North Carolina - A place to live?
Jan 6th 2008, 9:05 pm
#17
Not living a 9 to 5 life
Joined: Jun 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,061
Jan 6th 2008, 9:09 pm
#19
Not living a 9 to 5 life
Joined: Jun 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,061
Jan 7th 2008, 2:51 am
#21
Banned
Joined: Mar 2006
Location: Orlando,Florida,living in Buckinghamshire for next 6 weeks.
Posts: 1,416
Re: North Carolina - A place to live?
I want to comment on the crime in Durham. Like any city of its size, Durham has some crime but I look at the crime mapper thingy on the Durham Police Department's website from time to time. It becomes clear that crime tends to cluster in particular neighborhoods. i.e. in eastern and central Durham.
I wouldn't be surprised if my comments were true for Charlotte too.
Another thing, I find it quite amusing that people who say Durham is dangerous or say things like "I wouldn't want to live in Durham" are quite frequently those who've never been to Durham or if they have, have only been to the shopping areas, Duke or the downtown district.
My only comment about High Point is that I couldn't believe how many tattoo shops I saw during my overnight (furniture buying) trip in High Point a few years back.
I wouldn't be surprised if my comments were true for Charlotte too.
Another thing, I find it quite amusing that people who say Durham is dangerous or say things like "I wouldn't want to live in Durham" are quite frequently those who've never been to Durham or if they have, have only been to the shopping areas, Duke or the downtown district.
My only comment about High Point is that I couldn't believe how many tattoo shops I saw during my overnight (furniture buying) trip in High Point a few years back.
BTW,High Point is the best place to buy high end furniture at a discount price.Maybe the least expensive place in the United States for luxury furniture.Thomasville,Henredon(SP) furniture is very well made.As a teen I and some friends got jobs during the furniture market convention as bartenders.Guess who didn't even drink or was legally old enough? I was tall for my age
Yes I agree with you how perception about a place can be over blown and far from the complete actual facts. North Carolina is a very safe state to live .Enfact there were times our doors went unlocked at night and there was never a concern that someone would attempt to enter our home.My mom bought a beautiful home in a gated Jamestown community in 1994 and sold it in 2000.The neighborhood safety stayed the same from day one till she sold the house.
You could leave your car doors unlocked and bikes out all night.In terms of safety that neighborhood was as safe as being in your mother's arms.No problems and I'm sure despite national statistics there are many areas of Durham which offer the same safety. I would agree you are correct to say that those issues in Durham and charlotte are area specific.
Jan 7th 2008, 9:20 am
#22
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 93
Re: North Carolina - A place to live?
Cool, good to hear the feedback. Liking the look of Jamestown and Winston Salem a lot. Will grab a map of the area soon and plan out some routes 
Jan 8th 2008, 6:30 am
#23
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 13,103
Re: North Carolina - A place to live?
...
Downside? Well I don't know your feelings on religion but if you are not religious or a regular church goer it may take you a while to get used to the church culture here. NC is in the bible belt and almost everyone attends church. In all the time I've lived here I've only known two people who did not attend church. Most peoples social lives also revolve around the church. I am just mentioning it because it was a big culture shock for me when we first moved here and it took me a little time to adjust.
...
Sue
Downside? Well I don't know your feelings on religion but if you are not religious or a regular church goer it may take you a while to get used to the church culture here. NC is in the bible belt and almost everyone attends church. In all the time I've lived here I've only known two people who did not attend church. Most peoples social lives also revolve around the church. I am just mentioning it because it was a big culture shock for me when we first moved here and it took me a little time to adjust.
...
Sue
So I live with my girlfriend of 14 years and have no desire or need to get married; she's non-white; and I haven't been to church since I was 5 years old.
Does this mean I'd get bricks through my windows? Weekly visits from the 'save the heathens' club? No membership at the Country Club? Or just no-one talking to me at the grocery store checkout?
I don't particularly dislike religious people, but I also don't think the Christians have any monopoly of common sense compared to the Jews, the Hindus, etc. So I suspect I may have a bit of a hard time of it in such a state.
It's a pity because I hear many great things about the state.
Jan 8th 2008, 11:18 am
#24
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Joined: Feb 2000
Location: Florida
Posts: 25,928
Re: North Carolina - A place to live?
Tell me more about this 'bible belt' stuff! I've been hearing about it for years, but living in the Bay Area, I'm oblivious to it.
So I live with my girlfriend of 14 years and have no desire or need to get married; she's non-white; and I haven't been to church since I was 5 years old.
Does this mean I'd get bricks through my windows? Weekly visits from the 'save the heathens' club? No membership at the Country Club? Or just no-one talking to me at the grocery store checkout?
So I live with my girlfriend of 14 years and have no desire or need to get married; she's non-white; and I haven't been to church since I was 5 years old.
Does this mean I'd get bricks through my windows? Weekly visits from the 'save the heathens' club? No membership at the Country Club? Or just no-one talking to me at the grocery store checkout?
Jan 8th 2008, 2:07 pm
#25
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,382
Re: North Carolina - A place to live?
I thik the last statment is very true no matter what part of the country you live in. Many churchgoers participate for the "what's in it for me" reason rather than because of a deep belief.
Jan 8th 2008, 2:12 pm
#26
Queen of my house
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 5,043
Re: North Carolina - A place to live?
Hi all
Following on from my original thread regarding US Visas, we are currently looking at North Carolina. The main reason is my US office is there in Reidsville so would be the most likely place for a transfer.
However, after a week or so of research it looks a very beautiful place to set up but after reviewing fizber.com, it doesn't seem the safest place. It also seems to have significantly depreciating property prices.
Violent Crime and Crime are well above average and property depreciated in the last 12 months.
My questions:
Where in North Carolina is somewhere safe, clean and nice to live in?
I would like a nice house, can be small but needs to have a small amount of land and above all, a nice area?
Not too far from international/domestic airport(s)
Plenty to do such as mountain biking/walking etc.
Not too much snow, don't mind a dusting but not wanting to be snowed in!
Commutable to Reidsville if possible.
Failing North Carolina, I have been looking at the New England area or Portland, Oregon area.
Any help appreciated or links.
Many thanks
Following on from my original thread regarding US Visas, we are currently looking at North Carolina. The main reason is my US office is there in Reidsville so would be the most likely place for a transfer.
However, after a week or so of research it looks a very beautiful place to set up but after reviewing fizber.com, it doesn't seem the safest place. It also seems to have significantly depreciating property prices.
Violent Crime and Crime are well above average and property depreciated in the last 12 months.
My questions:
Where in North Carolina is somewhere safe, clean and nice to live in?
I would like a nice house, can be small but needs to have a small amount of land and above all, a nice area?
Not too far from international/domestic airport(s)
Plenty to do such as mountain biking/walking etc.
Not too much snow, don't mind a dusting but not wanting to be snowed in!
Commutable to Reidsville if possible.
Failing North Carolina, I have been looking at the New England area or Portland, Oregon area.
Any help appreciated or links.
Many thanks
Jan 8th 2008, 2:16 pm
#27
Not living a 9 to 5 life
Joined: Jun 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,061
Re: North Carolina - A place to live?
Tell me more about this 'bible belt' stuff! I've been hearing about it for years, but living in the Bay Area, I'm oblivious to it.
So I live with my girlfriend of 14 years and have no desire or need to get married; she's non-white; and I haven't been to church since I was 5 years old.
Does this mean I'd get bricks through my windows? Weekly visits from the 'save the heathens' club? No membership at the Country Club? Or just no-one talking to me at the grocery store checkout?
I don't particularly dislike religious people, but I also don't think the Christians have any monopoly of common sense compared to the Jews, the Hindus, etc. So I suspect I may have a bit of a hard time of it in such a state.
It's a pity because I hear many great things about the state.
So I live with my girlfriend of 14 years and have no desire or need to get married; she's non-white; and I haven't been to church since I was 5 years old.
Does this mean I'd get bricks through my windows? Weekly visits from the 'save the heathens' club? No membership at the Country Club? Or just no-one talking to me at the grocery store checkout?
I don't particularly dislike religious people, but I also don't think the Christians have any monopoly of common sense compared to the Jews, the Hindus, etc. So I suspect I may have a bit of a hard time of it in such a state.
It's a pity because I hear many great things about the state.
On the other hand, a Japanese friend of mine bought a used car from a dealership maybe an hour's drive north of Durham. The salesperson gave her a Bible as well as handing over the car!
So, personally speaking, the "Bible Belt" stuff doesn't affect me. If you want to get involved in it, you can. I just like being able to get to places on a Sunday morning during church hours. Fewer vehicles on the road!
Jan 8th 2008, 2:20 pm
#28
Not living a 9 to 5 life
Joined: Jun 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,061
Re: North Carolina - A place to live?
Jan 8th 2008, 2:26 pm
#30
Not living a 9 to 5 life
Joined: Jun 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,061
Re: North Carolina - A place to live?
http://www.citypopulation.de/USA-NorthCarolina.html
Cary has a bigger population and that's a town too.