Once you’ve done all this, you’re essentially a resident. But the state doesn’t throw a parade. You need to wait 12 months before you can claim residency for in-state tuition at UNC, which is a magical price cut that saves you enough money to buy a lifetime supply of Cheerwine. For tax purposes, it’s immediate—the day you move, you’re theirs.
Just don’t brag about your old state’s pizza or bagels. North Carolinians are proud of their fried okra and will defend it with a passion usually reserved for college basketball. Go Heels or Go Wolfpack—pick a side, any side, and say it with conviction.
