and dh and I both hope to move to NC. We really don't know much about it, but loved the times we have visited there. We want to be closer to family, but not too close and NC seems to be a good option. We are currently in Texas (I have lived here all my life).

How are the seasons (here in TX we have hot, hotter, hottest and sometimes in Feb it gets 'cool') hahah. We really want to be somewhere that has a true fall and spring.

How is the cost of living? Does anyone know of any good websites that help with that info? I'm curious about house prices mainly.

Dh is a journeyman electrician. He is curious about the growth out there. We are hoping to live 'near' a larger city where he can work, but not IN the city, yk? He's not too worried about finding a job, but I am worried about the pay....as I have no idea about the cost of living.

When James starts preschool next year, I will most likely go back to work (part-time) as a medical assistant. I am nationally certified and can do both front and back office. I have been an office manager in the past and a head nurse at a pediatric office, so I am not worried about finding a job.

My mom will be moving with us, so she will keep James when (if) I am working and he is out of school. We haven't made a final decision as to if she will live with us or just near us. Either is a viable option.

We just made the 'official' decision to move, which is exciting, yet scary too!

If you go to weather.com you can find seasonal temperatures (averages) and well as the current stats for NC cities. I live southeast of Charlotte, very close to SC and we do pretty much have seasons. None seem to be to an extreme, which is nice. Now, this is a general statement. :lol: We've also had some crazy hot spells in the summers (like 95 with heat indeces into the 100s for longer than a month at a time) and some wild snow/ice storms. Then there are the hurricanes, but one hasn't really caused damage this far inland in about 8 years (maybe longer, I'd have to check). One did come through and cause considerable damage, spawning many tornadoes, etc, so it's certainly a consideration I guess.

We live an hour and a quarter from downtown Charlotte, 45 minutes to an hour from Matthews, because live in WAY out in the country. There is a "university" area that is hip and cool and very near matthews.

You can be at the beach in 3 hrs and 15 minutes from our house, and to the mountains with snow/skiing in the same amount of time.

The cost of living in regards to housing is considered normal to good, the cost of food/etc is considered on the high side. My father is always amazed that prices on our food is often a full dollar more per item (or more) than in his area, in Ohio. Again, there is a website out there somewhere that discusses this, but I just can't remember what it is. A google search might turn it up though. There are many farmers markets here, however, where great produce is available during the summer months.

Even though existing home sales seem to have to stalled, there is certainly a considerable amount of growth in new homes in this area. Every time I drive to the city there are whole new subdivisions, apartment complexes and business complexes that just pop up almost overnight. Def rapid growth happening.

I homeschool, so the public school information I receive is likely jaded. :o There are so many incredible magnet and immersion schools in Charlotte though, and likely Matthews as well. The list of private schools is looooooooooooong.

Thanks for the info!

I homeschool, so the public school information I receive is likely jaded. :o There are so many incredible magnet and immersion schools in Charlotte though, and likely Matthews as well. The list of private schools is looooooooooooong.
This is an area that is still in negotiation. If we both do end up working, we will most likely go with private schooling. Obviously, it would be optimal for me to still be at home, but not sure how that is going to pan out.

Thanks again!

I'm in NC. I'm East of Raleigh a bit, out in the sticks.

I've lived in the 'triangle area' of NC since '79. With a 6 yr stint up in the NC mountains. I think NC is generally a great place to live. I loved, loved, loved the mountains - alas, there is no work up there for DH. So, we went back to the 'triangle area'.

Here near Raleigh, the growth is amazing. No shortage of jobs in the construction industry. The weather is great. We have seasons - well except winter! Right now the daytime temps have been ranging from mid-50s to mid-70s. During the winter, the range is from mid-30s to mid-60s. Spring can range anywhere from 50s to 80s. Summer, well its hot, but not as hot as texas.

Housing is expensive in Wake County, but cheaper in the surrounding counties. My in-laws just moved to the area and got a house in Clayton (a small town in the triangle area). I think they paid about $150 for their 3 bd house (3ba) with a basement on 2 acres. Housing prices really vary depending on how rural you are. Houses in Wake County below $200 are small and old, but the surrounding areas you have a much wider selection.

OH - homeschooling is super big here. But the public schools are good. There are a lot of private schools too.

In the Raliegh area there are lots of universities. The State schools are fantastic. There is NC State in Raleigh, UNC in Chapel Hill, Duke in Durham (that's private), NC Central in Raliegh and community colleges. There are more, I'm just drawing a blank.

Don't come to Fayetteville. That's all I have to say about NC. :p

Yeah fayetteville is kinda the armpit of NC. There are so many nice areas though. Job wise, you want to look in the triangle area or the charlotte area. Its too hot in Charlotte for me :)

I have lived in Western NC (Charlotte too) and loved it. I was single when I lived in Charlotte so I can't really say much bout that.

What area are you looking at? The mountains are just gorgeous!!

I am partial to Wake county... born and raised. We have lots of public school choices including montessori and charter schools. We have Caleb in a magnet school with advanced math and sciences available along with the arts. The cost of living varies depending on where you are in the county. We live in S. Raleigh where homes run 125k to 200k for a nice 3 bedroom. Just outside of Raleigh you have some smaller rural communities where the cost of living is lower, like Willow Springs, Fuquay, Clayton, and Apex. The closer to I-540, the more costly the housing gets. Thats because its the newest through way to RTP. Contruction here is booming! My cousin-in-law is a contractor in Fuquay and has more work than he knows what to do with. Journeymen here can make an average of 20-30 an hour with the right company. Medical field here is in desperate need so I thinking finding a job here for you would be a cinch.

Can you tell, I want you to move near me!! LOL!

Katie, you are so adorable!!!! I will push for Wake Co.......sounds like just what we are looking for!

Besides........who could pass up being your neighbor! James will be the best dressed kid in town (besides yours of course!) ;)

Oh Oh *raises hand* I live in Wake County!!! We've been here for 11 years, but I've lived in NC since '82. It's great here.

I like Charlotte better than Raleigh - it's just laid out better. But Raleigh is closer to where our parents live, so here we stay. I actually live south of Raleigh.

But like someone said, the growth in Raleigh and the surrounding areas is amazing. It's a great area to live.