If you are looking for somewhere that has mild temperatures, friendly faces, and scenic surroundings then you may not have to look much farther than North Carolina. Located on the East Coast of the USA, this beautiful state has lots to offer to newcomers. Students will find amazing education opportunities, whilst young professionals will find a job market that is going from strength to strength and families can find a plethora of child-friendly towns.
Whether you are someone who enjoys the outdoors or a greener city, North Carolina may be the place for you. Before you contact movers in Raleigh or similar cities, though, there are some things to know.
Is it a good place to live?
North Carolina is one of the most naturally attractive states that the US has to offer. It has coastal plains, barrier islands, rivers, waterfalls, mountains, and beaches. If you like the outdoors, then you will be well catered for here. The Blue Ridge Mountains contain the highest point east of the Mississippi in Mount Mitchell whilst the state has 34 state parks and 10 national parks. One of these is the most visited national park in the US: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
In addition to this, North Carolina has a low cost of living partnered with a booming business scene. The area known as the Triangle, Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, has become a research and technology hub that continues to grow year after year. There is a good mix of booming young cities alongside historic towns like Pinehurst and New Bern.
In terms of size, North Carolina is the ninth most populous state in the USA and has a population of around 10.8 million. It has grown steadily at 1.13% placing it 14th in the entire nation. As well as this, it has a median household income of around $56,600 with house prices to match. If this hasn’t convinced you then here are some reasons to move to North Carolina.
Outdoor activities
Thanks to the state’s diverse range of terrain and scenic views, there is almost no limit to what you can do outside in North Carolina. Many travelers, year-round, visit North Carolina from around the country and the world just to experience the state’s natural beauty. Some of the most popular activities include hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fishing, and boating. From the tops of mountains to beautiful beaches, there is a lot to explore and do.
The Appalachian trail run takes in 88 miles of the North Carolina mountains which bisect the Blue Ridge Mountains. This is all without bringing attention to the fact that North Carolina has around 322 miles of coast. Cape Point, Kitty Hawk, and Rodanthe are just some of the world-renown beaches that can be found in North Carolina at the Outer Banks.
If you enjoy history, then there are plenty of towns to explore. Bath is the oldest place in the state and was founded in 1705. It was briefly the home of Blackbeard, AKA Edward Teach. Beaufort in the east of North Carolina has around 150 historic homes and offers amazing tours of the historic district. Whether it is your outdoor adrenaline that you need to sate or your thirst for historical knowledge, North Carolina has it all.
The weather
There are three geographical areas in North Carolina. They are known as the coastal plains which are quite flat and a little swampy. The hills of Piedmont and the mountains of the West. These cover around one-fifth of the state. Because of this various atmosphere, the climate in North Carolina can be best described as humid and subtropical apart from in the mountains which tend to be cool and dry. Don’t worry there is plenty of sunshine throughout the year on average racking up around 2,600 hours in the year.
If you are looking to move away from extreme weather, then North Carolina could be for you. It is one of the milder states in the country. You will experience all four seasons but none of them should feel unbearable.
The economy
North Carolina is experiencing a little bit of growth in the economic sense and is thriving in the job market. This has led to many graduates and young professionals moving to the area. It has one of the healthiest economies in the country and had a highly skilled and educated workforce. Top companies include Compass Group, Bank of America, and Lowe’s. Right now, North Carolina is third in the entire nation for solar generation and has attracted leading energy groups to move there.
Education
North Carolina is home to many of the nation’s top colleges and universities. The most well-known is likely to be Duke University. It is a premier research university and always rates very highly among universities and colleges around the country. This is not the only one though. There is also the University of North Carolina found at Chapel Hill, Elon University, and Davidson College.
Southern charm
Strangers will be nice to you in North Carolina. This may come as a shock at first as many people who have grown up in the city are not used to it. However, in North Carolina, a warm welcome is the least that they will offer you. Southern hospitality at its best is on display in North Carolina. Many people talk about how quickly and easily they found it to settle in North Carolina because of this. There is such a wide community of people, and they will welcome everybody.
Moving to North Carolina
This is a big decision to be made and so it is only right that you take the time to think about what you actually want. The best thing to do is to try and live there for a bit before committing to the move. You will have that gut feeling which will tell you whether you want to stay there or not. If you get it, then maybe it is time you made a move to North Carolina.
