My point is that NC has winter in a way Texas will not. It's isn't something that is a rarity. I lived in NE NC for 5 years and have spent far too many horse shows in Raleigh in cold and ice.

Why are they scheduling horse shows in the winter? ;-D

But as I noted, there's nothing less pleasant than ice storms - I agree 1000% And no, Austin doesn't have them. To go back to my original sense of this choice, OP will probably be happier in Austin.

(Also note, though, that OP is now in Milwaukee, which knows a thing or two about ***winter***)

"real estate in NC. It's a buyers' market"

Where did you get that idea? Certainly not true for the Triangle.

See: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/bus...e78582302.html

Well, yes, NC has ice storms.
And you actually cannot compare the weather in Raleigh and Charlotte for wintertime, interestingly enough. There is a snow line that occurs about 20 miles north of Charlotte. We will have zero snow, and above it will be some inches--or feet!! This makes ME unhappy 'cause I happen to love snow!!

No tornadoes to speak of like in OK or such, but they happen anywhere with severe thunderstorms. Hurricane "fallout" can be considerable, but manageable except for the biggies we have had in the past.

The OP will "escape" hard winters in any of the 3 places. The weather will be humid in all 3. I'd guess there is more snow, etc. in Austin.
Time to make a decision on quality of life, opportunities, schools, job, etc.
I will say that Charlotte has a wonderful quality of life with a very involved corporate community that sifts down to residents by having good cultural series, charitable giving, caring communities. The medical care is without peer.

Austin is not humid and rarely sees snow.

the happiest people are those who like to live and socialize outdoors and would rather not have to confront politics too squarely. Those with wealth often have a second house somewhere and do serious shopping during their trips north, west, or to Europe. Those without wealth can still have a very nice house and life, although you might find it takes a while for some to forget you're not a Southerner. I don't know if that's true of Austin.

I had NO idea I was so unhappy!! Is Austin really the only place the "poor" can enjoy themselves and have house. REALLY?

As far as I know Austin is the capital of a deep red state, and will be governed as such in all its aspects. Remember, you brought it up. :O(

I think at least 2 people posting on this thread are disaffected NC residents. Sometimes when meeting people in a new place you make your own first impression? Just sayin'.

"Where did you get that idea? Certainly not true for the Triangle."

I was selling a house in 2014-15 -- 5/3, most desirable school district, convenient location on cul-de-sac, perfect condition, new kitchen and A/C -- and was told there were 75+ houses per 1 prospective buyer in Orange County at the time. So obviously our timing would have been better if we'd waited til this year. As it was we had to drop our price 4 times -- realtors loved the house, but buyers were able to take their time, ask for the moon and get it.

We went from that market to this (eastern MA) where houses were on the market for a few days, sales prices were bid up ca. 15% over asking, and contingencies were toxic to the sale. Quite a contrast - we went the 'wrong' direction, although I don't regret it for a second.

A last point - do be aware that newspapers make a lot of money on real estate advertising, and that the headlines in spring are likely to be very booster-ish, picking and choosing stats (for example: "Home sales are now up 9 percent through the first four months of the year" -- they pretty much always go up in the first 4 months, ditto prices) and being enthusiastic. Realtors are happy to be quoted saying things are GREAT but you better hurry up and sell/buy if you don't want to miss out!

Gretchen - I had no idea you were so unhappy either! So sorry!

By "those without wealth" I didn't mean "the poor." I meant those who aren't in the top 1-10% and may not have two houses or travel/shop a lot -- if you can afford $150K-$400K for a house there, you live very well indeed, much better than in many other places. That's what I meant.

However, the business about being reminded that you don't come from the South is a true thing, despite the great numbers of people who've moved to NC. Sometimes it just seemed an automatic part of the conversation to make 'odious comparisons' regarding people who weren't born there, customs, etc. etc. and then say "oh, but you're not like that."

As for Red vs. Blue state - have you really missed what's been going on in NC politics of the last several years, or even just this year? And it's not just about public bathrooms.

(However, I've never been under any illusions about Texas politics, believe me. Given a choice, I wouldn't live in Austin, although a dear cousin does -- just seemed like OP's comments about her preferences leaned more in that direction.)

Finally, it's certainly a snarky comment to imply that if people behaved a certain way that made me uncomfortable, it must have been my fault and I deserved it.

Having lived in several areas, I can safely say that while any place has people who are super-aware of differences, esp. with newcomers, the persistence of the consciousness of geog. origin is more marked in the South. But Southerners don't like to admit that except to each other. For a place where manners are everything, it's striking how often an artful snarkiness can surface regarding what you're like and where you come from. "Bless your heart" sugar-coats a lot of snark.

ElizAnne: North Carolina is a BEAUTIFUL state, it must be said. More people are moving TO there than FROM there. Ignore the squabbling, ElizAnne, and take the comments for what they're worth. And come back and let us know what you think after your visit there. Good for you for taking the time to learn about all of this.

One thing I was going to mention about Charlotte is the wide choice of neighborhoods in many levels of cost--AND the pride the pride in them exhibited in the care of yards and homes. I am sure this is true many places. Charlotte has close in neighborhoods that are gentrifying at a rapid rate.
As said, visit and get good information--again I suggest a real estate agent for a day.
Our daughter lived in Austin and San Antonio. fun towns. She's moved back to Charlotte now and her experience with house hunting as well as ours just having sold was eye opening for the neighborhoods and the growth. Lots going on in the center city these days which might be interesting to you for your husband's workplace.
NC is a GREAT place to live and raise kids. There have been VERY extensive in depth newspaper articles about the school system written in the past 2 months--just about every day there has been a feature so you can be very well informed.

My copies of Charlotte Magazine, Southern Living AND Garden and Gun just arrived!!
You might look for these for some articles about the towns--Austin is also covered in SL. I know Texas and NC both have state magazines--the NC Magazine is excellent.
G&G is beginning to expand into the larger "south" also.