Relocating to the Deep South

Old Nov 16th, 2015, 03:46 PM
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Relocating to the Deep South

Hi Everyone!

I apologize if this is a repost but I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for relocating to the Deep South? I currently live in Boston, MA but I'm hoping to move January 1st to either Mississippi, Georgia or one of the Carolinas. I've never visited any of these places but I'm ready to do something bold with my life and I have read really great things about the hospitality, culture and history of the Deep South. I work in Healthcare so finding a job shouldn't be too difficult and is only part of what I'm factoring in to my move.

Are there any places that stand out as places to both visit and reside? Any pros or cons?

Thank you so much!
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Old Nov 16th, 2015, 03:58 PM
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"I've never visited any of these places..."

Maybe it's just me, but I could never move to a place I hadn't visited, even briefly. And I'd want to experience a typical summer before deciding to move permanently to any of these states.
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Old Nov 16th, 2015, 04:11 PM
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Do the Corolina's identify themselves as the Deep South?
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Old Nov 16th, 2015, 04:31 PM
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Well, I wish I knew more about your interests. I have been in the ATLANTA area for over 20 yrs now and love it. Great weather, great restaurants, shopping...gorgeous in Spring. North Carolina is also great...mountains on one end of the state, beach on the other. I don't think I would choose Mississippi but not sure what you are looking for. I think the GA and both Carolinas have stronger economies than Mississppi and probably more to offer in healthcare careers. Charleston is a wonderful city....unbearable hot in August though!

What pulls you to these states? What would you miss most about Boston?

I love anyone willing to shake up their life but help us understand more about you. And, do visit a few of the "finalist" cities before you commit to moving!
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Old Nov 16th, 2015, 04:39 PM
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I hate to say it but you sound almost cavalier about getting a new job. Not sure exactly what your career is - but there can be tremendous differences in salaries state by state and even city by city.

Boston is also a beacon in the health field. I'm sure there are a lot of places - esp someplace like Miss, for example - where care simply isn't the same, esp based on what is provided by Medicaid.

I would strongly suggest that you:

Do some in-depth work on the job market in places you are considering

Visit the places you are most interested in to get some feel for amenities (which in most places will NOT match Boston)
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Old Nov 16th, 2015, 05:16 PM
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The want ads are full of healthcare opportunities so you are lucky in that regard. You say the Carolinas are in consideration, so my #1 choice would be Asheville NC. It's in the mountains so there's relief from the heat and humidity of most of the south. The Atlanta area is a good area for a mix of things to do and a more liberal atmosphere than most of the south. ITP = Inside the Perimeter is the most sought after area, especially for young, single folks. Decatur's city school system is tops in the state. There are nice suburbs and exurbs to choose from. I live in a primarily rural area and most of the specialists and surgeons drive out from Atlanta. High quality of living and relatively low cost of living.
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Old Nov 16th, 2015, 07:35 PM
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I have moved to places without visiting them many times, but I wouldn't recommend it as a strategy if one intends to stay for longer than a year or two.

But OK... assuming the OP is serious and really isn't too worried about finding a job:

LilahAB, would you prefer a big city or a suburb of a city, or is a small town OK with you? Something in between? Is warm weather a big factor, or do you figure that after Boston even North Carolina will be warm enough?
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Old Nov 16th, 2015, 08:24 PM
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Even after the Republican take over there is a big difference between NC and Alabama and Mississippi - at least in places like Asheville, Charlotte and the Research Triangle. Plenty of health care jobs in the RTP area.

BUT if you have never been to the south you have never experienced a southern summer. Visit in July before you decide.
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Old Nov 17th, 2015, 02:25 AM
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Well, we moved in the opposite direction, from Mississippi to Cambridge, MA.

The big differences will be the weather and religion.

Summer in the Deep South is like winter in the north -- brutal and endless. We have actually had many hotter days in MA; what we have not had is 93 every single day from May 15 to September 15 with high humidity.

Religion dominates life in the Deep South more than you can possibly imagine.

Imagine living in the most Catholic parish in Dorchester. Now imagine being surrounded by churches of all denominations that are just as dominant in the life of your community as that parish church was in its neighborhood. You will be defined by which church you attend and judged by the standards of the church your neighbors attend.

There are mainstream churches -- Episcopalian, Methodist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, even Unitarian -- but fundamentalist, "community" churches dominate. Your neighbors are likely to believe in the literal truth of the Bible, to be Creationists, and to be deeply conservative politically and socially.

I am not criticizing any of these people. This may suit you very well. But it may not. I wouldn't cut any ties before I moved. Sublet your apartment, take a contract job, give it a year. Find out if there are people where you live who have values like yours and with whom you enjoy spending time. Then move.
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Old Nov 17th, 2015, 03:25 AM
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It is pretty ridiculous to move and never have even visited a place.
As for Healthcare, Charlotte is the base to maybe the 5th largest hospital system in the country--Carolinas Healthcare System--with hospitals all over the state, probably including Asheville's.

Charlotte is surrounded by pleasant towns, lakes, professional teams, young professionals, museums, good restaurants.

Another Carolina city with excellent healthcare possibilities is Winston Salem--a really pleasant small to medium size city with lots going on. Healthcare would be Wake Forest Bowman Gray Hospital.

<but there can be tremendous differences in salaries state by state and even city by city>

The NYer points this out--well, yes, of course. Also TREMENDOUS differences in cost of living, especially as compared to Boston.
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Old Nov 17th, 2015, 03:54 AM
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I was referring not just to costs of healthcare but to how it is delievered and the quality of the care.

As part of my jobs I interview MDs in many part of the country about specific health issues and medications/diseases and have found that there are numerous places in the south where medicine in practiced differently (I would say in a sub par manner) esp for people on Medicaid but also based on some local health plans. I have interviewed quite a number of people who cannot treat people with the medications they want - and have to use older, cheaper but not so effective meds (or those with much worse side effect profiles) because that's all the plans will pay for.

And understand I am not talking about oncology treatments that are thousands of $ per month - but treatments for common problems for which MDs can prescribe only meds that are 50 or 60 years old, since they are almost free. These meds are often dreadful choices for a variety of reasons - esp if a patient has multipe co-morbidities.

Is this a system you would be happy to be a part of?
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Old Nov 17th, 2015, 03:59 AM
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Well, Charlotte, and actually NC could be a good choice since there is a statewide non-profit, MedAssist, that helps people obtain their medications if they are unable to. It was founded by the Medical Alliance in Charlotte.
Our state's stance on Medicaid is inconscionable, but may change.
Interesting change of subject to actual "healthcare" delivery.
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Old Nov 17th, 2015, 07:51 AM
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I applaud your willingness to take on a new challenge, but totally agree that you should at least visit some of these places before moving.

I have read really great things about the hospitality, culture and history of the Deep South.

All of those things will vary greatly depending on where exactly you are. Asheville is not Atlanta is not Charleston is not small town Mississippi... you get the idea. Atlanta and the RTP area are very used to Northern transplants; other areas, not so much. Ackislander's point about religion is very true in a lot of places, though that's changing in larger cities.

When you picture living in the South, what does it look like? People's top choices vary a lot depending on the person. I was in Atlanta this weekend and it makes me crazy every time I go, but as you can see above, plenty of people love it. Different strokes for different folks.
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Old Nov 17th, 2015, 08:08 AM
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Agree that there are many differences in the healthcare systems state by state. But before moving from the system in Boston to possibly a very different one I would do some research - unless you are in a part of the system that doesn't directly affect patient care.

Not suggesting that good care is no available in these states - but that there can be huge differences in the percentage of the population that has access to quality care. Also that in some states a lot of the people in the healthcare system are extremely frustrated by how their hands are tied - which might affect your working conditions.
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Old Nov 17th, 2015, 11:39 AM
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Try city-data.com, that free forum is dedicated to relocation, this is a travel forum.
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Old Nov 17th, 2015, 12:43 PM
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Thank you so much to everyone who responded, this has been very helpful. Just to give you an idea this is not the first time I have done this. In 2013 I quit my job in two weeks notice and just moved to Chicago without a job lined up and only an apartment I had arranged through Craigslist. It was a great learning experience for me and I ended up staying seven months. So, I apologize Gretchen but for those like myself, it isn't "ridiculous" to move somewhere you've never visited. Some of the greatest journeys I've ever made in my life have been the result of attempting the impossible.

Nothing to me is permanent... I am not married and have no children. Hence the freedom to move around as the wind calls.

While my current position is in healthcare I also don't mind doing just about any type of work so I can travel a bit. I've been very responsible in the months leading up to this move and have set aside enough money to live comfortably if I am unable to find work for a few months.

As I mentioned I am younger but I am unsure if I would prefer the suburbs or a large city. I honestly want to see everything the Deep South has to offer. While I do currently live in Boston, I grew up in a very small town of less than 1,000 people so I enjoy both. I would love recommendations for cities and towns worth visiting or relocating.
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Old Nov 17th, 2015, 01:18 PM
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Well, I really love Charleston and Savannah. They have an old world charm about them, they are both on the coast, they have great food and culture, and are near some really beautiful natural areas. If I were relocating, I would look at those two cities first.

Next I would consider Atlanta, because in a city that size it should be possible for almost any type of person to find a community to his/her liking.

I'm afraid I don't know a thing about Mississippi. But I do enjoy typing it. I have to say the letters in my head every time I do...
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Old Nov 17th, 2015, 01:24 PM
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While not deep south, I feel compelled to throw my beloved Richmond into the mix.

Now that we have been to Charleston a number of times and the thrill of it has worn off, I would not recommend it for a number of reasons.
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Old Nov 17th, 2015, 02:25 PM
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I like your approach. I made a move in my 20s that most folks didn't understand and it was great for me both professionally and personally. It's great to "try out" different places. Take full advantage of the opportunity and the flexibility you are able to enjoy.

If you pick either Savannah and Charleston, I'd recommend a small apartment in the middle of the historic districts. Both have colleges and so there will be lots of young folks plus the usual tourists. (College of Charleston & SCAD) If you choose Atlanta, pick an apartment near the new Beltline for great walking/running/biking and travel between different neighborhoods. Athens GA would be fun. I'd stay in the Atlanta/Athens area or north because south GA can be very hot, very humid and very buggy. Small towns in north GA, western NC or eastern TN would work if you like cooler (for us) temps and pretty mountain towns. Not a lot to do but Atlanta and Asheville are less a couple of hours away with more to do and there's usually yoga, exercise, coop, artsy things to do. Plenty of great hiking in beautiful countryside. Mountain lakes, waterfalls, etc.
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Old Nov 17th, 2015, 04:04 PM
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I think Asheville would be a good place to consider.
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