I am a native NYer, hubby is from Michigan. We chose Raleigh (my parents live in Charlotte) for the climate, the cost of living, the relative ease of commuting to and from work, while still maintaining a "city" OR "country" feel, depending on how far away from downtown you're willing to travel. All in all, a nice package.
IF!!!!! If you have kids, WANT kids, plan to have kids and plan to put them into the public school system WATCH OUT!
Wake county busses their kids all over creation, they are attempting (and have failed, but are appealing in court) to assign your kids to a MANDATORY year-round schedule, there is CHAOS with the board of ed, spending is through the roof, and there is ABSOLUTELY NO INPUT ALLOWED from parents.
Check out the following websites
newsobserver.com |WakeEd
WakeCARES
Stop Mandatory Year Round
Wake County, and the board of ed, are NOT family friendly when it comes to schools. I personally know of SEVERAL families who have siblings in different schools ON DIFFERENT SCHEDULES. And when parents appealed (IN PERSON) to the board to at LEAST get their kids synced, THEY WERE DENIED.
Please, read, read, read... educate yourself, and be prepared for perhaps sending your kids to private school if you value stability and having a say in your child's education.
Also, please note that we have the BEST teachers in the world. Only a TRULY DEDICATED professional would put up with the BS handed out by administrators. It's a testament to their fortitude, truly.
But, there is no teacher's union, the BOE is insane, and it all trickles down to affecting our children.
I currently have a 3 year old, and we're looking at private school... which means we may NOT have a 2nd child, since the cost will pinch us REALLY bad.
It's a sad day when your BOE can have an affect on whether you'll have a sibling for your child or not. But, this is how we really feel.
Good luck to you! We're considering a move to a neighboring county. If you can choose Harnett, Johnston, or Chatham, do so.
If you are looking at Chapel Hill/Carrboro, be warned. It's VERY hard to find a place to live (and it's VERY expensive) as they have a tight grip on how much gets developed there.
Good Luck!
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). Surely, no offense was intended. 
Do Your Homework!!!!!
