I moved from New York City to Raleigh 5 years ago. These 5 things have surprised me the most.

Growing up outside New York City, I often spent weekends in Manhattan, seeing Broadway shows or getting dinner.

I knew how lucky I was to have the city at my fingertips. Although I temporarily moved to Boston for college, I knew I’d return to New York, and I couldn’t imagine my adult life anywhere else.

That New-York-or-nowhere confidence, however, lasted only five years. I loved the city’s diverse offerings and endless entertainment, but I grew weary of the high prices, frigid winters, and hustle-or-bust work mentality.

Once my now-husband and I adopted a dog and started talking about buying a house, the prospect of living somewhere cheaper and more spacious became very appealing.

We’d previously visited Raleigh and been impressed by how much the fast-growing North Carolina city seemed to offer. So, in November 2020, we took the plunge and moved south.

Nearly five years later, Raleigh has become our permanent home. Like other ex-New Yorkers we’ve met here, we fell in love with the city’s many charms and opportunities — several of which took me by surprise.

The food scene is diverse and high-quality.

In New York, I loved having access to countless cuisines and trying new dishes. Since Raleigh is a smaller city, I was worried the food scene would disappoint me.

Thankfully, that fear was unfounded. The restaurants here are so varied, with everything from Ethiopian to Latvian in my vicinity.

The quality is excellent, too. I’ve had omakase in Durham better than any I’ve had up north, and for half the price. Even New York staples like pizza and Chinese food are great here — although the one thing Raleigh can’t compete with is NYC bagels.

I have easy access to four distinct cities.

Raleigh is close to several other North Carolina cities, including Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, and Apex.

I’ve been happily surprised by how easy it is to explore the area. Many cool spots in these cities are no further than a 20-minute drive away.

I also like that each area has a unique vibe — Chapel Hill, for instance, is quiet and relaxed. Durham has a vibrant culture with tons of dive bars, live music, and a thriving LGBTQ+ scene.

I feel like I actually get four unique cities in one, which reminds me a lot of exploring the different boroughs of New York.

It’s one of the most dog-friendly cities I’ve ever been.

Back up north, it was fairly easy to take my dog around NYC and enjoy life with her by my side. So, I was surprised to find that Raleigh is even more pet-friendly.

In addition to all the dog parks and hiking trails, it’s hard to find a business here that doesn’t welcome dogs inside. Even stores serving food and drinks regularly host dog-friendly days.

Because snow days are so rare here, they’re even more fun.

That first Carolina winter, I reveled in the warmer temps and lack of slush on the ground. So, when I woke up to snow one day, I was at first bummed out — until I saw how fun a Raleigh snow day can be.

Unlike in New York, where only a blizzard can cause everything to close, even just an inch of snow here can essentially shut down the whole city.

Kids and adults alike can use it as a chance to spend the day enjoying themselves, whether that means sledding down their front lawns or inviting friends over for hot toddies. Speaking of which…

Southern hospitality is very real — and so valued.

Before the move, I’d heard about Southern hospitality but assumed the stereotype was exaggerated or faked.

Like many New Yorkers who pride themselves on their self-sufficiency, I often assumed good deeds came with ulterior motives, which is why I was skeptical that people in North Carolina were truly that nice.

I was proven wrong, though. When my husband and I moved into our house, multiple new neighbors came up to introduce themselves; some even brought flowers!

Whenever we’ve been sick or in a tough situation, our neighbors rush to help us out with whatever we need.

We were stunned at their kindness, and over time, it became clear that we didn’t just get lucky with our neighborhood. The people I’ve met here are so friendly and truly look out for each other.

There’s no favor too big to ask here, as long as you’re willing to do the same in return.

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