[Iska]

Interesting note on the housing market in Charlotte:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...ajI&refer=home

[skytrekker]

Metro areas with highest foreclosure rates 4th quarter 2006

http://www.realtytrac.com/news/press...sReleaseID=112

100th is best 1 is worst

Hartford CT ranked 74th out of 100 with 1 in every 727

Charlotte ranked 31 with 1 in every 214

Raleigh Durham ranked 40 with 1 in every 293

[Golden1]

What makes you think I haven't eaten in those places? I explained I like to eat out. I Loooovvvve Randy's Wooster Street. I really do. It's right on par with NY. I have to eat at those pizza places because there's a line out the door every weekend for the chain restaurants. Try eating at the Outback or Olive Garden or Ruby Tuesdays on a Friday night. Not going to happen because everyone in the region seems to be waiting for a table.

I work in the Enfield/East Windsor area and dude, you absolutely cannot point out any awesome eatery there. That's the home of a zillion weak restaurants and is building up as big as Manchester. There is also where I encounter daily genuinely nice people but very few of them are looking to see life beyond their bubble.

One of the points I've noticed in this "leaving CT thread" is that people seem to be fed up and say they want out because of such and such reason and other people are telling them they are wrong for such and such reason. Listen when it's time to go it's time to go. Change is often good. Sometimes new energy is just what the doctor called for and sometimes change like other posters are pointing out maybe covering up a defect in yourself. When I left NYC/Bronx years back it was time for a change. I miss somethings about it but for the most part it's been a better ride. When I left I had people saying what are you doing that for and CT is full of rich people (it's not as I found out) and blah blah. It worked out. The move, while it's only roughly 2 hours away, was pretty radical for me and I grow from it. Basically what I'm saying is if someone is fed up with their surroundings and truly feel it's time to go whether it's North Carolina or the currently battered Florida than go for it. I think if CT was run better we'd have less to complain about but many other states (ie California) seem to be in the same boat. Is this boat sinking? As I said everything comes in cycles. From what I can see at the moment here in CT we're being nickel and dimed. No middle class person can argue that. Also from what I see I'm not entirely sure there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Getting rid of the car tax (road tax) is a start I'd say. I know it's being worked on and bantered about.

I've a friend that lives in New Jersey and he laughs at us people in CT paying taxes on our car yearly. But then again he goes through toll after toll daily. I'll take the car tax over that annoyance.

I think if I had more money I would be a lot happier in CT and living in one of the coastal places (Madison, Lyme or Mystic). But being middle class like other states you have to weigh your options and if you think it's time to go than do it. What we all fear is leaving CT for Raleigh (insert another region or state if it suits you) and living a nightmare and then coming back to CT with weakened resources and your tail between your legs. It happens. Some people leave and never come back and some come back. I know of 2 people that went to Forida giving the middle finger to CT in the rearview mirrow. 1 came back in a little less that a year I think and didn't have enough money to buy a condo in the same complex he had once owned a condo. He had to live with his dad (he was 38 years old) until he got back on his feet. He said Florida sucked.

The other person still lives down in Florida and is happy and has no intention of coming back... ever (I guess this would be a plug for the sunshine state which is taking a beating on these boards).

So if you're seriously considering Boise or Raleigh or whatever take a vacation there first. Dip your feet into the water and if it's comfortable dive in. There are worse places than CT but then again there are better places. We're all feeling the middle class squeeze (there's books on that) and many of us are wondering the very same thing and that is if the grass is greener over there. The only way to find out is to do it or make peace with whatever shortcomings you feel your state/city/county is offering. Life is to short to be miserable.

[KirbyJRT]

That was well written Golden1. When I moved to CT from NJ in the late 80's I remember my friends always spoke to me in that "Thurston Howell" voice

Interesting foreclosure list. Did everyone spend their mortgage money betting against the Colts

[skytrekker]

Middle class squeeze? hell yes- and the noose is getting tighter every year.

Sometimes I wonder how much worse it can get- truth is, much worse.

[Iska]

Connecticut has a budget surplus now. How much does the car tax contribute to that surplus? What happens when they get rid of the car tax and it begins to affect the budget? People are going to resist a renewal of the car tax. Then what? Real estate taxes go up some more? Is there room to cut govt spending?

[Golden1]

I think I'm not alone with saying most people in most generations have a "could of, should of, would of" reflection on life. The internet is giving us a leg up on those generations by giving us intel' reports on places no one ever thought of before. When people got fed up with a place like CT they would wind up in Florida or California, unless for work reasons. Those two states above all seemed to be the place people would leap into on a dream. Now with internet and web sites on real state we're seeing housing costs and taxes in places like Arkansas or Tennessee where the average Northeasterner never considered unless they read an article on it or saw a movie with the town/state as a backdrop. Now with the internet the country and the world opened up. I've learned more about Idaho and even the state I vacation in - Rhode Island - then I ever would without a computer. It's good to go into situations having knowledge.

The one other thing I'm seeing from a web site such as this is the human factor. People can cite statistics and show graphs but who makes these things? Often a lot of us are noticing that numbers and statistics are fudged for any number of reasons. If ten people are saying such and such place sucks because of such and such reasons and one person is saying it's great. you gotta read into that aspect.

[salatheel]

After doing some travelling I wanted to move 12 years ago. It has taken until now and many trips to convince my wife because she didn't want to leave family. More than the taxes and cost of living I just hate the climate. I feel so alive in a warmer climate. The Carolinas are a compromise for me and my wife. I initially would rather California,Texas,or Florida. The politicians here in Ct. should wake up and make our state more attractive for new buisnesses to come in.

[skytrekker]

You know Iska

I understand your feelings are on that car tax- there is a man coming here from Seattle with a BMW 7 series- Well ouch-

The Governor has wanted to get rid of the Auto tax- problem is it will affect the amount of money given by the state to local towns for the reduction of Real estate taxes I believe.

The Legislature believes the tax is regressive- benefiting the wealthy in Fairfield county- then those who are less well off with older and less expensive cars and trucks-

At this point because the Democrats have Veto proof majorities in the Legislature and Senate- it seems that abolishment of the tax is unlikely.

The Auto tax by the way is not the primary reason for the surplus by the way. Much of the surplus has been gained by the performance of the stock market in the last few years- with many of the wealthy paying on profits and dividends and corporations who have made huge profits having to pay taxes- therefore adding to the surplus. CT does benefit from the profits of the many Fortune 500 companies in the state- and how their stocks fair. When the stock market performs well- so does the states surplus- it is larger.

On the economy- it seems the housing problems are becoming worse nationally- with the possibility of a recession late this year or next year.
Housing prices here have stopped rising and have fallen slightly- the good thing here is we have no overbuilding, compared to the 80s when the states economy and real estate suffered a strong and painful correction. This time the big corrections are likely elsewhere.

[maggiemay]

Salatheel,
Good luck with your moving plans. North Carolina is a beautiful state, with very pretty beaches and the Smokey Mountains are gorgeous. My family used to vacation in the NC Smokies every fall. On the downside, like much of the east coast, bugs abound in the summer (I mean seriously!). If you are really affected by climate, I think the west coast is the way to go. My husband and I took 4 weeks to travel the Pacific Coast Highway when we were leaving AK and it was the best trip of my life. Unbelievable scenery, great weather, and NO BUGS.

Myself, I love 4 distinct seasons and am really looking forward to CT. After growing up in Savannah (all summer) and living in AK (mostly winter), I value seasonal changes. As in all choices, you must find what works for you. Good luck.