Random Topic; relocating to the south

[89strok]

I know this is a completely random not very car oriented post but I want to hear some thoughts from some honest members. I'll try not to ramble, long story short I live in Connecticut born and raised, and I'm done with this state and looking into moving to north/south Carolina. I'm in the steel Construction industry as a private contractor specializing in welding, work here is fine but this state is crumbling year after year and more ppl/businesses are leaving year after year. The cost to own anything at all here is outrageous in taxes, and the state shows nothing from it. That being said, from the little that I know about the Carolina's, both are booming with work and look to keep that up for years to come. Work aside, I'd love to be in a state where I can enjoy my personal life/hobbies and have so much more to offer around me. I've heard nothing but good things about this when it comes to the Carolinas. Being able to enjoy my gt350 8/9 months outa the year rather than the 5/6 months here I can, would be worth it to me alone. So without getting too personal and asking for actual numbers, I'd like to just hear some opinions on Carolina residents about how they like/dont like their areas. How the cost of living effects them and what I should know before making a final decision on the move. Anything at all would be appreciated!


Ps its March now and I'm currently looking at the snow pile up all night for another storm. Looks like I won't drive my car till June at this rate. Get me outa here

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[DCShelby]

Get used to drinking sweet tea.

 

[lightrules]

Come on over to CA. We have 91 octane and highly restrictive exhaust laws. However, you can drive your Shelby all year round

 

[torque124]

I bought my Shelby from Charleston... It was August, and the heat was tremendous... almost like Miami, insufferable. Drove it home to Boston in 14 hours... I was happy to get to New York state and the *normal* temps... Don't know man... don't know.

 

[rick81721]

Keep heading south to FL and you can drive your GT350 12/12!

 

[autobahnGT350]

Come on over to CA. We have 91 octane and highly restrictive exhaust laws. However, you can drive your Shelby all year round

California is expensive too. I am from there, San Jose, and would never retire there. The places in Californianthta are not expensive are either really north or really south in the state. Also looking at the retirement move either Midwest or somewhat southh...like the Myrtle Beach mustang week campgrounds.

 

[89strok]

I bought my Shelby from Charleston... It was August, and the heat was tremendous... almost like Miami, insufferable. Drove it home to Boston in 14 hours... I was happy to get to New York state and the *normal* temps... Don't know man... don't know.

This is a factor I've been thinking about as well. I'm ok with heat, but the 100s would take a toll on me until I got used to it, especially the humidity

 

[ClayDee]

South Georgia, North Florida area. You can drive it 12/12. Cost of living is tolerable also. The heat can be a bit too much during the summer month's, but hey that's what the water is for.

 

[jacknifetoaswan]

We relocated from NJ to Charleston, SC in 2012, lived here for five years, then I took a job outside of Orlando, FL. Lived there for a year, and moved back to Charleston exactly a year to the day that we left. I lived in NJ for thirty years, and while Charleston is hot, it's nowhere NEAR the oppression that you get in Florida. NJ was hot in June, July, and August, in Charleston, it's hot May - September. It'll start cooling down in October, and you get literally perfect weather in November, December, February, March, and April. Morning temps are in the 40s and 50s, and afternoon temps are in the mid 70s, every single day. I daily drive my GT/PP on summer tires year round, and have only had a few issues where I couldn't drive it due to ice storms (lots of bridges).

Traffic has gotten progressively worse since 2012, because of the all the building and construction. Depending on the time of day you're driving, and in which direction, I-526 and I-26 are nightmares. From an industrial standpoint, we have a MASSIVE Boeing plant which keeps getting bigger and bigger, Mercedes has a plant close to here, and Volvo is building another massive facility in Holly Hill. Prices for real estate, especially in and around Charleston or Mount Pleasant are fairly high. We just bought a $500k house - 2700 square feet, 1/4 acre - but our property taxes are only $1800/year. Flood and homeowner's/earthquake/wind insurance comes to about $2500/year, though. Still, compared to what we'd have paid for a house in NJ, our house would have cost upwards of $750k, with $12-15k/year property taxes.

Charleston has a LOT of intangibles, though. With the traffic comes the amazing weather, great beaches, loads of historical stuff, a decent car scene (though only one drag strip, and it's pretty shitty), and a million freaking things to do outside. There are only a couple weeks in the summer that I'd consider to be very hot, and it'll be in the high 80s and 90s for the better part of June - August, but having moved away once, I wouldn't trade this place for the world.

Maybe southern Spain.

JR

 

[Hack]

Just don't move to a more conservative state with lower taxes and then vote for liberal government that will mess up the new area just as much as Connecticut. That's all I ask.

I don't think I could handle the humidity in the south east. I would go south west before doing that. I realize it's a much farther move and nothing is perfect, though.

 

[tex929rr]

Sorry, Texas is full.

 

[Sagittaria]

I'm eyeballing to move down south too next year. Six months cooped up during MN winters is too brutal. Scenery/atmosphere is the biggest thing for me.

Southeast/Florida are out. I'm not a fan of humidty and being enclosed by trees wherever you go.
Loved California. However, laws and cost of living are pushing me off.

Utah seems nice. Never been there. Will find out during Track Attack/Backpacking Zion in May.
Arizona seems OK. May be too deserty for me.
Texas I'm unsure about. May be too flat. A lot of areas seem rather cramped too (Houston/Dallas).

 

[FP350S]

Texas, La., etc is south...Carolinas are just middle east IMO.

 

[Tank]

If I was gonna bail from NE, the SW would be my destination - NM, UT, AZ...

Or maybe the PNW..

Or the Maine Coast or Canadian Maritimes..

The Carolinas are humidity, year round bugs, and kudzu everywhere..

No offense to our friends in the Carolinas who are able to tolerate such conditions...

 

[tex929rr]

[QUOTE="Sagittaria, post: 2479793, member: 37171”]
Texas I'm unsure about. May be too flat. A lot of areas seem rather cramped too (Houston/Dallas).[/QUOTE]

Yes, it’s all flat and the roads are straight, and there is no room for anyone here.

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