Relocate Triangle - An Insider's Guide About Moving To The Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Area

New Clayton Neighborhood Attracts Horse Lovers (and my BFF!)

by Amy Gretenstein

My best friend, Kate, from college (go

Canes!), called me last week to tell me that her and her boyfriend are looking to relocate to Raleigh this year. This is clearly her best decision ever (for purely selfish reasons). The two of them visited me here last summer and apparently it made a lasting impression. 

Currently, Kate lives in southern Illinois, where she is working at a sleepaway camp (props to Camp Ondessonk). There, she runs their outdoor adventure program and heads up their barn program. What’s crazy is that my skirt-and-sandals-loving BFF is in charge of 80-plus horses, a few barns, hundreds of feet of property fences and all sorts of John Deere machinery, and she has spent the past year raising funds for an indoor riding arena. When she told me about the move, we started talking about opportunities for her here in North Carolina. That’s when I remembered Portofino, a client I work with at MMI Public Relations. 

Portofino is an upscale equestrian community featuring an executive lifestyle. There are several types of lots and plans to choose from, along with several amenities. These amenities include a pool, high quality clubhouse, banquet room, and gaming house just to name a few. There is also a 22-stall barn which is professionally staffed, open to the public and features indoor and outdoor riding areas.

I was super excited to tell Kate about Portofino, because I think she could transition all the wonderful skills she’s learned at Ondessonk to something as nifty as Portofino. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that she’d only be 15 minutes away in Clayton!

Portofino barn manager, feel free to leave your contact info in the comments!

Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Durham, Cary - Triangle Tops Lists!

by Amy Gretenstein

Still unsure that Raleigh and the Triangle area are right for you? How about these nifty accolades?

• Raleigh was voted

“#3 Best Place to Launch a Business” by Portfolio.com/bizjournals, January 2010.

NCSU was ranked #10 and UNC #1 as “Best Value in Public Colleges and 
Universities” by Kiplinger.com, January 2010.

Raleigh-Durham was ranked “#5 Metro for Best Quality of Life” by Business 
Facilities, August 2009.

Raleigh was ranked “#1 Top City for Small Business” by Bizjournals, February 2009

North Carolina was voted “Favorite Destination for Retirees” by Kiplinger.com,   August 2009

Raleigh-Durham was ranked “#8 Next Hot Youth-Magnet Cities” by The Wall Street Journal, September 2009.

Raleigh was ranked “#1 City Where Americans Are Relocating” by Forbes.com, April 2009.

Non-Traditional Valentine's Day

by Amy Gretenstein

With the Valentine’s Day holiday this weekend, I am reminded how Valentine’s Day is supposed to be celebrated: With a small black velvet box from Kay’s Jewelers and a big romantic gesture with cheesy lines from a Meg Ryan movie, right?

Actually, I believe most people will be hitting up local restaurants for a romantic meal for two, maybe a movie (Valentine’s Day the movie opens this weekend) or maybe getting away to a romantic bed and breakfast.

For those of us looking to celebrate the holiday of love in a less “traditional” way, never fear. The Triangle has many options that are fun, affordable (comparably to diamonds any way) and fun for the singles, the coupled and the whole family.

Segway of Love

Starting this weekend, Triangle Segway is offering a guided tour on a Segway (!!) highlighting the romantic history and great love stories of downtown Raleigh’s past. The 1.5 hour long rides are $50 per person and reservations are required. Riders must be at least 14 years old and accompanied by an adult.

Speaking of…

Known as VDay, NCSU partnering with women from the Triangle community will be performing Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues. The production is a benefit which brazenly explores women’s sexual experiences while working to end sexual violence against women. All proceeds will benefit The Women and Girls of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Due to the nature of the material, this performance may not be suitable for children.

Ice Cold

If sports are more your thing the Carolina Hurricanes will be celebrating Valentine’s Day on Saturday Feb. 13 with a game against the New Jersey Devils and Mystery T-Shirt Fundraiser night. The first 300 fans to purchase a t-shirt, whose proceeds go to the Kids ‘N Community Foundation, will receive a gift bag with their t-shirt which has been autographed by a Carolina Hurricanes player. The mystery is that you won’t know which player signed your shirt until you already own it. Each bag will also contain a certificate of authentication so you know your signature is real.

Since I’m low on funds and the weather is supposed to be decent on Sunday, I’m attempting to organize a touch football game at the local park. Nothing says “I love you!” like “give me back that football.” How will you be celebrating Valentine’s Day?

Super Kripsy Weekend!

by Amy Gretenstein

 

While there is more snow being predicted this weekend (bleh!) there are still fun happenings around the Triangle.

 

First up, the sixth annual Krispy Kreme Challenge will hit the roads Sat. Feb 6 with more than 6000 racers. The K2C, as it’s lovingly called, started as a dare by some NCSU students back in 2004. The challenge: run from the NCSU Bell Tower to the Krispy Kreme donut shop located at Peace St. and Person St., consume a dozen fresh donuts and then run back to the bell tower. Honestly, I believe the true challenge is not puking your guts up along this four mile trek, but hey, I guess that’s why they called it a dare.

 

By year two, the student coordinators made this college silliness into a good cause taking on the North Carolina Children’s Hospital as a charitable benefactor. Sports Illustrated named it number 85 on "102 More Things You Gotta Do Before You Graduate." This year’s K2C is expected to raise more than $40,000.

If your stomach can handle any more junk food, the biggest day of snacks, aka Super Bowl Sunday is Sun. Feb 7.

 

Raleighwood Cinema Grill, an all inclusive food and beverage movie going experience, is throwing it’s “famous six hour unlimited all you can eat Super Bowl Party Buffet” along with a 35 foot screening of the game itself.

 

If you prefer a more bar-like atmosphere, Carolina Ale House, Downtown Sports Bar and Grill and Woody’s at City Market are all hosting their own variety of get-togethers.

 

While I won’t be running the K2C this year, my co-worker Jen here at MMI will. I’ll be out bright and early looking for her to rally to the finish line. And as the New Orleans Saints take on the Indianapolis Colts, I’ll be munching on some of my favorite grub (and brews).

 

What are your plans this weekend?