Before relocating to Johnston County, I had never been to North Carolina. Being from Indiana with family in Michigan, nothing prepared me for all the changes I would experience when moving to the South. After being here for just over a year, here are my top 5 things to note before relocating:
1. North Carolina Weather
Weather, weather, weather. Being from the Midwest, I got a taste of all four seasons. I was warned about the heat of a North Carolina summer, but I was unprepared. The sun is brutal during the summertime and can give you a rather nasty sunburn if you are not careful. But don’t worry! These extreme summers give North Carolina residents a rather mild and tempered winter season. Although my first winter in NC did not bring snow, it was my first experience of having my house windows open in December, with a beautiful 70 degree day. The fall, winter, and spring in NC is beautiful, which makes the heat of the summer totally worth it!
Another aspect of the weather that I was not expecting was tropical storms and hurricanes. My first few tropical storms left me on edge and uneasy with the constant downpour of rain and thunderstorms. North Carolina roads are not built for extreme weather, so when a storm or hurricane begins to make its way towards NC, always watch WRAL - the local news and weather station - to look for road closures and flooded areas.
2.The Southern Experience
Believe it or not, the Southern accent is real! Although the locals may claim they have no accent, you will definitely notice the Southern drawl when speaking with a true North Carolina resident. One of my visiting friends stated “I thought it was just in the movies!” when he heard the southern accent for the first time during his stay.
As someone who never lived in the south before and had never really visited, the accent was a bit of a surprise. My favorite Southern sayings that I have learned are “bless your heart” and “to be sure.” I initially began mimicking these expressions as a form of personal humor, but now I say them without any underlying tones of irony. I have not yet mastered the Southern accent, but I do feel like I have picked up on some of it since living here. The Southern drawl can occasionally be difficult for me to understand, but I do adore it nonetheless.
Another quality of Southern living is the diverse array of festivals and events. I attended the annual Ham & Yam Festival this past May, which is something I would have never thought to combine in a singular festival. They had yams, sweetpotato biscuits, many vendors, and of course, lots of ham. I still to this day think about how good the ham biscuits were at the festival.
The most unique festival I have been to by far is the Benson Mule Days. Who dedicates an entire four day festival to mules? We do in the South! This festival is something I never would have thought of. My favorite parts of the Benson Mule Days were the parade and the rodeo. I had never been to a rodeo before, and it was the most exhilarating thing I have been to. My favorite part of the rodeo was barrel-racing. I highly recommend attending the Benson Mule Days, the Ham & Yam festival, and other festivals across the state of NC!
3. Southern Cooking
There are so many recipes and foods that I have tried since moving to JoCo, but I am going to only list some of them.
Eastern barbecue is a must-try when visiting NC. The vinegar-based sauce is nothing like midwestern barbecue, and it is delicious and tangy. Trying all of the “sawses” at Redneck Barbecue Lab is an amazing foodie experience. White Swan Bar-B-Q offers a spicy take on the vinegar-based barbecue sauce as they add red pepper flakes to their sauce. Whether you like traditional barbecue sauce or vinegar-based sauce, you will love Southern barbecue.
Have you ever heard of a sausage ball? My dad described it as dehydrated biscuits and gravy, and I will agree with that description. Sausage balls are probably one of my favorite southern foods that I have had since moving. You basically take pork sausage, shredded cheese, and Bisquick, ball the ingredients together, and cook them to make delicious sausage balls. Ever since I learned this recipe, I have thoroughly enjoyed making them for friends and family.
The most bizarre thing to me is a red hot dog. Bright Leaf red hot dogs are a local specialty in Johnston County, so much so that many restaurants and festivals serve only red hot dogs in the area. Growing up, I only knew of the typical beef hot dog, but these “brown” hot dogs are not as loved as the red hot dogs. I first tasted a red hot dog at Carolina Packers, where they gave samples away with their chili. Although I have to say I am still a fan of “brown” hot dogs, the red hot dogs offer an experience unique to JoCo. When you visit JoCo, you will have to give it a try!
4. Southern Hospitality
When I first moved into my neighborhood, the first thing I experienced was Southern hospitality. My neighbor came over to introduce himself and to talk to me, letting me know he saw a truck had delivered my lawnmower before I got there, and then proceeded to tell me that I could return it and get my money back because he mowed everyone’s lawns on the street. He was extremely nice about it, letting me know that lawnmowing got him out of the house, and it was free of charge.
In addition to that experience, my next door neighbors greeted me with homemade cookies and a welcome card. Since then, I have felt the love of the community I live in. I was worried when I moved to NC since I did not know anyone nor have any family relations within the area, but the Southern community has welcomed me lovingly into their home. Since moving, I have joined a community choir, a women’s book club, and a gym where I have made many friends. Everyone I meet is extremely polite and outgoing, which has made me feel so welcomed in JoCo. The rumors of Southern hospitality have held true in my experience.
5. Beauty of North Carolina
For those who are new to the area, North Carolina is sectioned off into three different geographic landscapes: mountains, piedmont, and coastal plain. I made the most out of my first year of living in NC and tried to visit as many regions as possible. Though I have really only driven through the mountains, that drive is enough for me to be left in awe each time I do drive through them.
The mountains and hilly landscapes of North Carolina are a beautiful sight in all seasons, but especially in the fall. The changing tree colors offer a beautiful sight on top of the mountains. Even just driving through Johnston County gives me the feeling of going up and down numerous hills. The terrain is extremely different from Indiana, where I am used to flat terrain surrounded by cornfields.
Living in the Piedmont region of North Carolina means I have the best of both worlds. A drive to the mountains or to the coast is not far away, and I still get to experience some fun terrain differences than what I am used to in Indiana. I have lived here for a little over a year now and I am still in awe everyday at the beauty of North Carolina.
With numerous river walks and hiking trails, I have found beautiful scenery at many places in North Carolina. Located in Johnston County is Howell Woods, a beautiful environmental learning center where people can learn about rehabilitating wildlife while also hiking on their many trails across the 2,800 acres that they maintain. Additionally, JoCo shares the Bailey and Williamson Nature Preserve with Wake County. Why hike in one county when you can hike in two all on one trail? As a person who loves being outside, I have thoroughly enjoyed finding these great hiking locations and I look forward to continuing my appreciation for the beauty of North Carolina.
Overall, moving to North Carolina has been an amazing adventure. I am thankful for my wonderful neighbors and the community that has welcomed me in Johnston County. My favorite parts about North Carolina so far have been the discovery of all the unique Southern dishes and the wonderful weather in the winter season. If you are considering moving to North Carolina, don’t hesitate! You can also check out our relocation page to learn more about relocating to JoCo.
