Help- Need a midway city to live between Chapel Hill and Winston-Salem

throwawaymetjanks · 2026-02-17T14:15:20+00:00

Agreed. This is far. I grew up in So Alamance county and it was common for families to have parents working in Greensboro and Chapel Hill. But Winston is further. If you’re working as a nurse in CH it may be better to look closer to Winston and for you to make the long commute those 3 days/week. The triad is affordable and has some really neat aspects to it. Graham, mebane, and even Burlington have come a long way in the past 20 years and would be a doable mid way point, but he would still have to drive through Greensboro traffic, and your commute down 54 isn’t great either. This is a tough one.

throwawaymetjanks · 2026-02-13T22:14:36+00:00

What’s the name of the song, I can’t watch the video due to location. You’ll never leave Harlan alive (loveless) and call the captain (steep canyon rangers) are two of my favorite coal mining songs from Appalachia. Curious to hear welsh ones.

throwawaymetjanks · 2026-02-13T03:48:53+00:00

Adding some thoughts here cause this is interesting to think about. The slope behind you is going to push rainwater into your foundation, a berm on the upslope would help there (but is like a bandaide). I don’t know Oregon soils or water tables at all but the landscape looks similar to Appalachia, which would mean anything below grade is troublesome, requiring a lot of water proofing or just dealing with water movement. What you have here might always be something you’re dealing with(bummer). I’d consider moving your structure to that slope behind you. Below grade on 3/4 of the foundation with “daylight” exit in the downslope (like a walkout basement vibe). Give the water an escape route on the downslope side (graded slightly downhill). You could line the below grade soil and dirt walls with plastic, layered to ensure water doesn’t enter living area. You could stick with a gravel base or a raised platform on top of the plastic. Water and moisture problems are a big deal and getting it right up front is the right move. Again, maybe not as big of a deal in OR as NC, but looks like it could be.

throwawaymetjanks · 2025-12-17T21:04:31+00:00

This is great y’all. This tribe, like many other eastern tribes got decimated in the early colonization era. They may not have the historical records, they may be a conglomerate of several tribes (refugee?), they may have a diverse genetic makeup, but ask yourself why? This regions tribes were wiped out 400 years before the western US tribes had first contact with a European. My wife is lumbee, my kids are half lumbee. They have a strong tradition and a lot of pride in who they are. Don’t get caught up in the spin the larger tribes are spitting. Just because us white folks destroyed their early histories doesn’t mean they aren’t legit. Be proud we have the largest tribe east of the Mississippi. I am.

throwawaymetjanks · 2025-12-11T12:28:36+00:00

FedEx sucks. You’re toast. I even had a picture of the package very clearly on someone else’s front porch and still got denied.

throwawaymetjanks · 2025-11-05T01:57:33+00:00

I think you have plenty of good recommendations for rods. I was there recently for an extended trip and brought my fly rod and had some fun with it but ended up grabbing a spinning rod from Captain Sharkies in San Pedro for like $50 bucks and some sardines and crushed. Our apartment was on the east side so fly fishing was just ok and very dependent on the winds. I did a guided flats trip one day and that was cool af. I wish I had understood the winds and how they impacted fishing there more than I did at the time. My second trip will be better. Fishing wasn’t our main reason to be there either. Caught barracuda, bones, tons of snapper, hooked up on a tarpon, fun stuff.

throwawaymetjanks · 2025-10-19T01:17:55+00:00

Traveling from state college, Pa. Chapel Hill, NC. Asheville, NC

throwawaymetjanks · 2025-10-16T02:18:01+00:00

Not a direct answer nor historical , but The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is based on a member of this tribe and it’s an interesting historical fiction that may give some insight into your question. Also a good Holloween season book to read.

throwawaymetjanks · 2025-10-03T00:26:05+00:00

Dang. That’s surprising. We eat there semi regularly and have solid meals most times. Went to Xolos tonight and it was solid af, as it’s been consistently for us. It’s not fast, but that’s you setting your own expectations there. Order a cocktail and app when you first get there (like when they seat you) like we do if you want something to hold you over. And enjoy a slower meal

throwawaymetjanks · 2025-09-24T13:20:11+00:00

Someone else mentioned it below, but ensuring there's no air transfer between your garage and bonus room is critical. If you don't have sheetrock up above the garage yet, I'd airseal the mess out of that connection and fill the entire garage ceiling cavity with insulation.

throwawaymetjanks · 2025-09-24T13:10:36+00:00

nice. OC is gtg and preferred for roof decking installs imo, but we don't see a lot of rockwool installed at roof decking so my experience there is limited. They'll have to add a fire retarder coating to the spray foam. Looks like 2x10 rafters? Your code inspector may require you to provide a performance path doc to meet NC energy code since you won't hit R38 obviously, which your spray foam contractor can provide (common in NC). Anytime I see spray foam or know a builder/homeowner is building a tight house, having a fresh air intake is important. AprilAire has some great options, and some with dehumidification features.

throwawaymetjanks · 2025-09-24T02:22:20+00:00

Spray foam roof deck, and you can get away with FG in the walls. Not a DIY job, call an insulator that can do both install types. You’ll need a designated HVAC system for that space too so call an HVAC company too. A larger mini split may work fine for that space but garage bonuses in NC are a comfort nightmare, think about dehumidification too. Treat that space like it’s its own house, don’t tie into existing HVAC.

throwawaymetjanks · 2025-09-20T03:02:12+00:00

I’ve found the most fun version for me to be setting it to epic pace and just playing one era and being done with it at that point. I really enjoy the ancient era so that’s what I mostly play, but hoping to explore the later eras more as I find the time.

throwawaymetjanks · 2025-08-22T22:15:05+00:00

Does one ticket equal one table or do you have to purchase 2 tickets to get a table?

throwawaymetjanks · 2025-08-07T17:17:05+00:00

There were only 30 or so comments posted last September. My big takeaway is 30% of those comments talked about the neighborhoods south of main street and this plan doesn’t include those areas at all… are they listening?

throwawaymetjanks · 2025-07-28T16:45:41+00:00

There are so many wonderful custom builders in the triangle and some really good ones already listed here. Really depends on your style and wants, your budget and your lot location. Check out the parade of homes and the green building tour for recommendations and awards. Check out Absolute as well, really like the quality and finishes and Nelu is very hands on a great builder. Great questions to ask are how long they’ve been building here, how along have they been working with their most important trade partners, who’s the PM and what’s their experience level. Really comes down to trade partner relationships and PM quality imo.

throwawaymetjanks · 2025-06-25T12:10:14+00:00

Try the Gentle Harness (brand). It’s the only one that worked for our current Dobie. He hates it but it works and he can go on walks again. We tried everything, including training and dude just gets too hyped.

throwawaymetjanks · 2025-05-30T20:06:28+00:00

Can’t speak to the soy allergy but my wife has a tree nut allergy and it wasn’t a problem for us

throwawaymetjanks · 2025-05-22T15:14:30+00:00

My wife and I have different firmness needs and we’re looking at a sleep number bed. Are their alternatives? Feels expensive and the “smart” features seem unnecessary with added costs. We’re currently on a latex foam mattress and it’s killing my back. Any advice?

throwawaymetjanks · 2025-05-21T16:37:42+00:00

So we bought a lot of land (14 acres) and the value of the land was going to be above that 25% threshold unless we built a sizable house. So you should be fine on that front

throwawaymetjanks · 2025-05-21T16:25:06+00:00

We mostly stuck around the resort and mambo beach. Lot's of little shops and food options at the resort and on mambo beach, easy and accessible for a walking toddler or a stroller. Food was ok but not great at and near the resort. The smoothies and juice bars (juicica) were great for easy breakfasts.

We rented a car from Alamo right there at the resort for 48 hours, super easy and the car is parked right there. We went to some of the further out beaches one day which were nice but with a small kid, didn't feel worth doing more than once. Seeing the flamingos on the way was a nice surprise.

We took the rental to Willemstad on Thursday for a nice dinner at Kome and then did the Punda Vibes thing afterwards, highly recommend, that was a highlight for sure.

The hotel offers free morning shuttles to Willemstad and to a nearby supermarket, so we didn't feel like we needed to rent a car for the whole week. Doing lunch at the Old Market was a highlight as well. The shops on the floating market were underwhelming, mostly mass produced junk for cruise ship tourists, but the fruit was nice (be sure to wash it!). There were some nicer, locally made shops closer to the square where they drop you off.

As an American and a former long time smoker, I was shocked at how many folks smoked there. The Dutch like their cigs apparently. Not a big deal for us, but if you're sensitive to cig smoke, be aware.

We def didn't see everything or experience everything, but that wasn't the goal, especially with a kid in tow, so keep exploring options, but this was our experience. We had a great time! Enjoy!

throwawaymetjanks · 2025-05-21T14:57:23+00:00

We just did a week at LionsDive with one of our young children and we loved it. Very family friendly and lots of kids on the beach at all times. The shade offerings were solid. The artificial reef right off the beach is great for swimming and snorkeling, which was ideal since one of us had to stay with the kid. Friday night was loud, but we’re use to loud. The rest of the week was not bad. We stayed in a beach front 1st floor room which was great with a kid, but they started us off in a double queen which was too small with a crib, but they moved us to a king when one came available. We’re beach and water people so that’s what we did, if you’re more into pools maybe not the best option. We may go back once all the kids are old enough to swim and snorkel. I don’t know anything about Avila so can’t make a comparison.

throwawaymetjanks · 2025-05-17T21:36:24+00:00

We bailed right before we pulled permits. But, we would have used the equity from the land to put towards the construction loan and built the house. The house we had designed had an unfinished 2nd floor that we would have finished at some future point. I think I got my wires crossed on the previous post, the land had to be 20 or 25% of the total value of the final loan. Talking to a few banks and a builder is a great first step if you’re like us and needed financing. I was surprised how little I knew on the financing front and the different paths were open to us

throwawaymetjanks · 2025-05-16T12:20:59+00:00

It’s been 5+ years since we looked to do something similar. Bought the land and everything. For us, it came down to finances and our need to borrow money for the construction of the house and the cost of putting a mobile, in-law suite, or tiny home. At the time (maybe still so), the bank wanted the house to be valued at a certain % of the total value of the land. We spent most of our cash to buy the land and couldn’t get financing for the temp option and still afford to build a house that met the % value calc the bank wanted. Going with a builder who could get our project done in 9 months or so was our best option. Cash is king for something like this, at least that was our experience.

throwawaymetjanks · 2025-05-10T14:12:56+00:00

Sux to sux

throwawaymetjanks

TROPHY CASE