I still can hardly believe the big news. On Friday, after years of unbelievably hard work, an MD and a PhD, my husband matched at Duke. (You can read all about the Medical Residency Match process and what it means for our family in more detail, here.) I am so unbelievably proud of my husband, and elated at the possibilities for our little family. In the next few weeks, we have to find a place to live (Do we rent or do we buy? More on that later!); we need two cars (We share a car here in Miami because hubby uses and loves public transportation in the city, and the lease on that one car is ending in a few weeks.); we need to find new doctors for both Scarlett and I; we have to plan the move (Any advice on moving cross-country is welcome!); we’re thinking of decorating a brand new (much bigger) place and all of the possibilities that that entails; and I have to figure out my own career plan (Will I take the bar exam in North Carolina? Do I want to practice law there? Will I really try to give blogging a go full-time … from North Carolina? Will I look for a job in something totally new? And does that mean we’ll put Scarlett in daycare? Gulp … not sure I’m ready for that.) The list goes on and on. I promise to share all of the craziness along the way.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for your support, your incredibly kind comments and e-mails and suggestions. I’ll need even more of that now. If anyone knows anything about the Research Triangle Area (pros and cons in living in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill), has any advice about real estate, suggestions about moving with a baby (away from family and friends … sob), really anything at all, we could use it right about now!
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OH my gosh! I will be thinking about you! But I’m sure you will get adjusted just fine. If you need to talk – I know ALL about leaving your friends and family.. it is sad.. but you will be a-okay, I promise! : )
LOVE YOU!!
Kayla
http://www.lovelucygirl.com
Ooooh you will love NC! I’ve lived here most of my life. I’m in Charlotte. Congrats to you and your family!
Congrats on your hubby getting matched at Duke! That’s great. Good luck with moving and getting settled in 🙂 Please share what you think of the area in a post! Been looking into medschools in North Carolina & it would be great to have your insite.
The wait is finally over!! Congratualtions!! What an exciting time in your lives. Wishing you all the best on your new adventure.
Thank you so much! I still can’t believe it! So looking forward to the adventure. 🙂
Hi Lexi,
Congratulations! I literally just moved from SF to Raleigh/Durham at the beginning of February. I recommend using a van line service instead of a small shipment service even if movers suggest otherwise. Raleigh has a great city life, but for a young family I would not recommend living downtown. You are probably better off in Chapel Hill, Carrboro or Apex (but long-time residents may want to correct me on this point). I recommend renting for a little while just to see what you like and you don’t necessarily need to have your location set prior to arrival. Many van lines take a while to get from your current location to your destination and are willing to adjust the destination for no additional charge (just check with the company in advance). Getting a moving company ASAP is definitely key when you’re moving cross country. My other advice would be accept any help that’s offered even from friends of friends and just embrace the RDU area. Good Luck! – Melissa
Thank you! Thank you! This is hugely helpful. Looking into the van line service now. 🙂
SO happy for you, and wow, yeah, that does create a million questions! So excited to hear where this next chapter leads you, and hoping our email chains are part of it! 🙂
sending you guys so much love!
alyson
http://www.theaveragegirlsguide.com
Congratulations! This is such exciting news, but I’m sure it will be hard leaving family and friends. North Carolina seems like a great place to live — and they have good weather! Can’t wait to hear more about your plans!
http://www.livinginsteil.com
Wow, congratulations!!! Best of luck on your new adventures, I’m so happy for you guys! 🙂
Durham, Chapel Hill and the surrounding area are wonderful places to live. My husband and I have moved quite a bit and this area is our favorite. We are from the northeast and lived in Durham for 3 years. Having Duke, UNC, and NC State so close…there is always something to do. Cultural and well as sporting events. We would love to go back there to live. Best wishes on your new life ahead.
Thank you so much! Looking into all of them. It really seems like such a perfect area. 🙂
Congrats- you will need 2 cars- public transportation isnt the greatest.
Rent until you determine the area you would like to live in.
I’m in Charlotte & moved from NYC. Hard to adjust initially but the sweet southern living & charm will grow on you.
Blog & keep kidlet home as long as possible.
This is so helpful – thank you!
I moved across the country to NC as well, to the Charlotte area. If you rent a house, be on the lookout for places that don’t provide appliances — I had never heard of that before, but it’s pretty common down here! We are also lawyers, planning a wedding, and I just started my own youtube channel. I totally understand where you are coming from! Best of luck and, don’t worry, people in NC are really very kind.
Oh wow, no appliances? I will definitely be on the lookout! Thank you!
You’re very welcome!
Congrats to you and your family! Your hubby is lucky to have such a sweet and supportive wife! As someone who has taken two bar exams — the second one is easier. Do you know what kind of reciprocity N.C. has? Maybe you won’t have to take the MBE! Good luck!
-Meg
http://www.smalltownsisters.blogspot.com
Congrats, Lexi! I have tons of family in Raleigh, you’ll love it! And not too, too far from home:)
Heidi
http://www.wishesandreality.com
Good luck with the moving. Moving is something I really dislike. It’s exhausting. And it takes more than 3 months for me to feel like home again in a new place.
Moving and getting settled can be such a stressful process, especially with an infant. Whether you rent or buy I would recommend going through a real estate agent. They know the most about the area, and can also point you to doctors, and other services. I’m abdomen with Keller Williams in Indianapolis but would be happy to get you the names of some agents in NC. Let me know and best of luck!
Thank you so much for the offer! I think a friend knows someone who can help us, but if that doesn’t work out, I’ll definitely reach out to you! 🙂
Congratulations to your family! It’s a big change but will certainly help you create so many new stories. Can’t wait to follow the journey!
glitterandgrey.wordpress.com
Thank you so much! Looking forward to all of it. 🙂
Wow! That is awesome! Congratulations! I know ya’ll are very excited. Duke is #1 in my opinion. May be because I am from South Carolina. For what it is worth, I would go more toward the Chapel Hill area. Less traffic, etc. My brother lives in Chapel Hill and loves it. I am sure where ever you end up you will be very happy and make the right decisions.
how cool is that congrats sounds like a lot of fun
Hi Lexi,
I came across your blog this morning via a random Instagram photo that caught my attention. My sister (a non-practicing lawyer) and brother-in-law (a doctor) moved to Chapel Hill just under a year ago. They live and love Southern Village. It’s a great little community, loads of families, plenty of nice people, a nice centre square area, etc. She has 4 kids (under the age of 5), so I’m sure she could recommend doctors for you. I think 2 of her kids might be going to daycare next year, but I can’t remember which one. Let me know if you’d like to chat with her.
Jordana
Good luck with your move! Stay positive and everything will be great! It is so exciting when you are moving to a new place! Greets, Man Van Ltd.
Congratulations! This is wonderful! Good luck! 🙂
Wonderful news! Congratulation on the move! Wish you all the best and good luck with the house hunt!
Congratulations, Lexi! My husband and I moved to Chapel Hill 2+ years ago for his job. We’re actually on our way back to San Francisco, which was always our plan, but I’d love to share some recommendations with you. I’ve always been a city girl, so it took some time to adjust to life here, but the area’s got a lot of Southern charm, and it’s a great area for starting and raising a family. Unfortunately, I can’t be of much help on the family front, since we don’t have kids yet, but hopefully you can use some of these suggestions!
Chapel Hill is probably the most suburban, family-filled area out of the three. Many parts of Durham and Raleigh feel pretty urbanized, but there are rural pockets here and there. If you get close to UNC or Duke, you get that typical college-town feel. Generally, real estate is most expensive in Chapel Hill.
Favorite restaurants in the Triangle: Bida Manda (contemporary Laotian cuisine, great cocktails), Pizzeria Toro (sophisticated wood-fired pizzas with toppings like kale and house prosciutto), and Lantern (Asian-Southern fusion)
Favorite hair salons: Arrow Studio (in Durhan) and Citrine (in Chapel Hill)
Favorite spa (for facials, waxing, etc.): Carolina Medi-Spa
Lexi, a late congratulations to your husband! My husband went to Duke for undergrad and is now at UNC for med school. We both grew up in Raleigh so we have lots of knowledge about all three Triangle cities and can echo the recommendations that have been listed.
Some other places in the area we love:
Foster’s Market in Durham (called Root Cellar in Chapel Hill)
Sola Coffee Cafe in Raleigh
Monuts Donuts in Durham
Umstead State Park in Raleigh (great for picnics or walks)
Samuel Cole Salon in Raleigh for hair
The North Carolina State Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings
Feel free to reach out with any questions! Thanks for posting about the match process! I haven’t found many other blogs that give such great tips on med school/residency life.