Raleigh vs Charlotte for a family move - picked wrong the first time

We moved to Charlotte three years ago thinking bigger city meant better jobs and schools. Traffic there is brutal though, like 45 minutes to go 8 miles brutal. Last year we relocated to a suburb outside Raleigh and the difference is night and day. Schools here are more connected to the community and commute times are half what they were. If you're looking at NC for a family, don't let Charlotte's hype fool you. Anyone else find a hidden gem in a smaller NC town after moving to a bigger one first?

2 comments

2 Comments

harper_smith11h ago

Oh man, I totally feel you. We did almost the exact same thing, moved to Charlotte thinking it was the dream, and the traffic just wore us down. We ended up in a little town outside Raleigh too, and it's honestly been so much better for our sanity.

angelafisher8h ago

Charlotte traffic really isn't that bad if you know your way around and avoid 77 during peak hours. The job market in Charlotte blows Raleigh out of the water for most industries, especially finance and logistics. You trade a little commute time for way more options and higher pay, which seems like a fair deal for a family.