Jimellow

In the not too distant future, I intend to move out of PA, to another state, and "start life" from there. I just graduated college and want to experience another part of the country, as I am finding this area, the people in it, and the general vibe, to be getting old and tiring.

The two choices I currently am considering are Los Angeles, California and North Carolina, outside of Raleigh.

A good friend of mine will be auditioning for a job with Disney and if he gets it, he will be moving to California, specifically LA/Hollywood. I assume he would live outside the city, and commute in. I was offered the opportunity to go to California with him and be his roommate. It is appealing to me in the sense that we will be roommates; easing into the "moving to another state" situation. However, I also am curious if I would prefer moving alone, and thus being truly "alone" to start life on my own.

That being said, I don't really have a desire to live in LA. To me, LA seems like a huge city with high crime, a terrible commute, and very pricey living conditions. Yes, it's California, and yes the weather is ideal, almost perfect, but if I were to move to California, I would not put LA high on my list of desirable cities. I've lived in a city my entire life, and if anything I would prefer a smaller town, with less crime, friendlier people, and a generally more "local" feeling.

Furthermore, if I did move to California, I would be the more "disadvantaged" of the two of us, as my friend would already have a job lined up and have immediate work. He is only going if he gets the job.

Despite this overly negative vibe, I have never been to California, or out west, so I could be way off base in my assumptions. This is a case where I specifically would welcome your experiences in and around California, specifically in the Los Angeles area.

The other option is North Carolina, outside of Raleigh. Where LA is mostly a turnoff, except for my friend going there, North Carolina seems ideal to me in the things I find important. Based on my research (CNN Money's "Best Places to Live, namely) North Carolina provides a decent job market, low crime, and friendly people. I have been up and down the East Coast through vacationing, and I found Florida to be too hot and muggy in the summer, but PA to be too cold and uncomfortable in the winter. North Carolina has always been one of my ideal places to live, despite me only being there briefly in passing on the way to Florida.

What I really would appreciate in this thread is any kind of feedback regarding either, or both, places. I would be moving there without employment, and would be looking to rent an apartment, get a job, and start "living."

I am not in a relationship, nor do I have burdens that are going to make moving anywhere difficult, and in a sense I guess this is a luxury. I also am not of the mindset that the place I move to is going to be where I spend the rest of my life. If I move to either place and don't like it, I will move somewhere else after the lease is up. Granted, this is only possible for a limited time, primarily due to employment and a career-type job, but initially I am not going to consider this move a once and done deal.

Any and all feedback, positive or negative, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

__________________
Desperation is no excuse for lowering one's standards.

Willravel

Two questions: who did you vote for in the last presidental election? and does smog give you asthma?

Jimellow

I'm not really big on politics. I tend to be all over the place, but also very open minded to differing opinions and views. I am too young and ignorant politically to be able to label myself as a liberal, conservative, or other. I just have not experiened life enough to be able to see where I tend to fall. What I support one day, I may oppose the next, etc. Unfortunately, it seems most people are solidly (and often also blindly) set one way or another, thus making political discussion about as worthless as discussing religion. But that is another topic for another day...

Regarding smog.. I would list it as a turnoff. I tend to like nature and a natural environment. I enjoy hiking and being outside. I am not a big fan of living in the inner-city, as I've done it my entire life so far. Smog doesn't give me asthma, but I would be reluctant to move to a smog filled area, on the basis that in order for there to be heavy smog, there likely is not a whole lot of nature, but instead lots of factories, urban sprawl, etc.

I consider myself to be more of a "nature person." I don't really enjoy shopping, don't go to bars or clubs, and I truly enjoy just going out and being in nature. There is a state park reasonably close by that I hike at often, and ideally I would be able to move to a place where there would be plenty of opportunities to go outside, perhaps even at multiple parks.

I am not overly fond of the beach or ocean. If given the choice of going to the beach or a hike in the woods, I'd pick the hike every time.

If I were to step outside myself and make a choice, it seems that I am leaning strongly away from LA, and a large city. Realistically, I am not even sure I want to move in with a friend I've known many years now - as ultimately getting away from the people I know is certainly one aspect fueling my desire to move - even though it appears to be one of the top benefits a move to LA has to offer me . However, despite this, I'd really appreciate further feedback.

Even if the decision is already made in my mind, further feedback would help me greatly in determining whether it is also the right decision.

__________________
Desperation is no excuse for lowering one's standards.

Willravel

I *think* you have a better chance of finding a job in NC, but don't quote me. I have family in LA and in Feyetteville (NC), and they are very much different. Los Angeles has it's advantages. If you get a job there, you'll probably make more than you would in North Carolina. Your rent will be more, but not all things keep up with localized inflation, so your dollars can still go far. If you don't mind heat, Los Angeles has really great weather. You're very close to some beautiful deserts. You're surrounded by people all the time. You accedentally bump into celebrities every once in a while if you know where to eat out (I've bumped into dozens, I even flirted with Scarlett Johansson once). You'll be dealing with the extreems of classes there, eveything from third world poverty to some of the richest people on the planet. Only in LA can you see a Ferreri, a Lambo, a Zonda, and an 83 Jetta without bumpers all in traffic.

On the flip side there's NC. When I say flip side, I mean the polar opposite. The population in NC is very much spread out over a large area. The weather is wetter (humid in the summer, snowy in the winter...neither of which hapens in LA). Nature is everywhere, and there really is no worry about smog. There are military families everywhere thanks to Fort Bragg.

LA doesn't have hurricanes. NC doesn't have gangs. LA doesn't have forests and wet weather. NC isn't in California...the best state ever.

Whatever you choose, enjoy yourself.

maleficent

NC will be a lot like PA weather wise... it's got seasons... NC has a l ot of yankees in it, so it's not really the south. Raleigh isn't all that cheap anymore, it's coming up in dollar values, but the Research triangle area (Raleight/Durham) has a fairly large technology sector so that means lots of jobs. There's also a pharma company or two there, so more jobs. plus the durham bulls are a fun afternoon out.... and there's always really good bbq..

California - cultural wasteland... outside of san diego, the weather sucks.

You're young, you're just starting out... you'll make this adventure what you make it - -you'll have fun where ever you go... just enjoy...

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Glory's Sun

Don't come to NC. It's extrememly boring here. I hate every second that I'm still here.

lurkette

We lived in Durham, NC for 8 years and loved it. Raleigh is too conservative and sprawl-y, Chapel Hill is too expensive, but Durham and Carrboro are awesome! Diverse, affordable, artsy, cultural, and some fine, fine food. Where we are now (Greensboro) is also a great place - the downtown is better than Durham's, and it has good theater and more walkable neighborhoods - but Durham and that area have a lot to offer. PM me if you want more info.

LA has its appeal, but I think unless you're willing to live in a shithole and drive for at least 2 hours/day, you'll probably be miserable. There's a lot going on out there, if you can afford to do it, and the weather can be nice, but I think the disparity in wealth would drive me nuts, being surrounded by all that money with none of it trickling down. That said, of what I've seen outside of LA proper, Pasadena seemed like a cool place to live. But I was only there for a day.

__________________
"If ten million people believe a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing."

- Anatole France

Sage

Dude, think about Asheville and WNC too!

But, seriously, I'd take Raleigh over LA ANY DAY, even with all the things you guys have mentioned (good and bad). Doubly so since you said you don't really like living in the city. Plus, with the Raleigh/Durham/Apex/Cary/Chapel Hill area, there's a TON more options for where to live and where to work- all those cities kinda blend into one big metropolis- but a sprawling, "lots of parks and green space" metropolis.

About living on your own- there's nothing like it, and if you can afford it DO IT. It's GREAT! Being able to watch TV as loud as you want until the wee hours of the morning, waking up and shuffling around the house in your underwear (or naked), not having to worry about your roommate taking a girl home and keeping you up at night, not having to worry about taking a girl home with you and finding your roommate on the couch asleep... that kinda thing. Not having a roommate is a VERY liberating thing!

All that being said, I echo the fact that you're young, and you'll have fun whatever you do!

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cj2112

If you like nature, and rural areas, if you don't like urban sprawl, if your not a huge fan of the ocean, do not move to L.A. I grew up in Long Beach, I'm very familiar with the L.A. area. and given what you've said you want, L.A. is not the place for you.

vanblah

This can be a very hard decision. What did you major in? What do you want to do with your life?

My instincts say that you should try the big cities while you're fairly young and have nothing to lose. Of course, I'm assuming that you're fairly young and have nothing to lose.

If I were ten or so years younger I'd pick LA over NC. In fact, I tried NYC for a while ... until I just couldn't stand it anymore and moved here to Memphis. I wouldn't trade my experiences in NYC for anything. The people that you meet from all over the world change you forever. Not saying that there's no culture in other cities ... but the big cities just have a totally different feeling.

If I had to move NOW (and the move wasn't for a career in music) I'd pick NC; of course I'm a little older now and I desire a much slower pace. I don't like to drive, I don't like noise etc. etc. In fact, I walk to work every day and I live in a very quite part of Midtown.

Good luck and remember that you don't have to stick with any decision you make. You can always move again ... it took me four cities to get to Memphis and I don't think I'm done yet.

match000

I just spent 4 years in California (Bay area).

Once you get used to California you don't want to leave. Unfortunately, I have to leave now...

I would rather spend my 20's in Cali than NC.

Willravel

Sorry you have to leave, match. You're welcome to come back whenever you want!

lurkette

Bay Area != LA

__________________
"If ten million people believe a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing."

- Anatole France

Sultana

Well, I love Los Angeles. What you experience will correlated directly with where you choose to live. It's not all smog and gangs and big city rush. Don't get sucked into the stereotypes. I love that I can go to independant theater every night of the week and see things and be exposed to thoughts that never make it to the mainstream. I love the creative people who are my friends, who make an effort to choose to live simply--ok, perhaps because they live in rather small places, but still they are happy, and a good location can't be beat by bigger closets.

Just like anywhere you choose to live, you'll get out of it what you invest into it. If you are positive-minded, you'll be surrounded by positivity.

However, there is always traffic. Gotta be able to handle that.

__________________
"Love is a snowmobile racing across the tundra and then suddenly it flips over, pinning you underneath.
At night, the ice weasels come." -

Matt Groening

My goal? To fulfill my potential.

Chuckles

I live in irvine just outside of LA. theres tons of areas around here man. Newport, laguna , huntington, costa mesa, bajillions of places right outside of LA. The weather is awesome, LOTS of things going on, the girls. LA is definately the place where you can work yourself up in my opinion. I also have spent most of my life in northern california, which is ridiculously awesome too, right outside the bay. California = awesome.

Jimellow

Thanks for the replies. Lots of good information here.

To me, California seems like a wonderful place, but Los Angeles would not be on my list of ideal places for me to live; thus I suspect I am overrating the potential of rooming with a friend in a city I don't really desire going to. After doing some apartment rate checks for areas in and around LA, I am quite confident I couldn't afford living there if I wanted to, and a split rate would still be more expensive than what I would consider to be reasonable rent for someone my age.

I understand the desire for many younger people to flock to the big cities, but personally I am not attracted to intensely urban areas, again mostly due to me living in a smaller, but progressively more urbanized, area up to this point in my life. Whereas California is a very desirable place for me to move, Los Angeles would be one of the least desirable locations for me to relocate to within California, and this has mostly been reinforced since I made an effort to start researching it recently.

I think I tend to be a bit mature in regards to my desires. For instance, instead of a seeking an active night life and clubbing, I'd rather just settle down and enjoy a slower paced lifestyle. Based on my friends interests who are about my age (24), I'd consider this desire to be a bit unique; as they tend to prefer partying hard and living the "big city" life to the extent it is available here, whereas I would rather visit an art musuem, or go on a hike, and then come home and read into the night.

Lastly, I certainly don't consider this move to be a once and done deal, unless I do truly enjoy the area and want to spend a large portion of my life there. And while the option of moving to another part of California certainly does exist, I seem to keep coming back to North Carolina... And the more I find out about it, the more I like.

I think the big obstruction regarding Los Angeles for me is that if I were to move there with my friend, is that I would be the more disadvantaged of the two; having no job, limited income, and being in an area that appears to have a high cost of living. My friend will only go to LA if he has a job lined up, and while I don't really doubt my ability to get employment in LA, I do feel there would be a hefty amount of pressure to get a job that would be able to provide me with enough funding to pay the bills in an area that was respectable and not a ghetto/projects.

Conversely, the lower cost of living in North Carolina would allow me to focus more on enjoying life, and less on monetary gain in the efforts to pay the bills every month.

And lastly (not kidding this time), if I bring the decision strictly to a monetary level, I don't think I would live in Los Angeles at North Carolina rates, let alone at Los Angeles rates, as I would not list it as one of the cities I would desire moving to in California.

By now, I have pretty much answered my initial question, but I also don't want to provide closure to the thread. If anyone has responses or corrections to potential stereotyping on my end, I would welcome being set right. Also, I still would greatly appreciate further advice or opinions from those that are familiar with either location.

__________________
Desperation is no excuse for lowering one's standards.

thingstodo

I didn't read any of the responses but here's my two cents:

I've worked (traveled to) LA a fair amount over the years and I lived in Raleigh for four years.

Raleigh:

- great cost of living
- normal traffic
- great people
- great jobs
- many great colleges which contributes to hogh level people and R&D

LA:

- none of the above
- does have Disney
- celebs
- insanely expensive
- traffic, traffic, traffic
- did I say traffic?
- smog

The Carolinas are wonderful and, not knowing your educational background, I still thing you'd stand a decent chance of landing a good job. The weather is great with seasons. Wonderful people. Raleigh, because of the Research Triangle Park and all that comes with that attracts a very diverse population and makes it different from much of the rest of NC, kind of like Atlanta is different from the rest of GA.

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If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves.

Stangers have the best candy.

VirFighter

Can't believe I didn't see this thread until now!

Anyway, I grew up in North Raleigh and my parents still live there (I'm back and forth between there and Atlanta). As much as I hate the idea of more yankees moving in, it is a very nice area to live in if you can afford it. (Afford being a relative term if you are considering California, Raleigh is expensive by NC standards IMO).

The job market is largely technology based. The research triangle park is home to a several large technology/computer companies including IBM, Cisco, and Redhat. There is also a big pharmaceutical influence (Glaxo).

Raleigh (and the triangle area as a whole) can be very different based on what part you live in. It has a lot to offer, from the People's Republic of Cary to the "country" living of the undeveloped south east side. Raleigh has no real downtown to speak of, so if night life is what you want then forget about it. If you want a "real city" in NC then Charlotte is a very nice place as well. However, I'm not sure if any city in NC can touch the diversity of Raleigh (and the triangle area). Have you done any research as far as what area you'd consider other than "outside of Raleigh"?

If you've got some specific questions I'd be glad to help you out. You can either PM me or just communicate in this thread. I'll tell you from the start though, I'm biased.

The South is where I grew up and where I want to spend my life. California would be a nice place to visit but you'd have a hard time convincing me to live there. While some say Raleigh is not "The South" because of the large influx of out of towners (thanks IBM), I tend to disagree. Yes there are parts of Raleigh that look like everytown, USA (I avoid Cary like the plague) but if want to find the southern charm it is still there. It's no Alabama but then it never was a deep south state.

That being said, I have done a fair amount of traveling including living outside the country (southeast Asia and most recently spending this summer in Vancouver, Canada) so I'd like to think my opinion is biased by choice, not by ignorance.

-Zach

Edit: I forgot to add, if you are a basketball fan then Raleigh is an easy choice. Tobacco Road as its called is home to the best college basketball in the country.

__________________
"The South is gonna boogie again"
- Disco Stu

Jimellow

Thanks! It's really nice to get feedback from someone that has been to both places.. I also tend to agree with your comparison, with the prime difference being I have been to neither place. But the fact that you list the positives you do for Carolina is reassuring, and nice to see.

I have a Bachelor of the Arts degree in English, and a years worth of management experience at a respectable, nationwide company/corporation. I have doubts about how much a degree in English will help me get a job (especially considering the Tech Triangle would seem to focus more on technical degrees, etc), but perhaps the year of management will be good on a resume. If not, I am not opposed to starting at the bottom and working my way up. The nice thing about the lowered cost of living is that I can afford to not have a highly paying job initially, while still being able to pay the rent each month.

As a brief aside, I am actually curious if the above experience on a resume would have any merit in a "Research Triangle" type job. I am not really familiar with the businesses there at all, and while employment is necessary, I ultimately want to enjoy this part of my life as much as possible.

__________________
Desperation is no excuse for lowering one's standards.

abaya

Is LA your only option in CA? That's the last place I would consider moving to, if it were me... but anywhere else in CA could be manageable (if on the coast). Northern CA is especially beautiful... and of course, the Pacific NW is just gorgeous. (I was born and raised in Seattle, and I love it there.) And if you are a nature guy... well, anywhere between San Francisco and Seattle is the place for you (or Colorado, but that's another option altogether).

I guess I'm wondering why you chose these two cities in particular? Are you willing to look at other places?

__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
--Khalil Gibran

maleficent

Tech companys and pharma companies have needs for english major types - they both put out press releases, documentation, manuals (ie writing or copy editing)... the employees are not all pocket protector wearing glasses taped geek types Technology areas have a lot of growth - for everyone...

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Jimellow

LA was my option in California based solely on the fact that my friend would be moving there if he got a job that required him to move there. Previously, I had been intending to move south, but a week or so ago, my friend mentioned potentially moving to LA, and thus that was entered into the mix.

California seems like a wonderful placed, if only based on climate/weather alone. My dad has recommened northern California/wine country in every discussion we've had regarding moving, and while I tended to agree, I also kind of wrote the suggestion off on the basis that cost of living would price me out of living there initially. As for the validity of that notion, I have no idea. I assume that beautiful weather and a hugely desirable place is generally going to result in higher priced housing; a place where people go to retire after being financially stable, but not necessarily an ideal place for younger people without lots of funding to start life. I could be way off base on this, as again, I've never been to California, but instead only up and down the east coast.

I have always had a unexplained, but valid, desire to head south to the Carolina region, and my dad has always suggested California. Like you, I would not rank Los Angeles well on my "cities to live list," but the fact that my friend was potentially moving there added it into the mix.

This is re-assuring, as I am able to write and read very well, but am also still undecided about what I want to do with my life, career-wise.

__________________
Desperation is no excuse for lowering one's standards.

thingstodo

You have a degree and you have some management experience. As an employer, I see (from this brief description) a person that has some brains, can think and has some experience working and managing people.

Someone has to manage all those nerds in the park and the three major colleges. And other industries support all those people - dining, grocery, entertainment, drug stores, other consumables - you get the picture. Plus, Raleigh isn't just the RTP portion of things as it is a somewhat diverse economy.

PM me some time and perhaps I can give you some specific tips or directions to look.

__________________
If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves.

Stangers have the best candy.

level five

i think nc is a wonderful place. lived there before and would be happy to return if the job situation went that way. you could go wrong in many places but not there!!

Marvelous Marv

I've been to both. Move to NC and visit your friend whenever you have the time.

Since you said your friend was the sole reason for LA, what if he moves, or worse yet, if you two don't like living together?

__________________
"The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money."
Margaret Thatcher

robot_parade

Well, I'm a little late posting, but I live outside of Raleigh, so here's my opinion:

I really like Raleigh. Of course, I've got a family (wife and four kids), so my needs will probably be different from yours. Raleigh is nice, fairly southern, and fairly laid back. But there still seems to be quite a lot to do. Also lots of hot college-age girls with all the schools around (which of course doesn't matter to me except as eye-candy ;-)). I can't really think of many downsides to NC, unless you're looking for something specific you'll find in CA.

genuinegirly

I grew up in the LA area.

I recommend it if...

you enjoy the beach, but don't like swimming. The water is always cold.

you prefer to not deal with seasons. The trees do not change color in the Fall. You will have to drive an hour or so to go skiing and see any sort of snow.

you don't mind spending every spare cent on rent/car/insurance.

you have family or friends that live there.

you love feeling like you're in the heart of everything.

you enjoy camping/hiking/mountain biking/anything outdoors except winter sports year-round.

you want a change of pace.

__________________
"Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq

"violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

match000

an hour to get to snow is not bad at all...

Willravel

Most Californians love the cold water. To me, swimming in the Atlantic or Carribean is like swimming in soup...it just feels wrong. Give me nice crisp, cold water any day of the week. The colder, the better. I swim at Santa Cruz in December in just board shorts.

Jimellow

This sounds more like reality to me... I would love to visit my friend in LA. I really doubt I would enjoy living there.

That's another thing. Ultimately, I can't be sure I would enjoy living with him. As friends we hang out sporadically. We are very close friends, but physical closeness for an extended period of time can be a totally different story. I tend to be more of an independent person, and thus would prefer to live alone in an apartment, at least initially, if I can swing it.

Thanks, that is reassuring. Laid back is definitely a plus. I consider myself to be a very laid back person..

I am not a huge fan of the beach. I do love hiking and the outdoors, but would prefer to get away from the "big city" setting. The changing seasons are nice, but ultimately I would say I prefer less cold weather. California's temperature/climate seems to be ideal. As for spending.. I am a pretty frugal person, and will have to be even moreso initially after moving, but I'd like to invest instead of spend every cent on bills. I guess that depends largely on how much money is coming in, etc.

Again, thanks for the replies. I am pretty much decided on North Carolina, and most likely also Raleigh, at this point. And while the progress in making the decision has been a big step, I gather there are still many steps to go before things get fully under way.

__________________
Desperation is no excuse for lowering one's standards.

ratbastid

Consider either just outside Raleigh (Durham is much funkier and more laid back than Raleigh, which is on the conservative and corporate side, for North Carolina), or Greensboro, which has turned into a super-hip town in the last few years. It's a college town, so there's interesting stuff going on, and it's also an epicenter of the civil rights movment--it's where the first lunch counter sit-in took place--and has all sorts of history.

Either way, the Old North State looks forward to having you.

Just don't move to Cary. That's an acronym you know: Containment Area for Retired Yankees. Also known as McCary.

Grasshopper Green

Isn't Cary supposed to be one of the ten best places to live in the US?

It looks like you've made your decision already...but my philosophy has been this for a long time...California is fun to visit, but I'd never want to live there.

__________________
"They say that patriotism is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings; steal a little and they throw you in jail, steal a lot and they make you king"

Formerly Medusa

ratbastid

Boy, maybe if you're really REALLY into strip-malls.

Crime is low there. Cost of living is slightly lower than living in Raleigh proper. The only culture to be found there is in the yogurt aisle at the grocery store.

Willravel

That is quite possibly the funniest thing I've ever read. Ratbastid wins TFP, hands down.

Jimellow

Yes, Cary was voted one of the best.. That CNN/Money.com survey actually was one of the factors that had me "target" that portion of North Carolina specifically. After reading replies here and doing some reading on Wikipedia, it seems Cary is not what I am looking for, as I would like to live in a genuine North Carolina city, and Cary seems to be a bit out of place compared to the rest of the state.

For those interested, the link to the CNN/Money survey (specifically North Carolina), can be viewed HERE. Cary and Raleigh were the only finalists in the Top 100 within North Carolina, for what it's worth; which realistically may not be much.

As for an brief update regarding my situation.. I ordered a 4 week (Friday-Saturday) subscription to The News & Observer, and will also potentially be adding a brief subscription to The Triangle Business Review tomorrow. I know both papers have websites, but I figured it would be nice to get some exposure to the actual pbulications, and also be able to get a more clear idea of apartment costs, and employment opportunities.

I am a bit curious about the initial move... Specifically, relating to an apartment and employment. I am not familiar with renting an apartment. I don't know if I have to apply and if I do, how long the process takes. Seeing that I will be moving in from another state, it would be ideal if the process of getting an apartment and moving in wouldn't be drawn out too long.

Employment-wise, I will likely start applying as soon as I arrive, and ideally will be able to get work before too long. I will have some funds put aside so that I can afford to not work immediately, but the entire process of getting there initially, getting settled, and getting a job is likely going to be the biggest issue for me.

Those issues are a bit off topic, but if anyone has feedback or sugegstions regarding them, I'd greatly appreciate you sharing them.

__________________
Desperation is no excuse for lowering one's standards.

thingstodo

Actually, Cary would be a good place to live if you want the typical family setting in a created city. Housing is higher priced as well.

There are many areas around Raleigh that would be great to live and would probably depend on where you work. That said, it would be wise to select an aprtment on a six-month lease in case you land a job that isn't close.

Don't discount Durham and Chapel Hill, either. They make up the rest of the triangle.

As for apartments, you generally have to apply and get through a credit check. I'm not sure how that would work if you are unemployed. It's basically like most credit situations - car, house, credit card, etc. Showing your nest egg and sharing your plans might do the trick.

You might find better apartment prices around NC State, which is on the west side of town. It's also a nice area, as if most of Raleigh isn't!! Start with an area called five corners and work your way out...

__________________
If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves.

Stangers have the best candy.

Jimellow

Would I be able to mail in an apartment application from my current state PA, or would I have to go there in person? Also, if I am accepted, am I then obligated to sign a lease with them, or can I still decline? I was distantly considering applying to an apartment just to put it "out there" and see what the results are, without really intending to move there, but I am not sure what the consequences of such a practice is.

Also, as a slight aside, is anyone familiar with Asheville? I gather it's west, close the mountains, and very touristy. I like the central location of the area in and around Raleigh, but Asheville would seem an ideal place for hiking and outdoor activities.. Is cost of living there high? How's the job market? What kind of city/town is it?

I guess for recreation I could always just visit there while living closer to Raleigh, but after flipping through a Frommers tour book earlier Asheville sounded very nice, but also pricey during the tourist season. Granted, the book is focused on vacationing, but I am curious about actually living in Ashville.

Also, is Asheville a lot colder, specificall in winter? If it's cooler in the spring/summer, that's fine, but I'm not really a big fan of snow, and being close to the mountains makes me wonder if they get heavy snowfall there.

__________________
Desperation is no excuse for lowering one's standards.

level five

i know ashville is a smaller town/area than raleigh is. iand it is a more "southern" area while raleigh has more diversity. it is also cooler in the winter.

on the apartment thing, you'd fill out a credit application and pay a credit check fee of perhaps $25 or so. plus, you want to minimize the number of times yor credit is checked as that all impacts your credit score. you could always back out until you pay a deposit and even then you only lose your deposit. however, it might be difficult to find an aprtment you like without looking at it. the photos are terrible!!

CaliLivChick

I recommend North Carolina... yeah, right. I'll let my name speak for itself, and say that I LOVE California. Would recommend it to anyone and everyone at least once in their lifetime, just for the experience. =)

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Don't trust anything that can bleed for a week and not die. Oh wait, that's me... nevermind... you can trust me.

ratbastid

Sage and Martel live around the Asheville area, IIRC. Or Boone... I never can keep those two towns straight.