I'm looking to move to north Carolina next summer 2015,I'm coming from VA in search of new opportunities. I would like to know which area seems ideal for me as I do not know much about NC but have heard great things. When I move I will have my associates degree In general studies, Im looking to continue my degree at a small college studying human services. College ideas? I'm also young and would be sprouting out on my own ,I was thinking Raleigh, charlotte ? Which area has a good cost of living? Coming from VA I pay about 450 in rent for a 2 bedroom. I'm looking for an area of low crime rate, I'm trying toescape the county setting feel I like entertainment and shopping but would like to move somewhere with low crime and kind of cheap. What kind of jobs could I get> is it easy to get into the school system? I have experience working with children and would love to continue, or possibly an administrative assistant? How's the pay? Willi survive if I look for that kind of job? Also I'm bringing along a family member with felonies on his background which area could he find a job in? He's interested in construction

YOu are aware this is an international site... and 99.99% of the people here aren't from North Carolina... or even visited it.

Low rent and low crime rates do NOT go hand in hand anyplace I have ever lived... (three sataes and two countries)

Where I live... a ONE bedroom apartment will cost you over $1,800 a month rent... a 2 bedroom over $2,400 and a house starting over $3,500 and way up depending on how nice you want. Anyplace much cheaper is going to be in a high crime area.

You really don't have a lot of choices outside of the Raleight, Durham, Charlotte area as the rest of the state is economically a black hole... and rents in that area are going to be a LOT higher than you are used to. In fact most places where there are lots of jobs the rents are going to be a LOT higher than you are used to. With opportunity... you find higher prices on the essentials.

First off, you are planning on bringing a family member with felonies. He will need to find out if he is transferrable or not. Depending on his felony, he may not be able to get transferred.

As Smoothy stated, low rent and low crime to not go hand-in-hand. I live in one of the least expensive places in my area (Tennessee) and the least you can get for rent, in a safe place, is about $800 per month.

Your best bet is to get an education. "Working with children" is minimum wage. Administrative Assistant won't happen without a college education unless you are lucky.

The larger metropolitan areas offer the best opportunity for jobs. I have moved from Charlotte 10 years ago and still have friend there. Housing is tightening up so real bargains were gone a couple years ago but still the Charlotte and Raleigh areas offer a lot. As far as the family member with felonies if they are on parole start early by working with their PO to clear any obstacles for their move.

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Originally Posted by mimi19

I'm trying toescape the county setting feel

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Most of North Carolina prides itself on its "country setting feel." Even the cities want to be giant versions of "Cracker Barrel." That said, employment is fairly steady around the military bases in support capacities, but huge transient populations anywhere correlate with higher crime. You might care to look along the coast; beach "country" is very different.


If your family member wants to get into construction, how's his Spanish? Every crew I've encountered in the last decade is at least half first or second generation immigrants.