<p>Charlotte or Raleigh NC?</p>
<p>Thanks, Packmom! Always good to just see what their thought process is. How is the traffic there? Again, not sure what their considerations are, but I’ll ask more questions. Does NC have snow too? It’s further north than Atlanta…</p>
<p>lastminutemom and HImom: good info. I’ll pass it along. Thanks.</p>
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<p>^^^^^^Yes.</p>
<p>I’ve spent many days dealing with shopping centers and apartment complexes around Atlanta. If you’re into a suburban lifestyle, meaning your car and a home where you can at least pretend you have no neighbors, then fine. Lots of choices. Lots of traffic. Lots of shopping. Not much else. </p>
<p>Otherwise, you need to live more in the city, which has beautiful sections. I like that side of Atlanta. It’s more of a place. </p>
<p>As to weather, the best part of this level of the south, meaning the belt that stretches across the Carolinas through to Atlanta, is the spring and fall are warm but not humid. You can be in lovely weather in February - or ice. The summer months define the need for air conditioning. But if it’s no cold weather you want, you need to go to about the level of Orlando / Tampa because it gets cold even in Jacksonville. </p>
<p>I detest the airport. I used to have nightmares about the horrible tunnels underneath with the speakers every 10 yards repeating the same words you’d already heard 100 times.</p>
<p>Subscribing to this thread…</p>
<p>Suggestions:</p>
<p>Raleigh/Durham: snow? Yes, but I don’t call a dusting snow…very moderate climate IMO…</p>
<p>Wilmington, NC</p>
<p>Nashville, TN</p>
<p>Those are the 3 we will possibly explore when the time comes…</p>
<p>I was also going to suggest NC. I’m from there (family still in Raleigh area) and have lived in East Cobb/Marietta area for last 10 years, having moved “out” from inside the perimeter. I would say that NC, specifically Raleigh area, experiences more extremes than ATL. More snow, more frequent ice, hotter in summer. But it’s closer to the beach, almost halfway in between the mountains and beach actually. The triangle area is a very popular retirement destination for obvious reasons (climate, culture, medical care, etc). Raleigh is big enough, but not a bustling metropolis and the airport in very convenient. Very transient population, too as many have settled there from the northern states.</p>
<p>East Cobb/Marietta is very attractive, however, real estate prices reflect that. Great public schools, less crime, convenient access to downtown. There are also alternatives to the major freeways, which makes traffic less of a problem. Depending on where you are employed of course. Cobb County actually gives retired folks (65 and older?) a tax break. Having lived in town, near Lenox/Phipps area, for 10 years also, I would say that city living is not for us now that we have teenaged, school kids. Maybe later? We are less than 2 1/2 hours door to door to cooler temps in the NC/GA mountains and 5-ish hours to the beaches of Hilton Head or Destin… depending on how fast you drive 
And the ATL airport is (I think) is easier to fly in and out of than most. </p>
<p>Hope that helps some!</p>
<p>Oh, and surprisingly, Raleigh is more east of ATL, than north, so maybe that explains the quirky weather patterns. I have talked to my dad so many times during huge snow storms that completely missed us here. And they fear ice, having so many tall pines everywhere :)</p>
<p>Disadvantages: Grits and Krispy Kreme donuts could make you fat
Advantages: They’re delicious.</p>
<p>Nashville seems to be the hot city right now and I can’t say enough great things about life here. No state income tax, gorgeous homes and terrain, proximity to the Smokies, driving distance to beach and Chicago, great university and top medical care, incredible music scene (not just country), professional and college sports… 4 seasons. Our propery taxes were so low when we moved here in 2006 (compared to Dallas, which isn’t that high, either, that we thought it was a mistake!</p>
<p>I lived in Woodstock - both the Cherokee County and Cobb County sides and loved it. The hills and trees provide a beautiful backdrop to suburban living. If you play tennis, Atlanta is a dream state - many neighborhoods are swim/tennis neighborhoods with tennis teams of all skill levels galore.</p>
<p>Downside is the traffic. Not only is there a lot of it, Atlanta drivers like to you off when you’re trying to enter or exit roadways. Very frustrating. The good news is there are HOV lanes on the interstates - very quick way to get through town provided you have another person in the car with you.</p>
<p>Great feedback everyone…thank you! :)</p>
<p>snorkelmom: Are you suggesting NC or Atlanta…I’m not quite sure based on your posts!</p>
<p>Mathmom: Cute! However I’ve had Krispy Kreme donuts and I have to say I prefer Dunkin’ by a long shot! Although I actually try to stay away from that “crap” altogether!</p>
<p>Rodney: Hi! So you’d probably be looking at the same things as my girlfriend…what I need to do is ask her why is she leaving NE altogether? Maybe they could keep their home here in the summer and have a winter home somewhere else…however our property taxes are rather high…</p>
<p>I keep hearing how awful the traffic is…so the infrastructure for jobs there is so-so? For kids graduating college?</p>
<p>What are the states that have no income tax? Isn’t Delaware one of those? Not south enough to avoid snow…I don’t know, maybe I could suggest that they stay here and just go elsewhere in the winters…</p>
<p>MOWC: My nephew graduated Vandy a couple of years ago, however I personally haven’t visited Nashville yet…heard it was quite charming!</p>
<p>Anyone suggest to head West instead of South??!</p>
<p>Either place, depending on how much she values each of her criteria. I thought I’d throw out some of the positives & not-so-negatives. I also LU-HUV Nashville, just to complicate things :D</p>
<p>Austin and San Antonio TX also meet the big city requirements and active Jewish centers in each city. It snows on a fluke about every 4 years and only one time. 2 hours from the beach, centrally located in the USA so if her kids coast split, they are in the middle. No state income tax. Austin is huge about outdoor activities and is a very physically fit city. We move here about 2 years ago and we can’t imagine moving anywhere else.</p>
<p>I don’t know what beach you are getting to from Austin in 2 hours! I love Austin, but Nashville is much better. Better medical center, traffic is more manageable (Austin has outgrown its infrastructure) and the seasons are nicer.</p>
<p>We have lived in the Atlanta metro now for just over 20 years. I’d definitely say the worst thing is indeed the traffic. It makes me laugh that some consider the hills around here to be negatives…I love some interesting terrain!!! It’s not like things are on the sides of mountains or anything…it will NOT be difficult to find a relatively flat area, if that is your thing!
As for the Atlanta Airport, to me that is also a big plus (as long as you don’t live in a flight path, I suppose). It’s by far the most efficient airport I have been in regarding security clearance and just getting from one gate to another. Plus there are direct flights available to almost anywhere, and for reasonable prices. </p>
<p>Our adult kids have all come back to live here, so I think that is significant! </p>
<p>Best to your friend in making her decision!!</p>
<p>I have heard Virginia can be pretty nice with milder winters and near the water. Have also heard mixed things about NCarolina. A prolonged visit can help in the decision-making process, nothing like a visit to get a better feel for the people and places.</p>
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<p>Well, that’s going to be case anywhere.</p>
<p>I agree with the post above=what’s wrong with hills in a place where you don’t get much snow or ice? I’d love to have some hills!</p>
<p>Okay,</p>
<p>So the update is that I have my girlfriend thinking about alternatives like keeping house up here and going somewhere else for winter. Hmmm. I guess that would have drawbacks too. Would she just rent somewhere each winter? Could be costly, especially if keeping NE home. Or does she buy a small condo somewhere else? Getting complicated now.</p>
<p>I personally wonder if moving somewhere new at our age is difficult…most people make friends from their kids parents…</p>
<p>What is the consensus out there? I figured I would stay in my home through grandchildren and now I am thinking of alternatives the same way she is…what do you all do? Thanks.</p>
<p>Delaware is on our short list.
Have vacationed at Bethany Beach which is beautiful and very quiet compared to our Jersey Shore.</p>
<p>Atlanta is fabulous!! She can get additional info by reading/posting on citydata.com
Agree that traffic is a bear, but many choose to live intown (Lenox area) and use MARTA. And as for beach, mountains, etc. they are driveable to reach, but very easy by air, and you can get anywhere from the Atl airport.</p>