1. It’s Going To Be Hard To Find Cheerwine
There must be some way to import it, right? Because you can’t make it through life without your favorite drink.
2. You Won’t Find Beer Flavors Like Those At Trophy
Say goodbye to the Smoked Peach Dark Saison, the Limbo Champ, the Carpetbagger, the Milky Way salted caramel sweet stout, and the Ice Man Winter Warmer and say hello to plain, old boring pilsners.
3. Happy Hour Is A Pretty Great Invention, Though
Suddenly you’ll realize that you need something you never even had back in Raleigh. Who can argue with cheap beers and appetizers?
4. No One’s Hot Dog Compares To Raleigh’s
Every hot dog that is not the godly creation of the Carolina dog—complete with mustard, chili, onions, and slaw, will be a massive disappointment.
5. You’ll Start Telling People You Ate Krispy Kreme Before It Was Cool
Because it’s true, of course. And no other donuts will compare.
6. You Actually Have To Go To Work During March Madness
Wait, so you’re saying the whole city doesn’t shut down and watch basketball all day?
7. You’ll Bond With People Who Hate The Patriots
Still bumming over the Carolina Super Bowl loss to the Patriots? Don’t worry, most other cities are game to hate on the Patriots too, so it’s an easy way to make new friends.
8. Same With Anyone In An NC State Jersey
Just because you left Raleigh doesn’t mean you’re ever leaving the Pack.
9. But You’ll Have Comments For Anyone In A Duke One
At least you know you’ll have someone to watch the intra-state rivalry games with.
10. People Will Tease You For Saying Y’All
But if your new friends hang out with you for long enough, they’ll start saying it too. Just wait.
11. Not Everyone Knows All The Words To “Wagon Wheel”
However, you will make it your mission to play it enough times that people will learn.
12. It Really Is Many People’s First Rodeo
Bear with some people, because outside of your home, many people have never even seen a rodeo before.
13. Tea Doesn’t Automatically Come Sweet
You’re really going to have to specify to get true Southern sweet tea and not just some hot brewed tea with extra sugar.
14. You’ll Long For Real Barbecue
Whether you’re on Team Lexington Style or Team Eastern Style, you’ll long for the real, delicious, messy barbecue you enjoyed back home.
15. When The Game Is On, You’ll Miss Player’s Retreat
It just won’t be the same watching NC State games or March Madness (hopefully at the same time) without the hometown vibe at Player’s Retreat.
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16. Other Music Venues Don’t Really Compare To Kings
And no, Statler and Waldorf from the Muppets probably won’t be in attendance at any other concert venues you visit either.
17. Could Someone Deliver Poole’s Comfort Food?
When you’re feeling homesick for Raleigh, all you’re going to want is some amazing comfort food from Poole’s Diner.
18. Hey, Some Towns Have Streets That Are Actually Navigable
No more “Inner” or “Outer” confusion or two-lane roundabouts that cause moments of panic in traffic, but definitely a new city to learn completely new weird traffic patterns.
19. You Don’t Have To Refer To Everyone As Sir Or Ma’am
Though politeness is always appreciated.
20. Some Cities Can’t Be Navigated Entirely By Bicycle
If you bring your bike to some cities, you might find that it’s not as easy to get around as it was back home, so you will likely need to look into some other modes of transportation.
21. If You Order A Burger “All The Way,” People Will Be Confused
You’ll have to instead say “with everything,” though that everything probably will not include chili or slaw.
22. Strangers Might Back Away If You Smile And Wave At Them
What is friendly and polite in Raleigh may come off as creepy and strange in another place.
23. Not Everyone Works At RTP
In fact, people will probably ask you what RTP is exactly.
24. If You Say, “Meeker For…”, People Don’t Know The Rest
You heard the slogan so many times you probably hear it in your dreams, but you’ll be the only one in your new city that knows what you’re talking about.
25. When The Weather Warms, You’ll Think Of Days On The Brewpub Porch
You’ll spend your first summer trying to find a place that can even remotely compare to the feeling you get at the Boylan Bridge Brewpub.
26. Snow Does Not Equal Armageddon
Yes, if it snows, you’ll have to get your gloves and shovel, dig out your car, and head out to work or school.
27. Come Summer, You Will Crave Goodberry’s
The first order of business when leaving Raleigh is to find a frozen custard place that serves something even remotely like Carolina Concrete.
28. You’ll Plan Trips Home To Get In On Thursdays
Because Thursdays mean Beach Music and Beach Music means seriously fun times.
29. And You’ll Convince Everyone To Come With You To Hopscotch
Just because you moved out of town doesn’t mean you’re going to miss Hopscotch Music Festival, a.k.a. America’s (Secretly) Best Festival.
30. You’ll Lose Patience For People Who Call A Cookout A BBQ
A cookout = burgers and hot dogs grilled outside. It does not equal barbecue. Everyone needs to get that straight.
What do you miss about Raleigh? Tell us in the comments below!
