quality of life trade-offs. How have you delt with it?

[averagenyjoe]

Originally Posted by happyfeet888

I have enjoyed this thread as we have moved twice between northern cities and southern small towns. The places were as different as night and day. I had always lived in a large northern suburb, and when we moved to a small southern town, it was a world apart. The accent was different as were the customs. But there were trade offs. I found Spartanburg to be a very warm and caring place. It had different customs, but it was nice to live in a place where people knew who you were and cared about you. The beauty of the mountains and ocean of South Carolina are astonishing. It is easy to get a job here, although pay is lower. It is a great place for kids as they can be outside so much, and the schools are fantastic.

When I think about the possibility of moving back to the north, I think of the things that would be interesting there. Even though I certainly wouldn't have as big of a house and would miss the wonderful weather, I think I would enjoy the chance to have more things to do (besides the breathtaking natural beauty of the mountains.) I think I'd enjoy the ethnic things that the north has to offer. I'd enjoy having public transportation and good newspapers as well as living in a place with 2 political parties (as opposed to a place where there is only Republican and more conservative Republican).

In short, to me it is a zen thing.... whereever you do, there you are.

I am glad this thread is bringing some good observations. I appreciate people seeing the good in both areas instead of just blasting one over the other. I would personally have to disagree about the weather. I would give that one to the North. I hate the sweltering heat & humidity. On the political front. I don’t think either place has 2 parties. I sort of lean to the right and you are correct, the Dems are a hard sell in SC But the Reps don’t do too well here either. SC is solid red and NY is solid blue. Both basically 1 party states.. Everything to do with the social climate, kindness & gentleness I give to the South. Hands down. and that’s a big one. Food, well that’s a tough one. When you can find good local food, its REALLY good in SC but its getting squeezed out by chains. Upstate NY still has alot of wonderful local restaurants. Natural beauty is UPNY. final tally ---- Upstate NY 10, Upstate SC 10.5. ask me again tomorrow, UPSC might do better. It has already gained about 5 points just in the last week for me. cost of housing and taxes here sucked those points away. Geeeezzz. No matter what, I will always love UPNY

[sterlingideas]

I haved lived in upstate NY for 34 yrs and am sick of the winters and the taxes!!! My husband and I came across Greenville on the internet and plan to visit in October and possibly relocate to the area next year. It sounds almost too good to be true with the exception of the hot summers. I am concerned about racism and religious zealots. We are not a minority but are accepting of people of all races, religions, and ethnic backgrounds. We are empty nesters and are children are gone. We were attracted to the culture, industry, higher education, and quality health care. We plan to visit during the Fall on Greenville festival in October. Any advice would be appreciated.

[averagenyjoe]

Originally Posted by sterlingideas

I haved lived in upstate NY for 34 yrs and am sick of the winters and the taxes!!! My husband and I came across Greenville on the internet and plan to visit in October and possibly relocate to the area next year. It sounds almost too good to be true with the exception of the hot summers. I am concerned about racism and religious zealots. We are not a minority but are accepting of people of all races, religions, and ethnic backgrounds. We are empty nesters and are children are gone. We were attracted to the culture, industry, higher education, and quality health care. We plan to visit during the Fall on Greenville festival in October. Any advice would be appreciated.

To a fellow NY'r from one who has some knowledge of G'vl and one who has lived in a new south city for 23 yrs. If you havent spent much time there you will indeed see alot more minorities to where they are not really a minority. This however has not been near the problem as the "press" would have it to be. There is overall harmony so dont let a few isolated events taint your perception because there will be some (as will be anywhere). You will see a much greater concentration of conservative Christians in Greenville than the North. Someone said it well on another thread, the fundamental Christians have their influence and presence but its not really "in your face". People with NO religion thrive without any conflict, though dont let it surprise you once you get settled if someone "invites" you to church or hear people talking about church. Greenville has alot of diversity and it works like no other city I know of. Opportunity is burgeoning. And be prepared for ALOT of shopping. And restaurants? I've never seen so many in one place in my life

[RCfromGreenville]

I think it would be a shame for anyone to stay away from Greenville because of concerns about racism and religious zealots. I've lived in Virginia, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Greenville, and have seen less open prejudice against people of other races and creeds in Greenville than any of the other places. That's not to say that it doesn't exist - there are idiots everywhere. But Greenville has an open, "can do" spirit that values contribution more than ethnic or religious or racial background. Our most revered mayor was Jewish. When Edouard Michelin - who attended high school in Greenville and had spent a number of years leading the Michelin operation here - was killed last year in a boating accident off the coast of France, there were services here, trees planted in his honor, races named after him, etc. When forced busing was implemented in 1970 to speed desegregation of the schools, the process was remarkable for its orderliness and lack of rancor.

I grew up as a Southern Baptist, and have been a member of Methodist, Presbyterian and Disciples of Christ congregations in Greenville. For the past 14 years I have not attended any church regularly, and when I have attended it has typically been the Unitarian/Universalist church in Greenville. There are a lot of conservative Christians in Greenville. But I have had more issues being accosted by street preachers in Manhattan recently on business trips than I have in Greenville. The only people who have come to my door have been Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses. When we moved into our current house four years ago, my neighbor across the street invited us to church one time. We declined, and no one else has raised the issue. And my neighbor has been very gracious even though we turned him down.

Now, the hot summers are another thing entirely. I used to tell people that it wasn't that hot and humid in Greenville (we are usually about 5 degrees cooler than Columbia and a good bit less humid than Charleston). But this August has been awful in Greenville - the hottest month since they started keeping records in 1917. If this is a sign of things to come I may move up to the northern part of Greenville County - an additional 2000 feet in altitude makes a big difference.

[tony123]

RC, I'm on the north side of the county. Around 290 and 25. It was hot here too! I'm at 1200'

I know you meant higher up.

This August has been very comparable to a Florida summer. Looks like this week will bring some relief (along with rain).

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by flgargoyle

I actively considered moving back to my native CT, since Mom is still there. Many parts of the northeast are unmatched for beauty. In being practical, though, we could never afford CT, and I don't think we could hack the winters after 27 years in FL. We don't make very much money, so an area like Greenville is our only chance to think about retirement. With a little luck, we won't have a mortgage in Greenville (actually, Traveler's Rest), so as long as taxes and insurance don't go crazy like they did here in FL, we should be OK. After all is said and done, you have to seek the path that suits YOU best, and make the most of whatever life hands you. What works for me may not work for others.

Boy, can I relate to you! I agree about the natural beauty of New England. I'm originally from MA and lived in NH for many years. I used to hike in the White Mountains and skied a lot in VT. Now I'm grateful if I can crawl out of bed! I live in FL now and have been renting for years because my salary has stayed low while the price of housing has skyrocketed. I made twice as much in NH 15 years ago! Although the housing market is down, the taxes and insurance rates are very high. I looked at a foreclosure that was listed for $149,000 figuring that, with no state income tax, I could afford it. The property tax was $3,800!! So I should just pack up and decide to move to Greenville and stop stalling or all my savings will be gone before I get there.

[jtatscha]

When you say it is hot in Greenville, do you mean over a hundred degrees and 85% humidity because that's what it has been in Ms. or do you mean the upper nineties with less humidity?

[flgargoyle]

The average summer high is SUPPOSED to be 89 degrees; that being said, I check the weather every day online, and it has been in the 90's much of the summer. Greenville (and the rest of the southeast) did have a heat wave, with it being over 100 5 days in a row, and a new all-time high of 105(!) I think this August was Greenville's hottest on record. If they measure the temperature in the middle of the city, it's probably several degrees cooler in the suburbs, but no matter how you slice it, it's been hot. I've noticed a lot of places seem to be hotter than the so-called norms in recent years. Global warming? I won't go into causes, but it's definitely warmer. I think Greenville is less humid than MS.

[naturalmama]

I lived in both Rochester and Greenville, and I have to say I hate upstate NY. I go back once or twice a year to see the 'rents and it always reminds me why I moved.