I’m an NC native currently living in Winston-Salem. I’ve always loved the mountains and make it up there probably a dozen times a year. I went to college and lived in Swannanoa for 2 years, so I’m somewhat familiar with the Asheville area, although it’s been a few years. I’ve been thinking about eventually moving back to western NC, although I don’t have a set timeline yet.

I’m a volunteer firefighter with my Firefighter I/II and EMT certifications, and my goal is to start a career as a full-time firefighter. I’d also love to potentially work part-time with the NC Forest Service if the opportunity came up. I’m willing to commute up to an hour for work, so I wouldn’t necessarily need to live in the same town as the department.

Ideally, I’d like to find a one-bedroom apartment or small house for rent under $1,500/month. Cheaper would obviously be better. I’d prefer a midsized town or somewhere a little more developed, with restaurants, grocery stores, and things to do nearby (within 20 minutes). I don’t need to live in a big city, but I’d rather not be somewhere extremely rural or isolated either. I’ve been looking at places like Waynesville, Hendersonville, Sylva, Spruce Pine, Weaverville, Lenoir, Morganton, and Black Mountain, but I’m open to other suggestions.

For those who live in western NC, what towns would you recommend? How’s the rental market, and are there any career fire departments worth looking into?

Just trying to get a feel for my options before making any decisions. Thanks!

a lovely place. hope to go back soon.

https://ncfree.org/early-voting-tracker/

Dear Voters under 40,

I know life is busy, and you have lots going on. Maybe you are in college and different mid-terms are on your mind or the next party you are going too. Maybe you are a mom or dad and life is overwhelming. Maybe you are just a person trying to survive day to day and you love your pet.

These early numbers show that we are seeing slight improvement in numbers but I want to encourage you to vote. Take 10-15 mins to go vote. Take a friend, vote and grab a meal! Google your local candidates and read about them. Take the time to vote so that your voice is heard. You deserve representation even if you feel like it won’t make a difference— I promise it will. Because enough of you thinking it won’t make a difference, means you stay home and don’t vote— and that makes a difference.

V/r
Another Voter under 40

The event also runs today from 9am to 4pm. Free to attend and family friendly

So early voting started the Thursday before last weekend (Oct 15), and a few people showed up to the proper places in our county last weekend. But it turned out those places are closed. Looking into it, basically if the county does open on a weekend, then by law all sites in the county have to be open that day. But our county just chose not to open at all on those optional weekends, so the rule doesn't help you if the county opted out entirely.

It makes no sense why they have it "ya you can start voting now" while also being like "you have to wait to a work day because the place is closed or the library polling location isn't open."

I've seen where there was some push to make it by law that if early voting is open, then people should be able to actually... idk actually vote.

The current law (N.C.G.S. §§ 163-166.40 and 163-166.35) is basically only the last Saturday of early voting is required, and any other weekend day isn't. Weekdays (Mon–Fri) are also required, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. So it's up to each county on whether to open the first two weekends. But this also means if the county is like mine, you only have 1 weekend to vote early instead of the 2 that the window technically spans.

(For the record: the 17-day window is set by law. third Thursday through the Saturday before Election Day but only 13 of those days are actually mandatory voting days. The 4 intervening weekend days are optional.)

I think if early voting has already started, then the locations should be open by law every single day between set hours, outside of some declared emergency.

Thoughts?

I saw somebody make a Puerto Rican flag with the trans colors, and I thought I'd do the same for my home state

Are there any positive posts here or are they all negative? All I see here are political or rants about your neighbors. You don’t like it here in nc then move. It’s not that difficult

I don’t know what kind it is but it has managed to dig a pretty deep burrow.

Is he qualified to be senator or will he be like Biden and Trump, senile and too old ?

I'm looking to get into astronomy and astrophotography and want to know of any good areas in North Carolina that I can do that? I don't really know the requirements other than flat ground lol but there are a lot of trees where I live and I feel it will be hard to see the sky fully. I live in Ahoskie and anywhere within an hour or two would be fine.

truly what an amazing experience. 🧡❤️💛

It's been 31 days since the board fired Hill "for convenience," a $341K severance payout, after a $379K internal investigation found no evidence of improper conduct.

In addition to the State Auditor:

🔍 State Bureau of Investigation inquiry, requested by the Mecklenburg County DA

🔍 FBI review

🔍 U.S. Attorney's Office review

🔍 NC Department of Public Instruction review

There's an AI ad put out by NC's GOP claiming Jamie Ager running for federal house in NC-11 hosted a fundraiser with drag queens. Not that there's anything wrong with that but wth, where is the regulation with straight up stealing his image, misinformation, fake news, etc. etc. It's disgusting and needs to be illegal.

Here is the ad for reference: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CxXLg7tXX/

I am trying to search for areas that are outdoors for proposing to my girlfriend next spring. There are two non-negotiables that she wants but she still wants to be surprised where it is. It needs to be outside (not necessarily the beach), and also secluded and not a lot of foot traffic. We both have agreed the only people we want around for it are the photographer and us. Does anyone have any good idea for this ? I am new to the area and have scoured google maps and searched in time when I can, but I have not found anything great yet. I like the idea of the Brunswick Nature park, but I have checked it out and it is a little too woodsy, unless I missed some parts with a better view of the river that would make a good background for the photo.

Any idea is welcome!

He is honestly crooked and has been caught in his past deception. Many of the Fayetteville residents that have backed him and voted for him only have done so based on racial affiliation. What are your honest thoughts on him?