thequilteddove

My grand daughter was born w/spina bifida. She is unable to walk and gets around primarily via wheel chair. We live in Vermont. Although it is an absolutely lovely state, winters are a definate detractor. We have great special needs programs, but we find that they cater more towards a those w/physical AND learning disabilities. There doesn't seem to be any groups that specialize in just physical challenges...

My daughter has heard many great things about NC and their special programs that deal specifically w/children with similar circumstances as my GD. Example children's wheel chair basket ball, camps specifically for spina bifida kids, etc. The kids are thinkging that a no-2-low snow atmosphere would be more advantagous for my GD to grow up in. They're concerned w/her becoming a winter shut in kinda person, etc, etc.

So anyways, today my daughter tells me all this and asked me if they moved to NC would my husband and I go with them (and grandma #2 too). They feel they that NC would be better for Morgan, but they don't want to leave us... Even though it made me feel really good that 'the kids' want us to be close to them, my stomach just did a total flip! I've been taking care of my GD for the past 4yrs (and GS for the past 9mos). And that's not to say I could not be around my daughter every day as well!The thought of them moving away is enough to make my tummy upset enuf the barf!

It's all just talk right now. They can't do anything unless SL found a job there, blah, blah. I don't even know if I'm willing/able to just pack it up & follow them if they actually end up do'n this. I think I'd be willing to 'winter' there until I knew for certain if I would be happy in NC. I know I wouldn't be able to just sell & move without 'knowing' and I know I just couldn't bare not having them as part of my every day life! (Oh oh oh my poor tummy.... I have 2 keep reminding myself this is all just talk for now. But, I know 'the kids' have done a lot of research & wouldn't have brought it up if they weren't seriously considering it... ooooohhhhhhh moan & wooo)

ANYWAYS, can anyone tell me a little about life in NC. The location you're in & what kinda 'stuff' there is there to do (dancing, golfing, quilting, clubs, etc.) Average cost of housing, food, utilities, blah, blah... man-o-man

Hubby has absolutely no problem w/pack'n up & move'n. I don't know how he could do it w/o a 2nd though... He's pretty much rebuilt my house w/his own 2 hands but he could just leave it all behind... She's my daughter & I couldn't just pack it up that easily... oh but life w/o them.... oooooooowhhhhh

(Reminds self this is all premature & not to get a head of the situation.)

But in any case it would be helpful to hear how others feel about living in NC. I hope if they actually follow through that they do it in the fall so we can winter there right away!!!!!!

PS hubby & I are both retired. I do have a LA quilting business, but I doubt it would be difficult to relocate that since I run it out of my home.

tazzyjj

You can do a user list search on main page for location to help find NC people

crafty_linda_b

Roseanne, is your daughter your only child? Or would you be leaving other children or grandchildren behind? I think you have some real soul searching to do. We moved away for 15 years from the snow...not away from my kids. But moved back to the snowy area. I really did miss it. I love the winters especially the snow. I know I am probably crazy to say that. We have 2 of our 3 children and 2 of our 5 grandchildren that live within 3 miles of us. Our other daughter lives about 350 miles away with 3 of our grand children. She makes it a point to come and visit us often.
good luck with your whatever you decide. crafty_linda_b

everbtrue

NC is almost like 3 states. We have the coast, the piedmont & the mountains. DH & I moved from CT & RI 7 years ago when we retired. I'd say everything but food is cheaper here (on the coast). I'm thriving here but DH says fishing was better up north. Can write more tomorrow if you wish.

GwynR

Have they mentioned where in NC? I am originally from Moore County, North Carolina. You would probably have to move near a city or large town to find jobs, and good medical facilities. With the weather changing NC has gotten more snow the last couple of years but its still probably far less than Vermont.

TootieAnn

I live in NC. I'm not sure I can answer your questions, but I'm happy to try. NC has a wide range of lifestyle choices. We have mountains, coast, and the Piedmont in between. The largest cities are Charlotte, Raleigh, and Winston-Salem. You can choose an urban lifestyle or a rural one. Obviously there's a wide range of cost of living options. Some of our small towns won't have anything in new housing whereas Raleigh will have whole developments for sale. What does your SIL do for a living? I know there is a camp for disabled kids called Victory Junction. It's close to Charlotte, but I don't know exactly where it is. You can PM me if you like. I'll be happy to answer any questions I can.

jrhboxers

I ws forced into an almost opposite situation 8 years ago - forced to move from Indiana to Virginia due to DH's job. Left behind my only child, all of my family and all of his. Our son was only 15 and ended up staying with my parents - still there. He graduates from Purdue next week.

That said - I HATED living in Virginia. Almost 5 years ago, we purchased property in North Carolina - Gates County specifically.

We had to move to Maryland at the beginning of the year - again due to DH's job. I MISS NORTH CAROLINA. TERRIBLY. Loved everything about North Carolina. Albeit we did live in the middle of nowhere (closest McD 25 miles away, no real shopping, two restaurants) but we adjusted. LOVE the people, the area, the lifestyle (well most of it - hate the ambush hunting), and the flow of life. Oh, and the SPACE - really miss the space. Absoluetly a different speed to life there - at least in our neck of the woods. We were a short - 1.5/2 hrs to Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks - 1 hr to Norfolk and all of that stuff.

Except for the last two winters, not a lot of snow and realy great weather.

So, alot depends on the area. Where we lived was a little over an hour from Raleigh, close but not too close. Great stuff in Raleigh too.

So the real choice is yours. Personally, if I was in your position I would move in an instant. I am trying hard to get back closer to my family because their moving is not an option. At least for me, I have learned that I can be happy/content just about anywhere. But the changes would so much easier if my family was with me. Hope you can figure out was is best for you and your family.

Ann L

Yes, definitely come. There is a camp for kids with disabilities run by one of the NASCAR drivers, Richard Petty. It is great. From what I have read about it and heard, the kids love it.

If I had the chance to move with my grandchild I would in a heart beat. Unfortunately ours are in the military and it isn't possible to move with them everytime. We got lucky this time and they are only in Georgia. Not as far as Germany was.

NC is a great place, mountains, beach. We have it all. Great hospitals UNC, Chapel Hill, Duke in Durham, where I work.

good luck with your decision. It will definitely be a change from Vermont but I think you will like it here.