[jp03]

As a native CT person most my life, my wife and I moved to N.C. about 3 years ago looking for greener pastures. Well, in a couple of years we are looking to move back as I can't stand the heat down here amongst other things. Mind you, we are not hating it here in Charlotte. In fact there are many positives (much cheaper housing, milder winters, very cheap and efficient daycare). We are staying put for a couple more years to allow the housing market to stabilize and to get up there before my son starts school. He is 2 so we have time. ... yep bought a house here and its TOUGH to sell right now . My question is are there any out there who have relocated , then relocated back? If yes, how difficult was it adjusting to the huge cost of living difference ...

Thanks all

[JViello]

Originally Posted by jp03

As a native CT person most my life, my wife and I moved to N.C. about 3 years ago looking for greener pastures. Well, in a couple of years we are looking to move back as I can't stand the heat down here amongst other things. Mind you, we are not hating it here in Charlotte. In fact there are many positives (much cheaper housing, milder winters, very cheap and efficient daycare). We are staying put for a couple more years to allow the housing market to stabilize and to get up there before my son starts school. He is 2 so we have time. ... yep bought a house here and its TOUGH to sell right now . My question is are there any out there who have relocated , then relocated back? If yes, how difficult was it adjusting to the huge cost of living difference ...

Thanks all

Surprise! Guess who.

I lived in Charlotte for two years and moved back to CT.

I didn't find it difficult at all really. But I was much younger and had a pretty good job lined up here before coming back so take that as you will.

Looking back, like you said Charlotte was "okay" and on my recent visit I felt the same way, but realized I could never live back there again. I'm glad I came back now that I realize it's not just CT that is having tough times and "changing"...it's everywhere, and in fact I'd say we are fairing better here in CT than the nation in many regards.

[itscolduphere]

We moved down here to the Triangle for better rental housing until we're ready to build or buy back up in CT when the time is right again.... we've only been here two months and already I cannot stand this hot weather! (and a few other things like fire ants) So I'm thinking I may be going sooner than planned when our lease is up this spring.... I hope things will have changed for the better up there even just a little!

I didn't think it would be quite this hot in NC! It's 95... like ALL THE TIME. Which kind of prevents us from enjoying much outdoors... we're inside in the a/c most of the time doing stuff we'd be doing in CT in the winter... quilting, ebaying attic items, etc.

But the housing prices are great here. I hope we don't get too spoiled with the COL here too... I've noticed electric bills here are significantly lower, and we have the two a/c units going all day, every day.

I really hope when we're all ready to come back that the market will be good to us!

Cheers

[7 Wishes]

Just curious jp03, what part of CT would you be coming back to?

I mean, I don't think any part of CT is as cheap as NC, but I think there's still a difference between most of Fairfield County vs. the rest of the state.

[jp03]

Originally Posted by 7 Wishes

Just curious jp03, what part of CT would you be coming back to?

I mean, I don't think any part of CT is as cheap as NC, but I think there's still a difference between most of Fairfield County vs. the rest of the state.

It would be the Danbury area or New Haven.

[jp03]

Originally Posted by JViello

Surprise! Guess who.

I lived in Charlotte for two years and moved back to CT.

I didn't find it difficult at all really. But I was much younger and had a pretty good job lined up here before coming back so take that as you will.

Looking back, like you said Charlotte was "okay" and on my recent visit I felt the same way, but realized I could never live back there again. I'm glad I came back now that I realize it's not just CT that is having tough times and "changing"...it's everywhere, and in fact I'd say we are fairing better here in CT than the nation in many regards.

Exactly Jay, I work from home and would bring the job back. My wife would have to find work. If I can sell the house down the road and get back relatively unscathed, I'd consider this a good experience as I would NEVER have appreciated new England without getting away from it for a few years and Charlotte has not been hell to live in by any means. Except late June to early September (THAT IS HELL).

[toddb]

Originally Posted by jp03

As a native CT person most my life, my wife and I moved to N.C. about 3 years ago looking for greener pastures. Well, in a couple of years we are looking to move back as I can't stand the heat down here amongst other things. Mind you, we are not hating it here in Charlotte. In fact there are many positives (much cheaper housing, milder winters, very cheap and efficient daycare). We are staying put for a couple more years to allow the housing market to stabilize and to get up there before my son starts school. He is 2 so we have time. ... yep bought a house here and its TOUGH to sell right now . My question is are there any out there who have relocated , then relocated back? If yes, how difficult was it adjusting to the huge cost of living difference ...

Thanks all

It's funny, but I'm looking at the exact opposite. We've been in Fairfield for a little over 2 years, and have been in and around the NYC metro area for our entire lives (wife from CT, me from NJ, and both lived in Manhattan for 8 or so years before coming up), and are thinking of a change - particularly to Charlotte (because we have friends who moved there 2 years ago and love it). A lot of it centers around quality of life - working too hard to pay for over priced housing and other goods, being around so many people who live their lives angry at everything, and hating the bitter cold winters.

Besides the awful heat (which I don't mind - can handle that better than bitter cold), what else is making you think of coming back? Did you have a tough time meeting new people? Miss family and friends? Something else?

Sorry for the personal questions, but as we think about this decision to leave everything and nearly everyone we know for the unknown, I want to be as well informed as possible. And yes, I know to make sure I have a job before we go!

Thanks!

[jp03]

Originally Posted by toddb

It's funny, but I'm looking at the exact opposite. We've been in Fairfield for a little over 2 years, and have been in and around the NYC metro area for our entire lives (wife from CT, me from NJ, and both lived in Manhattan for 8 or so years before coming up), and are thinking of a change - particularly to Charlotte (because we have friends who moved there 2 years ago and love it). A lot of it centers around quality of life - working too hard to pay for over priced housing and other goods, being around so many people who live their lives angry at everything, and hating the bitter cold winters.

Besides the awful heat (which I don't mind - can handle that better than bitter cold), what else is making you think of coming back? Did you have a tough time meeting new people? Miss family and friends? Something else?

Sorry for the personal questions, but as we think about this decision to leave everything and nearly everyone we know for the unknown, I want to be as well informed as possible. And yes, I know to make sure I have a job before we go!

Thanks!

People here are nice, no probs there, but I left a large base of family and friends back up north and its very hard to truly make friends especially if you work from home like I do..

I thought I hated the cold too, but found the heat even more annoying. Its constant in the summer always hot ...it never seems to end. But thats why we have central air.. Fall and winter are fantastic though.

JOBS ...there are none here....12 percent unemployment. If you do get one expect to get paid less than back up there. Cost of living is better here..hands down, but if my wife and I were rendered unemployed we are dead in the water. At least up there jobs are certainly very hard to come by, they are there.

If you come here I would rent for 1 or 2 years ..dont jump right into buying like we did. Make sure its for you. I know this, I left CT because I wanted a change. Just remember, the grass is always greener (well not here in summer, you try getting grass to grow on red clay with 90 degrees and no rain every day). I needed to leave to understand i was missing something. However, I know the same reasons i left CT are still there ready to punch me right in the face if I move back ...

You have to find a place that gives you peace. There is no utopia.

[toddb]

Originally Posted by jp03

You have to find a place that gives you peace. There is no utopia.

Thats exactly what I'm looking for. Well, that and a 50% less expensive mortgage.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by jp03

Exactly Jay, I work from home and would bring the job back. My wife would have to find work. If I can sell the house down the road and get back relatively unscathed, I'd consider this a good experience as I would NEVER have appreciated new England without getting away from it for a few years and Charlotte has not been hell to live in by any means. Except late June to early September (THAT IS HELL).

Yes it is! I swore to God that Summer in Charlotte actually felt hotter than Orlando!

I know exactly what you mean about appreciating the New England area. It took me a lot longer then 3 years for it to sink in for good. I guess you're smarter then me. lol

Originally Posted by toddb

It's funny, but I'm looking at the exact opposite. We've been in Fairfield for a little over 2 years, and have been in and around the NYC metro area for our entire lives (wife from CT, me from NJ, and both lived in Manhattan for 8 or so years before coming up), and are thinking of a change - particularly to Charlotte (because we have friends who moved there 2 years ago and love it). A lot of it centers around quality of life - working too hard to pay for over priced housing and other goods, being around so many people who live their lives angry at everything, and hating the bitter cold winters.

Besides the awful heat (which I don't mind - can handle that better than bitter cold), what else is making you think of coming back? Did you have a tough time meeting new people? Miss family and friends? Something else?

Sorry for the personal questions, but as we think about this decision to leave everything and nearly everyone we know for the unknown, I want to be as well informed as possible. And yes, I know to make sure I have a job before we go!

Thanks!

Yep, that sounds about like the reasons most people say and sometimes regret. Some love it some hate it. For me, I found an area of New England that was not so "crazy all the time" vs living in FFC and Manhatten. Those two places are definetly "high stress" unless you have that old money.

I thought it was in the South, but learned it was not. It was just an hour or so North. I might even go a little further North down the road.

Do a search for NC on this forum and you'll get a ton of opinions both ways.