Welcome Panthersgirl. Where in NC are you moving to? There are several shops in NC and a few pretty good ones. I have met and dived with one LDS group/Instructor near Charlotte that I can/will recommend. The group dives together pretty regularly and are really cool people. This would be Sharky of Sharky's Dive Shop and his group of divers in Gastonia, near Charlotte. Sharky is an SSI instructor and to my understanding a very good and thorough instructor. I have not trained under him but I dove with him and several of his students, all of which I would dive with again.
You can get certified through most agencies in two full weekends (Four days of training in addition to your certification dives) which is pretty quick but I would suggest that you continue your training and dive within your training and limitations. If you were to certify with Sharky, it is my knowledge that as you continue to dive with him on trips that you continue to learn from him and his students.
As far as diving in NC goes, it really depends on where you go but most of the NC diving is quarry diving which I would recommend you to seek thorough training and buddy with someone experienced for a while. This is really a recommendation for anyone in all circumstances but particularly in quarries in NC. Warning, they are cold and dark. LOL The coastal waters of NC offer some fine diving too if you are near them. Diving off Wilmington can be a bit challenging.
I am in SC and would welcome you to visit our area for some great diving off shore. We tend to do a good bit of exercise diving where we practice skills and familiarity with the local environmental diving. If you're interested in diving here once certified feel free to contact me and I will do my best to assist you in any way I can.
As far as suggestions on gear, I would advise you to try gear before you buy. Don't just buy gear that comes with a "package" certification deal. You will probably end up spending more money on the gear that is better suited for you anyway. There is a lot of great information here on the board and I have a website - deepsouthdivers.org, unfortunately down at the moment but will be up soon, that contains a vast amount of information on various types of gear. This information was gathered when researching my own gear as well as my buddy's. Mental note, there are many local dive shops that will allow you to try gear in a pool before purchasing it. I tried a great deal of brand new gear in pools before I actually purchased the gear I dive today.
Well, I hope you have gained some usful information here. If there is any thing else I could help you with, info, contact names and numbers - whatever, I would be happy to assist.
Good luck to you and be safe and have fun. Also, you are welcome to join the Deep South Divers on get togethers to met other divers from the areas near you and once certified you can dive with us.
Raven
R
