WARM WEATHER RELOCATION HELP PLEASE
 

I've noticed relocation questions usually receive a lot of bashing but I'll give it a shot.I've found no other sites with an open forum discussing locations with feedback.I'm self employed,have an automotive business.My husband narrowly survived the WTC disaster.He should be released from the Westchester rehab facility soon.His desire - warm weather,new sites,fresh beginings.My wishes-nearby excellent health facilities for my husband,excellent school system for my young kids,a prosperous area to start up my business again(one of my techs is willing to make this move too.)NY has become very difficult to make ends meet on my salary alone now.The three states my husband has suggested are N.Carolina,S.Carolina & Georgia.Unfortunately I have not been through these states extensively & travel right now is NOT an option(my plate is way too full now);we'll visit when choices are narrowed down.My mind is open & I'm hoping some natives will give me some insight.Many thanks!

Because of medical reasons, a good choice would be the metro Atlanta area (includes 17 counties). Emory University Medical is one of the best in the country.<BR><BR>Schools - the best schools in the metro Atlanta area would be in Cobb County (Marietta is the largest city in Cobb) and Gwinnett County (Norcross, Lawrenceville, Duluth, Snellville). Schools to avoid include counties of Bartow, Fulton and Dekalb, and city of Atlanta. The Atlanta Journal Constitution publishes a yearly school report you can order at www.ajc.com<BR><BR>Warm weather is normal, but we do have a few really cold spells during winter (and sometimes early spring!)<BR><BR>Cobb, Gwinnett and Forsyth counties are still growing at a rate faster than other areas in the country - in fact most of the metro area is growing. <BR><BR>Lots of activities and events in the immediate area. The metro area is very rich in history, art, culture, nature, and fun! Lots of variety just a few hours driving distance, too. (Savannah and Charleston are only 5-6 hours away); Orlando is only 10 hours.<BR><BR>Hope this helps! Best wishes!<BR>

Hi, Nina..I grew up in NC and so many people from here(NY/NJ) are relocating there,I would give that a look.<BR>Charlotte is a large and nice city,good schools,a lot of people that I knew as a kid still live there and have raised families and have prospered.There are some lovely small towns around Charlotte, and the income levels are pretty good.<BR>I hope your husband comes home soon,that you find a perfect place to start a fresh new life together,and that we can all live "normal" lives again.Best wishes~Candice

Stacy, Thank you.A former neighbor of mine moved to Acworth Ga.& is very happy there. Candace, thanks. I'm diligently taking notes & will research the areas on all suggestions I receive.

How about the Chapel Hill, NC area? Duke University's world class medical facility is located there.

Dear xxx,<BR><BR>Duke University Hospital is in Durham. The University of North Carolina Hospital is in Chapel Hill.<BR><BR>Of course, you are only talking 8 miles difference.<BR><BR>Nina,<BR><BR>The Raleigh - Durham area would certainly be worth looking into for all of the reasons you posted.<BR><BR>XXX

Sorry re:your husband's experience but glad he is coming out of it.<BR><BR>You want the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill-Cary-Research Triangle area. (Sorry, Atlanta -- you have a bigger city with maybe a bit more culture, but you also have killer air pollution, some rough crime, and the culture you have can be limited.)<BR><BR>Schools in Cary are about to overtake Chapel Hill in quality, but both are great, although I have to be honest that there are no private schools that can compete with the NY area private schools. There are a couple of private schools (Durham Acad., Carolina Friends, etc.) but only the special NC Science and Math High Sch. can compete academically with some of the better public schools. I will also concede (given my experience with suburban schools in the CHicago, Phila., DC., and Boston schools) that the best public high schools may still not be up to the standards of Westchester schools. But "good" is a relative term -- can mean academics, can mean citizenship, can mean social atmosphere. Our kids got into the "good" colleges, but when they got there, they weren't as well prepared as some others in all areas (Chapel Hill schools). (What you lose in preparation, maybe you gain as an applicant from NC instead of NY.)<BR><BR>You can't beat the climate and you can't beat the medical treatment. Between UNC and Duke, they've got most things covered (although if your husband has continuing special needs, I'd talk very specifically with your own specialists to see if they know people down here they trust).<BR><BR>I'm guessing you'd be best off in Cary from the point of view of re-starting your business, and the schools are just getting better and better. However, the atmosphere in Cary is a little more "nouveau" than in Chapel Hill--and sprawl is beginning to take its toll.<BR><BR>I'll also be honest that the area has taken some sharp hits since 9/11 and the dot-com implosion, so it's a little less prosperous than it was. But I'm guessing that a lot of people will do exactly what you're doing -- look for opportunities away from urban concentrations. <BR><BR>There are some things that will get to you initially -- say for the first 1, 2 or 3 years: outside Chapel Hill (and sometimes inside Chapel Hill), there are some Southern traits that take getting used to for New Yorkers, not the least of which is the antipathy to New Yorkers. And if music, art, theater, etc. are important to you, we have it but it's a very far cry from NYC. Best you can do: go to DC (4-5 hrs.) or fly back to NY from time to time. <BR><BR>Another reason to consider the Triangle area rather than Charlotte (a bit heavy on the girls-with-guns) or SC or Georgia has to do with how big a difference socio-politically from NYC you are able to tolerate.<BR><BR>Ask more questions -- happy to answer.

Wow, girls with guns! I guess it has been longer than I thought since I was in Charlotte!<BR>Look at Belmont NC,right across the river from West Charlotte.C

Nina, right now in the suburbs of Atlanta, it is 75 degrees and absolutely gorgeous Chamber of Commerce weather.<BR> I think you really should try to experience each of the areas mentioned. Do research, make a list. and get other feedback from differant sites.<BR>Best wishes and good luck.<BR>It is a VERY big decision, not easily made IMO.<BR>Judy :-)

Nina:<BR><BR>How about Arizona? It is dry (next to no humidity), the sun shines alot and the climate is warm year around. Charlotte is getting too crowded, although Charleston is a nice city.

As an almost-native of Atlanta, I'm certainly going to tout my own town! <BR><BR>My own father has health issues stemming from Parkinson's Disease and has found top-notch care at Emory Hosptial. His doctor is on top of all the latest research. But there are tons of other quality facilities here as well. <BR><BR>While traffic IS a definite pain, I love the weather here. Not much of a winter and some amazing fall and spring weather. You're moments away from the mountains and about five hours from the beach.<BR><BR>I do have to admit that Charlotte does have its charms. And Charleston is one fo my favorite cities, too. I could live there in a heartbeat.<BR><BR>Good luck and best wishes for you and your family during this recovery time.

how about augusta georgia. The medical college of georgia is there, it's picturesque when they show 'the masters' on tv, it's warm in the winter (and hot in the summer) near the ocean. don't know about schools.<BR><BR>how about looking at the u.s. news and world report ranking of hospitals and cross reference it with money magazine's listing of best places to live.<BR><BR>good luck on your search.

You can be sure Stephanie won't advise anyone to go to NY!<BR>

Ewwhh. . . Don't pick Georgia!

Hank:<BR><BR>I'd recommend the South any day of the week. The people will go out of their way to make you feel at home. Unfortunately, the cities of Atlanta and Charlotte are getting invaded by transplanted Northerners. When I live in the South, I'd like most people to be from the area to get a local feel for the culture in a particular area.<BR><BR>

I second (or third) the vote for Chapel Hill. It has good medical facilities, good schools (as mentioned above). It is also more walkable than Atlanta. Yes, Atlanta is bigger, but it involves a great deal of driving and traffic, and there are pollution problems. I think there are just as many Northerners living in Chapel Hill as Atlanta percentage wise, so you would not be alone. One thing you didn't say is whether you are interested in living in a city or in the suburbs. If you were considering the suburbs, then Atlanta seems a more attractive choice. I think that Chapel Hill offers a more peaceful lifestyle while still offering some city amenities. By the way, I grew up in Atlanta and now live in Virginia (for work reasons), so I have spent quite a bit of time in all of these places. If you want to go a bit further north, you might consider Charlottesville, Virginia, which has fair schools and UVA medical school. Good luck to you!

As a native South Carolinian, I fear I must also suggest that you consider the Raleigh-Durham area or Atlanta. SC has fabulous weather and beautiful scenery, but so does NC which also has more "culture". I will comment on a few SC areas:<BR><BR>Charleston, SC would be a choice, there is a medical school there, and the area is of course beautiful, but it is expensive to live well in Charleston.<BR><BR>Columbia, SC also has a medical school but not much else and it is HOT.<BR><BR>Greenville, SC (where I live) is an old textile town, somewhat red-neck-ish, but it does boast a booming economy and a BMW plant, so if that is meaningful to your automotive business, it would be something to consider. Greenville's beauty is that it is 3 1/2 hours from the coast, 2 hours from Atlanta, and 45 minutes from the spectacular Blue Ridge Mountains with all their recreational possibilities.<BR>Have fun...you'll love the weather.<BR><BR>

Hello Nina from the great state of Texas! I'm so sorry that your husband was hurt but glad that he is alive. Seeing your choices I would vote for North Carolina. It is prosperous. Charlotte is growing rapidly as is Raleigh Durham. Apex and Cary are also fastly growing. I am not familiar however with school systems in NC. <BR>My husband was in NC for about a year so I got to tour around the stae. You have the beaches or mountains which would be really nice. One thing you might want to consider is what state would be more "business friendly". Now I do know that NC has high taxes. As far as medical facilities previous poster pointed out Duke University over in Durham. In Atlanta you have Emory University which is very good as well.<BR>Of course being a native Texan I am proud of Texas and like it here. Frisco Texas just north of Dallas is rapidly growing. School system is excellent. In Fort Worth to the northeast there is Keller Texas which has excellent schools as well. As far as medical facilites you cannot go wrong in Dallas. We have Baylor University, The University of Texas at Southwestern. Both facilties are world famous. It is not uncommon for them to have members of the Saudi Royal family (think about it they could go anywhere!)<BR>I think NC,SC and Georgia are excellent choices but it has to be your decision.<BR>I wish you the very best of luck on your search. I am sorry that things have changed. I do not blame you for wanting a change of scenery. Take care.<BR><BR>

My mom lives in Asheville and she loves it there! There are seasons, which you won't get further south and not such heavy hot summers.It is quite beautiful there,but still has that soft southern feeling,there are a lot of retirees there but more and more young people are moving there with families.Of course some of them are from up north,but that is ok, otherwise, it would be kind of boring:)

Gee Stephanie-that is so rude of you.<BR>This thread is from someone in the NY region who wants to move South..in other words,to be a transplanted Northerner.<BR>Why don't you just tell everyone what town you live in so they can all avoid it?

Hi Nina,<BR><BR>I'll add a vote for the Durham-Chapel Hill area. Two excellent hospitals withing 10 miles of each other.<BR><BR>With any of the school systems, you get out what you put into them. Chapel Hill-Carrboro, Durham County and Wake County are some of the top schools in the state. There are a number of private schools.<BR><BR>Carrboro (next to CH) has a building height limit (I think) to preserve it's small town charm, or maybe the fire department's ladder truck will only reach so far. If your husband is having emotional problems about buildings (and rightfully so) you might want to factor that into the move.<BR>Also, just outside of town you could get a few acres, sometimes on water/sewer service and enjoy the trees and woods and birds and not see other buildings. <BR><BR>

TOPPING TO HELP NINA

Good luck Nina, the best to you and your family where ever you decide to go.

Hi, Nina,<BR><BR>I wish you and your family all the best. I absolutely love living here in Charlotte -- and don't understand Proud Tarheel's girls-with-guns reference -- but agree with the other posters who recommend Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill. That area probably offers the best schools/medical facilities for your young family.<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

My sincere thanks to my kind fellow Americans for rallying around and offering your advice.A location big on culture is not a priority at all.We're grateful to have been fortunate enough to have had the finest at our back door.We'll never complain of being bored.If we have an ounce of free time we do our volunteer projects.We used to walk three miles every night after work,and weekends hop on our bikes.Ahh,such simple pleasures we took for granted are now goals my husband aspires to achieve again.Southerners accepting us does not worry me (I'll tell them we're from Kansas!)What does absolutely petrify me is being able to support my family.I know NY's current unemployment rate is 5.7%,NC 6.4,Ga 4.5,SC 5.4.I'll need to be in a state with a decently strong economy. We'll just rent a house in the suburbs when we first arrive.I'm just hoping once I pick the state,I'll have landed in the correct general area for my needs.To say our lives have been totally turned upside down is an understatement.Many,many people are in our same predicament.Rolling along in life and stricken with cancer,car accident-any tradegy.Life is never the same.I'm not quite sure my husband comprehends the magnitude of this tall order I've been given.He's the love of my life and I will concede.Thanks again,Nina

Topping

Have you though about Nashville Tn? Nice size friendly city with low crime rate and much less problem with overcrowding and traffic than other cities. St. Thomas hospital there is wonderful as is Vanderbilt University hospital.

Oh, dear, Nina -- you are carrying such a heavy weight! <BR><BR>I think some people have overstated how Southern the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area is -- lots of transplants from all over, esp. in Chapel Hill -- bit of trivia: outside the NY Metro area, this is the area with the greatest percentage of subscriptions to the New Yorker in the country! Also one of the highest densities of PhDs in the country. <BR><BR>You've gotten a lot of votes for this area and it's too bad you can bring your husband down here right now: all the cherries and redbuds are blooming, the daffodils have already come and gone, forsythia is everywhere, and the rest of the trees are ready to burst out in bloom as soon as we get some steady sunlight.<BR><BR>Don't worry too much about the unemployment down here -- sadly, it mainly affects the lowest wage-scales, although certainly there has been some "pruning" in the last 12 months. We have lots of cars, however! (you said you were in the automotive business) and even more trucks!<BR><BR>You won't make as much money but you won't BELIEVE how much real estate your money will buy, even in the upscale areas of Chapel Hill and Cary. If you kind of like being around academics (and more northerners), try Durham/Chapel Hill and the areas in each close to the other. If you would rather be around earnest young professionals and mid/upper management white collar types, maybe Cary. <BR><BR>People pursue outdoor sports most of the year. The pace is easier than NY. And you'll get used to the sound of just birds or crickets really quickly.

You're one strong lady.You'll make it sweetie. Best wishes

I'm in Chicago,wish I did have some useful information for you.Good luck

How about Plano Texas?

Have you made any decisions?

Nina,Lots of votes for NC,but state taxes & corporate taxes(for your business)are very high.Also NC taxes groceries.

Hi Nina, Raleigh Research Triangle is a very good place to relocate. NC welcomes folks from all over world. I don't know that Cary would be most central for you ~ Wake Forest is growing and on the 98 corridor close to Duke and Chapel Hill. Chapil Hill is small town and a litte out of the sprawl. The biggest expense will be your home but economy is thriving in that area and the medical facilities are best as others have mentioned. And here is another well kept secret, depending on your business ~ Birmingham, Alabama. UAB Medical is excellent. best regards and luck

Nina, I think you shouldn't rule out Georgia.Taxes (property & income taxes) are cheaper & the unemployment is lower than NC.

NC Taxes<BR><BR>Having just moved from NC (unfortunately not to a state with significantly lower taxes), I can add that NC has the following basic taxes:<BR><BR>1. Sales tax--for just about everything, including food--about 6-7%<BR><BR>2. Property tax--for both real property and vehicles--varies, but expect to pay about 1 to 1.5 % of the assessed value of the property per year.<BR><BR>3. Income tax--ranges from 6 to 8.25%. You get to 7% really fast, at about $13,000.<BR><BR>I don't know much about other states' taxes, but perhaps these basics will serve as a useful comparison.<BR><BR>Oh, by the way, if you're really peeved about taxes, the NC Libertarian Party is waiting for your call (and donation).

Nina, Good luck to you and your husband. I'm married to a "damn Yankee" who swears he'll never move back north again! Any of the towns mentioned would be excellent choices. There are also many others that have not been mentioned at all.<BR><BR>My suggestion? Look at any town with a population over 200,000. Rhetorical questions: What field do you work in? Which of these towns, from Virginia to Texas, would offer you the greatest chance of success for your business? I'd suggest doing this research before you move. Where is family? If all you're family is still in the New England area, Texas might be a bit too far. My in-laws are 12 hours away driving - flying it's 8 hours (with layovers, connecting flights, etc.).<BR><BR>As you make your decision, also consider the possibility of moving to a "bedroom community" outside of one of the larger cities. Your contribution to the area might be better appreciated. It might be easier for your husband to navigate with his limited mobility. Schools and childrens activities may be closer and easier to manage as a mom that everyone will be depending on.<BR><BR>And lastly, don't dismiss any state just because of preconceived prejudices. You might rule out the best location without even realizing it.

Nina, Georgia is still the way to go. Even Chuck says that the taxes are heavy duty. GA is a great place to raise a family;you'll be happy there.