North Carolina???

where in NC ?? it has sooooo many different types of areas. Tis a beautiful state!

Kellie

an area near Goldsboro where my husband could be transferred. Pikesville had a really super house I love I looked at on Realtor.com but most of the heat in the homes I looked at is all electric?? That appears costly. Pami

One of my student's family just moved there. They reinvested everything they made on their home, but they got more home. She is concerned about the schools though, and the children (6 of them) will probably go to private school, so that's an added expense. She also said that their are more job opportunities, but that the pay is considerably less, but so is the cost of living.

L>I need some advice and honest advice.

Pami, The above sounds like the usual for the South in general. Prices tend to be somewhat lower, housing is depressed right now like the rest of the country. Cost of living is lower if you don't count insurances. If you area is in a hurricane zone, check household insurances carefully. It is now sky high in Fl. On the other hand, I have not owned a winter coat for 20 years. Clothing costs are really lower that north because you don't need as many. Don't know much about food price comparisons. I have one brother in SC and he seems to be happy. I think you find you niche where ever you land. There are quilters everywhere!!

Anna Belle in Palm Bay

Happy New Year to everyone

I've never ben to NC, so can't comment on the state. We moved from AZ to MO in 1988 to slow down our life style and to enjoy a more moderate climate (that was Flagstaff, AZ where it gets COLD with lots of snow and very short summers- I love the long summers in MO). I've never regretted moving and this major lifestyle change. There's a LOT more to calculate into the equation than cheaper housing, but that's a big plus if you really want a larger house. There's a lot of good advice given in this thread.

Be prepared to be an "outsider" for a long time if you move to a small town! VBG Think about entertainment for yourself and any children you may have, taxes- income and property and auto registration taxes, insurance- home, auto and medical, traffic, the friends and family you may leave behind in NY, utilities, airports if you travel- or public transportation if you use it, schools, availability of shopping and medical care, crime rates, churches, etc. Even check out the soil if you are a gardener! Try to visit the area in coldest winter and high summer and mingle with the "locals".

Don't rush to make a move you may regret. Returning to NY may be a costly "correcton of a bad decision". And remember- the chamber of commerce will emphasize all the best of the area and not the problems just like real estate ads will emphasize only the good points of the housing available. Best of luck!

Leslie & The Furbabies.... very happy > I need some advice and honest advice.

I have honestly considered that area to move to for me and DH at some point in the future. Since we already face the possibility of hurricanes here in Florida, SC/NC wouldn't be much different. And I have visited NC, granted it was a very long time ago but I loved it. Beautiful state, it had four seasons, not just wet and cool and wet and hot like FL.

I've been to Asheville and it is absolutely beautiful. For a flatlander like me it was a wonder to behold.

Sorry, can't help you on the living there part. I'm in Kansas and we live with the tornado threat. I don't have a basement in this house, so I'm nervous about storms. When I lived in a house with a basement, I could cook supper with sirens going off. I knew (relative) safety was just a few steps away.

Change can be really good. But I think you need to ask yourself a few questions (as if you already haven't) Are you both active in the community where you live? Family close to you? You already have a friend there, what about your husband? What will you MISS if you go?

Good luck and there are good doctors everywhere. I moved 6 months after I underwent surgery and treatment. Found a great oncologist who I felt very comfortable with.

Cindy

pami skrev:

New York city or upstate NY? I always tell people that my biggest culture shock in moving from Charlotte, NC to Dalstorp, Sweden was from moving from a big city to a small town. At that time Charlotte had about 350,000 inhabitants and Dalstorp has about 3500!!! It was WAY too tiny and I felt like I was in prison the approx. 10 months I lived there. Ulricehamn has about 9300 inhabitants but has excellent bus connections to 3 larger towns and to Gothenburg. In other words, size does indeed matter! :-)

Anyway, I lived in Charlotte, N.C. from 1982-94 and used to take my holidays at Wrightsville Beach (near Wilmington). I didn't care so much for Charlotte but that's because it became more and more "yuppie central" during that time. If I were to move back to NC, it would probably be to Asheville since there are more "artsy" types there. NC has historically done more to protect its coastline from hyper-development and I found the Wilmington area nice and peaceful. Lots of jazz and blues music doesn't hurt. However, NC's cities have been described as "islands of prosperity in a sea of poverty" - definitely something to think about before moving there!

Quilting is a good hobby to have if you are moving to NC; that should definitely help give you an "in" with the locals.

Feel free to email me at arkiv2001 @ yahoo . com or museumbitch @ yahoo . com

hth

Erin

My across the street neighbors just built a house in NC and they love it! They are up there right now, in fact. He says that the winters don't get much colder then about 27 and the worst weather (winter) he has experienced was a dusting of snow that was gone within a few hours. DH and I are thinking about driving up there from So Fl and checking it out for retirement. We are not happy with Florida, in spite of the hurricanes.

Goldsboro is about an hour from where I live. Let's see if I can address some of your concerns. Hurricanes - you'd be far enough inland not to be in the direct line of fire. You'd get wind and rain, but a full-force hurricane there is rare. Tornados - can happen anywhere in NC about the same frequency as NY.

The cost of living here is far less than NY. As for a heating bill, let's see... it's New Year's Eve and it got down to about 45 last night. My husband and I don't own heavy winter coats, and I have to check to see if snow boots still fit the kids - they haven't needed them in 2 years. If you like snow and snow activities, this is not the state for it!

The pace of life is slower here. When I moved here from IN (nearly 20 years ago now), I was impatient in the stores as it took *forever* to buy anything! The cashiers and the shoppers would chat, and everyone moved so slowly!!! Ok, now, I'm more than likely to be the one to start the conversation. No one honks if you don't go thru the first green light (unless they aren't from 'round here). If you sit thru the next light, either you get a friendly toot, or they get out and ask if you are ok.

If you like antiques, there a alot here. Also golfing. I don't know of any quilt shops in Goldsboro, but I know some in nearby towns.

Feel free to write me privately if you want more questions answered!

Wendy (all my kids are from here, too! LOL)

pami wrote:

I am a native North Carolinian who has also lived in Massachusetts, New York (upstate) and South Carolina. We returned to NC 26 years ago (my husband is a native Buffalonian who had never lived anywhere else) and love it.

Depending on the part of the state you might have hurricanes (coast only basically) occasionally - but nothing at all like Florida/the Gulf Coast etc.). The central part of the state is hot and flat -- but no real storms of any kind.

We currently live in the Blue Ridge mountains of western NC and have fantastic weather -- so far this winter it has been in the 30s and 40s for lows, summers are in the 70-80s, no storms of any kind.

Definitely housing is MUCH MUCH MUCH cheaper than New York (we just visited my BIL in Smithtown and I was in shock at the housing prices), the taxes are wonderful in comparison and the overall cost of living is much less. (Just as an example -- we went out to eat at a Mexican restaurant in Smithtown last week and spent $84 for 4 people; our favorite mexican restaurant here costs $35 for 4 people -- same exact choices except it's better here).

So, I would say to you that it depends on what part of NC you're considering. Just remember -- it is definitely a different culture than NY -- bot very diverse and very friendly.

Good luck!

linda

Pami, Can't really comment on NC specifically - never been there. My brother and his family have lived there for several years now and love it - Research Triangle area. My DH and I are looking to relocate from NJ in the next few years as well due to taxes, cost of living, etc. We're looking to the Del./MD area. This keeps us close to some family and some of cultural activities we like (as we plan on being 'in the sticks'). One suggestion a friend made to me, and I pass along to you...rent out your existing home and rent in your destination area for

6-12 months. I think this is a great idea for several reasons. The rental from your existing home should help you offset some of your up front moving/living expenses. Even if you're not able to rent out your NY home, you could still rent in your destination area for a period. You don't have to make a tremendous investment in a home with relative little local knowledge. What you find 'charming' for the first few months might become 'horrendous' down the road. Again, less costly finding another rental than buying/selling a home. Hopefully DH and I will be able to move forward on this within the next year or so and renting will be my first choice, certainly.

Good luck with your research and whatever you ultimately decide!

Kim in NJ