My folks live in Western Carolina near Cherokee....different area in lots of ways than Raleigh. I didn't realize how wide that state was until I had to drive from Bryson to Ft Bragg. NC has it all....maybe the best state in the union for diverse climates.
"My folks live in Western Carolina near Cherokee....different area in lots of ways than Raleigh."
Very indeed. I lived in Raleigh for 12 years (spent a year in Austin, TX); I've only been in Clayton since November. I like it better, it's more rural here. I'd love to live near the mountains someday.
I grew up on Long Island, NY. Now THERE'S one place I am glad I am no longer in. :)