I LOVE living in North Carolina and I think you will too! Let me share with you some of the reasons I moved to "the Triangle" (Raleigh, Durham Chapel Hill) from the Boston area 7 years ago.
Let's start with the obvious - weather! Here in central North Carolina we enjoy a beautifully temperate climate which still provides seasonal changes 4 times a year. Our average temperatures range from a low of 30 in January, to a high of 89 degrees in July. Yes, we do some get some legendary humidity in the summer, but it's usually short-lived. Anyway, I figure I'd rather have one month of heat than nine months of coat-wearing and snow-shoveling! You'll find that, during most of the year, it is rarely too hot or too cold to enjoy outdoor activities. Don't be surprised to find yourself having neighbors over for a barbecue in December, or golfing in short sleeves in February.
During those dog days of summer, should you choose to get away, it's an easy trip to the beach or the mountains. The cool, crisp air of Asheville and other western Carolina cities is within 4 hours of the Triangle, and you can drive to the coast in as little as 2 hours. I've yet to visit a North Carolina beach I didn't like, from the peaceful unspoiled dunes of the Outer Banks to the hustle and bustle of Wrightsville - they're all wonderful.
Because the weather is so wonderful most of the year, you will be able to enjoy the excellent system of public parks running throughout the Triangle. Raleigh's Park and Recreation Department runs a Greenway system that spans more than 54 miles and 3000 acres. These public spaces and trails are open year-round for hiking, biking, jogging, fishing, bird-watching, picnicking, or any kind of outdoor fun you can conjure up. From Durham, you can access the 22-mile American Tobacco Trail, running through Durham County into Chatham and Wake counties. The trail is open to pedestrians, cyclists, roller-blade aficionados and equestrians (in certain sections). The trail runs along an unused railroad bed built in the 1970's for the American Tobacco Company and is a fun destination on a glorious, North Carolina spring day.
Since most of us need to work for a living, you'll be happy to know that job growth continues to be strong here ...The Raleigh-Cary area enjoyed employment growth of 14% from 2000-2006, versus a national average during that time of 5.8% (Bureau of Labor Statistics). We have a healthy economic mix of high tech, biotech, pharmaceutical and service industries which has contributed mightily to the extraordinary expansion in this region (not to mention real estate values).
In addition, the Triangle is home to several fine institutions of higher learning; Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University to name a few. These universities contribute to the diversity of this area, and provide lots of thrills in the way of ACC sports activities. Perhaps you have heard of the Duke Blue Devils, or the UNC Tarheels basketball teams??
We've got pro sports too! The Carolina Hurricanes hockey team won the Stanley Cup two years back, giving this town lots of excitement! If baseball's more your thing, you can check out a Durham Bulls minor league game at the wonderful Durham Bulls Athletic Park. It's a top-notch facility that's very fan friendly and makes for a great family outing on a warm summer's night.
While the city of Raleigh may be smaller geographically than other metropolitan areas, you can still enjoy all the same cultural amenities here as elsewhere. Symphony, theater, museums, concert halls, jazz clubs, great American and international cuisine, excellent shopping, it's all here. And because we're not too spread out, you'll find you can get just about anywhere within 30 minutes.
By now you may be wondering if I am on the payroll of the North Carolina tourism bureau or Chamber of Commerce! But, no, I really and truly just think this is a great place to live, work and play. Whether you're six, sixteen, or sixty, the Triangle has something to offer you. Come for a visit and find out for yourself. And while you're here, give me a call to help you find your perfect home.
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