This June, we're going to take a vacation down in North Carolina. We've never been there -- I passed through once on the way north from Texas -- but its one of the places that we're considering for a retirement home. There are apparently a number of things to like about the state, including one odd thing (perhaps not so odd now as when I first heard it, a couple of years ago): people from the North who move to Florida occasionally find that while they like the climate, they don't like the heat, and they miss seasons. So they move back -- but not all the way. They usually get as far as North Carolina, which has seasons, though mild, and doesn't get the cold winters. The natives refer to these boomerang travelers as 'halfbacks' -- they got 'halfway back'.
So we'll see. The target, at the moment: Asheville.
4 comments:
*waves* Living in North Carolina here Bill. It's fantastic and definitely a worthy retirement place. I've lived just about everywhere (Virginia, NC, Alaska, Nevada, California, Texas, West Virginia and I'm sure some I'm forgetting) and NC is one of the best.
We live in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill Triangle area and love it. Very, very liberal area of NC, tons of great colleges and a pretty highly educated population in this area.
The beaches are about a four hour drive, great for weekend trips. Housing is very affordable even though the area has every amenity imagineable.
I haven't been to Asheville yet, but have been wanting to go for a long time. I've always heard nothing but glowing reviews about the area though. I've been wanting to go to the Biltmore forever.
The weather is indeed great. It does get pretty cold here however, but probably nothing like up North and winter's don't last as long. We have a nice, long spring which I love. August is hell though hehe.
You should also come during the spring. The whole place turns into one giant Azalea it seems like, it's just beautiful.
Definitely check out the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area if you end up seriously looking at this state for retirement. It's a great place to raise kids, especially teens.
Sorry I sound like a travelogue, we've only been here two years but just love it here. Unfortunately, my husband's company is probably transferring us out of here in 4 or 5 months, we really hate to leave it!
Sure, Narie -- move out just as soon as you hear we're considering -- not even doing, just CONSIDERING -- moving in....(g)
Seriously, thanks. Thats an excellent recommendation, and much valued.
Some friends of mine planted a church in Asheville last year in a former night club downtown. What used to be called the Orange is now Highland Christian Church and is a pretty cool place. Asheville is a great place, great arts community.
I spent a little bit of time yesterday looking at the 'official' web site for Carrboro, and one that's run by a commerical organization. I got the impression from the second that you could take their descriptions of what it was like, substitute 'Berkley' for 'Carrboro', and be fairly close. Which is not a bad thing....
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