Looking to move to NC

[RidgeCrestMan]

Winston-Salem keeps popping up as a nice place to live. Are there any gems or recommendations that you can make for cities/towns that we should look at?

Thank You!

[ThankYouJack]

Why does Winston-Salem keep popping up? What are your preferences and what do you like / dislike about where you live now?

[RidgeCrestMan]

We live in the Southwestern United States and it is too hot!

We would prefer a milder four climate area.

NC seems like a good Home Base - Based on Family and Friends location in other states.

[jebmke]

We live in the Southwestern United States and it is too hot!

We would prefer a milder four climate area.

NC seems like a good Home Base - Based on Family and Friends location in other states.

much of North Carolina is hot and very humid in the summer. Actual temps not comparable to SW but humidity can be very high. Mid 90s with high humidity not unusual.

[Valuethinker]

We live in the Southwestern United States and it is too hot!

We would prefer a milder four climate area.

NC seems like a good Home Base - Based on Family and Friends location in other states.

North Carolina, particularly the lowlands, are hot - humid hot. Perhaps like East Texas? Also mosquitoes. I would definitely visit during a summer heat wave. Or perhaps rent for a year. Don't assume you will get relief from heat - although wildfires & smoke are much less of a thing, I believe.

The airport at Charlotte is of course incredibly well connected.

There have been many many threads about living in North Carolina on these boards if you search, and the advantages and disadvantages of different parts of the state.

The recent bad news is mostly confined to the western side of the state, I believe, but that's also something to bear in mind. No one was ready for this - but it could come again. The pictures are heart-breaking.

[mrmass]

OP really could use more info. Do you enjoy humid summers over hot dry heat? Kids/schools etc.
If you hate humidity, you need to go further north. Still humid but you get breaks from it throughout the summers.

Buy or rent? If buy how much do you want to pay?

[jebmke]

We live in the Southwestern United States and it is too hot!

We would prefer a milder four climate area.

NC seems like a good Home Base - Based on Family and Friends location in other states.

North Carolina, particularly the lowlands, are hot - humid hot. Perhaps like East Texas? Also mosquitoes. I would definitely visit during a summer heat wave. Or perhaps rent for a year. Don't assume you will get relief from heat - although wildfires & smoke are much less of a thing, I believe.

The airport at Charlotte is of course incredibly well connected.

There have been many many threads about living in North Carolina on these boards if you search, and the advantages and disadvantages of different parts of the state.

The recent bad news is mostly confined to the western side of the state, I believe, but that's also something to bear in mind. No one was ready for this - but it could come again. The pictures are heart-breaking.

yes; as a former resident of NC (near Chapel Hill) it is distressing to see the images. I know people in Asheville - have not kept in touch so no idea how they are faring.

As you note, the eastern part of NC is also quite vulnerable and some of it is disappearing into the sea, much like some areas very near me along the Chesapeake Bay.

W-S is a college town so it has that going for it, weather notwithstanding.

[smitcat]

We live in the Southwestern United States and it is too hot!

We would prefer a milder four climate area.

NC seems like a good Home Base - Based on Family and Friends location in other states.

You do not say where you are now but you can compare it here....
https://weatherspark.com/y/18973/Averag ... e_vignette

[capricorn]

I have lived in Winston-Salem for 35 years and recommend it highly. It calls itself the “City of Arts and Innovation” and is a good-sized city with steady but not crazy growth, a diverse population and employment base, good highway connections without bad traffic, reasonable housing costs, active and growing downtown, great local food scene, decent local government, several colleges (including private, arts, HBCU, and women’s), and proximity to a terrific smaller airport. Winston-Salem is in a beautiful area—the Piedmont Triad of North Carolina, between the coastal plain and the mountains. Summer days are mostly hot (85-90) and humid—like much of the eastern US—but winters are not extreme, and spring and fall are long, changeable seasons with lots of beautiful days. The city’s history is very interesting: the town of Salem, founded by Moravians in 1766 searching for religious freedom, merged with the growing commercial town of Winston (think tobacco) in 1913. Old Salem Museums and Gardens (an accurate re-creation of the early years of Salem, with costumed interpreters and tradespeople at work) is fascinating and is within walking distance of the modern downtown. Might be the place for you!

[physics911]

I'm an NC native, western end in the mountains. What specifically are you looking for? I never lived in Winston but was out there a lot visiting family. Personally I wouldn't move there, but your criteria may be vastly different from mine.

[Tjb]

We live in Greensboro, 20 minutes to Winston from here. We really like it and it gets better every year. The Steven Tanger Center for performing arts has been a great addition, Very nice minor league baseball facilities and a fun team to go see, excellent parks and greenways and a number of public lakes to use for fishing, boating and kayaking etc. 2 hours to the mountains and 2.5 - 3 hrs to the beach depending on which beach you go to. Good restaurants, and plenty of culture. The NC folk festival each year is a grand event and there are many festivals and entertainment options. The beaches and mountains are wonderful, although they take a hit from storms from time to time. The most recent storm in western NC was a 100 year event and it will take some time to recover from it. As some have mentioned it gets humid in the summer but this area has a long spring and summer period and a short winter. If it gets too hot there is always a trip to the mountains or beach that makes it nicer to deal with. The city, like Winston or any other city in the US has its problems but efforts are always in play to try to help. I don't think you can go wrong with Greensboro, or Winston Salem for quality of life and affordability. We are originally from Maryland (Baltimore to be exact) and although we love Maryland, It's getting more and more expensive and the winters are more harsh than NC. Summers about the same in my opinion.

I would suggest visiting and staying in both areas for a bit of time and get a feel for the vibe. You can be close to town, or not far on a larger lot, but still have access to either city. An area like Kernersville is between Winston and Greensboro and has easy access to both.

Summerfield and Oak ridge are suburbs with nice houses and larger lots. Jamestown is a solid area and splits the difference between Greensboro and high point.

for the record, the area here is commonly known as The Triad which combines Greensboro, Winston Salem and High Point. Each city has thing to offer and all three are easily accessible form one another.

Good luck on your search and I hope this helps.

[Conch55]

I have lived in Winston-Salem for 35 years and recommend it highly. It calls itself the “City of Arts and Innovation” and is a good-sized city with steady but not crazy growth, a diverse population and employment base, good highway connections without bad traffic, reasonable housing costs, active and growing downtown, great local food scene, decent local government, several colleges (including private, arts, HBCU, and women’s), and proximity to a terrific smaller airport. Winston-Salem is in a beautiful area—the Piedmont Triad of North Carolina, between the coastal plain and the mountains. Summer days are mostly hot (85-90) and humid—like much of the eastern US—but winters are not extreme, and spring and fall are long, changeable seasons with lots of beautiful days. The city’s history is very interesting: the town of Salem, founded by Moravians in 1766 searching for religious freedom, merged with the growing commercial town of Winston (think tobacco) in 1913. Old Salem Museums and Gardens (an accurate re-creation of the early years of Salem, with costumed interpreters and tradespeople at work) is fascinating and is within walking distance of the modern downtown. Might be the place for you!

The medical scene looks good too. Wake Forest medical school and some large hospitals are good things to consider when thinking retirement and aging. We have been many times to visit family and like the area. It's a mix of old, as mentioned above, but has all the usual modern shopping conveniences.

[RidgeCrestMan]

Thank You for all the responses.

Our first step is going to be visiting for a week and exploring a number of different areas.

From everything that we have read and seen, it seems like a diverse area with a lot of potential opportunities.

Thank You again for your help.

[bloom2708]

Visit and see what you think.

At least you didn't put Asheville, NC on top of the list after the past several days. Ouch. Helene. Ouch.

That was a really bad turn of events for a beautiful area. It is going to take a long time to recover for some parts.

[FeralCat]

We live in the Southwestern United States and it is too hot!

We would prefer a milder four climate area.

NC seems like a good Home Base - Based on Family and Friends location in other states.

You do not say where you are now but you can compare it here....
https://weatherspark.com/y/18973/Averag ... e_vignette

"Muggy" really doesn't describe the absolutely miserable humidity if you're not used to it. As someone who grew up in a very hot area in California, I'd take 105 F, and 45-percent humidity over 87 F, 90-percent humidity. It also cools down at night in Northern California - in fact, I have fond memories of summer nights growing up. I am now in DC, and summer nights are like being trapped in a stupid sauna all of the time.

[jebmke]

I'd take 105 F, and 45-percent humidity

I think that would be a dew point in the upper 70s, quite high even for DC

[FeralCat]

I'd take 105 F, and 45-percent humidity

I think that would be a dew point in the upper 70s, quite high even for DC

I believe this is a standard temp/humidity in the hotter parts of Northern California - it's a dry heat. It can cool down to the 50s at night. In DC, it never cools down below 72 F, and on the hotter days 78 F. What happens at night really matters for comfort.

[jebmke]

I'd take 105 F, and 45-percent humidity

I think that would be a dew point in the upper 70s, quite high even for DC

I believe this is a standard temp/humidity in the hotter parts of Northern California - it's a dry heat. It can cool down to the 50s at night. In DC, it never cools down below 72 F, and on the hotter days 78 F. What happens at night really matters for comfort.

Hmm. If it cooled down to the 50s with a dewpoint in the 70s that would mean over 100% humidity at night. Would require a massive drop in saturated moisture just to get down to 100% humidity.

[FeralCat]

I'd take 105 F, and 45-percent humidity

I think that would be a dew point in the upper 70s, quite high even for DC

I believe this is a standard temp/humidity in the hotter parts of Northern California - it's a dry heat. It can cool down to the 50s at night. In DC, it never cools down below 72 F, and on the hotter days 78 F. What happens at night really matters for comfort.

Hmm. If it cooled down to the 50s with a dewpoint in the 70s that would mean over 100% humidity at night. Would require a massive drop in saturated moisture just to get down to 100% humidity.

I just checked: forecast for Wednesday is 101F day, low 59F at night, 20% humidity.

[jebmke]

I'd take 105 F, and 45-percent humidity

I think that would be a dew point in the upper 70s, quite high even for DC

I believe this is a standard temp/humidity in the hotter parts of Northern California - it's a dry heat. It can cool down to the 50s at night. In DC, it never cools down below 72 F, and on the hotter days 78 F. What happens at night really matters for comfort.

Hmm. If it cooled down to the 50s with a dewpoint in the 70s that would mean over 100% humidity at night. Would require a massive drop in saturated moisture just to get down to 100% humidity.

I just checked: forecast for Wednesday is 101F day, low 59F at night, 20% humidity.

That makes more sense -- 45% humidity would be weird for temps in the 100s for CA I would think. I am not that far from DC, highest DP I can remember this last summer was around 79 -- not totally out of line for mid-Atlantic but nasty. As you say, if one isn't used to it it can be pretty oppressive. I grew up in Florida and there it is quite normal. But there are some things you just don't do during the day in summer there.

[FeralCat]

I think that would be a dew point in the upper 70s, quite high even for DC

I believe this is a standard temp/humidity in the hotter parts of Northern California - it's a dry heat. It can cool down to the 50s at night. In DC, it never cools down below 72 F, and on the hotter days 78 F. What happens at night really matters for comfort.

Hmm. If it cooled down to the 50s with a dewpoint in the 70s that would mean over 100% humidity at night. Would require a massive drop in saturated moisture just to get down to 100% humidity.

I just checked: forecast for Wednesday is 101F day, low 59F at night, 20% humidity.

That makes more sense -- 45% humidity would be weird for temps in the 100s for CA I would think. I am not that far from DC, highest DP I can remember this last summer was around 79 -- not totally out of line for mid-Atlantic but nasty. As you say, if one isn't used to it it can be pretty oppressive. I grew up in Florida and there it is quite normal. But there are some things you just don't do during the day in summer there.

There were a couple of weeks in DC this summer where humidity was roughly 40- to 45-percent, and it was in the low to mid-90s. I didn't use the AC during this time. It felt perfectly fine to me. I guess that is why I thought of 40-percent or so. It can feel hard to breathe here in the summer, the air can be so thick with water.

[smitcat]

We live in the Southwestern United States and it is too hot!

We would prefer a milder four climate area.

NC seems like a good Home Base - Based on Family and Friends location in other states.

You do not say where you are now but you can compare it here....
https://weatherspark.com/y/18973/Averag ... e_vignette

"Muggy" really doesn't describe the absolutely miserable humidity if you're not used to it. As someone who grew up in a very hot area in California, I'd take 105 F, and 45-percent humidity over 87 F, 90-percent humidity. It also cools down at night in Northern California - in fact, I have fond memories of summer nights growing up. I am now in DC, and summer nights are like being trapped in a stupid sauna all of the time.

Depends what you like - that is why you can compare areas with the above link.

[jm1495]

We live in Greensboro, 20 minutes to Winston from here. We really like it and it gets better every year. The Steven Tanger Center for performing arts has been a great addition, Very nice minor league baseball facilities and a fun team to go see, excellent parks and greenways and a number of public lakes to use for fishing, boating and kayaking etc. 2 hours to the mountains and 2.5 - 3 hrs to the beach depending on which beach you go to. Good restaurants, and plenty of culture. The NC folk festival each year is a grand event and there are many festivals and entertainment options. The beaches and mountains are wonderful, although they take a hit from storms from time to time. The most recent storm in western NC was a 100 year event and it will take some time to recover from it. As some have mentioned it gets humid in the summer but this area has a long spring and summer period and a short winter. If it gets too hot there is always a trip to the mountains or beach that makes it nicer to deal with. The city, like Winston or any other city in the US has its problems but efforts are always in play to try to help. I don't think you can go wrong with Greensboro, or Winston Salem for quality of life and affordability. We are originally from Maryland (Baltimore to be exact) and although we love Maryland, It's getting more and more expensive and the winters are more harsh than NC. Summers about the same in my opinion.

I would suggest visiting and staying in both areas for a bit of time and get a feel for the vibe. You can be close to town, or not far on a larger lot, but still have access to either city. An area like Kernersville is between Winston and Greensboro and has easy access to both.

Summerfield and Oak ridge are suburbs with nice houses and larger lots. Jamestown is a solid area and splits the difference between Greensboro and high point.

for the record, the area here is commonly known as The Triad which combines Greensboro, Winston Salem and High Point. Each city has thing to offer and all three are easily accessible form one another.

Good luck on your search and I hope this helps.

I live in the Triad as well. Beautiful area. It can be hot in the summer, but no worse than the 100 degree 100% humidity of Indiana in the summer where I moved from. Resonable cost of living. Three hours to the ocean, typically three hours to the mountains. Obviously with the recent devestation in WNC, the mountains are pretty inaccessible right now.

Winston Salem, Clemmons, Kernersville, Thomasville, Greensboro are all good places to check out.

[faanger101]

We would prefer a milder four climate area.

NC seems like a good Home Base - Based on Family and Friends location in other states.

Four climate area in Winston Salem? Are you sure you did the research?

[atdharris]

We live in the Southwestern United States and it is too hot!

We would prefer a milder four climate area.

NC seems like a good Home Base - Based on Family and Friends location in other states.

North Carolina, particularly the lowlands, are hot - humid hot. Perhaps like East Texas? Also mosquitoes. I would definitely visit during a summer heat wave. Or perhaps rent for a year. Don't assume you will get relief from heat - although wildfires & smoke are much less of a thing, I believe.

The airport at Charlotte is of course incredibly well connected.

There have been many many threads about living in North Carolina on these boards if you search, and the advantages and disadvantages of different parts of the state.

The recent bad news is mostly confined to the western side of the state, I believe, but that's also something to bear in mind. No one was ready for this - but it could come again. The pictures are heart-breaking.

yes; as a former resident of NC (near Chapel Hill) it is distressing to see the images. I know people in Asheville - have not kept in touch so no idea how they are faring.

As you note, the eastern part of NC is also quite vulnerable and some of it is disappearing into the sea, much like some areas very near me along the Chesapeake Bay.

W-S is a college town so it has that going for it, weather notwithstanding.

I was born in W-S and lived there until I was 8. I still have close family there. I wouldn't call it a college town at all. There are some bars in the area, but I struggled to find a restaurant serving food after 9pm when I was last up there and had to meet someone traveling into W-S late.

Winston is a nice place though and you could pick far worse places to go. I live in Charleston now though. Much more lively, which is more my speed, but it depends on what you're looking for.

[hudson]

Winston-Salem keeps popping up as a nice place to live. Are there any gems or recommendations that you can make for cities/towns that we should look at?

Thank You!

It's off the subject a little...
One can see a tall building or two in Winston Salem from the top of Hawksbill Mountain...above Linville Gorge. I guess one should be able to see Hawksbill Mountain from the top floor of one of those buildings. Distance is 93 miles as the birds fly.
The roads to Hawksbill are likely all washed out at the moment.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/100+Nor ... FQAw%3D%3D

[CLKGTR]

Raleigh triangle area is growing rapidly

[Valuethinker]

Raleigh triangle area is growing rapidly

I read complaints online about the growing traffic problem.

I don't know if this is "Austin Texas" style growth (of the problem) or just it's not as nice as it once was.

[FellsIsland]

I live in the triangle and would recommend it but, as others have noted, summer heat is not for everyone and traffic can be an issue depending on your commute. Sounds like OP likes NC for it's proximity to other states and the nice thing about NC is that it has pretty much every option.

[xtracrispy1031]

Charlotte resident for 10 years, originally from New England area. The heat is real in the summer time. Fall and winter are lovely, but spring and summer are very difficult for me. I played outside non-stop as a kid in the North. My kids can't go outside during summer here, probably more confined to indoors than a northern winter, strangely.

Having said that, there are a ton of positives. The Charlotte airport guarantees we can pretty much fly direct anywhere in the US, and have flown direct overseas a number of times. There is a wonderful brewery/dining scene throughout the city, pro sports and attractions, and a reasonable cost of living (though that has started to creep upward). We live in a very good public school district in South Charlotte that is surprisingly diverse both racially and culturally, which is great to see.

3 hour drive southeast to Charleston and Hilton Head beaches. 2 hour drive west to the mountains. We visit Asheville annually and love it so much. Very sad to see what happened there with the hurricane. That's a truly lovely place, hoping they recover soon.

I wouldn't consider central or eastern NC to have 4 seasons, though. More like brutally hot (May-Sept), pleasurably warm (Oct/Nov, March/April), and comfortably cool (Dec-Feb).

Best of luck.