[wanderintonc]

Of course, not everything is cheaper in NC, but when you add up the rent/real estate lower costs, lower property tax, lower electriticy (which is a significant expense these days), and lower gas, it really adds up to quite a difference. I'm basing this on the list Rich Lee posted.

Some other things, like private school, are too variable for comparison. I didn't include car insurance, which I've heard might be cheaper, but again it does vary for each individual.

[LindaGlover]

Originally Posted by wanderintonc

I didn't include car insurance, which I've heard might be cheaper, but again it does vary for each individual.

It is cheaper than many states. This was just addressed in the news which is an interesting topic of what some people won't do to save $$.

RALEIGH, N.C. - Out-of-state residents who obtain automobile insurance in North Carolina fraudulently to get cheaper premiums would be guilty of a felony in a bill that the House approved unanimously Monday night....
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/ncwire_news/story/576401.html (broken link)

[BigHouse9]

I find that amusing as my insurance went up when I moved to NC

[Skatergirl]

Sounds like you need to surround yourself with people who are like you. If you don't want diversity, are not open to people of other races, want to make a lot of money and boast about it with others--then, indeed, Conncecituct IS for you.

I'm not being sarcastic--rather, responding to your questions and issues with pros/cons for both places. Illegal immigrants--I'm surrounded by them, too, here in West Hartford. Those polish and Russian illegals are everywhere--their cleaning up houses all over the place. Are you going to ***** about them when you come back, or does their white skin not bother you? I think you were definitely suited for Ct.

[Thruway]

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.

A got a few questions

1) How is hard being a Yankee fan in NC? The Yankees are a national team liked everywhere especially in areas with no pro team.
I heard NC was loaded with Yankee fans...I mean what is this it's ok to like the Red Sox not the Yankees?

2) Illegal immigrants? I take it you live in a nice area, what do you mean by this? Where do you see them, they live in your community?

3) Rednecks. Yep...but in CT at Stafford Speedway...I thought rednecks were stricly southerners....a northern rural person into racing would be nothing compared to a NC redneck...I thought at least.

4) Alligators and snakes. Were do you live, on the beack, near a river?
I thought alligators were in Florida not all the way in NC.
What about snakes, do you mean you get snakes in your yard all the time, poisonous, that would freak me out.
Why? Near a swamp?


Me personally?
I feel like you, I live in Northern VA, but am from CT and vacationed in the Outer Banks.

The beaches down south are amazing, and it's nice to see open country, peaceful.
However I like being in CT, having fall, winter, being in the NYC metro area and having towns with character.

I dislike how Northern VA and I assume NC is having the same problem, is losing all it's charm for sprawl and at the same time, the politcs.
It's a backwards red state with ignorant right wing christains (no offense) trying to impose their psychotic beliefs on us enlightend folk.
Then again...you got the beaches....but it's not like you can use them in winter.

Do we agree or see my point on this.

[maggiemay]

"It's a backwards red state with ignorant right wing christains (no offense) trying to impose their psychotic beliefs on us enlightend folk."

It's always interesting to me how some liberals or "blue state" folks bash Christians for being close minded, all the while demonstrating the exact same behavior. It used to be that people propped themselves up by comparing themselves to others based on skin color or money. Religion has also always been a divisive issue, but now it's what state you live in?! Why not pick sexuality or go all the way and go back to racism. It's the exact same type of thinking. Oh by the way, I almost always vote for Democratic ticket candidates and the only religious bone in my body is my funny bone, so I'm not feeling defensive. I'm just really tired of my fellow liberals bashing others because they are "close minded". We're so superior to "those people" that we get to feel good about ourselves. Wow, way to have an open mind as a good example.

While I'm on a rant (Sorry guys, not cheerful today) I'll also point out that I laughed my head off that the word ignorant was used to describe others in the same sentence that misspelled Christians. Oh, the irony.

[skytrekker]

The American Alligator in NC? yes; mainly along the coastal plain- but extending inland to almost Raleigh and Charlotte.
In CT? illegally kept as a pet - too cold currently to live outdoors year round.

Snakes- well more then in Connecticut. Water Moccasins are very common in NC- -it is moderately poisonous, they are not in Connecticut.Copperheads mildly poisonous are in both states. A more deadly and highly toxic snake, the Coral, exists- only in NC, along the coastal plain. The Eastern diamond back rattler- a very large and poisonous snake exists in parts of NC, especially on the south coastal plain. The eastern timber rattler exists in both states- but limited to a few colonies in CT near the CT river south of Hartford.- and in the western mountainous part of NC. The 'Pygmy' rattlesnake is another critter in NC- especially along the coastal plain.


Rednecks? Exist in both places; much more common in NC.

[Thruway]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

The American Alligator in NC? yes; mainly along the coastal plain- but extending inland to almost Raleigh and Charlotte.
In CT? illegally kept as a pet - too cold currently to live outdoors year round.

Snakes- well more then in Connecticut. Water Moccasins are very common in NC- -it is moderately poisonous, they are not in Connecticut.Copperheads mildly poisonous are in both states. A more deadly and highly toxic snake, the Coral, exists- only in NC, along the coastal plain. The Eastern diamond back rattler- a very large and poisonous snake exists in parts of NC, especially on the south coastal plain. The eastern timber rattler exists in both states- but limited to a few colonies in CT near the CT river south of Hartford.- and in the western mountainous part of NC. The 'Pygmy' rattlesnake is another critter in NC- especially along the coastal plain.


Rednecks? Exist in both places; much more common in NC.

He made it sound like snakes are very common in NC, like they pop up all the time in your yard...ouch.
Rednecks...in CT....you go to be kidding..they usually are confederates.

[Thruway]

Originally Posted by maggiemay

"It's a backwards red state with ignorant right wing christains (no offense) trying to impose their psychotic beliefs on us enlightend folk."

It's always interesting to me how some liberals or "blue state" folks bash Christians for being close minded, all the while demonstrating the exact same behavior. It used to be that people propped themselves up by comparing themselves to others based on skin color or money. Religion has also always been a divisive issue, but now it's what state you live in?! Why not pick sexuality or go all the way and go back to racism. It's the exact same type of thinking. Oh by the way, I almost always vote for Democratic ticket candidates and the only religious bone in my body is my funny bone, so I'm not feeling defensive. I'm just really tired of my fellow liberals bashing others because they are "close minded". We're so superior to "those people" that we get to feel good about ourselves. Wow, way to have an open mind as a good example.

While I'm on a rant (Sorry guys, not cheerful today) I'll also point out that I laughed my head off that the word ignorant was used to describe others in the same sentence that misspelled Christians. Oh, the irony.

Hey...it's not that we bash them being just close minded, we bash them for being close minded yet narcaissitic enough to want to IMPOSE their values on us.
Just because YOU might think the BIBLE which is or is not holy, has x interpretation doesn't mean we all have to accept it and follow YOUR beliefs.

You can worship, believe, whatever you want, that's what this is country is about.
If you keep it to yourself and don't force feed to the rest of us, I'll still see your side as being out there but I won't harbor such ill feelings as I do when somebody tells me you can't do x because our version of the bible, our holy book says so.

[skytrekker]

Originally Posted by tberg224

He made it sound like snakes are very common in NC, like they pop up all the time in your yard...ouch.
Rednecks...in CT....you go to be kidding..they usually are confederates.

I think you took my description of these reptiles too literal-

They exist in wetlands, swamps, woodlands and areas where humans are less of a threat.
But of course they can be seen on occasion I am sure in a suburban back yard.
Also, I was merely comparing the snakes that are indigenous to each state.
It might be said with a fair amount of objectiveness, that snakes will be more common in NC then CT.