from Louisiana.

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Yes, been here a total of 23 years; “downeast”, about an hour east of Raleigh.

Weather is great; there are 4 seasons most years. Winters & Summers are usually not too bad. Occasionally there is a really hot & dry, or hot & humid summer or snowy/icy winter.

Taxes; state income is a flat 5%-6%; google to get the exact amount. Real Property taxes vary by county & city. Personal property taxes (cars, etc.) are based on the cars value.

People - very friendly. But where I live there are families that have been here for generations and also a lot of transplants from up north.

Food - ok but not as good as LA or even S. Carolina. Eastern NC vinegar based pork BBQ is just different but I have grown to like it. Lot of fresh vegetables this time of year. You can find good to even great seafood but generally speaking LA’s is better.

Housing cost - depends on where you live. In my neighborhood homes sell for $100 to $120/ sq ft and it would likely stay on the market 6 months. In Raleigh it would probably be $100,000 more and sell within a week.

Sports - basketball is king; they are not passionate about college football in an SEC way.

Regional attractions - from Raleigh you can be in a lot of places in less than 5 driving hours; DC, NC/TN/VA/WV mountains, outer banks, Savannah, Charleston SC, Charlotte.

Politics - the cities and especially the university towns tend to be more liberal/progressive; rural areas more conservative. But the rural congressional districts with a large African American population tend to elect Democrats.

Schools - if you have school age children you should research that thoroughly; you may need to look at a private school. Just depends on the city/county.

I do not know about living in Pinehurst/Southern Pines.

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You really don’t realize how significant football is in SEC country until you move to a place like this

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I’m originally from South Carolina which is football crazy. My first year in Winston-salem the local sports page had an ACC Basketball preview full page spread the first week of the football season. I routinely ask my NC State alum coworkers who they’re playing this weekend in football and they have no clue.

North Carolina’s a great place to live.