WARM WEATHER RELOCATION HELP PLEASE
Mar 19th, 2002 | 05:52 AM
#21
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Hi Nina,
I'll add a vote for the Durham-Chapel Hill area. Two excellent hospitals withing 10 miles of each other.
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.
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.
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.
I'll add a vote for the Durham-Chapel Hill area. Two excellent hospitals withing 10 miles of each other.
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.
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.
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.
Mar 19th, 2002 | 10:03 AM
#24
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Hi, Nina,
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.
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.
Mar 19th, 2002 | 03:35 PM
#25
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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
Mar 20th, 2002 | 07:12 AM
#28
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Oh, dear, Nina -- you are carrying such a heavy weight!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Mar 27th, 2002 | 07:04 AM
#34
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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
Apr 1st, 2002 | 09:40 AM
#36
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NC Taxes
Having just moved from NC (unfortunately not to a state with significantly lower taxes), I can add that NC has the following basic taxes:
1. Sales tax--for just about everything, including food--about 6-7%
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.
3. Income tax--ranges from 6 to 8.25%. You get to 7% really fast, at about $13,000.
I don't know much about other states' taxes, but perhaps these basics will serve as a useful comparison.
Oh, by the way, if you're really peeved about taxes, the NC Libertarian Party is waiting for your call (and donation).
Having just moved from NC (unfortunately not to a state with significantly lower taxes), I can add that NC has the following basic taxes:
1. Sales tax--for just about everything, including food--about 6-7%
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.
3. Income tax--ranges from 6 to 8.25%. You get to 7% really fast, at about $13,000.
I don't know much about other states' taxes, but perhaps these basics will serve as a useful comparison.
Oh, by the way, if you're really peeved about taxes, the NC Libertarian Party is waiting for your call (and donation).
Apr 1st, 2002 | 10:04 AM
#37
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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.
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.).
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.
And lastly, don't dismiss any state just because of preconceived prejudices. You might rule out the best location without even realizing it.
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.).
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.
And lastly, don't dismiss any state just because of preconceived prejudices. You might rule out the best location without even realizing it.
