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  • I moved from New York City to Charlotte, North Carolina. Here are 7 things that have surprised me most, so far.

    Split Image: The author posing next to her empty U-Haul in New Jersey, wearing a light blue hoodie, jacket, and black leggings. The skyline of Charlotte, North Carolina.
    I moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, in January.

    • In January, I moved from New York City to Charlotte, North Carolina.
    • So far, I’ve enjoyed the better weather and exploring the growing city.
    • I was surprised to learn that beer and wine are sold in grocery stores.

    After graduating from college in the spring of 2023, I was determined that there was only one place in the world for me: New York City.

    So, when I had an opportunity to relocate there for my first job in January 2024, I took it. My boyfriend and I moved from our respective hometowns outside Washington, DC, to a one-bedroom apartment in Jersey City, New Jersey, where the Manhattan skyline and my new job awaited beyond the trees outside our window.

    Unfortunately, expectations don’t always meet reality, and as the months progressed, we realized how much we missed having extra living space. My flexible, hybrid schedule meant we both were working from home three or more days a week (my boyfriend’s job is completely remote), and the lack of square footage made it difficult for each of us to have a comfortable workspace.

    Add traffic, the high cost of living, and the fact that both of us are perpetual homebodies, and we soon realized that neither of us was making the most of city living … but we were still paying for it.

    That’s when Charlotte, North Carolina, came into the picture. We were looking for somewhere that could provide us with more space (minimum two bedrooms) for less money and better weather, but still a young, diverse population.

    After we conducted plenty of internet research and took a visit to tour apartments, Charlotte became our top contender and we decided to take the leap when our lease ended in January.

    Turns out, we aren’t alone. In August 2024, the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance reported that 117 people moved to the region daily from July 2022 to July 2023 — more than 55,000 were from New York and New Jersey — citing perks like the area’s “vibrant culture, robust job market, and affordable cost of living.”

    In just a couple of short months, it’s been easy to transition to our new home, but it hasn’t come without a few surprises. From wine stocked in my local Target to plastic straws at restaurants, here are seven things I’ve been surprised by since moving to Charlotte, North Carolina.

    There’s alcohol in grocery stores.

    A cold beer section at a grocery store in North Carolina.
    Beer and wine are sold at grocery stores.

    I had no idea that North Carolina residents can purchase alcohol at grocery stores.

    However, the alcohol available at stores like Target and Walmart is restricted to beer and wine, and there are a variety of state laws limiting when and where individuals can purchase alcohol.

    For example, liquor can only be purchased at liquor stores, and those are closed on Sundays. Meanwhile, beer and wine can only be purchased after noon on Sundays as well.

    Still, this was a surprise to me. In Maryland, where I grew up, state law prohibits the sale of beer and wine in most grocery stores, so these products (and liquor) are usually sold at dedicated locations like liquor stores. In New York, beer is available in grocery stores, but wine and liquor are not, and can only be found at liquor stores.

    Meanwhile, in New Jersey, it’s legal for beer and wine to be sold at grocery stores, but in practice, it’s rarely available because of limits on distribution licenses.

    Though I’m still getting used to the new rules, I have to admit it’s been pretty convenient being able to purchase a bottle of wine and ingredients for dinner in one stop.

    Stores and restaurants still provide plastic bags and plastic straws.

    Split Image: A cart full of groceries in plastic bags, and a close-up of the author's hand holding a Chick-fil-A milkshake with a plastic straw.
    Plastic bags were banned in New Jersey, but not in North Carolina.

    In New Jersey and New York, plastic straws were made available only upon request starting in November 2021, while plastic bags were banned in 2022 and 2020, respectively.

    This meant I was accustomed to bringing reusable shopping bags and being responsible for bagging my own groceries, so I was shocked when the attendant at my local Walmart in Charlotte started bagging my groceries in plastic bags.

    I was similarly shocked when I ordered a milkshake and received a plastic straw without requesting it.

    In North Carolina, state law prevents any rules that “restrict, tax, charge a fee, prohibit or otherwise regulate the use, disposition, or sale of an auxiliary container,” The News & Observer reported, adding that an “auxiliary container” can include everything from straws and plastic bags to take-out containers. Still, businesses can choose to provide free alternatives.

    Even though the plastic bag and plastic straw bans do not exist here, I still plan to bring my reusable bags with me going forward, though I would appreciate help from the attendees.

    People are more likely to ask for your phone number than your social media.

    A person holds an iPhone displaying the "Social Media" folder, which includes Pinterest, Facebook, Snapchat, X, WhatsApp, and Skype. The X app has 16 notifications and the WhatsApp app has 14 notifications.
    Rather than ask for my Instagram, people I’ve met have asked for my phone number.

    Growing up outside DC and working in New York City, it was commonplace to ask for a person’s Instagram or another form of social media after meeting them for the first time.

    Here in Charlotte, though, I’ve found that other Gen-Zers are much more likely to ask for phone numbers directly, which came as a bit of a shock.

    In my experience, starting conversations on social media first allows both parties to investigate each other’s feeds and generally be less committed to continuing conversations or making plans, while a direct phone number feels more intentional.

    Of the people who shared their numbers with me, I was happily surprised by how comfortable I felt reaching out, which has led to more plans for future hang outs.

    I already have a much richer social life.

    People sitting at restaurants and walking down the street at Latta Arcade in Charlotte, North Carolina.
    When meeting new people in Charlotte, I’ve noticed that work isn’t the first topic of conversation.

    In New York and New Jersey, the majority of social events I attended were related to networking primarily because they were the only group events I felt were worth the necessary time and money to attend. As a result, most of the conversations I had with new people revolved around careers and how we could all benefit each other professionally.

    Meanwhile, in Charlotte, the cheaper cost of living has afforded me with more disposable income to feel comfortable going out more frequently and to experiment with hobbies.

    This, along with access to free parks (which I’ll get to later), has allowed me to build a far more robust social life than I had in New York, complete with pilates classes, pickleball, trivia at a local bar, pick-up soccer games, and more.

    It’s easy to meet people in organic settings because navigating the city is a breeze.

    A street in North Davidson (Noda) Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2023. Shops line both sides of the street with cars and pedestrians.
    I’ve enjoyed exploring the city in my own car.

    I cannot overstate how much I missed having my own car before moving.

    In New Jersey, limited street parking, excess traffic, and parking costs made having more than one car impractical, so my boyfriend and I got used to sharing his Ford Escape.

    Now that we’re in Charlotte, though, we have an entire gated parking lot dedicated to our apartment community, so I was able to bring my own car.

    I definitely underestimated how nice it would be for each of us to have our own transportation, especially on weeknights when we have overlapping commitments. It also helps that most drives in the city take a maximum of 20 minutes, a far cry from the 40-minute minimum I was used to navigating between cars, trains, and walks in and around Jersey City and Manhattan. Oh, and I rarely have to pay for parking.

    So, although we each have to pay for car insurance, the other benefits definitely outweigh the additional cost.

    There are plenty of public parks to enjoy.

    A wide shot of Freedom Park in Charlotte, North Carolina. There's a stone bridge in the background over a body of water, trees, grass, and a walking path.
    It’s been fun to explore the different parks in the area.

    As a new pickleball enthusiast, I was happily surprised to learn that there are multiple free courts in our area.

    Most parks I’ve seen so far have a mix of free, open-play courts and others that can be reserved ahead of time.

    As the weather continues to get warmer and the sun shines for longer, I anticipate that booking courts will become much more necessary to ensure we don’t have to wait too long to play, so the only thing we’ll have to learn is how far in advance we need to book a time slot.

    Charlotte reminds me of home and I don’t feel like an outsider.

    A wide shot of the downtown Charlotte, North Carolina, skyline.
    I was surprised by how much the city reminds me of home.

    Despite this being the farthest I’ve ever lived from my hometown, what’s surprised me most is how much it reminds me of home.

    With its abundance of shopping centers, green space, and residential areas, Charlotte feels like the perfect blend of city and suburban living.

    And, as a city of transplants, it’s clear that everyone wants to make friends, which has helped to expand our network far faster than I thought was possible.

    Though I’m more than willing to return to New York, I’m grateful for the flexibility to try something new and enjoy a different pace of life, at least for a little while.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • We moved from the US to Canada 14 years ago. There are a few frustrations and nice surprises I wish we’d known about before we did it.

    Couple sitting by water across from Toronto skyline
    My husband and I (not pictured) moved from the US to Toronto years ago. It’s been nice, although I wish we’d known more about the food costs and the housing market in Canada before we left.

    • My husband and I moved from the US to Canada about 14 years ago and now live in Toronto.
    • I’m surprised how much French I’ve picked up, but wish I knew how pricey domestic flights could be.
    • It’s been tricky to navigate Canada’s housing market and pay more for certain groceries.

    When my husband and I moved from the Midwestern US to Toronto about 14 years ago, I didn’t quite know what to expect.

    Although I’d traveled widely elsewhere, I’d only ever been to Canada once for a few days. That said, immigrating to Canada has come with some logistical annoyances and pleasant surprises for us.

    Here are a few things I’ve learned over the years that might help (and even surprise) others considering the move.

    Cross-border banking is complicated, but not impossible

    Maintaining financial ties to the United States was challenging for us at first.

    I needed a US bank account to pay my student loans and deposit checks from my American clients, but we also required a Canadian account for my partner’s paycheck.

    Asking for suggestions from other American immigrants in Toronto was a huge help since many had gone through similar struggles. We trialed three banks before finding a major Canadian bank that also offered linkable US accounts.

    Flying within Canada is pricey — but traveling around the country is so worth it

    Aquatic Centre Ferry Dock, Vancouver, Skyline, British Columbia, Canada
    Vancouver can be a beautiful spot to explore.

    Federal regulations, taxes, and limited options cause domestic Canadian airfares to be quite expensive, so we have not found cheap flights since we moved here.

    Once, I tried to get around the high costs by taking a 90-minute bus ride across the Canadian border so I could fly out of an airport in Buffalo, New York. However, this backfired when the driver got lost, and I missed my flight.

    Even so, traveling within Canada has been an unexpected joy, especially due to the country’s vast natural beauty.

    My family’s been able to explore Vancouver via ferry and see the rugged beaches of British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast. One of our most spectacular memories is still flying over lakes covered with chunks of floating ice in the Northwest Territories while heading toward Yukon in June.

    Certain foods and drinks cost us way more here than in the US

    I’m honestly still vexed by the higher prices here for certain consumable items, like dairy products and alcohol.

    While living in the United States, I knew that the US government heavily subsidizes agriculture, including the dairy industry. In Canada, the federal government sets milk prices, so a gallon can often cost much more than what we were used to in the US.

    These dairy prices also impact other goods, so cheese has now become a bit of a luxury for my family.

    We’ve also found many alcoholic drinks here cost more than they did in the US because of taxes and other government regulations. Some of these prices can feel exorbitant — so, for us, beer, wine, or liquor are only for fancy occasions.

    And now, we understand why many Canadians load up on bottles of booze to bring back home from their visits to the United States.

    The housing market feels no easier to navigate here than it was in the US

    Canada’s real-estate landscape feels like a mess of high prices and limited supply that is tricky to navigate. In many ways, it’s not so different from the US.

    For example, affordable housing can be difficult to find in Toronto — and during our first decade here, the city’s average detached house price skyrocketed.

    Like many others, we still feel torn about whether it’s better to own or rent here.

    When we first moved, we frantically desired to buy a place because we felt it’d really help us get a financial foothold in a new country.

    However, it took us more than 10 years to save for a down payment, and we’re still not sure purchasing our tiny condo was worth it.

    It’s hard to stomach just how much more our mortgage and condo fees cost compared to what we’d been paying to rent. All that said, I fear our child will never be able to afford to buy a home in Canada.

    It’s been pretty easy to learn French phrases and words, even without living in Quebec

    Quebec City skyline, Canada
    French is very commonly spoken in Quebec.

    French is one of Canada’s two official languages (alongside English), and it’s primarily spoken in Quebec.

    Although we aren’t based there, I’ve still found it fairly easy to pick up French phrases and words while living in Canada. I knew virtually no French when I arrived, but started learning words from food labels and household product packages.

    After all, the Canadian government requires domestic and foreign prepackaged products sold here to have labels in both French and English.

    This has felt like having a mini English-French dictionary all around me, and the repetition of seeing the same words over and over has helped me build up a strong French vocabulary.

    Once I gained permanent residency in Canada, I also became eligible for free French classes. I hope to someday have the time to properly learn the language.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • I’m so glad we moved to a small town on Florida’s coast. It’s only 45 minutes from Orlando and way more affordable.

    Author Ashley Archambault with husband and son
    We love visiting Orlando but wouldn’t want to live there. Fortunately, our small coastal town 45 minutes away is affordable and beautiful.

    • My family loves living about 45 minutes away from Orlando on Florida’s coast in Titusville.
    • We’re close to nature and beaches but can easily drive to Orlando for appointments and big-city fun.
    • Our small town has far less traffic and is more affordable, which allows us to live a life we love.

    My family and I live less than an hour away from Orlando, on the east coast of Central Florida in Titusville.

    We’re near the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral and just north of Cocoa Beach. Our town is made up of beachcombers, aerospace engineers, and Florida locals.

    I moved here from Miami over 10 years ago when I wanted a lower cost of living than the city life could offer me at the time.

    The cost of living in Miami is higher than the national average, while Titusville is considered the most affordable place to live in Florida based on 2024 research from NewHomeSource.

    Plus, Titusville is also fairly close to Orlando — one of the biggest draws for Florida tourists. Although I love what the city has to offer, I wouldn’t give up our small-town life.

    For us, figuring out how to reap some of the benefits of city life without having to deal with the major downsides has worked well for our budget and what we value as a family.

    Orlando has many things we love, but we prefer not to be in the city for long

    The best part about being near Orlando is that we remain close to what a major city can offer without having to pay the higher price that comes with living in it.

    Since my husband and I are both teachers, we like to be careful with our budget, and living in a small town that’s close to a city provides us with the best of both worlds for a fraction of the price.

    For example, because I think the big city offers better medical care than the small town we live in, I gladly drive the 45 minutes to take my son and myself to doctor’s appointments.

    Since the county we live in spans 72 miles in length, it often makes more sense to me to drive 40 miles west to Orlando for what I think is far better care, anyway.

    To make the drive less daunting, I play podcasts or playlists and usually make another stop in Orlando (often at a restaurant we don’t have in our town) before heading back home.

    Sometimes, my husband and I go on dates in the city or bring my son to family-friendly events and parks there.

    Plus, there are certain chains Orlando has that our small town does not, such as Trader Joe’s. Recently, we even made a whole day out of shopping there — after buying groceries, we met a friend in Orlando for lunch.

    It’s also nice to avoid all the traffic in Orlando

    Author Ashley Archambault's son and partner on a hike in Titusville
    Our new town gives us some great access to nature.

    Although it would be far more expensive to own a home in Orlando than in Titusville, it’s really the traffic that deters me from living there.

    Orlando’s I-4 is frequently on lists of the worst, deadliest, and most congested corridors, and so is the city’s John Young Parkway.

    I can handle driving in Orlando because I learned how to drive in Miami, which also has famously rough traffic. However, it’s nice to only go to Orlando for things I feel are worth the drive.

    When I do, it often feels like a relief to get off the city’s congested roads and back onto our less populated ones.

    Simply put, where we live gives us access to many perks of living in Florida

    In our town, I also love feeling as though I’m surrounded by nature.

    We have less development than in a major city and more places to go for a long hike. Wildlife sightings are the norm but still feel exciting.

    Plus, we live less than 20 minutes from the beach, and I don’t think I could ever give that up.

    It’s nice to be in natural landscapes instead of surrounded by tourist destinations and developments in Orlando — they’re just not my speed anymore.

    However, there’s yet another upside to living close enough to them: With just a short drive, we can meet up with friends and family whenever they visit Disney World or Universal.

    Read the original article on Business Insider