Anybody on their way out of Charlotte..... (Asheville, Dallas: 2009, houses)

[westcoastbabe]

With the economy the way it is...Charlotte is not "faring too well...High unemployment/no jobs/Store closings......If you're on the way out...please share where you are going.....Would love to hop on the 'prosperity" bus to greener pastures...

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Well, I'm already here. Utah's economy is in better shape than most of the country. Of course, maybe that means we'll tank later, who knows? Jobs in the less than $20/hr range seem to be available here. The higher-paying ones are less plentiful. But then, UT's wages are historically lower than other states.

[westcoastbabe]

so you left Charlotte for Utah....Was Charlotte home for you? I am a seasoned Executive Assistant...Just wondering how the Cost of Living would compare to Charlotte?

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

NO, I wanted to move to Charlotte. I came from New Orleans and wanted to move b/c my daughter is in Asheville and my son was going to transfer to the CLT region. But that move is off so my move is on hold. When I moved here I thought the houses were expensive compared to New Orleans and I've heard others bemoan the same thing. Smaller, older houses don't use a/c - I have an evaporative cooler that works just fine in 10% humidity and my electric bill in the summer is about $65 or so. Food might be a bit cheaper than N.O. and gas is currently $2.25 for mid-grade.

I think there's an online COL calculator, not sure how accurate it is, but google it and you should find it. Salt Lake gets 4 real seasons, not too much snow, hardly any ice, plenty of outdoor activities all year long. If it weren't for family, I'd stay!

[DawnW]

I am not sure there are greener pastures right now. I recently saw a map of the USA and most of it was at 10% unemployment. I have also read that only 3% of college educated folks in white collar professions are losing their jobs, while factory work and labor type jobs make up the rest of those without jobs.

I actually have not hid the fact that I would like to move back home.....but right now I am very thankful that DH has a good job that doesn't seem to be in any downsizing.

Dawn

[chicagocubs]

From what I understand the Dakotas have very low unemployment now....

[DawnW]

Do they still have a homesteading act? Several years ago I had friends who were seriously considering going for the free land and $$ offered (I think it was a deal to stay there for X number of years and they will give you the land and some $$.)

Not sure what the job market is there for new jobs though!

Dawn

Originally Posted by chicagocubs

From what I understand the Dakotas have very low unemployment now....

[cgballer]

Originally Posted by dscott2009

With the economy the way it is...Charlotte is not "faring too well...High unemployment/no jobs/Store closings......If you're on the way out...please share where you are going.....Would love to hop on the 'prosperity" bus to greener pastures...

Check this out: Unemployment Rates for States. There are definitely states that are holding up pretty well. When I look at the list, I'd go for Utah, Montana, New Hampshire but even Texas only has a 6.7% unemployment rate. There should be plenty of jobs in the big cities like Houston or Dallas. I saw a report about Fargo, ND recently. There are definitely jobs out there.

So far my wife and I are lucky to still have jobs but if one of us would lose the job, we'd head back out West.

[cgballer]

Originally Posted by DawnW

Do they still have a homesteading act? Several years ago I had friends who were seriously considering going for the free land and $$ offered (I think it was a deal to stay there for X number of years and they will give you the land and some $$.)

Not sure what the job market is there for new jobs though!

Dawn

Nope. According to Homestead exemption - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Texas, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, and Oklahoma have homestead protections.

[bmd69]

Looking to leave ASAP