Have nothing new Giants related for anyone but maybe some can give me some info on moving south - currently in central NJ.
Just to give some background - I would be able to work from home with my job, so work is not a huge issue & my wife works PT for doctor office.
We have a 3 year old girl so it would be us three moving down & we think it's time to make the move or think about it at least...Some of the cities we have thought about...
Charleston & Rock Hill, SC
Chapel Hill & Charlotte, SC
Clermont & Windermere, FL
Not opposed to other areas, we do not like the DMV area so really NC, SC, GA & FL. We are in our early/mid 30's, don't have much family in the south, some friends, but want something family oriented, nice/safer area, not really a big city but suburbs, things to do, place to eat/go out, etc.
If any have moved & loved it or hated it, let me know. We heard both sides from some friends. Oh and we would be looking to buy a nice, not big, newer home.
Thanks in advance!
Been here since 1994. Lived in Charlotte (Matthews) until 2003 and have lived in Fort Mill, SC since 2006. I've worked in Rock Hill since 2006 too. Living across the SC border has been a good experience for me and the family. If you have kids, the school district in Fort Mill is the best in SC, the taxes are lower and you don't have to deal with Charlotte traffic.
Rock Hill is getting better. The Panthers HQ is relocating there and they've added some really good restaurants and breweries in the past two years. I chose not to live in Rock Hill years ago, but it could be a decent choice to investigate now. Their home prices are lower than charlotte Metro and even lower than Fort Mill.
Seriously, check out Greenville, SC. If I had to move back, that's where I'd go. I remember seeing -- maybe even on this board -- that one Northeast company's transfers kicked and screamed about going there, then when it was time go back, they kicked and screamed about leaving. Low cost of living, relatively cultural, sports, near mountains and ATL.
Forysth County offers a ton for kids not just in athletics but also academics. Taxes are still quite low (compared to NJ) and we love it down here.
You still get all 4 seasons but obviously winter is shorter. I coach youth baseball and love being bale to play 9 months a year.
My only complaint is traffic if you want o work in ATL. They still haven't quite figured it out.
I am 4 hours from the Atlantic, and 5.5 hours from the Gulf which is absolutely gorgeous!! Once you go to the Gulf you won't want to go back to the Atlantic.
The areas you are looking in NC and SC are also very good, we checked those areas out as well. The wife had a pick and choose GA.
Good Luck in your search.
Down by Charleston, the humidity in the summer will wipe you out (4 years there in USN).
Greenville SC is beautiful and has close proximity to the mountains but traffic can be a nightmare. Charlotte’s ok, but it’s a big city featuring NASCAR, the Panthers and the NBA.
With the triangle, many pick an area town based on college allegiance or political preference ... Do your research on Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Apex, Wake Forest; College sports rule and you have the NHL.
Cheers.
Crazy cheap taxes and property values. Good place to raise family. Much nicer weather.
Downside is some of the services (Kid's activities) are just as costly as NJ and groceries are similar in cost.
This is why I'd suggest Tampa Bay. I have no idea how people live in the middle of Florida, it is unbearably humid. I feel like 6 months of the year sucks there as opposed to mid July to mid September. I couldn't live far away from the coasts, even if I didn't love the beach. Can't speak about the Orlando to east coast, but Orlando to Tampa Bay drive is miserable when other people are generally going.
I left work from Tampa at like 3:30 to see friends on the East and it fucking blew worse than any drive I've ever done. The roads are engineered by high school drop outs here in FLorida and aren't even close to made for the volume they get now.
My daughter and several friends live in Rock Hill. It’s good as well, but it’s a bit congested for my taste. I used to live in Charlotte, but it’s not what it used to be. Good luck.
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I lived in the Orlando area for a few years and liked it. Windermere is right near Disney and Universal, so your kids will love it. We got the season pass and went all the time, we figured out what times the tourist would go back to their hotels, etc. It was our Six Flags. You're also less than an hour to each coast, Tampa/St Pete Melbourne. Fun to go see the Space stuff especially when they shoot rockets off (or they come back down). Daytona an hour away too. Orlando downtown is small, but nice and relatively clean for a small city. Downside is FL everywhere is very humid. You get used to it though
This is why I'd suggest Tampa Bay. I have no idea how people live in the middle of Florida, it is unbearably humid. I feel like 6 months of the year sucks there as opposed to mid July to mid September. I couldn't live far away from the coasts, even if I didn't love the beach. Can't speak about the Orlando to east coast, but Orlando to Tampa Bay drive is miserable when other people are generally going.
I left work from Tampa at like 3:30 to see friends on the East and it fucking blew worse than any drive I've ever done. The roads are engineered by high school drop outs here in FLorida and aren't even close to made for the volume they get now.
My mom lives in St Pete and really likes it. Obviously being close to Tampa gives you the sports teams, and you are right on the water.
I really like Clermont, people are friendly there, great town, and I actually like it's a little farther away from the craziness of Orlando.
Windermere also has boating, but the chain of lakes that Clermont offers just gives you more room to play. Also if you are into wine, Lakeridge Winery, probably the best winery in the state of Florida, is in Clermont, always a great visit. I particularly love their Port.
I'm in Burlington. 20 miles to the west is Greensboro. 50 miles east is Raleigh. 50 miles west is Winston Salem. 100 miles south is Charlotte. I get to live in a small town which is great for raising a family, but I'm driving distance of the bigger cities. It's ideal.
People look after one another, great k-12 schools in that area, highly regarded, quick exit ( it's a barrier island)to Orlando ( about 75 minutes to Disney) a huge port and a revived space program.
The last two were positives before this virus. How it will effect he port remains to be seen but the economy was/is currently very, very healthy.
Housing prices in CB are expensive. Even the older homes are selling for 6/700k but the housing market will most certainly be affected.
The negatives are there are literally no seasons. That get's to me. It sounds great to those suffering in the north ( I'm from Vestal, NY) but year after year it can be mental. It's hot. I work in Orlando ( most days) and I would NEVER live in central Florida. Holy shit it's fucking brutal.
So, you and your wife need to prioritize what you're looking for. If you enjoy the seasons, Florida is not the place for you.
Windermere is an upscale community. Has a brand new High school and is one of the better school districts in Orange County. The Real Estate values reflect it's upscaledness (wow is that a word!).
Yes the humidity is pretty bad in the summer from late May into October. I definitely recommend a pool.
We're not far from Windermere but also look into Winter Garden/Oakland which is in between us and Windermere.
That way for what ever reason you can take some time to look around. And if you don't like it a miss 'back home' your not locked in.
Real Estate is much cheaper here. harder to turn back without taking a loss.
Lots of great suburbs surrounding Greenville (360 degrees).
As a start, Travelers Rest is now a fast growing suburb (BMW, Michelin etc) with good facilities, nice village and 20 minutes from Greenville which has great restaurants, music and OK "theater venues" to accommodate the national acts and Broadway touring productions. Look up the Swamp Rabbit Trail - fantastic for the family year round.
Further west if you like water, hiking (waterfalls) the area just west of Clemson has all that and is also growing. Two huge lakes (Keowee and Hartwell) still have relatively affordable waterfront living; and of course wooded "interior" lots. Our home is adjacent to a golf course.
We are also an hour away from the NC Blue Ridge Mountains (Asheville etc).
I lived in Orlando for 25 years and esca....er...moved out of there 10 years ago for Colorado. Havent regretted that move a single day since. Someone mentioned it in this thread somewhere, but in addition to the heat, humidity, bugs, high crime rate, traffic, etc......I found that I really did miss the change of seasons. I was ready for something different. Miss all my friends in Orlando, and the parks and beach were always fun, but thats about it.
There’s good and bad. The traffic is bad. Really bad. We are too far from the ocean here. Five hours, so that’s an adjustment. The bagels and pizza are brutal.
But the price of a home and taxes are FAR more affordable. And the people are lovely. Just friendly folks from all over the country. And the weather beats the crap out of the Tri State. Plenty of great restaurants and cultural things to do. All in all, a good move.
One more thing...Greenville is a really nice small city as others noted, but I wouldn’t want to live there. Not much going on when the colleges aren’t in session.
I like Roanoke VA, which is worth a look. That’s in Southwest Virginia in the Blue Ridge Mountains, not DelMarVa.
Also, Chattanooga Tennessee is a nice area.
Good luck!
I lived in Anderson (20 minutes from Greenville) for about 4 years. We'd go to Greenville to shop and to eat out and they have a pretty cool downtown area. But they've been doing endless construction on I-85 for the past 12 years, and their school district is spotty at best.
Also, if you are flying out of Greenville/Spartanburg, you usually have a connection.
It is by no means a bad area to live, but I prefer the Charlotte area much more.
Too bad it shut down. It was a fantastic place.
Now that I'm going to have two at Clemson, we'll be making regular stays down there.
Windermere is an upscale community. Has a brand new High school and is one of the better school districts in Orange County. The Real Estate values reflect it's upscaledness (wow is that a word!).
Yes the humidity is pretty bad in the summer from late May into October. I definitely recommend a pool.
We're not far from Windermere but also look into Winter Garden/Oakland which is in between us and Windermere.
Hey Fred! I've visited your fine town a couple of times and am anxious to make another trip.
I am in the Elks and always stop in the Clermont Lodge, lots of friendly folks there.
Tennessee is also nice.
Might also want to consider proximity to other areas. Charlotte - how far a drive is it if you wanted to check out other areas.
Also, taxes are way less down here some placed better than others. Tennessee is nice - Live near Nashville, but I wouldn't want to live in Memphis or any place else.
If we didn't live here - probably look at Atlanta suburbs or Charlotte area.
Lot of outdoor stuff to do. Place is growing exponentially.
Housing is reasonable. Taxes are really low. If you live outsude the city and are patient- would probably be shocked at the type of house you could get into. BUT- pay atention to the school districts
I landed my dream job in Durham and just bought a house in Youngsville.. I am 2 blocks from Wake Forest.
My wife and I absolutely love this area. I moved from Long Island, NY. The cost of living is noticeable. Very noticeable.
I don't think you can wrong anywhere south of DC. I just love living down here.
It was an expensive transition. ESP registering your cars. The move itself was not cheap, but once you survive that it is smooth sailing!
Down by Charleston, the humidity in the summer will wipe you out (4 years there in USN).
Utican in Los Angeles, here.
I daydream about moving back to the South. I was in Memphis for a couple years. I love how people say hello to everyone and talk with each other like they have nothing to do. I love the opportunities afforded to me here in LA but could see a time when the cost of living might not be worth it.
There are a lot of underrated spots in the South. OKC is a pretty good size town and its nice. I'd like to check out Arkansas some more.