Music legend James Taylor recorded the hit song Carolina in My Mind in 1968 as an ode to his North Carolina roots. Nearly 55 years later, the song remains a soft rock classic, and more people are moving to the Carolina than ever before. Millennial movers are attracted to the growing tech cities in the North Carolina Triangle and more urban Charlotte. At the same time, more retirees are long-distance moving to the Carolinas in places like the Outer Banks along the Atlantic Ocean. North Carolina is home to fictional Mayberry, NC which made southern hospitality famous on The Andy Griffith Show during the 1960s. Beyond changing jobs, Carolina has become an attractive relocation destination for out-of-state movers looking to escape from expensive, big city life.
NC Tech Jobs Grow as Silicon Valley Shrinks
The North Carolina Research Triangle is the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill cities that have become a key tech hub with more than 150 companies owning / leasing significant office space. In fact, every notable player in technology has a presence including Microsoft, IBM, NetApp, Google, Amazon, LabCorp, and perennial SAS Institute in nearby Cary, NC. And while the Boston, MA and Silicon Valley ended 2022 with layoffs, the North Carolina Triangle is still adding jobs in an uncertain economy.
Why? North Carolina is attractive for corporate fixed costs. In fact, Los Angeles professionals who want to move to North Carolina could easily absorb a 30% pay cut without any financial hardship. That gives people real options for day-to-day living, especially in today’s virtual economy. While this is a top motivation for relocation, it goes deeper than just relocating for the next job. Inbound movers also include families and retirees too.
Top Three Reasons Americans are Moving to Carolina
We could probably give you 50 reasons to move to North Carolina, but we like to keep things simple. The truth is moving out-of-state is no longer dominated by the next job. American movers have reexamined their priorities since the Pandemic and are including more lifestyle factors in their decision to move. North Carolina is a great example of this directional shift.
1. Affordable Communities
North Carolina has low rent, reasonable home costs, and low taxes making cost of living astonishingly more affordable than cities like New York, San Jose, Boston, and Chicago. New York to North Carolina movers can trade their 650 sq. ft. studio in lower Manhattan for a 3-bedroom condo in a Raleigh suburb (with plenty of free parking). Retirees can also find reasonable real estate in beach communities that are financially out of reach these days.
2. Top Private & Public Colleges
Moving to North Carolina with school aged children means top public and private colleges and universities. Duke, Elon, and Wake Forest highlight the private schools, while University of North Carolina and NC State headline some of the best educational buys in the U.S. Notwithstanding, the tobacco road sports rivalry between UNC and Duke is intense and legendary. A scholarship to Duke would be wonderful, but the in-state tuition at one the country’s top state schools is pretty good too.
3. Friendly Neighbors
LA or NYC long-distance movers are in for culture shock (but, in a good way). In the tar heel state, North Carolinians are authentic, kind, and friendly. It’s likely you have a neighbor named Beatrice and the only thing folks want fast is NASCAR racing. Living in Carolina is a team sport, and, like it, or not, you will get to know and speak to your neighbors without contempt. Pro tip for men: All women will address you as honey, sweetie, or baby. Most are not interested in you; it’s just their friendly, endearing chatter. You’ll see!
North Carolina’s diverse geography also makes it easy to attract people moving long distance. Nature lovers and artsy folks are in growing western cities like Asheville in The Blue Ridge Mountains, while retirees enjoy walks along the beach in Wilmington, Nags Head, and Cape Hatteras. And if that’s not enough, think about each time you step onto an airplane: that was made possible right here in North Carolina by the Wright Brothers in 1903! Interested? Take the next step and get a FREE North Carolina moving Quote today.
About Colonial Van Lines
Colonial is a national moving company brand headquartered in Pompano Beach, FL. For over two decades, the company has focused on interstate, long-distance moving services primarily for residential, commercial, and corporate relocation markets. With additional locations in New York, Texas, California, and North Carolina, Colonial is a top perennial long-distance moving company. You can reach Colonial at (800) 356-1855.