Would Raleigh-Durham offer change of pace?

[becktothefuture]

I've lived in NYC, Chicago and LA. My priorities since becoming a womenpreneur and Mommy have shifted and my Husband and I are looking for a change in scenery and work/life balance.

Would you recommend Raleigh-Durham over Charlotte for a smooth transition for big city natives?

[Brendon]

Charlotte is more of a southern experience, trying hard to be Atlanta.
Raleigh is more of a modern experience, trying hard to be Portland, OR.

Based on your choice of words, Raleigh is in your future.

If you want the urban-lite feel, I imagine Charlotte has more of it, but Raleigh has bit of it, with the North Hills complex (apartments and businesses in high rise in close proximity) and a copy cat of that in planning stages in Cary. In neither place will you achieve the car-free life of NYC, nor car-full life of LA.

Durham is up and coming, and for the record, a totally different place than Raleigh.

Where ever you end up.... good luck.

[Michael_Pell]

I agree with Brendon on everything except Raleigh. "urban-lite" is right for Charlotte. However, in Raleigh, I doubt anyone has ever envied Portland or the west coast. Being the capital, there is a lot of NC pride and culture. I experienced it as an upscale small Southern town. I wouldn't (and no longer) live there for my 20s. I imagine that in my 30s it will be one of the top places in the country to live a suburban lifestyle.

[becktothefuture]

Brendon, if you're not a writer, you should be. Thanks for the response!

[becktothefuture]

Cool! Thanks Michael, I never imagined in my 20's finding Raleigh, Charlotte or the South for that matter an alluring place for me, but ebbing into my mid-30's has definitely changed my tune. Appreciate your insight! Much obliged.