Indiana or North Carolina?

You can do a home search for both areas and get an idea of what homes sell for in those 2 areas. That can help with figuring out the cost of living aspect. Go to AAA or log on to the tourism/chamber of commerce for each area to find out about cultural aspects. If you have kids,get local school info(scores on tests,teacher/child ratio,etc) in those 2 areas. I guess it boils down to what is really important factors:cost of living,climate,culture,education or whatever. Good luck!

Heidi

Having lived in California, then Missouri, then Oregon, and having visited friends and relatives in Tennesee, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, North and South Carolina, I can honestly say there is a distinct difference in the cultures of this country depending on the region, including the Midwest and The South. I don't know much about the Raleigh/Durham area where Chapel Hill is, I think, I've visited Charlotte and Ashland NC. I've never been to Indiana, but DH has family there. Do you want to live with southern-fried charm or humble midwesterners? Gross generalizations, I know.

Aside from the cultural differences, I always go to weather--do you want mild winters or do you like/not mind the cold? Summers in NC get really muggy. Can you handle it?

I personally need mountains and ocean near me or I get buggy. I'm no kind of flatlander. Are these things important?

Sorry, I'm not much help, not having been to either city. Do check the crime rates and the kinds of crime, though. Is meth a problem in either city? Burglaries and other crimes are rampant where there are meth epidemics.

Go to the homepages of each city and see what the cultural attractions are if those are important to you.

Also, find out the cost of living in each city. That's one of the main factors that had us choosing Portland over Seattle.

Anhata
www.familynaturally.com
Your Family's General Store, Naturally

Not in South Bend! It's all about the Notre Dame pride and chip on the shoulder there. I used to live about 20 minutes away. If you've ever watched A Christmas Story, that takes place near South Bend and is VERY accurate as to the local culture.

I haven't lived in North Carolina but my father is from Georgia and I've spent some time in NC. To me the Carolinas are the southern-est southern states. I like them but it's not everyone's glass of sweet tea.

If you can't visit both places, and if weather is not an issue for you (it would be for me, I always pick the warmest possible place out of any given choices), I'd do a lot of internet searching for local groups and stuff. Also try http://www.findyourspot.com.

Politically, Chapel Hill is more conservative than South Bend. But in day-to-day attitudes, South Bend is more conservative. (I went to the doctor there in 2000 and the receptionist had a dreadful time wrapping her head around the shocking fact that my DH and I have different last names.)

I don't know if that helps.... The two areas aren't all that different, as far as vital statistics and cost of living. The food is different, the local "feel" is different, and the weather is different. That's about it.

The other midwestern states I've inhabited or spent some time in were a bit humble in regards to personal matters, but had conceits about certain things just like anyone else. In Missouri they are proud as punch of being the "you-have-to-Show-Me" state, it's almost a sacred trust.

As I copped to, gross generalizations! And the culture around the industrialized Midwestern towns is completely different than the farming Midwestern towns.

Anhata
www.familynaturally.com
Your Family's General Store, Naturally

Some of my friends have lived (or still live) in both towns, going to school. They seemed to like them both, but neither couple had children at the time.

Personally, I grew up in Kansas and went to college in North Carolina, near Charlotte. (Don't be fooled by the "north" in North Carolina--it's definitely part of the South!) I really enjoyed my time in North Carolina. I thought the winter weather was a definite improvement over Kansas winters--about 10 degrees warmer, most of the time, and more stable--but of course any snow sends everyone scurrying to the grocery store for milk and bread and closes everything down. Summer was unbelievably muggy, sticky, and miserably hot, though the evenings were lovely, with whipoorwills calling and the scent of honeysuckle everywhere. Make sure you have air conditioning. In general the people I met were friendly and polite, and it was expected that everyone held the door for everyone else, even if you were running late. The sweet tea is wonderful, but I could've done without the cigarette smoke. A lot of people smoke there, so don't expect many (any?)nonsmoking restaurants. The red clay soil will stain shoes and clothing and is very hard to get out. Expect to see lots of NASCAR paraphernalia and some Confederate flags, too, especially out in the country. On the whole, I found it a very nice area to live in.

We've lived here over 10 years and we have no plans of leaving. Prior to living here, we lived in the Finger Lakes region of New York state (8 years) and the metro Detroit area. It's much warmer and more conservative here than in Upstate New York. But the cost of living here is GREAT. Housing is VERY reasonable. It's been a good place to raise the kids. South Bend schools aren't much to write home about, but the Penn-Harris and the Mishawaka districts are very good. We homeschool and there is a lot of support for homeschoolers here. And, by the way, the St. Joseph County library here is one of the top in the country. South Bend is also 90 minutes to 2 hours from all the great museums and activities in Chicago and within 45 minutes to an hour from Lake Michigan.
When we first moved here, I wasn't so impressed. But now I don't want to live any where else.
Please let me know if you have more specific questions about the area. Good luck with your decision.

Cheryl,
Just out of curiousity, where did you live in the Finger Lakes Region? Yes, I am nosy! I live in that area now and love it.

OK, well, here's what we believe we have decided (wow, am I vague or what?): We think we are going to Indiana. DH was accepted to Notre Dame, and they offered about the same level of stipend as University of North Carolina. Given that my sweetheart believes that it is still best for me to be home, even while he is in school, we believe that South Bend, IN would be best, as the cost of living is lower (for example, if you were used to living on about $21,000 in NC, it would only take $17,000 to live that same way in IN.) So, now to find a place to live. This was another plus to IN, that the real estate seems reasonable, and since we have enough in savings for a down payment, mortgage costs will be lower than rent. Thanks for all the help in deciding (I even made DH read all the comments!!)

I haven't had the opportunity to visit either locale, so I can't speak specifically to your choices.

But ...

As a military spouse, I've bounced around a bit. The key is to "bloom where you're planted." Look for the beauty of your surroundings. Treat this as a new adventure, and no matter where you end up, you'll find happiness.

Rose

I'm really excited. To me, a move is just another chance to meet more new people. We've only been married 5 yrs, and have moved 3 times! Each time, I've mt at least one more person to love!!

And it means I might get to see you the next time I get together with my in-laws. Now go watch A Christmas Story!

I've seen A Christmas Story (who hasn't? HBO shows it 10 times a day over the holidays...you can't miss it!), but I will watch it again--this time watching for the towns people and not just feeling bad for the kid. That leg lamp never ceases to amaze me...who would think of such a thing?

...was filmed here in NE Ohio...less than an hour from us. The "house" of the family was recently sold and (weirdly enough) it was "big news" for a couple of days!

Oh!...and you can buy your very own Leg Lamp if you feel so moved!

Jilsyt: if you drive across Ohio on I80...I'll "hear" you go by! (seriously!)

Blessings,
Lenora
"...if woman's work is never done, why bother about how much of it [isn't] getting done at any given moment?"
~ Claire Fraser in The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon