Moving to Charlotte possibly (Raleigh, Greensboro: best cities, real estate market, apartments)

[Jaquio]

Hey all, just so you know, this forum has been very helpful in information gathering of all sorts. You are all great!!!.

So I am looking for some good advice on where to move for my personal circumstances and whether I should move down to the area so soon. I'll give a little background.

Currently I live in DC making about 37000 in IT. In this city that is not enough, plus I hate the traffic and the whole overcrowded, gaudy environment just doesnt work for me. I am looking to move down to Greensboro, Charlotte, or Raleigh area and I was hoping if some of you could break down the plus and minuses of those areas. Namely, I am looking at cost of living, people, fun factor and weather issues.

I am pretty sure I would enjoy it down there, but the big thing that I am wondering about is if the cost of living is that much cheaper. I went to some cost of living sites and they said I could make 22000 in Charlotte and keep the same standard of living which seems crazy to me and I was hoping to crunch some numbers soon since I got a few job proposals. Are there any web sites I can go to to find actual grocery/gas/necessity prices down in the area so i can compare the real cost of living difference. Also if there is anyone who has made a move from a similar situation please reply as any help would be appreciated.

Thanks a lot!!

Matt

[Nikki75]

Hi Jaquio,

I am currently living in Southern MD and will be moving in a couple of months or less when my house sells. Charlotte NC and Palm Coast and Jacksonville FL are my choices that I am back and forth with.

IMO, Charlotte's wages are WAY, way lower than DC/MD/VA. Housing is cheaper but not THAT much cheaper. House rentals in DC are starting at $1400. You can try Home Rentals, Homes for Rent, Apartments, Houses for Rent, and Rental Homes to see what they are going for in Charlotte. Also, try googling American Job Banks to get an idea of what jobs are paying in various industries in Charlotte.

Lastly, if you will have many of the same bills that you have now on your current salary then know that you will have to manage paying those on a Charlotte salary. Mainly loans, credit cards, life insurance, health insurance, etc. If you will have to get a second job or roomate just to keep your head above water then it may not be worth it.

Check out Raleigh-Durham as Black-Enterprise gave them great reviews in the Top 10 best cities in 2007. Of course Washington, DC was topped the list.

[Charlie Berry]

Originally Posted by Nikki75

Hi Jaquio,

I am currently living in Southern MD and will be moving in a couple of months or less when my house sells. Charlotte NC and Palm Coast and Jacksonville FL are my choices that I am back and forth with.

IMO, Charlotte's wages are WAY, way lower than DC/MD/VA. Housing is cheaper but not THAT much cheaper. House rentals in DC are starting at $1400. You can try Home Rentals, Homes for Rent, Apartments, Houses for Rent, and Rental Homes to see what they are going for in Charlotte. Also, try googling American Job Banks to get an idea of what jobs are paying in various industries in Charlotte.

Lastly, if you will have many of the same bills that you have now on your current salary then know that you will have to manage paying those on a Charlotte salary. Mainly loans, credit cards, life insurance, health insurance, etc. If you will have to get a second job or roomate just to keep your head above water then it may not be worth it.

Check out Raleigh-Durham as Black-Enterprise gave them great reviews in the Top 10 best cities in 2007. Of course Washington, DC was topped the list.

Insurance costs and the tanking real estate market in FL, there must be some pretty enticing job opportunities for you to be considering moving there. I have approximately 20 potential clients that would move to Charlotte in a second if they could just sell their home there. On an up note, it is definitely a buyers market in FL and you may be able to get a great deal, just hope that values do not continue to decline b/c of a surplus of supply of homes on the market....

[Porchguy11]

Matt, have you tried the CNN/Money site? It compares your zip to the living costs here-- and I did move from the DC area, but many years ago. Car insurance? Lower here. Real estate- lower but appreciating nicely. Electricity- my Duke power bill reminds me on the enveloep we pay 13% less for electricity and the Money calculator bears this out. Also on that Money/CNN list they rank Charlotte as 4th best city in the country to find a job. But you are oging to have to work hard, get a few raises, and make it happen for yourself. Good Luck.

[Jaquio]

Thanks porchguy, that is what I need to hear. As for jobs I may have found a few that will work out. The only thing I am worrying about is that it is a pay cut of about 5,000 or so dollars from what I am getting in DC. And like I said the pay scale indicators say that 32,000 in Charlotte all expenses being equal (ie no more partying or wasting then u would do normally) is more than 37,000 in DC. I am just wondering if this specifically is true to anyone down there. I noted that Nikki is worried about this same thing too. Thanks for your help, I may seem to be nitpicky here but despite the pay scales being based on statistical evidence, I would like a few personal examples and not just an artificial number to help me out if at all possible. Thanks for all your help so far .

[gatorbuilt28036]

VEry smart planning..I'd suggest you create a spreadsheet that shows your monthly costs...the biggie here is that Mortgage/rent is a much better value...i.e$1000/month will get you more sf of living space than in DC...also, most of the construction is NEW...I am a developer/builder and can also tell you that property taxes are significantly lower...gas is on par wth the US average...food and utilites are also US average...as most people spend 25-45% of their income on rent/mortgage you will not need as much, assuming you are looking at the same lifestyle...this is 2007 and most companies do their homework regarding Cost of Living indeces, or they cannot attract the talent...also, if it is a bigger company I'd ask if they have an HR/relocation coordinator...obviously they should have some info...but your salary cut will mostly refelct in your rent/mortgage payment...$5000 gross cut is about a 1500-2000 net income decrease...which ranslates to about $150 a month from your rent...my estimation tells me you will definitely find a comparable living situation for $150 less, moving from DC to Charlotte, quite easily...Best of luck

[Whytewulf]

I believe you would be fine in Char with a $5k pay cut. And keep looking, don't mention you previous pay and see what you can find, come here looking for an upgrade. People interviewing with us just wanting to get out, lose thier leverage. People seeing they want to come to Charlotte and get the next level job impress us and we need to impress them as well, thus competing with a good salary.

[Jaquio]

Amen to that. Thanks for your help, all. Now all I need to do is make the right choice for employment.

[Nikki75]

Originally Posted by Charlie Berry

Insurance costs and the tanking real estate market in FL, there must be some pretty enticing job opportunities for you to be considering moving there. I have approximately 20 potential clients that would move to Charlotte in a second if they could just sell their home there. On an up note, it is definitely a buyers market in FL and you may be able to get a great deal, just hope that values do not continue to decline b/c of a surplus of supply of homes on the market....

Not really moving there for any really good reason in particular. Just want to experience living in FL. The only job I have lined up is a promise that I can transfer to the FL State's government agency that I work for now. I haven't applied to any position in Duval since my move date is still not clear. I was told to just put in an application and let them slide me in to a position that matches my experience and to not accept a salary too much lower than what I make now. My gf in Jville's department needs help now and her managers are asking when am I coming. That's impressive and definitely hopeful because it backs what the HR lady told her when we asked about me transferring.

I am not planning to buy a house again for a long time. I own now (3yrs) and I am one of the ones trying to sell my house so I can experience living in FL. I have 3 gf's and one ex-best friend who live in Jacksonville and Palm Coast . So I have definitely been sold on the area as far as the year-round warm weather, pretty houses in Palm Coast and the cost of living compared to here in MD.

Charlotte is the best of both worlds and more of a "I've always wanted to live in NC" thing (real country living). The only thing is that it has a winter closer to that of Maryland and not that of FL so that is the only con that defeats the purpose of moving because my top pro was FL weather. I don't plan to buy but rent so in a year after living in Palm Coast perhaps I will check out Charlotte or vice versa.