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Moved From Western US to East Coast; Happier in North Carolina ...
After years of living in big cities out West, I moved to Asheville, North Carolina. Mikala Lugen After spending a few years living in big Western cities, I moved back East to be closer to family. Now, I live in Asheville, North Carolina, and my quality of life has really improved. Life in Asheville has made family, affordability, and everyday ease feel more accessible. As a small-town girl from Forestville, New York, moving to Denver for my dream job after college felt electric. I enjoyed skiing (when I could justify the three-hour drive to my favorite slopes), hiking, and seeing many shows at Red Rocks Amphitheater. But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the city's shine quickly wore off. Hiking trails became more crowded, live music all but disappeared, and suddenly, I felt very alone on the other side of the country.Visiting my family back East wasn't easy without expensive flights or long days on the road, and I started to feel closed in, with no way to reset or reconnect.After sticking things out in Denver for a few more months, I moved to Salt Lake City for work. At first, it felt like an upgrade: world-class skiing was just 30 minutes away, rugged desert trails were within reach, and there was a stunning mountain backdrop.Eventually, though, I realized what mattered most to me was being close to my family.So, after three years of living out West, I decided I was ready for a change and settled in Asheville, North Carolina — a city that still gives me proximity to nature but has made family, affordability, and everyday ease feel more accessible.Since moving, my quality of life has really improved Living in Asheville means I still get to spend time in nature. Mikala Lugen Now that I'm back on the East Coast, I don't feel as cut off from my loved ones.When I was living out West, the flights were so expensive that I only ended up seeing my family once a year for Christmas. Now, however, I can somewhat easily drive up to New York multiple times a year for birthdays, graduations, and other gatherings.Being closer to my family hasn't been the only perk of moving here, either. I've also found that the pace of life feels much more natural. There's a collective ease here in the way people pause to chat, hold doors, and make everyday interactions feel more personal and less rushed.Southern hospitality feels present in everyday interactions, especially when I go over to a friend's house to sip tea on their porch.The landscape seems to shape this rhythm, too....
What states are people in North Carolina moving to and from ... - USAFacts
Updated May. 14, 2026Refreshed annuallyIn 2024, most people moving to North Carolina came from Florida, South Carolina, and Virginia. The top states people from North Carolina left for were Florida, South Carolina, and Virginia. Overall, about 241,200 people left North Carolina for another state. Meanwhile 299,800 moved in from elsewhere in the US. Newcomers from other states accounted for 2.7% of North Carolina's population.North Carolina ranked third among states in total domestic net migration, with a gain of 58,600 residents.1 in 35people living in North Carolina moved in 2024 from another state3rdNorth Carolina's rank in net state-to-state migration (2024)Along with immigration and natural population change, state-to-state migration is one of the three ways a state's population may shift. In 2024, North Carolina had positive net migration with 32 states and Washington, DC.North Carolina had a net increase of 9,600 residents with California, the highest among all states. The largest net decrease in 2024 was with Arizona at -3,900.How many people from North Carolina moved to another state in the past year?In 2024, 33.9% of the 241,200 people who left North Carolina for another state moved to just three destinations: South Carolina (33,200), Florida (25,900), and Virginia (22,800).How many people from another state moved to North Carolina in the past year?Of the 300,600 people moving to North Carolina from another state between 2023 and 2024, 30.6% came from three states: Florida (+33,600 residents), South Carolina (+30,000), and Virginia (+28,400).How does the share of people who moved from another state vary across North Carolina's 100 counties?From 2020 to 2024, Onslow County had the highest share of newcomers from other states, averaging 9.2% of its population each year. At the other end, Wilkes County recorded the lowest share, with 0.5% of residents moving in from another state.Migration routes between North Carolina and other states (2024)Migration routes between North Carolina and other states (2024)Residence 1 year agoEstimate1. Florida 33,6002. South Carolina30,0003. Virginia 28,4004. Georgia 19,0005. California 18,4006. New York18,0007. Texas 16,5008. Pennsylvania 13,3009. New Jersey9,30010. Maryland 8,900Keep exploring
After 3 years of living out West, I moved to North Carolina. It ... - DNyuz
After years of living in big cities out West, I moved to Asheville, North Carolina. Mikala Lugen As a small-town girl from Forestville, New York, moving to Denver for my dream job after college felt electric. I enjoyed skiing (when I could justify the three-hour drive to my favorite slopes), hiking, and seeing many shows at Red Rocks Amphitheater.
The 4 Best Moving Companies in North Carolina of 2026
The table below ranks the 40 largest cities in North Carolina across five key categories: safety, affordability, economy, education and health care, and quality of life.
