[BigHouse9]

Highpointer -

I did not say that the North has a stronger sports passion that the rest of the USA. I made a comparative analysis between Raleigh and CT.

Because of CT's proximity to New York and Boston, it has easier access to more sports franchises than here in Raleigh and most of North Carolina. The passion that people display for sports greatly exceeds what I have seen or felt down here.

Please re-read what I posted originally and you will see that I clearly indicated my points and did not say anything about other parts of the nation.

Thanks.

[JKF]

I think North Carolina is nice, but there is only a fraction of culture there compared to what is available in CT. I don't have facts on this, but I think it might even be easier in CT to go and see a Bluegrass show than it is in many places in the south including NC.

cheers,

Jim

[JViello]

Originally Posted by JKF

I think North Carolina is nice, but there is only a fraction of culture there compared to what is available in CT. I don't have facts on this, but I think it might even be easier in CT to go and see a Bluegrass show than it is in many places in the south including NC.

cheers,

Jim

Podunk Bluegrass Festival in East Hartford is the best! I go every year!

http://www.podunkbluegrass.net

[JKF]

Thanks, I'll see you there.

cheers,
Jim

[Gregory P]

Thank you so much for posting that. I just put it in my calendar. I can't take my 4 year old daughter to some of the sketchy places I used to listen to bluegrass and now she can be exposed to some real musicians.

That is...as soon as we sell our NC home and get back to CT!!

Originally Posted by JViello

Podunk Bluegrass Festival in East Hartford is the best! I go every year!

http://www.podunkbluegrass.net

[Gregory P]

Originally Posted by sweetiesmj

The winters you can't do much about unless you plan a few vacations to warmer destinations in those long winter months.

There's nothing better to me than coming in from the snow with my kids after sledding, having some hot chocolate (beer for me), chopping some wood, and burning a nice big fire on a Sunday watching some football.

Or going ice skating. Skiiing. Snow balls. Snow men.

Winter is supposed to be cold and snowy so you shouldn't have to worry about doing anything but enjoying it. I'll admit, I probably like it more than most people and always have, but winter -- especially snow -- is wonderful in my book.

I've certainly never heard the song "I'm dreaming of a 55 degree plus Christmas."

One thing I love and miss about CT/New England is the distinct seasonal changes. Four very drastic seasons...which to me is "normal."

[skytrekker]

Hey Greg

I understand your desire for very four district seasons

and in New England you still get that- for now.

[Gregory P]

Yeah I was almost going to mention that one. The weather is quickly changing so who knows what it'll be like next year...or in years to come.

I do remember as a kid playing hockey on the ponds throughout most of the winter...and now it seems there's less and less ice all around up there.

Even the last few years the snow has been showing up later in the winter and when it does, it's mixed w/ rain.

Makes you think...

Al Gore might be onto something.

Originally Posted by skytrekker

Hey Greg

I understand your desire for very four district seasons

and in New England you still get that- for now.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by Gregory P

Thank you so much for posting that. I just put it in my calendar. I can't take my 4 year old daughter to some of the sketchy places I used to listen to bluegrass and now she can be exposed to some real musicians.

That is...as soon as we sell our NC home and get back to CT!!

You're welcome.

It's really a great venue - lots of great artists in a nice family oriented and close up atmosphere. Last year it introduced me to the family band Cherry Holmes which was a nice treat. As I'm sure you know, Bluegrass is very misrepresented in most peoples minds. My wife and I are both music lovers and until I came along she had no idea...that's changed and she has a new found respect for those musicians.

See you there!

[Francesca1]

Originally Posted by Limbo

My wife and I moved our entire family to Leland, NC two years ago. Leland is along the coast between Wilmington and Southport. We are having a VERY difficult time deciding on going back or staying in NC.

Both states have pros and cons.

CT (Cons) - high taxes, long winters and honestly we worked to pay our mortgage.

CT (Pros) - Our family lives in CT, higher paying jobs, people are better educated, and the quality of life is higher: parks, topography, musuems, fine dining, hay rides etc. etc. Basically, all the things that make New England, New England.

NC (Cons) - a lot of crime, lower standard of living, education, humid summers, alligators, snakes, bugs, rednecks (comparable to Stafford Speedway on race night) and tons of illegal immigrants. I'm not a person that ever distinguished between black and white, asian or hispanic until I moved here and honestly I feel like a minority. Plus, being a very conservative Yankee from the North doesn't seem to endear you to the locals.

NC (Pros) - Weather, beaches, low taxes and life is more affordable - giving us more time to spend with the kids.

THESE ARE MY OBSERVATIONS and not meant to anger anyone. I've lived in CT for 9 years and lived in NC for 2 years and am simply giving my impression of the differences between the two states. I have people living next door that love it here so I may simply be a malcontent.

I just want to do what is right for my kids and I'm not sure spending more time with them outweights the advantages that I feel CT has to offer. Down here we don't know a soul so we don't have to worry about impressions or what the kids are wearing. In CT it always seemed to matter how much you made, where you lived etc.

I own my own business and my wife works for PPD (largest company in the area) so income doesn't really factor into this decision for us. Also, the schools may be better in CT but our kids are all Honor Roll students and doing extremely well (that is because I have the time to spend on their education).

Ok, based on what I've written or based on your own experiences vote.

Would you go back to CT or stay in NC.

Thanks - any and all input is welcomed.

It's funny... last year my husband and I were considering moving to North or South Carolina...my husband had been laid off a number of times, we lived in Southbury, Ct... beautiful yuppie community, great schools, but very expensive... my last daughter off to college... we thought this is our chance...we looked to downsize in area towns...we couldn't find anything decent for under $550,000. Disappointing... we really liked the area
Instead we moved to Goshen, CT...northwest part of state...farm land, an hour from any real job, quiet, stillhaven't met anyone except for the mail lady... It's all a crap shoot... I'm convinced of that. We could have as easily done what you did. It sounds like your unhappy... maybe you should move back. I heard South Carolina near Charleston is different... more historical... different feeling than you describe...different people Have you heard this?
Well come on back... to Goshen... then maybe we have found one friend