Am debating whether to share my opinion. . .or message you privately! Will check back later ; '^)
I moved to WV after a life in the Apple. Too many NYers in VA and the Carolinas for me. RE and PP taxes are less than a month's rent in my rent stabilized apt in Queens.
My only complaints are the reliability (read lack thereof) of Allegheny Power and the humidity. I solved the first with a 6500 watt generator. Still working on the second.
If you can handle the liberals, Ashville's a nice place. Particularly some of the smaller communities that are nestled in the valleys around the city.
Southwest Virginia.
NC has the highest tax rate on the east coast, and the Dim controlled government is pitifully corrupt.
I have been looking south over the border for some time now--unfortunately we like our house and our small town in NC.
Our 'ambience' is being ruined by outsiders that have suddenly discovered our affordable living and stunning vistas, both of which are rapidly diminishing due to the influx of city slickers, damnyankees and/or retiring baby boomers that move down, wall themselves up in gated communities and then decide that they need more 'services' which the rest of us are now paying for through increased taxes.
Hell, as a matter of fact, I'm only planning on staying a few more years.
The ruination of the South is, once again, under way and being done, once again, by the northern invaders. And now their western cousins are looking to flank us. We're doomed.
BTW, I live about an hour west of Greenville, SC. It used to be quiet out where I live. Not anymore.
We're considering that area as well for retirement, but have not narrowed it down to a specific place yet, so I think this thread does have more than just private interest. :)
I'm a FL guy, and I own a mountain lot in northern Georgia, near the apex of TN and SC. I'm not sure about NC and SC, but the political climate in Georgia is pretty sensible- Cynthia McKinney notwithstanding.
Be aware that overhead power lines are a problem in the mountains. Ice storms are notorious for outages. Look for a place with buried powerlines.
I'll say one thing- southern people are the best folks to be around. The manners, the friendliness, you can't beat it.
The beauty of northwest Georgia, north of Dahlonega and near Blairsville is very appealing also. Lots of green valleys with farms and cabins dotted in them. Clear water streams running through the mountains and hills and into the meadows. It doesn't get any better than that. I think it's one of the prettiest areas I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is absolutely spectacular this time of year, there's no doubt of that.
So in addition to your topo maps, your demographic studies, your road maps, etc., study up on micro-climates. A very few miles can make a huge difference.
Another 'good town'. . .is Waynesville. . .but have only driven through; suppposed to be a 'great place'; just depends on how small. . .how far you want to go. Highlands, Brevard. . .lots of small towns with great views. . .in the Carolinas. . .but 'city' still speaks to gem. . .Greenville.
I like the Piedmont area of NC (Greensboro, Winston-Salem). The cities are large enough so that there's plenty to do and prices and taxes are fairly low.
You're just 2-3 hours drive (depending....) from both the mountains and the beach, so you get the best of both worlds without needing to pay the inflated prices.
That, and Asheville is Berkley East. Nice place to visit, but I don't think that I'd like to live there. The Boone/Blowing Rock areas are nicer, IMHO.
Check out Blowing Rock, NC. It's much like Gatlinburg was forty years ago, an artists colony with great skying int he winter and drop dead beautiful scenes of the mountains. Good people living there now, also. Real Estate isn't over the roof yet. restaurants abound. Not a long drive to major cities in TN and NC and VA.
I moved to Twain Harte, CA. It's beautiful, four seasons, quiet and a red county. We get a little snow, but not often.
If I had the choice of Asheville or Greenville, I'd select Atlanta.
Dude! What the hell?!
I was thinking about posting a vanity about moving to South Carolina today.
I’m looking at the Anderson / Greenville / Spartanburg area of South Carolina, mostly because I’ll have a place to crash while I’m looking for a place of my own.
I’ve also got family in GA and TN.
I’ll be watching this thread carefully. :)
