Advice on moving to Virginia/North Carolina?

[djweso]

Thanks everyone for the the honest answers and advice.

I am a little worried about the heat in the summer, but I'll adjust most likely. I am not too worried about the crowding, we're looking for more dense urban area. The city we live in now is definitely a city but not all that great. Not sure how I will deal with the flatness, I'm used to BIG sand dunes and small mountains.

The apartment and traffic suggestions are much appreciated. We're just not used to more Urban living.

One of the things that I am going to miss most is I will be leaving my favorite Celtic Band behind, Craic Wisely.

[ckelly327]

I lived for 3 years in NC ( 1/2 in the Raleigh area and 1/2 in Pinehurst) and have vacationed throughout the Mid Atlantic/ Southern coastal areas. The last time I was in Va Beach was about 2 years ago and when I watched the traffic reports on the morning news it was a nightmare throughout the Norfolk area. My cousin was stationed there when in the Air Force and he enjoyed it before moving to DC. Not sure about Va but my taxes in NC were about 1/4 of what I pay in NY. Temps were mild enough that I was able to play golf just about every month I lived down there. As was pointed out before here, people down there have no clue when it comes to driving in adverse weather. We would get an ice storm or two every winter and at least one snowfall of 2" or so and it would shut down the state. You will also be on the North end of the hurricane zone. I don't remember one hitting the bay recently but it seems like every year one threatens the NC Outer Banks and then moves up the coast. Also, I hope you like seafood because every other restaurant is primarily seafood when you get near the coast. I didn't think the bugs were as bad near the water as they were in the NC Sandhills. And finally when you bring the kids down to check things out make sure that you plan a day at Busch Gardens. They'll love it, especially the older one.

Good Luck with the move. The summers aren't as oppressive as threatened. You'll get used to them.