Raleigh and the Triangle - A Visitor's and Local's Guide Pt. 2

[LostInaLostWorld]

You can *have* a beer, so long as you're at a restaurant. But buying a beer at a store is a no-no. Oh and of course if it's before 2:00 PM (IIRC) you can buy groceries, but you can't buy merchandise. Eggs? Yup you can buy those. A pan to cook them in? Nope. You'll have to wait until we can sell merchandise in a couple hours. It always boggled my mind to go on late night runs to Wal-Mart when I was in college to see employees putting tape up to block people from the areas where you couldn't buy things.

I believe they did away with the merchandise blue laws for thhe most part. Alcohol, tho...

 

[garnetpalmetto]

I believe they did away with the merchandise blue laws for thhe most part. Alcohol, tho...

Well that's definitely good to know. Talk about ridiculousness.

 

[tarheelhockey]

You can *have* a beer, so long as you're at a restaurant. But buying a beer at a store is a no-no. Oh and of course if it's before 2:00 PM (IIRC) you can buy groceries, but you can't buy merchandise. Eggs? Yup you can buy those. A pan to cook them in? Nope. You'll have to wait until we can sell merchandise in a couple hours. It always boggled my mind to go on late night runs to Wal-Mart when I was in college to see employees putting tape up to block people from the areas where you couldn't buy things.

One time (and only one time) I ended up in a SC Walmart on Sunday when my kids were really little. They were at an age where if you take them to a place like that, you know you’re in for getting them something. So we picked up the stuff we needed — I remember diapers and maybe a couple of food items — and toy.

By the law of the land of the state of South Carolina, I had to stand there in the after-church crush of a Walmart check-out line and yank a toy out of the hands of a wailing toddler. That was the exact moment where the full weight of blue laws really hit me for the first time. I can go without a drink on a Sunday morning, but what kind of 21st century government decides kids can’t have toys because god would disapprove?

 

[garnetpalmetto]

One time (and only one time) I ended up in a SC Walmart on Sunday when my kids were really little. They were at an age where if you take them to a place like that, you know you’re in for getting them something. So we picked up the stuff we needed — I remember diapers and maybe a couple of food items — and toy.

By the law of the land of the state of South Carolina, I had to stand there in the after-church crush of a Walmart check-out line and yank a toy out of the hands of a wailing toddler. That was the exact moment where the full weight of blue laws really hit me for the first time. I can go without a drink on a Sunday morning, but what kind of 21st century government decides kids can’t have toys because god would disapprove?

Oh, THH. How little you know. It *starts* with a toddler wanting a toy on Sunday and you know where it ends? Lawlessness! Heathenism! A life of crime! Don't you realize that had you gotten little THH, Jr. that toy that day that they'd probably be a card-carrying member of the Bloods, the Crips, MS-13, and/or the Juilliard School? Being a burden on you for a few short minutes is much better than one of them being a burden on society for LIFE. Think about THAT the next time you think about that day. The road to eternal damnation and the fall of society is paved with Wal-Mart toys purchased before 2:00 PM on a Sunday!

For anyone who needs a humor transplant, I'm being 100% not serious and know THH and his kids IRL.

 

[Navin R Slavin]

The alcohol policy in SC is truly strange, especially in context of the general lack of rules around anything else.

I mean you can literally -- I must emphasize that I am not making this up -- get a permit to fire a missile in the state of South Carolina. To fire an actual ****ing missile. The fine for firing a missile without a permit is $100. But you can't have a beer on Sunday in like half the state.

They reserve the right to bomb the shit out of Fort Sumter anytime they damned well please.

 

[tarheelhockey]

they'd probably be a card-carrying member of the Bloods, the Crips, MS-13, and/or the Juilliard School?

The “or” option is bad enough, but imagine ending up in the Bloods, Crips, and MS-13.

 

[Stubu]

The alcohol policy in SC is truly strange, especially in context of the general lack of rules around anything else.

I mean you can literally -- I must emphasize that I am not making this up -- get a permit to fire a missile in the state of South Carolina. To fire an actual ****ing missile. The fine for firing a missile without a permit is $100. But you can't have a beer on Sunday in like half the state.

To be honest, I've never needed to buy or fire a missile. I'd pay $100 for that fun.

I guess your description covers "Rocket Propelled Grenades" (silly backronym from Soviet "light anti armor") and other bazookas though.

A Stinger would be fun to shoot but not if there were civilian airliners nearby. I guess that's the point of prohibiting them.

 

[Stubu]

The “or” option is bad enough, but imagine ending up in the Bloods, Crips, and MS-13.

And MS-13... You have to read Roberto Saviani's "Zerozerozero" about the coke trade and biz and orgs.

 

[CheeseDogs]

Hi Guys! I've got a few questions. I'm going to be driving from Newport News, VA to Raleigh for the Canes vs Rangers game on the 20th and fly back to Canada on the 21st. I was wondering if there is anywhere I should stop along the way to check out? Where might be better for a hotel by the rink or by the airport (don't fly out until 3pm). Do y'all tailgate for every game, and would a guy in a Rangers jersey get in much trouble checking it out? Is there a bar or place everyone goes to after the games?
Thanks friendly Canadian Rangers Fan!!!

 

[tarheelhockey]

Hi Guys! I've got a few questions. I'm going to be driving from Newport News, VA to Raleigh for the Canes vs Rangers game on the 20th and fly back to Canada on the 21st. I was wondering if there is anywhere I should stop along the way to check out? Where might be better for a hotel by the rink or by the airport (don't fly out until 3pm). Do y'all tailgate for every game, and would a guy in a Rangers jersey get in much trouble checking it out? Is there a bar or place everyone goes to after the games?
Thanks friendly Canadian Rangers Fan!!!

As far as hotel is concerned, I wouldn’t bother staying near the arena. The nearby hotels don’t help you avoid the traffic, and once you’re through the traffic the airport is only maybe another 10 minutes down the road. There’s really not much to be gained from staying right next to the arena. On the other hand, the arena kind of is near the airport, so it’s not hard to have the best of both worlds.

With it being a Sunday 6pm game after Daylight Savings kicks in, there should be a solid tailgate that day (unless the weather sucks of course). There will be tons of Rangers fans and you’ll have no issues beyond friendly banter. The tailgaters aren’t out there to start crap with people.

The only bar nearby is Backyard Bistro, which is more of a restaurant and a bit lame IMO. But it will definitely be full of hockey fans that evening.

 

[Navin R Slavin]

The only bar nearby is Backyard Bistro, which is more of a restaurant and a bit lame IMO. But it will definitely be full of hockey fans that evening.

Not true anymore. There's Bru's Public House right down Wade Park Boulevard. Last time I went to a game I parked near there for free, pregamed, and walked.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Not true anymore. There's Bru's Public House right down Wade Park Boulevard. Last time I went to a game I parked near there for free, pregamed, and walked.

How is it there?

 

[Navin R Slavin]

How is it there?

From a sample size of one, better food and less crowded.

 

[the halleJOKEL]

From a sample size of one, better food and less crowded.

make it a sample size of two, because i echo both sentiments

 

[tarheelhockey]

For the record, the new Bojangles next to PNC Arena is now open. The drive-thru line looked reasonably short prior to Saturday's game, though the 3pm start time and horrible (non-tailgate) weather may have had something to do with that.

 

[HisIceness]

For the record, the new Bojangles next to PNC Arena is now open. The drive-thru line looked reasonably short prior to Saturday's game, though the 3pm start time and horrible (non-tailgate) weather may have had something to do with that.

Ah yeah our new fight club has opened. Let's rumble in the jungle my dudes

 

[garnetpalmetto]

Ah yeah our new fight club has opened. Let's rumble in the jungle my dudes

Pictured here - @DaveG, @tarheelhockey, and me placing bets on our thralls. I wager 20 quatloos on @HisIceness!

 

[Navin R Slavin]

Oh, THH. How little you know. It *starts* with a toddler wanting a toy on Sunday and you know where it ends? Lawlessness! Heathenism! A life of crime! Don't you realize that had you gotten little THH, Jr. that toy that day that they'd probably be a card-carrying member of the Bloods, the Crips, MS-13, and/or the Juilliard School? Being a burden on you for a few short minutes is much better than one of them being a burden on society for LIFE. Think about THAT the next time you think about that day. The road to eternal damnation and the fall of society is paved with Wal-Mart toys purchased before 2:00 PM on a Sunday!

For anyone who needs a humor transplant, I'm being 100% not serious and know THH and his kids IRL.

Ran across this and it reminded me of one of the first jokes I heard when I moved here as a kid.

Why don't Baptists have sex standing up?

Because it might lead to dancing.

 

[Eco]

What time does PNC open up before the start?

I'll be there Thursday-Friday for "work", but will be 2 rows behind the Habs bench.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

What time does PNC open up before the start?

I'll be there Thursday-Friday for "work", but will be 2 rows behind the Habs bench.

Doors open at 6.

Hurricanes vs. Canadiens | Lenovo Center

www.pncarena.com

 

[hblueridgegal]

 

[kerrabria]

I am strongly considering a move to the Research Triangle.
I work for Duke, and I currently live in Northern Virginia/work in DC. I freaking hate it.
Here are my requirements

• a 1 bed apartment with an actual kitchen and bathroom for <$1700 (preferably an outdoor area to grow herbs)
• not horrendous traffic or parking
• good quality produce in the grocery store
• no feral homeless people harassing you
• being able to meet young people who aren't evil, sniveling leftoids
• a general lack of built-up density

Can I come be a Caniac?

 

[tarheelhockey]

I am strongly considering a move to the Research Triangle.
I work for Duke, and I currently live in Northern Virginia/work in DC. I freaking hate it.
Here are my requirements

• a 1 bed apartment with an actual kitchen and bathroom for <$1700 (preferably an outdoor area to grow herbs)
• not horrendous traffic or parking
• good quality produce in the grocery store
• no feral homeless people harassing you
• being able to meet young people who aren't evil, sniveling leftoids
• a general lack of built-up density

Can I come be a Caniac?

In order:

- Rent is getting higher, much higher. But you can still get a 1b for under $1700 around here, I think. The bigger issue is just an outright lack of inventory.

- After living in NoVa/DC, you will laugh at traffic and parking complaints here. I was warned about it and braced myself for nightmare rush hour traffic jams that turned out to be 10-minute delays in rolling traffic. Deck parking in central downtown Raleigh is ****ing FREE on weekends, it’s crazy.

- Grocery stores of course depend on what area you live in.

- Homeless people aren’t an issue unless you move to a district where there will obviously be homeless people around (e.g. middle of downtown). Even then, it’s not remotely on the scale of DC.

- Can’t speak to the young people social scene. It’s a purple state, you’ll meet all kinds of people here with most being moderate one way or the other.

- The Triangle isn’t a big city vibe, it’s a cluster of medium-sized cities. Even Raleigh isn’t “built-up density” yet. Most of the surrounding area is suburban or downright rural. The beauty of this area is the range of lifestyles and the ability to pick an entire town (not a suburb but an established town) that suits your desires.

I would suggest not moving to central Durham or central Chapel Hill given your parameters. It sounds like you’re looking for more of a Cary, Apex, or Garner.

 

[kerrabria]

In order:

- Rent is getting higher, much higher. But you can still get a 1b for under $1700 around here, I think. The bigger issue is just an outright lack of inventory.

- After living in NoVa/DC, you will laugh at traffic and parking complaints here. I was warned about it and braced myself for nightmare rush hour traffic jams that turned out to be 10-minute delays in rolling traffic. Deck parking in central downtown Raleigh is ****ing FREE on weekends, it’s crazy.

- Grocery stores of course depend on what area you live in.

- Homeless people aren’t an issue unless you move to a district where there will obviously be homeless people around (e.g. middle of downtown). Even then, it’s not remotely on the scale of DC.

- Can’t speak to the young people social scene. It’s a purple state, you’ll meet all kinds of people here with most being moderate one way or the other.

- The Triangle isn’t a big city vibe, it’s a cluster of medium-sized cities. Even Raleigh isn’t “built-up density” yet. Most of the surrounding area is suburban or downright rural. The beauty of this area is the range of lifestyles and the ability to pick an entire town (not a suburb but an established town) that suits your desires.

I would suggest not moving to central Durham or central Chapel Hill given your parameters. It sounds like you’re looking for more of a Cary, Apex, or Garner.

Thank you! I appreciate it. If I get a chance to go down to Durham for a few days, I'll trying scoping out those three places (don't have a car right now, but I'll figure out a way to get around).

Is the whole Raleigh-Durham area commutable? Like could you drive from Duke to Cary/Garner in the ~25 minutes that Google maps says you can? I still think in terms of the NYC metro area, where going 10 miles takes at least 40 minutes.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Thank you! I appreciate it. If I get a chance to go down to Durham for a few days, I'll trying scoping out those three places (don't have a car right now, but I'll figure out a way to get around).

Is the whole Raleigh-Durham area commutable? Like could you drive from Duke to Cary/Garner in the ~25 minutes that Google maps says you can? I still think in terms of the NYC metro area, where going 10 miles takes at least 40 minutes.

It’s definitely a car-dependent area… you probably already know that but don’t want there to be any misunderstanding. Public transport sucks, like really bad. Partly due to poor infrastructure and partly due to having such long distances to cover (again, not a heavily built up urban area).

Cary to Duke is about 25 minutes in off-peak hours, assuming you’re measuring from the near-to-middle side of Cary. During rush hours I would say more like 40 minutes to account for likely traffic delays with congestion and red lights. Garner is a good deal farther out… more like 35 minutes off-peak and 55+ during rush hour.

The extremes of the Triangle, like going from Garner or East Raleigh to Chapel Hill, I would call it about an hour off-peak and ~90 minutes during rush hour. Not everyone considers that reasonable but a lot of people moving from cities like NYC and DC don’t even blink at it.