Looking to move

KellieGaspard

DH and I are seriously considering moving to NC within the next 5 years, if not sooner. I was just wondering, if I could get some advice from you ladies on the best areas/neighborhoods in the state. Ideally, we would love to live in the middle of the state, maybe a little closer to the Virginia state line. We just like the idea of being close to both the beach and the mountains. I've been to Murfreesboro before, my aunt and uncle live there, but DH has never been anywhere in NC at all.

Of course, we are looking for some family friendly areas with good schools and public transportation. If any of you ladies could help me out, I would really appreciate it! TIA!

Jemmessica

I think all the towns in the Piedmont have their great areas and their crappy areas. I grew up in Durham, went to school in Greensboro and now live in Charlotte. Of the 3, I liked living in the triangle the best (the Raleigh/Durham area) Raleigh & Chapel Hill tend to have better schools than Durham though.

I also really love Winston Salem, it's got some big city features with lots of small town charm. From what I hear, they have a pretty good school system too. 

Most of the counties that boarder VA are pretty rural, although they're beautiful. I do love Surry & Stokes Counties (Mt. Airy is a favorite place of mine) but I think they're too rural for me to enjoy living in full time. 

Hope that helps!

terpbrideinnc

Raleigh's about an hour from the state line and pretty much everyone here describes it as being "not too far from the beach, not too far from the mountains". It's really easy to take a weekend trip in either direction. The public transportation is not very good, there's a bus system but I've never looked too closely at it b/c it would take me much longer to use it and get where I need to go. I don't think it's much better in other parts of the states, though Charlotte has a commuter train so I think they are developing a better public transportation system. But Charlotte is further south, almost at the SC border. I think you need to decide on a city and narrow to areas/neighborhoods from there because for each larger city you should be able to find a suburb/surrounding town that fits your needs/wants. What field of work are you in?

KellieGaspard

I went to Raleigh when I visited NC. Mind you, that was 8 years ago. It does sound really nice.

I'm going to get my teacher certification to teach up to 6th grade. DH is a paramedic. 

CurbsideProphet

We currently live in the Triad (Greensboro) which is centrally located. Overall we like it. We can go to the mountains or the beach for a day trip or short weekend. Charlotte and the Triangle can also be a day trip. I believe VA border is about an hour away. Greensboro is smaller than Charlotte or Raleigh. The only public transportation is the bus system. I do not really use it, but DH has. There are lots of parks/trails. 

I do not know much about the school system, sorry.