Subway, I'm not going to debate this nightlife thing with you because I am basing a lot of my opinion on what my nieces and nephews tell me........ obviously, I am not out running with the young professionals on Friday night! But having lived in the suburbs of big cities, and livelier smaller ones in my life, I just don't consider Raleigh's downtown to be "hopping" but, hey, that's JMO. But I love the Triangle........ there's a lot to enjoy here!

Thank you everyone for your opinions. It is really so helpful to get different viewpoints on these cities. Hopefully it will make a decision easier when I visit!!!

topping

I had to add my two cents here.
Carrie-please read Subways comparison of the two cities. He (or she) hit it right on. There are different aspects to both of the cities and it really depends on what you are looking for.

I have lived in Raleigh for 15 years. I went to high school here, then to college in Greensboro (basically between the two cities), and then moved back to Raleigh.

I've lived the single life in Raleigh and truly enjoyed it. There are so many things to do here. Sporting events, shopping, restaurants, plays, art galleries, etc. I never spent a weekend sulking at home cause I couldn't find anything to do in this town.
I'm now married, and I still love living in Raleigh.

I think either city would be great for you, but it's up to you to find where you would best fit in.

One other comparing factor-would you rather be closer to the beach (2 hours from Raleigh), or the mountains (closer to Charlotte).

D

Subway has it mostly right, but for a couple of things: 1. no hockey in Raleigh -- lockout and/or potential loss of team, either way. This is a source of great sorrow to Certain People in my household. 2. Although there are many college-age and grad-student-age kids around for the various schools, they tend to stick close to their campus for entertainment, so it doesn't seem to appreciably change what's available in Raleigh to young, non-college singles.

Hi guys...I'm leaning towards Charlotte as I'm finding more job opportunities for myself. A little worried about being able to meet new people though!!! Will be going out there in a few weeks to make final decision.

If you are thinking about having children in the future I wouldn't come to the south. We moved here from CT and am really outraged at the school systems (and the people who put up with it) Otherwise Charlotte is a great place, especially for younger people.

DC - I heard the schools in NC were pretty good due to the high income tax. Not true? Are they bad enough where you are doing private schooling?

I've recently visited NC. Flew into Raleigh, then spent about a week in the Triad (Greensboro/Winston Salem). I have to admit, I've never had a very high opinion of the south, as a native Chicagoan. I was very impressed with NC though, so much so, the idea of relocating has crossed my mind. One problem though. I have a bit of an insect phobia. Are bugs going to be a problem in NC? Anybody have those giant flying roaches I've heard about? This is my big impediment to moving down south.

I love NC (I'm from there - and lived there through college years).

As for public education, beyond the colleges, and certain public schools in more affluent neighborhoods, on the whole, NC public schools are not that great. DH moved to NC in high school, and we're considering moving back. We both attended private schools until college, and we will likely private school any children we have UNLESS we live in a neighborhood that happens to have great public schools. Some of the high schools are quite good (3 or so in Wake County (Raleigh), both in Chapel Hill, one or two in Winston-Salem, and I'm sure 2 or 3 are good in Charlotte). It's just that if we did not live in an area convenient to those schools, I'd have no hesitation in choosing private schools.

I will say that the Chapel Hill's schools are, on the whole, better than anywhere else in the state.

BTW, I vote for Raleigh over Charlotte. Charlotte wants to be Atlanta quite badly, so if you want that scene, you might as well move to Atlanta and do it right!

I cannot stress enough how much you should avoid the Triangle and move to Charlotte. I moved here about a year ago, and there are virtually no avenues to meet people and hang out in a normal atmosphere if you didn't go to school here. I have met a couple of friends, but I am a person that is very social and usually ends up meeting a lot of people.

In part because this is the south, people tend to get married pretty young here. So by their late 20s, they are hanging out with the spouses for "blockbuster nights." The people that go out tend to be people who recently graduated from school here (undergrad or grad) or military people who are making the "trek" to the "big city" for some fun. More than a handful of people have been astounded by the fact that I would move here for a job instead of Charlotte, or a big city because it is so hard to meet people. Also, many people realize that it is a family locale and something of a glorified suburbia. Yes, there is character in some places, but ask someone what to do for fun and they will suggest the few bars on Glenwood Ave or Streets of Southpoint (which is a mall).

I have gone to Charlotte a few times since I've been here and it is so much younger and more "citylike," which makes it easier to meet people. Definitely a better choice if you are young and not settling down yet.

On the plus side, the triangle area has some very very cheap areas for housing, and you can save a lot of money (which is what I am doing for one more year before I move to a city).

I would definitely be into coming back here if I were married and in my mid to late 30s with kids, but as a 27 year old single person, its not worth it.

"In part because this is the south, people tend to get married pretty young here."

ewt, I cannot believe that you actually said that! In a few minutes, I will be able to get off the floor and stop laughing!!! :-d

hahaha... i know, I shouldn't have. But I never thought that much about it until Southerners told me! This was right after I mentioned that it was hard meeting other single people around here.

Incidentally, by young, I don't mean 16 and I really don't mean to be derrogatory. I just think a lot more people are engaged or married right out of college than they are in other places.

You're right, ewt! Not 16.... more like 13, and usually to one of our cousins! ;;) :-d

Charlotte is a much larger city than Raleigh. Raleigh really is small, but grows when you add the population of Cary, Chapel Hill and Durham. I have friends who have moved to each city and have been happy where they ended up. If you're working in high tech, choose Raleigh, if you are in finance or other industries (Charlotte is home to quite a few Fortune 500 companies choose Charlotte. I'd live in the Cotswold Area. It's a 5 minute drive to downtown, near eastover, and has condos you can rent or buy for a steal. It's safe and an "upscale" neighborhood. Just not as loud at night as uptown, but you can still go uptown to party. I'd choose to live uptown or Plaza Midwood if you want to party all the time.

In Cotswold, look at Churchill Downs Condos. Off Walker Rd., they are quaint, with a pool and tennis courts. You can rent or buy there. It's a beautiful complex with shady trees and plent of privace and quiet, but near everything.

If you are interested in Churchill Downs or other areas I can email you the information.

The good thing is, that at your age, if you end up not liking the city you end up choosing, you can just move. :-)

Hi,
My husband, 14 month old son and I are considering relocating to NC from the Chicago area. I'm wondering which city would be best. One consideration is that the city have a Japanese community. Any ideas?

Avenues for young people to meet? Museum organizations (Charlotte has a great group), work place gatherings, church (oh, yes, this IS the South), volunteer groups, cooking classes. Read the newpaper for what is going on. And the crack about marrying young is off the wall.

Well, I guess I skew the marriage-age statistic.

To be involved, you have to, well, get involved. The newspaper on Friday list many organizations with outings and offerings. Volunteer opportunities are all around. One of my co-workers met his wife by volunteering (and both are well past their teens).

A community is what you make out of it. You'll have to go seek out something because most don't just show up at the door. And would you really want to become involved in a group that does door-to-door activities.