[wanderintonc]

I keep hearing about this supposed warming, but honestly, I work outside and I was wearing longjohns still just a few weeks ago : )

I have been suprised to see, recently, in my town, two housing developments being built for over-55 people. So, I do think that some folks do choose to retire here, at least part-time. Maybe they live here in summer and down south in winter? These are nice developments, SFHs.

[skytrekker]

Originally Posted by wanderintonc

I keep hearing about this supposed warming, but honestly, I work outside and I was wearing longjohns still just a few weeks ago : )

I have been suprised to see, recently, in my town, two housing developments being built for over-55 people. So, I do think that some folks do choose to retire here, at least part-time. Maybe they live here in summer and down south in winter? These are nice developments, SFHs.

Climate change/global warming is more then your personal anecdote of wearing long johns a few weeks ago LOL
The average yearly temperature at the university of Connecticut at Storrs in more then 3 degrees warmer the 100 years ago.
Considering during the last Ice age it was around 6-7 degrees cooler then today- it something not to pooh pooh so lightly.

See this excellent link from the Union of Concerned Scientists about shifting climates in the Northeast in the years to come.
http://www.climatechoices.org/ne/


It is in fact a serious problem- to dismiss it so lightly- it is likely to come back to bite many of us in on the backside- and sooner then even we may think.

Yes I agree with the over 55 housing in the state- Condo's detached homes etc. Many are opting for those instead of moving to the Sunbelt.
And the homeowners is under $200 a year! While in Most of Florida the same type of property would cost thousands to insure

[Highpointer]

Here is one point of evidence where Connecticut is superior to Arizona. Most of us can agree that people who live in mobile homes are generally not intelligent, affluent, or sophisticated people. According to ePodunk.com, the percentage of Connecticut's housing units that are mobile homes is only 0.8 percent. The only state with a lower percentage is Hawaii. In contrast, 16.4% of North Carolina's housing units are mobile homes. This is higher than every state except for South Carolina, West Virginia, Mississippi, and New Mexico.
Ken Akerman

[maggiemay]

Highpointer, why not pick race, religion, or hair color as a quality to assess a person? That's just about as valid of a qualifier as what type of home someone can afford. I realize the word generally was used, but come on.

While my mother was undergoing renovations in her home she lived in a trailer to conserve expenses. She is a teacher with two master's degrees and a 6 year degree. The renovated home she moved back into is completely paid for, as is her car (and the other property that she owns). She's bright, funny, well-educated, and financially savvy. Did I forget to mention that she has zero debt of any kind as well as investments of a somewhat substantial nature (all accumulated on a teacher's salary)? Living in a trailer for a year didn't diminish her as a person one iota, and anyone foolish enough to judge her based on the merits of her address missed the boat entirely.

Another example: I know a couple who bought and renovated an old plantation outside of Savannah. Because the renovations were so extensive, they lived in a trailer for 2 years while going through the process. Of course, you probably wouldn't judge them by just that address, since they also have a row house in the historic district of Savannah, a vacation home in the Bahamas, and a boat in Key West. They own a small 4-seater to fly between places. If you met them during that time you'd have overlooked a fantastic couple because of your assumptions. (You would have also missed out on great vacations. They are incredibly generous to friends and open their homes up to just about everyone.)

I realize these examples may be the exception to the rule, but they aptly demonstrate how foolish it is to assume you know what someone is like because of their address. If this attitude is the norm, all I can say is "Where the hell are our values?!"

One last example I just couldn't resist: Corey Booker, the mayor of Newark has lived in public housing for years, acting as an activist and trying to improve the situation. Not exactly impressive digs, but a pretty impressive guy.

[queen_charlottee]

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.

You've been here for two years and don't know a soul? Hmmmm...I have friends in Southport and the historic district of Wilmington and am familiar with the area there. Most people in the south are very friendly, so, I feel as though you might want to question your whole social background if you haven't made friends. Being from North Carolina, and most recently having moved from Charlotte, in the piedmont area of the state to the coastal region of Harkers Island (Carteret County, Beaufort, Morehead City) 2.5 years ago to begin my own Real Estate company, and always having enjoyed the cultural diversity of the area, I wonder what in the world you're talking about. Yes, there are some illegal aliens here, but, I just saw on Sunday Morning that the Hamptons and Montauk were going to have a hard time this year because they can't get the influx of latin americans workers that they are used to having on the farms and in the resort areas all along the coast in New England. Mercy! (Please don't ask me to feel sorry for them)
Also, as far as schools are concerned, be glad that you have the time to spend with your children. I always said that it's about 10% classroom influence, and 90% home influence that makes a good student. My daughter graduated from a medicore high school with a weighted GPA in AP classes of 4.7, then graduated from NCSU with two majors - Chemical Engineering and Political Science, and two minors - Mathematics and Women's Studies. She is currently employed at the research triangle in Raleigh as a research scientist making a very good living. I rest my case regarding the public schools here. If visiting family is not enough, then move back to high taxes, and working for the house...but, if your immediate family life is more important, stay, and make your place in the area, and make a difference.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by maggiemay

Highpointer, why not pick race, religion, or hair color as a quality to assess a person? That's just about as valid of a qualifier as what type of home someone can afford. I realize the word generally was used, but come on.

Maggie, #1 - realize, please that this person does not live in CT.

#2 I agree with your post.

Now we can get into the "if the were smart etc they wouldn't be in a trailer park" etc. However, there are some really nice parks and homes. There are and I can't deny that.

Just because someone doesn't make a lot of money or doesn't have a university degree doesn't mean they are not a good citizen.

I think that Highpointer is just trying to stir up crap and/or is clueless.

[Gregory P]

I've heard some people mention a lot of ways to compare NC to CT and unless I missed it...health has not been touched.

The latest rankings of "healthiest states" -- which to me is pretty important -- includes CT at number 5 and all other New England states in the top 10 besides Rhode Island, at number 13.

Arizona (since I've seen it mentioned) is at 34 (Phoenix is 15th most polluted air) and North Carolina is at number 36 (and Charlotte, NC is right there behind Phoenix at 16th most polluted air)!!!

NC also is, I believe, number 3 in most polluted water. Caused by excessive commercial and residential development that is quickly getting our of control.

To me, NC is a beautiful state that is quickly becoming overcrowded and from an environmental standpoint...destroyed.

One more thing.

I've seen it mentioned in this thread... and when people hear we're moving back to New England I seem to get this one...

"but they're losing population in New England."

Is that really such a bad thing? (And it's not true)

Greg

[maggiemay]

jviello, you rock.

[silviodante]

I just have a general question for everyone who dislikes NC and wants to go back to CT. Are you generally middle-age or older? Because for my generation (21-35) I know a ton of people who moved from CT to NC, and they all would never go back. In fact, the only people I know that regret the move are older people who grew up in CT and moved because it was too expensive. For people my age- unless you need the real hardcore lifestyle of NYC and live in Stamford or Greenwich- there is just so much more to do in NC. It has so much more outdoors activities, new cool stuff, nightlife, JOBS, and, most importantly, a future. I can foresee starting my career here, having an awesome house, and maybe even finding a nice Southern belle. A future in CT looks bleak at best. I mean, for young people the new Whitewater center in Charlotte and weekends on the Outer Banks are a lot cooler than looking at old Victorian houses and going to the Peabody Museum.

I see a lot of parallels between the old "stay in Europe or immigrate to America" and the now "stay in the Northeast or move South." In both situations, you have the old generation saying how much they love the old country and want to go back- because there are no traditions, there are too many "other" nationalities, it is less tranquil. Yet the younger generation would never go back because they love the new, future-oriented aspects of America and would have no future in Europe. Unfortunately, the Northeast (outside of Manhattan isle) is no place for a young person to start their life, and the grass is greener down South- in all aspects. Neither me nor anyone I know who moved can think of one thing they would want to go back to CT for- except family pressures, and maybe the slightly better proximity to skiing... that's it!

So, move back to CT if you want, but I like living somewhere with a future. It all sounds very reminiscent of the old Italian grandmothers in my neighborhood who did nothing but compare things with Italy and complain. If I want to go to a "living museum," there are plenty of cheap flights from RDU to Europe.

[SunnyKayak]

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.

I find your view of North Carolina amusing. The demographics of Leland has not change that much and infomation has always been easily available before you moved to that city. You chose a location that has strong agricultural ties and have been known to attract migrant workers to work the farms.
You cant base how the rest of north carolina which is rather large state 600 miles from one point to the other on a local city issue.

Crime isnt bad across the state nor is illegal immigrants and you will not find an alligator in the Piedmont or mountains.

Education? ha! I seriously doubt any graduate of Duke, Chapel Hill NC state, Wake Forest Queens or Davidson college, Johnson Wales Institute will tell you they only got a substandard education.

I find anyone that moves to a location ask them what is it about me that I am doing wrong for not knowing anyone you need to ask yourself how am I networking with people who have similar interests as I do and choosing a location where you can enjoy being around people who enjoy similar things and this is not a regional thing it is global.

I also would never choose a place to live just because I enjoy vacationing there. For instance West Virginia is a beautiful state i love skiing and white water rafting there but living there is a total different ball game.
What I enjoy in a vacation is totally different what I enjoy in a living enviroment.

This thread isnt really about opinion but more you are wanting confirmation from others on a decision you basically already have made when you stated

I've lived all over the country but I always knew when it came time to raise my kids I would want them born and raised in CT and I think my wife feels the same way

Even thought by that statement you already decided what you want to do I would consider do you want your kids to go to any of those universities and choose a location in piedmont where social activities for adult and kids are abundant and choose a location close to Charlotte where there are more northern former residents live who are in similar situation. If you live near Greensboro, Raliegh, or Charlotte majority of the time only

The critters you will come a cross is a squirrel eating in the bird feeder. It all about location the animals didnt move in becasuse you did... You moved to where they was.

I know for myself unless I was getting a job at one of the eastern coastal farms, or fishing or a white collar job in wilmington I would not choose such a location. People who move to a location because of job, it trendy or just because of weather will probably not be happy no matter where they are You have to move to where you can have a good quality of life for you and your family