Gretchen...are you from Charlotte,NC or CH? Where were the cicadas? My 13 year old daughter will need therapy for the rest of her life if ever sees the magnitude of the cicada emergence!!

Also, the reason for these two locations are twofold. First, my older daughter will be going to grad school in 2013 and her top picks are Duke, CH and UVA. It makes sense for us to be in the area. Second, my husband and the girls Dad died on 4/21. He and I had always talked about retiring to the South in about 4 years, after the 13 y/o graduated HS. Following his death, we all felt we needed a fresh start.

As a final note, NJ is the most heavily taxed state in the nation, so NC or Va will be an improvement!

ljv, sorry for your loss. I think the road trip will go a long way in helping you decide where you may want to relocate. Best wishes.

Well, that is sad--just when things were "s'posed" to be working out.
I'm in Charlotte.
Of course, residency won't help you at Duke. It "helps" at the other schools.
It's been a long time since I've been to Charlottesville--DH did his internship there a LONG time ago.
I think CH has more "possibilities" perhaps as a more urban area. BUT with still having the possibility of beautiful living areas.
The cicadas were loud, no doubt about it. I have tininitis and so have them forever!! LOL
They hit DC a couple of years ago. Not sure you'll be able to escape them, but I'll bet if you google, there's a map for them.
If you want to compare medical facilities, CH area will win hands down!! Along with Wake Forest.
Have you considered Winston Salem? Because of our grandson being there with his mother part time (and the rest of the time with our son here), our son has bought a condo there to be there for school things, etc. I am mightily impressed with it on many levels. The university is there, the money from the tobacco and banking is still there, and it is very civic minded. Good schools. Great facilities. Manageable size and accessible to the mountains and the coast.
NC has a LOT of wonderful places to live, in my VERY humble opinion. Also a lot of very very fine educational universities.

"NC has a LOT of wonderful places to live, in my VERY humble opinion. Also a lot of very very fine educational universities."

I completely agree. VA too. She's picked some really good places to choose from.

I live on the border of TN/VA and we just had our cicada "emergence" in early May....they lasted for what seemed a lifetime! They really are fascinating creatures though I can understand the aversion. There is a good site http://www.cicadamania.com/cicadas/ that gives you information about brood emergence and shows interesting photos. The one photo near Warriors Path State Park is what my front yard looks like - yuck!
I too would pick Charlottesville for all the above reasons.

Taxes will vary depending on what County you are in, or if you are in a city and County. You are correct, NJ taxes are extremely high. Chapel Hill taxes are high also, not as bad as NJ. But if you lived in Chatham County only minutes from Chapel Hill the taxes will be half the amount yet still very close to the University. Rent in both places for a while if you can, and you will get a good feel for where you like better. Also could depend on which school your daughter get's accepted to. Duke as you know is very expensive compared to the others and since private does not help living in the state as much.

Willowjane, not Virgilina by any chance?
(I just love that name!)

Starrs...LOL....no, but I have laughed over that name too. I am much closer to the tip of Northeast TN.