I'm a military wife currently overseas. We are planning already for retirement and since meeting my husband I've told him I would love to move to NC. I've never been there and plan to visit next summer, but I was wondering if you girls could help me with neighborhoods. We are looking to settle close to a military base, but while we can locate those we don't know the surrounding neighborhoods or atleast the good ones.
We are looking for ones with great schools, close to major airport if at all possible, and centrally located. Up and coming neighborhoods would be considered. I would greatly appreciate any help given. I have friends in Charlotte and Cary but that's it.
TIA
Re: NBR but would appreciate your help.
I guess it depends on what kind of life you are looking for. Small town, with close access to larger areas or do you want a large city? I would vote for Goldsboro, personally, where SJAFB is located. It is a medium sized city, lots of country surrounding it, but less than an hour from Raleigh. Then there is Jacksonville, very large town, but I personally would not want to live there. No offense to Marines, but that is really all there is in Jacksonville. Also the crime rate is very high there, it is a mostly urban area. But on the plus side, it is very near the beach. (Camp Lejuene). Then you have Fayetteville (Fort Bragg). Fayetteville is a very large city as well, but sort of farther away from main attractions in the center of the state. I don't really know much about Fayetteville, so I can't really say too much about it, other than it is sort of isolated, as in quite a drive to another major city.
Again, my vote would be Goldsboro, but I grew up about 35 miles from there, so I am biased :-) It is about an hour from RDU airport and all the attractions in Raleigh area. It does have great schools and great social programs, is close enough to Greenville to have access to the ECU cultural offerings. It is about two hours from the beach (maybe less). SJAFB is not a big base at all, so if you are looking for a large military base to live near, you would probably need to move near Fayetteville or Jacksonville.
Good luck, wherever you choose. And anyone that lives near Jacksonville, please don't be offended, it is nothing personal, I just don't care the area!!
Jacksonville is not the best town, but there is a lot of surrounding country that is really nice. If you like living in farmland! My BIL was a Marine stationed at Camp Leguene and they now live in Maysville, NC. It's about 30-40 minutes from town and about the same distance from the beach. I know there are some nice schools in Jacksonville, I believe Jacksonville Commons is very popular. There is an elementary, middle and high school all in the same area surrounded by a nice neighborhood.
There is not a major airport, but my family from NJ usually flies into Jacksonville or New Bern airport.
Thank you ladies. We are split right in the middle cause I'm more of a city girl, while my husband is country so I guess we will just have to visit and see for ourselves. We truly appreciate you opinions and advice.