Is Raleigh Better Than California? Why My Family Never Looked Back After Moving to NC

One of the questions I get asked ALL the time is why my family and I decided to move from California to Raleigh, North Carolina, and if we miss the Golden State. Having grown up in California, I'll always have a piece of my heart there, but fast forward six years, and I'm now a Carolinian through and through!

Today I want to share with you the reasons why my family and I will never move back to California and why we've fallen head over heels for North Carolina. So grab your sweet tea, and let's jump right in!

Housing Prices: Holy Guacamole!

Let's start with the number one reason we love it here - the housing prices! According to NerdWallet.com, housing prices are 157% higher in California than in North Carolina. That's not a typo!

When I compared Long Beach (where we moved from) to Raleigh, I found that housing is 43% less expensive here. The average Raleigh home price is around $427,000, compared to a similar home in California averaging $740,000. Our previous house in Long Beach was only 1,500 square feet, but right now it's worth nearly a million dollars! Here in North Carolina, we were able to get TWO homes for 3/4 of that price, both with larger square footage.

I recently had a client who listed their home in California in the $500,000 range. They had over a hundred showings in ONE DAY, multiple offers, and sold for way over asking price. They took those proceeds, bought a home here in Raleigh paying CASH, and still had money left over in the bank!

Even an old, tiny two-bedroom condo in California can cost $600,000-$700,000 depending on location. That same townhome in Raleigh? Brand new, you'd pay around $300,000-$385,000. Not built in the '50s or '70s - BRAND NEW! It's absolutely mind-blowing.

Cost of Living: Your Money Goes Further Here

Don't get me wrong, the cost of living is pretty high everywhere these days, but in California, everything costs more - from income tax rates to sales tax to property tax to filling up at the gas pump.

The last time I talked to my friend in California, gas prices were about $2.50 more per gallon than here in Raleigh. That means I can almost fill up my car TWICE for what it costs Californians to fill up ONCE!

I will say that health insurance and groceries weren't much cheaper for us when we moved here. I definitely miss the double and triple coupon days from back in the day! I was a huge coupon shopper - it was like playing Tetris with food! But overall, goods and services are more affordable, and our taxes are lower, making for a better standard of living here in North Carolina.

Education: Top-Notch & More Affordable

Colleges were important to us for our children. North Carolina ranks in the top 10 for affordable tuition and fees, and Raleigh spends 29% less per student than San Diego. The student-to-teacher ratio is over 33% lower here too!

We have some of the best-ranking colleges right in our backyard: NC State, Duke University, UNC Chapel Hill, Meredith, Shaw, William Peace, Wake Tech, and more. The education opportunities here are absolutely incredible.

Traffic: No More Parking Lot Freeways!

The traffic in California has become UNBEARABLE. When we went back to visit just last year, it took us an hour to go less than five miles! I was like, "What the heck is going on here?!"

In the Raleigh area, you can get downtown in 20-30 minutes on average from most surrounding towns and suburbs. Even during rush hour, you'll only add around 15-20 minutes to your commute time - not hours like in California! I'll take our Raleigh traffic any day of the week.

Southern Hospitality: It's Real!

Carolinians are so much friendlier than Californians. Don't get me wrong - Californians aren't rude, but they tend to be more cautious and aren't as likely to stop and chat.

In Carolina, if you wave, make eye contact, smile, ask a question, or make a comment, you're likely to find yourself in a friendly conversation with a stranger. People just seem less guarded here and have time to stop and chat. Most of my clients end up loving this change of pace!

Size & Accessibility: Getting Around is Easier

North Carolina is 503 miles long and 150 miles wide, compared to California which is almost twice as big at 900 miles long. Population-wise, California has roughly 40 million people, while North Carolina only has around 11 million.

The Los Angeles metro area alone has over 12 million people, compared to the Raleigh-Durham metro area with only 1.6 million. If you combined both the Raleigh-Durham metro area and the Charlotte metro area, it would still be just slightly more than Orange County, California alone!

Fun fact: more than half of the U.S. population lives within a day's drive from Raleigh because of its central location on the East Coast!

Weather: Embracing the Seasons

One thing people love about California is the sunshine and dry heat, which I absolutely loved growing up there. North Carolina can get pretty humid, but it's not as unbearable as many people think. And I will say, my skin absolutely LOVES this humidity!

California is constantly dealing with drought issues and water shortages. In Long Beach, we had less than 12 inches of rain each year, whereas in Raleigh, we average around 47 inches annually. I've really come to appreciate the rain here - as quick as it rains, it'll be gone, and the sun's right back out shining.

The best part? In the Carolinas, you get to enjoy all four seasons, with spring and fall feeling so much like California weather, along with mild winters and occasional snow dustings if we're lucky. And we're still just a short drive from the mountains for snowboarding or skiing!

From California Dreams to Carolina Living

From a higher quality of life with a lower cost of living and more home for your dollar, to less traffic and four-season weather, there are so many reasons why my family and I love living in Raleigh, North Carolina.

If you're considering relocating to North Carolina and looking to purchase a home, I would love to help! All you have to do is reach out to me at 919-583-6895. Whether you want to give me a call, shoot me a text, or send me an email, I would love to chat about your move to the Triangle.

Till next time!