Repatriation.....................Coming home!!! Need advice/recommendations.

Sherardp
Sherardp Posts: 8,038
edited September 2013 in The Clubhouse
Hey Polkies,

Its seems I've been off the grid as a Polkie for the longest of time. I'm super excited to announce I'll be taking a GM position in the corporate world in the Heavy Equipment industry. I've been in Japan for 10 yrs now as the Regional Manager, working on government sales and service. Anyway I'm actually in the SC/NC area looking around, checking out the areas of responsibility, etc. I'd like some advice if any of you are in the Charlotte or Raleigh area in regards to neighborhoods, etc. I'm looking to buy a nice 5bdrm home, so if some of you can chime in I would appreciate it. So much has changed in the USA for me it's near a culture shock for me being back. Some of the things I wonder, what do you guys do for cable/ internet? Cellphone provider? Car insurance recommendations? Any small things I need to be on the look out for etc? I know it seems rather idiot proof, but again I've been gone for 10yrs and anything to make research simple I will certainly appreciate.

Going to miss my dedicated theater, but I was able to get my home rented out in Japan for a great amount to make the investment worth the effort.



On another note I'm HOME!!!! For GOod!!!!

Thanks guys.
Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
Post edited by Sherardp on
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Comments

  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,399
    edited July 2013
    Welcome home brother.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    edited July 2013
    Welcome home.
    2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
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  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    edited July 2013
    Congratulations and welcome home!

    A couple of things -

    The Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill "Triangle" area is really wonderful. Durham has some really nice old neighborhoods, as does Raleigh. Cary is sort of the bedroom community for the Triangle. Not a place I'd want to live as I like old neighborhoods in cities, but I have friends in Cary and they love it.

    Also, regarding infrastructure compared to Japan - Get ready for slower internet service, more traffic and fewer public transportation options. I think you are, indeed, in for a shock.
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'”
    - Isaac Asimov
    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited July 2013
    Ask Tony Millard as well, he lives in that area. For internet we have nothing as fast as over in Japan. Cars should be cheaper so you can get a Bentley now instead of a Mercedes.
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,080
    edited July 2013
    Welcome back!!!
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  • Oldfatdogs
    Oldfatdogs Posts: 1,874
    edited July 2013
    Welcome home.

    Dan
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited July 2013
    nguyendot wrote: »
    Ask Tony Millard as well, he lives in that area. For internet we have nothing as fast as over in Japan. Cars should be cheaper so you can get a Bentley now instead of a Mercedes.

    Thanks bros and I will PM Tony. No Bentley for me, looking to get a nice truck though. Something a little more conservative. I do love the German engineering, but the cars certainly come with a price of ownership that I no longer care for.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited July 2013
    Sherardp wrote: »
    Thanks bros and I will PM Tony. No Bentley for me, looking to get a nice truck though. Something a little more conservative. I do love the German engineering, but the cars certainly come with a price of ownership that I no longer care for.

    LOl no more high life?

    Be wary, Tony will lure you into his shack in the back of his house... hehehe
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited July 2013
    Welcome back, lots of great strip clubs to visit and make it rain with dolla bills
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  • GFOviedo
    GFOviedo Posts: 353
    edited July 2013
    Welcome back, and congrats!!!
    AVR: DENON X4000
    FRONT L/R: ARX A3RX-C
    CENTER: ARX A2RX-C
    SURROUND L/R: ARX A3
    SUBWOOFER: PSA-XV15

    SERVER: UNRAID 15TB
    MEDIA PLAYERS: DUNE SMART SERIES D1
    HDTV: VIZIO M601D-A3R
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  • obieone
    obieone Posts: 5,077
    edited August 2013
    Welcome home. If your looking in the Charlotte area, you might find something just over the border in SC(Rock Hill), where you'll prolly save $$$ on taxes.
    I refuse to argue with idiots, because people can't tell the DIFFERENCE!
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  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    edited August 2013
    Welcome home! I'm about 30 miles from Raleigh, 10 miles from Durham. Lots of options depending on whether or not you want to be in a new or older neighborhood. Durham has some great areas.

    Re: cell service, Verizon annually gets top marks as the highest quality provider, though they're a little expensive. Feel free to PM me with specific questions.
    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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  • monepolk
    monepolk Posts: 1,142
    edited August 2013
    Congrats on working your way back home.
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  • bruss
    bruss Posts: 1,039
    edited August 2013
    welcome home.
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited August 2013
    That was long overseas deployment. Welcome back.
    Be prepared for some culture shock.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • TNHNDYMAN
    TNHNDYMAN Posts: 2,145
    edited August 2013
    Welcome home. The Triangle area of NC is a great place to live according to several friends I have in that area. Charlotte has it's good points as well.
    2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.

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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited August 2013
    As we used to say in the Army, welcome back to the world.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,424
    edited August 2013
    OOS
    welcome home
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  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,603
    edited August 2013
    Welcome home! You ready to buy my paintball guns now? lol


    Oh yeah....DirecTv, Verizon and Progressive.
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited August 2013
    You mean we don't get to visit you in Japan?

    Just kidding...welcome home. That area of N.C. is very nice, I have relatives down there. And I do mean DOWN because I'm under Canada!

    Also, Real estate must be CHEAP compared to Japan? Happy hunting!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • Dawgfish
    Dawgfish Posts: 2,554
    edited August 2013
    Great to hear your home! I have a lot of family in that area. It's a nice place to live!
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited August 2013
    Congrats on the position and welcome back to the US.
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,008
    edited August 2013
    You are going to lose you 1000000000 mbs internet. Welcome back to this side of the pond
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  • potee
    potee Posts: 610
    edited August 2013
    Welcome home to the world of the round eyes. I hope your move goes well.
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,335
    edited August 2013
    Welcome back home!

    You'll find the USA so disfunctional you'll wonder what happened.

    Charlotte is a nice area. Watch where you live, traffic jams are common. Your commute could be tedious.

    Welcome home!
    Carl

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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,015
    edited August 2013
    Hello, Sherardp. Long time, no talk. I'm still here in Charlotte and travel through almost all of the surrounding areas on a seemingly daily basis. I'll PM you my contact information and hopefully we can get up, regardless as to whether you decide on Charlotte or not. If Charlotte is seriously on your radar, we definitely need to talk. Since you have been playing hookie, lots of things have happened to my system. Most of it still in the works, actually. I will fill you in when and if we can meet up.

    Glad to see that you are back home and I look forward to resuming our conversations.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited August 2013
    Any of you guys familiar with Lake Wylie? I got to check out that area this weekend and really like it there. Looking to work something out there and proceed with building a new home in the area.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • exalted512
    exalted512 Posts: 10,735
    edited August 2013
    Willow wrote: »
    You are going to lose you 1000000000 mbs internet. Welcome back to this side of the pond

    Exactly what i was thinking...haha. Welcome home.
    -Cody
    Music is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited September 2013
    New home went under contract about 2 weeks ago. Decided to go with the Lake Wylie area, since I really loved the area. Home is being built by Ryland Homes. Decided to go with the Oakwood Model E. Made the down payment, and have everything locked in. Also finished up the visit to the Design Center, where you pick all your cool little options. I added the gourmet kitchen with stainless apppliances, hardwood floors, coffered ceilings, study room, screened back porch, trey ceilings, upgraded bathrooms with tile floors in each and more stuff. House came up to $312,000 after all said and done.

    Heres a cool link
    http://www.ryland.com/find-your-new-home/4-charlotte/4893-pelhem-pointe/23392-oakwood.html#elevation=Oakwood+E


    Next week the packing phase begins which will suck. Since I have the HT room and solar panels in my current home I was able to get $4000 a month for rent on the Japanese market, so it will definitely pay my mortgage stateside. I appreciate all the support Polkies.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited September 2013
    Nice choice and very reasonably priced. I just can't believe how much cheaper it is to build down South? Try getting those prices in the NE Metro areas. No way!

    Have fun!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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