Quote Originally Posted by itself View Post
We are talking about making some trips to NC to get to know it, and perhaps retire there as apparently, the climate is mild, no snow, so riding year round would be possible.

So what is the weather like in this state? Is it bike friendly? Are the people pretty cool about different lifestyles?

Thanks for your input!
It really depends on what you like and what you value, just like any place in the world. North Carolina is a whole state. You cannot generalize the whole state.

I grew up in Durham. I lived there for many years in graduate school, too. I went to college and grad school in Chapel Hill and Raleigh. My family lives in Durham and Asheville. I travel to NC for work several times a month.

If I were to move back, I would choose to move to Durham or Asheville. I might consider Wilmington, but I'm not very familiar with it, although I do like the coast quite a bit. Durham has really changed over the last 20 years. The downtown is vibrant and interesting, with many very good restaurants, a new transit center, and a newish minor league ball park. The Farmer's Market is fantastic, and there are many wonderful older neighborhoods with bungalows and cottages. The old tobacco factories have been transformed into lofts, and there is a thriving arts scene. Duke University brings many interesting people and events to Durham.

The thing I really dislike about Durham and the Triangle is the traffic. It's terrible if you have to get on the interstate for any reason. The traffic results from many, many new subdivisions and shopping malls that have ruined the rural character of much of the region. I used to ride my bike all over southern Durham County, but those days are long gone. There is too much traffic and too many subdivisions and too many malls.

Asheville is very progressive, but it is surrounded by very traditional culture. That is to be expected anywhere except maybe somewhere like Portland, Oregon, where it appears nearly everyone is from somewhere else. I really like meeting people who are locals. Asheville has many wonderful restaurants, lots of tourists (especially in the Fall) and is a beautiful city. The cycling is good, particularly the mountain biking. The housing prices are on the high side, but if you go out into the counties, as many transplants to, then the prices are very low. There are lots of artists, as well as traditional rural people, too. It's a nice mix.

Chapel Hill and Carrboro are nice, but unless you can afford to live downtown, I wouldn't recommend it. Living isolated in a subdivision is not for me, but then it might work for you.

I have not lived in Greensboro or Charlotte or other parts of the state. At this point, I would not choose to do so. Greensboro is too far from the ocean without the benefit of the mountains, and just doesn't appeal to me. Charlotte is interesting, but too sprawly (although the downtown is pretty neat). YMMV.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to send me a PM.