Looking to move to North Carolina or Florida?

[JakeDenver]

Well I am looking into moving to either Florida or North Carolina. Not sure which state yet or where in each state. My question is does anyone have any input on these two states. Any input would be greatly appreciated. If I go to Florida it will probably be around Orlando or if in North Carolina probably to Charlotte or Asheville. Any input? Thanks.

[Jaimey]

I've never lived in either state, but I stayed with a friend who lived in Florida for a few years.  The week I was there I felt like there was a pressure there and once he finally moved he realized the same thing.  There was just something really stressful about being there.  Just a weird heavy pressure.  But that was Tampa, so I don't know if Orlando would be different or not.

I'm not familiar with North Carolina, but if it's like the rest of the South, it's probably a comfortable place to live.  I'd look into the trans community in each city though.

Any particular reason for the two states?  Also, Florida is flat.  So if you like a little relief in the geography, I'd go for North Carolina.

[Windrider]

We moved to NC last August. So far we are liking the state a lot (much better than PA ) I don't know much about the Charlotte or Asheville regions (other than Charlotte is a big "competitor" to Raleigh and Asheville is in the mountains.) We live in the RTP (Research Triangle Park) area or "The Triangle" for short. The Triangle is the triangle made by connecting the cities of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill and the "research" comes from the hospitals/research universities in each of those cities (NC State, Duke, and UNC-Chapel Hill.)

This area's pretty nice as GLBT friendly stuff goes as well. Heck Durham *advertises* that it's one of the top 10 destinations for gay/lesbian vacations! Dani has found therapists and doctors here.

The largest problem right now is lack of jobs. While there are still some jobs out there in this area, competition is pretty fierce. A lot of places cut positions, especially those in RTP itself. Even the universities have either frozen positions or made cuts. UNC is talking furloughs. That being said, this area is also poised to make a rapid comeback once the economy turns around.

Charlotte, so I've heard, is in worse condition job-wise. They were heavy in the banking industry and took major hits when the economy crashed. You may have a tough time job hunting there. I don't know how Asheville's economic situation is.

The western area of the state (where Asheville is located) is also in a drought condition and they have been since last year. I don't know if this will impact your choice or not, but just thought I'd mention it.

I hope this helps and sorry I couldn't be of more help

WR

[Linda]

  Also, Florida is flat. 

Yeah it is!

My grandparents lived in Jacksonville for most of my life and we visited often, so I am quite familiar with Florida. It's pretty though, flat as it is. I also lived for 8 months on Merrit Island, West of Cocoa Beach, which was nice. St. Augustine is a really cool place to visit. Florida has really nice beaches and rivers, and lots cool critters I never saw up north where I live.
I'm not as familiar with North Carolina except for driving through it on the way to Fla., it is a very scenic place in it's own right.

[tekla]

Ashville has a rep as a hippie type arts town, and I hear its very nice, amazingly beautiful place there in the hills.  But I've never been there.  Florida is a large state, with its very own kind of sense of place - like Texas or California - and it has a range of places from tres gay, Key West, to a whole 95 mile section called the Redneck Riviera for some pretty solid reasons.  (And they call themselves that, before Tom T. Hall wrote the song, it was called the Emerald Coast, its the beaches are world class.)  I know the area around Miami is about as diverse and cosmo as anyplace in the world, while some of the rural areas to the north are very Southern Rural.  I have a friend (gay) who lives in Tampa and loves it.

Its just me, but I couldn't see moving to Florida unless I could live on the Coast, hell, the entire state is most coastline, and you picked one of the two landlocked towns.

[JakeDenver]

The reason for those areas is because I have a friend who is moving with me. She wants to get her masters degree which is the reason we are moving. There are schools in those three areas that offer the masters degree she wants. I am thinking Orlando might be where we end up only because of the job situation. I am pretty sure I could get a job around Disneyworld or seaworld or universal. But then again who knows. I have heard the Charlotte economy is bad so thats a reason not to go there. Other then that its all still up in the air just trying to do my research. Any ideas on where I could find out info on each places LGBTQ community?

[tekla]

Any ideas on where I could find out info on each places LGBTQ community?

I'd type in LGBT+cityname into google and see what comes up.

[Michelle.]

Hi Bro',

I live in Palm Beach County, FL.

I've halso spent time in Gainesville.

I've visited Orlando, but have never lived there.

I'm guessing your friend would be going to UCF?

It's a large school, I would check out the schools web links to student clubs "GLBT".

The area is highly transient and can become very rural very quickly.

The I-4 corridor is an interesting area. You have very liberal urban areas, moderate suburbs and conservative rural areas that run from coast to coast. Its a key area in any Statewide/National election.

Medical care is right on... though the Gainesville and Tampa area Univ's have med schools.

The beaches are fairly close to the Orlando area... best to make a whole day out of it though. Cool places to camp if your into that sort of thing, near by.

No State income tax here. NC has all sorts of hidden fees and a income tax as well.

Keep in mind also that N. Cent. FL does have a mild winter.
It will get down into the 20's at times during wintner. A few weeks of mid 40's as the high.

Then summer hits... theirs a reason for Gainesville being nicknamed "the Swamp".

And finally from Orlando you can fly direct to just about anywhere...even London.

Hope this helps...Michelle.

[Luc]

Dude, I've never lived in either state, but from people I've known in both, I've heard North Carolina is far more accepting of GLBT folk. Plus, less hurricanes.

SD

[JakeDenver]

Thank you for all the information. it is a great help. I just have so much to think about with moving its nice to hear what other people think.

[Michelle.]

Your welcome Jake.

Best of luck to you.

[christov]

I lived in asheville for a couple years; love it.
I'm currently in Pensacola FL. Its OK!

[Radar]

I live in Charlotte. What do you want to know?