Relocating to Virgina/Carolinas

[dja4260]

Born and raised in Chicago. Most of my family, all my friends are local to me. My GF and I are both teachers but are not happy with our current job positions. I'm 27, shes 25 and were itching to move somewhere that we feel will offer us more. Were looking for an environment that is more suitable for our lifestyle. We love being outdoors doing anything. hiking, biking, swimming, etc. My Aunt has a BEAUTIFUL and rather large home and shes offered us the walkout basement overlooking a lake to live in till we get situated.

Its such a tough decision to make but I feel that I'd regret not taking this offer. She lives in the outskirts of Richmond VA.

Work isn't an issue or deciding factor at this point.

My father says that it is a beautiful area and he would move there tomorrow if he could.

 

[simple_gifts]

GO FOR IT. My parents live in western VA near Rt 81. My father transfered from CT, worked about 10 years and then retired. Not much of a Rat Race in that area (compared to New England) They do not regret it ONE BIT. Retirement costs (not that that is an issue for you now) are much lower.

People are generally nicer too.

 

[dja4260]

I'm SOOO sick of traffic, 10% taxes, populated areas, 4 months of summer, etc.

I need a nice climate with a slower pace of life.

 

[JHZR2]

It all depends on what youre looking for. Richmond is the end of the Northeast Corridor. Below that it is just country with speckled cities, until you get to FL which I wouldnt ever want to live in personally.

Richmond is far enough away that it isnt in the high cost NE sector, which really ends at Fredricksburg.

It still will get good snowstorms, and my wife found when rotating down to NC, the area gets a lot of very annoying ice sheets which are actually worse (and less safe, IMO) than snow.

Cost of living is cheaper, but availability of different things is worse too. You dont get all the "stuff" (restaurants, culture, etc) that you would near a big city. Still by Richmond youll get some.

10% tax in Chicago is high, but IMO youll be seeing it elsewhere soon too. Last time I was in AL, I was paying 8.8% tax! VA taxes on everything (necessities and other purchases), while someplace like NJ does not. IMO scenarios like that make it come out in a wash.

You might also want to consider lower DE (Dover and south, no sales tax and generally low cost of living), lower MD (La Plata area along the 301 corridor, and then the corresponding area in northern VA) and around Auburn, AL as interesting spots.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
10% tax in Chicago is high, but IMO youll be seeing it elsewhere soon too. Last time I was in AL, I was paying 8.8% tax! VA taxes on everything (necessities and other purchases), while someplace like NJ does not. IMO scenarios like that make it come out in a wash.

Agreed. For example, VA has a property tax on personal vehicles. They'll get you one way or the other.

 

[sciphi]

I lived in Columbia, SC for two years. I'd not move back. The summer weather was too hot, there was too much crime, housing/groceries cost an arm and a leg, and the opportunities I'd heard about were not present. I could have done work in a related field, but I'm happier here doing what I originally wanted to. The wifey is MUCH happier up here too.

Just remember: happy wife, happy life. If your GF is happy, you'll be happy no matter where you end up.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
10% tax in Chicago is high, but IMO youll be seeing it elsewhere soon too. Last time I was in AL, I was paying 8.8% tax! VA taxes on everything (necessities and other purchases), while someplace like NJ does not. IMO scenarios like that make it come out in a wash.

Agreed. For example, VA has a property tax on personal vehicles. They'll get you one way or the other.




Yes, VA & NC like to tax a lot. Do not move here expecting some huge increase in your standard of living or much lower taxes, you won't get it. I pay property tax on my truck in NC too...and high gas tax, increasing sales tax, yearly inspection, yearly registration, etc. The only tax benefit here is if you are a heavy tobacco user.

Mountains are beautiful, the coast is okay, the piedmont is largely a boring [censored] hole.

A lot of Yankees move here thinking "it's cheap and slow." I guess at one time it used to be. Not anymore with the massive number of transplants from all over. Taxes are high, some areas are getting crowded, traffic can be awful in certain areas. Some of the more disgusting aspects of Yankee culture, like Dunkin Donuts, are starting to appear all over. On the interstates you have VA drivers doing 15 under the limit, GA drivers doing 15 over the limit, and the locals and transplants doing whatever they please.

I kind of like this area, but find myself wanting to move farther South. Might look at houses in Northern SC next time around to at least shed some of the taxes/fees/general expenses.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
I lived in Columbia, SC for two years. I'd not move back. The summer weather was too hot, there was too much crime, housing/groceries cost an arm and a leg, and the opportunities I'd heard about were not present. I could have done work in a related field, but I'm happier here doing what I originally wanted to. The wifey is MUCH happier up here too.

Just remember: happy wife, happy life. If your GF is happy, you'll be happy no matter where you end up.


The "opportunities" here are a myth Yankees created in the 1990s. They are non-existent now unless you want to sweep the floor at Wal-Mart.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

Since you are unencumbered you can take a chance if you wish. I have several friends and acquaintances who live in the Richmond/Chester/Petersburg area who love it. They are all, one way or the other, associated with the military (active, retired, civilian). If you are staying in the teaching profession, you may need to look at salary level and employability concerns before you take the leap. Not sure, but tend to believe that school districts seem to be cutting back and may not be hiring much in the near future. I know that is true for the other parts of the government sector. Your ability to get a job may be the most influencing factor.

Given what you listed as important factors, primarily activity and recreation related, you can find those things much closer by looking south of Chicago.

Virginia weather is much milder but you will have to deal with heat and humidity that comes with it in spring and summer.

 

[Dave Hess]

I love visiting NC and have family there. I wouldn't mind living there even though FL has no income tax, no vehicle inspection / emissions testing, no property tax on cars, low sales tax, affordable housing, traffic not too bad, nice weather, shorts & tee shirt winters....etc.

 

[45ACP]

Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Originally Posted By: sciphi
I lived in Columbia, SC for two years. I'd not move back. The summer weather was too hot, there was too much crime, housing/groceries cost an arm and a leg, and the opportunities I'd heard about were not present. I could have done work in a related field, but I'm happier here doing what I originally wanted to. The wifey is MUCH happier up here too.

Just remember: happy wife, happy life. If your GF is happy, you'll be happy no matter where you end up.


The "opportunities" here are a myth Yankees created in the 1990s. They are non-existent now unless you want to sweep the floor at Wal-Mart.


I do agree. The VA states.. low cost of living, but you need that $30 an hour office job to make it work. Maybe not so low cost-of living. Depends. Richmond seems good city, cost wise.

How about Norfolk? Where are the expensive parts again? DMV (Delaware/Maryland?Virginia) area by D.C. is sky-high, worse than Maryland or Connecticut...

+1 for Florida just dont choose MIAMI the show "Burn Notice" is a LIE Miami is like Atlantic City NJ.. Nice spots, ghetto in the middle. And the more north in FL you go (towards Panhandle - Jacksonville, Fernandina Beach, FL/AL border, exception of Destin.. Tallahassee and Gainesville are inexpensive due to NO OCEAN land-lock)) the cheaper cost of living gets. South FL is EXPENSIVE! (Ft Lauderdale, the Keys, etc.) Right?

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Originally Posted By: dja4260
I'm 27, shes 25 and were itching to move somewhere that we feel will offer us more. Were looking for an environment that is more suitable for our lifestyle.


You'll never regret moving from a big city to a better, more relaxed environment. At your age now is the time to make the move so you have time to establish yourself.

If I were in your shoes and trapped in a city like Chicago, and found I had the opportunity to escape I'd do so in a heartbeat.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Originally Posted By: sciphi
I lived in Columbia, SC for two years. I'd not move back. The summer weather was too hot, there was too much crime, housing/groceries cost an arm and a leg, and the opportunities I'd heard about were not present. I could have done work in a related field, but I'm happier here doing what I originally wanted to. The wifey is MUCH happier up here too.

Just remember: happy wife, happy life. If your GF is happy, you'll be happy no matter where you end up.


The "opportunities" here are a myth Yankees created in the 1990s. They are non-existent now unless you want to sweep the floor at Wal-Mart.


I dont know. Maybe for some, but I have a number of friends in the research triangle area doing VERY well.

Thing is, the traffic and costs arent much different.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Originally Posted By: sciphi
I lived in Columbia, SC for two years. I'd not move back. The summer weather was too hot, there was too much crime, housing/groceries cost an arm and a leg, and the opportunities I'd heard about were not present. I could have done work in a related field, but I'm happier here doing what I originally wanted to. The wifey is MUCH happier up here too.

Just remember: happy wife, happy life. If your GF is happy, you'll be happy no matter where you end up.


The "opportunities" here are a myth Yankees created in the 1990s. They are non-existent now unless you want to sweep the floor at Wal-Mart.


I dont know. Maybe for some, but I have a number of friends in the research triangle area doing VERY well.

Thing is, the traffic and costs arent much different.


The RTP area is the place for high paying jobs in NC. That's where a lot of the six and seven figure jobs are, but it's not booming quite like it was. Raleigh and the surrounding areas have not had as many issues as the rest of the state with unemployment. Charlotte's unemployment rate is significantly higher I think. But like you said, you pay for it. Traffic is bad and everything is expensive. No way I could live in my current house in a decent part of Raleigh or Chapel Hill, and Durham sucks. Charlotte has a worse job market (or lower paying at least), but it's cheaper and for some reason I like this area more (lived in Chapel Hill most of my life).

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Originally Posted By: sciphi
I lived in Columbia, SC for two years. I'd not move back. The summer weather was too hot, there was too much crime, housing/groceries cost an arm and a leg, and the opportunities I'd heard about were not present. I could have done work in a related field, but I'm happier here doing what I originally wanted to. The wifey is MUCH happier up here too.

Just remember: happy wife, happy life. If your GF is happy, you'll be happy no matter where you end up.


The "opportunities" here are a myth Yankees created in the 1990s. They are non-existent now unless you want to sweep the floor at Wal-Mart.


I dont know. Maybe for some, but I have a number of friends in the research triangle area doing VERY well.

Thing is, the traffic and costs arent much different.


North Carolina and South Carolina are very different economically. Also, the research triangle is about 4 hours or so from Columbia. Columbia has its areas that are doing better than others, like any larger city. Overall, though, for my tastes and profession, I much prefer where I am in NY now over living down there.

That's what's sometimes great about this country. If you don't like one area of it, one can sometimes move to another area.

 

[PandaBear]

Was living in central VA (near Lynchburg area) for 1 year when I was in High School and it is absolutely beautiful. You get some snow but nothing as bad as Chicago. Not sure about standard of living but it is definitely a nice and beautiful place.

 

[dja4260]

I'll be flying out to Richmond, VA for an interview mid Feb. This is starting to become a reality.

 

[Hokiefyd]

I've lived in two places in Virginia and one place in North Carolina since 1991, so know the area pretty well, economically, politically, and socially. From 1991-1997 I was in Herndon, in northern Virginia. Part of the DC "megalopolis". I care not at all for that type of living environment. From 1997-2003 I was at school at Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg, VA. Excellent community, excellent environment, tons of recreational things to do. Unfortunately, if you don't work for the school or for the town, opportunities there are limited. Met my wife there (at work) and married in her hometown of Pulaski, which is right down the road from Blacksburg. Ever hear of Pulaski Furniture? Pulaski is another one-industry town, and the industry's gone. Her folks still live there, and there are a few major employers in the surrounding area (James Hardie home products and Volvo truck plant), but not much else.

We moved to the sandhills of North Carolina in 2003. The pace of life is slower here and I love it. We live close enough to Fayetteville to have some of the problems of traffic, suburban sprawl, etc. But we're close enough to the country where horse farms and great Pinehurst golfing is just down the road. The Fayetteville area has weathered the economic storm very well due to the huge influence of Fort Bragg. Our house is actually worth more now than it was in 2008. BRAC 2005 moved much of the administration facilities of Fort McPherson, GA, up here. So we're also seeing an increase in premium home construction, and values of existing homes supported well also.

BITOG-related side effect of living around here? Purolator's home base is in Fayetteville, and they are a major source of employment. I know a number of engineers at Purolator through church and where I work now.

We're about an hour south of the Triangle area, and as others have said, that part of the state is also doing very well. Research Triangle Park (RTP) is the place to be if you're an up-and-comer with a good education and promising career. There are tons of good, solid employers up there and the whole area is doing pretty well economically.

I like the NC piedmont. The countryside is attractive with dotted farmland and small towns. You're close enough to the beach for a day trip to be easily doable. You're also close enough to the mountains for a day trip to be doable (or a weekend trip perfect). You're within a day's drive of major attractions in Florida all the way up to NYC. I think NC is a "sweet spot" along the east coast, with a near-perfect mix of climates and natural wonders to see (mountains, coastline) here, as well as being within easy reach of other places and population centers.

 

[Vikas]

My family (brother and sister) lives in Herndon. They moved there in 2000. That area has expanded like crazy. I suspect you will not even recognize it now if you were there last in 1997.

- Vikas

 

[Hokiefyd]

Even to this day, Herndon retains somewhat of a "town" feel to it, as it has its town hall and square still. I remember well the Olds dealer downtown, but that's been gone a while. We lived in Kingstream, just behind the high school. The area has certainly grown, but some of my haunts are still there. Lots of fond memories of later childhood there.