Charlotte or Columbus or ? (Cincinnati, Green: condo, home, neighborhoods)

[CMJC_OH]

can u expand on the "hidden costs" a little more, and also how long have u lived in cols?[/quote]

I moved to Columbus early last Fall. Now granted I moved from Atlanta, but I still have immediate family & friends in NC. Out of curousity, being that I'm new to Ohio, I often contrast & compare costs. I was fearful that OH was rather pricey.

All in all - yes I think cost of living can be less expensive in the South - but not the huge savings one often thinks of. Granted I have only lived here 6 months - but I am constantly refering back to my bills from Atlanta.

Probably given you way more than you wanted - not enough in others.[/quote]




Atlanta is another city we have looked at- how r the schools there,
economic growth, type of jobs, etc.-is it same taxing schedule as NC or OH or Neither?
you've been very helpful! TY so much

[JJM]

CMJC_OH,

Look at the Greenville/Spartanburg area in SC. It is growing and many, many people are moving there. The job situation is good too. Only problem for me is the extremely hot summers. Otherwise I'd seriously consider moving there myself.

[GeminiGal]

Originally Posted by JJM

CMJC_OH,

Look at the Greenville/Spartanburg area in SC. It is growing and many, many people are moving there. The job situation is good too. Only problem for me is the extremely hot summers. Otherwise I'd seriously consider moving there myself.

Agreed - Greenville/Spartanburg is really growing. Its basically on I85 - about halfway between the northern surburbs of ATL and CLT. Clemson University is not far either. I26 east will take you about 2 hours to Charleston (coast) or about an hour west to Asheville NC (mountains).

[CMJC_OH]

thanks for the info JJM-

[raleightransplant]

Just peeking in here I notice talk of the "hidden costs"...they're everywhere in NC. Every time I turn around I'm paying for a vehicle tax, inspection, etc. NC is one of the highest taxed states in the US...right near Taxachussetts. I like the recommendation for Greenville/Spartanburg. I've heard very good things. Atlanta is a huge metropolis, and due to land use patterns is still affordable in some areas. I would stay clear of Raleigh-Durham if cost is a concern. We've lived here going on 8 years, and it's getting quite expensive. We ended up buying a townhome a couple years ago, and we wouldn't be even close to being able to afford in the suburb of Morrisville, NC if we were looking to enter the market today. Everywhere are subdivisions going up that are starting in the 400K to 600K range---these aren't great homes either....Just your average run of the mill. Deals can be had--but you're increasingly going to need to look in to exurb areas. Many locally will knock Durham, but it's a phenomenal diverse city that's doing some great things right now. This is where you would find something in the Raleigh area.

[Traveler87]

Originally Posted by raleightransplant

Just peeking in here I notice talk of the "hidden costs"...they're everywhere in NC. Every time I turn around I'm paying for a vehicle tax, inspection, etc. NC is one of the highest taxed states in the US...right near Taxachussetts. I like the recommendation for Greenville/Spartanburg. I've heard very good things. Atlanta is a huge metropolis, and due to land use patterns is still affordable in some areas. I would stay clear of Raleigh-Durham if cost is a concern. We've lived here going on 8 years, and it's getting quite expensive. We ended up buying a townhome a couple years ago, and we wouldn't be even close to being able to afford in the suburb of Morrisville, NC if we were looking to enter the market today. Everywhere are subdivisions going up that are starting in the 400K to 600K range---these aren't great homes either....Just your average run of the mill. Deals can be had--but you're increasingly going to need to look in to exurb areas. Many locally will knock Durham, but it's a phenomenal diverse city that's doing some great things right now. This is where you would find something in the Raleigh area.

I have heard about how bad that vehicle tax is in NC. That is crazy!

[Traveler87]

Originally Posted by ChrissyR

After reading alot of these posts my take is that there is no utopia. I think arguing about which place is better is silly. Luckily people prefer different things about different places. I don't think it's about who is better than the other; it's what you prefer in a city. We all have different tastes thank goodness! It doesn't mean one is better than the other in general. It's what one prefers that matters. I was born and raised in Columbus and lived there most of my life. I've lived here in Tucson for 10 yrs and we are getting ready to relocate back to Columbus. My husband got a great job offer there. I love the dessert/hate the summers, love Ohio/hate the winters. But each city has so many wonderful attributes. I hope the OP finds the place that best suits their needs. Good luck to you!!! Peace

Congratulations on the move! I wish you the best of luck too. What area of Columbus are you looking at?

[OLHS_CHEER]

Columbus

[jmargaret]

Charlotte and Columbus are very similar, in my opinion. If your pricerange for a house is $900,000, you could possibly buy a whole block of houses in Cowtown---seriously, $500,000-600,000 is probably more than adequate for an upscale suburban home in Columbus. Not sure about Charlotte home prices. Both areas are very big box, suburban, strip-mall dominated. Charlotte has professional sports teams, if that is a concern. Charlotte is more techy-oriented and progressive and Columbus is more fast-food and set in its ways. Both are really just big college towns.

[QCP]

Originally Posted by jmargaret

Both are really just big college towns.

Not really. I wouldn't consider Charlotte much of a college town at all. UNCC has a very minimal impact on the city, even in the University area.