A lot of these reasons can be wrapped up into three words:
c o m m u n i t y. h o s p i t a l i t y.
a d v e n t u r e
In 2017, I moved to North Carolina to be closer to family. Knowing that the weather didn't suck helped too (especially compared to our 168 inches on average) per year in Syracuse. Honestly, I was plain bored in Central New York, I was 24 and single. I knew now was the time to make the move if I ever would.
It wasn't Raleigh that made me move, it didn't matter to me as long as I left where I currently was. I say that because I was incredibly ignorant to the absolutely captivating and incredible diversity of it all. And now, that I have spent more than 4 years of my life here, I can undoubtedly say,
I won't be going anywhere.
Adventure is inevitable when you are so close to so much.
Raleigh and the surrounding communities have a level of genuine hospitality that is hard to come by, I think that has a lot to do with the people who have lived here for years, how they have opened their arms to those relocating. If you want to be in a community, I don't think there is a better place.
I could write an in depth list of detailed places and experiences, and I may. But, for now, these are the pillars of my decision to stay in Raleigh indefinitely.
W e a t h e r
Seasons are important to me but like, let's not get crazy. The craziest part about this part of North Carolina is the humidity. In the summer, the humidity is thick. Hard to explain but imagine the air being a little bit heavier and your hair looking similar to a cartoon electrocution victim.
L o c a t i o n
Again, I had no idea that I would be 2.5 hours to the beach and 2.5 hours to the mountains. If there were nothing else on this list, let it be that. Living in a bustling city with a million things going on around you yet within 2 hours you can be sitting on a mountain staring at crystal blue mountains. The beach is cool too, but clearly - the mountains have my heart. Adventure is inevitable when you are so close to so much.
P e o p l e
One of my favorite stories about when I first moved, was about meeting a fellow New Yorker on my first day of my first job here. He was the first customer my trainer let me take alone, and I did not know how my blunt New York "charisma" was going to land with this man. Long story short, he is not only from New York but from a ridiculously small town very close to where I grew up. It did not take me long to realize after that - that it was much more rare to find a Raleigh native than it was to find a fellow transplant.
S m a l l
B u s i n e s s
I remember after a 9th grade economics class where we went over how big business gets bigger and how small businesses are becoming more rare. I hated that, I worked at a family-run pizza shop and restaurant at the time, it struck a nerve. I tried to only shop at small businesses whenever possible after that.. and it wasn't hard - it was impossible. When I moved to Raleigh, my mind was blown. The small businesses that had stood the test of time, the small businesses that had their own community or their local community supporting them, and the promotion of new businesses from other local companies and "rivial" businesses. Between farmer's markets, clothing boutiques, and local artists. Shopping all small is A LOT easier now.
O p p o r t u n i t y
The Triangle has been the Tech Capital since the 1950s but we have seen exponential growth over the past decade without any signs of slowing down. Google, Amazon, and Microsoft are already here with the Metaverse and Apple under construction. There are opportunities beyond tech and Big Business.
With the Great Resignation being accepted and even congratulated - what better place to start a new job path?
Have questions? I would be happy to help. Feel free to reach out via email or phone and I will personally get back to you as soon as I can.
Thanks for reading!
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