Top 10 Things to Look for in a New City or State (Greenville: real estate, apartment)

[drinkwat]

I know most of us have more or less chosen Greenville already, but I found this article to be interesting. It also makes reference to a few good websites. I thought through each of the ten items and how Greenville messured up for what we are looking for. Happy to say it messured up just fine I found the last paragraph finally puts into words what it is about Greenville in general, and the downtown in particular, that I felt on our visit but couldn't put into words

Top 10 Things to Look For in a New City or State

Increase your chances of picking a great place to live
By Veronique Kipen

You're going to move, that much you know. Whether it's for work or school, romance or wanderlust, you're ready to pack up and hit the road to…where? Good question. You could pick a place and hope for the best or, with a bit of forethought and planning, you can significantly up your chances at picking a place you'll love. Here are some things to think about:
Affordability

Wages
Employment and cost of living are three factors that will tell you how far a dollar goes in your new town. The Salary Value Index, a report prepared by the Web site Salary.com, ranks cities by how expensive they are. Want to move to New York City? Bad news--it's the most expensive place in the U.S. But are you willing to be within a one-hour commute to NYC? Great news--New London, Conn., tops the list of affordable cities. You can compare the cost of living between cities using our Salary Calculator.

Jobs
You want to look at both availability of jobs within your chosen field and job growth in the area. The web site JobWatch.org tracks private sector employment and offers links to state agencies that can give you specifics about the city or state you are considering.

Housing
Are you going to rent or buy? House or apartment? Are you looking for a family neighborhood or a singles complex where you can accelerate the whole process of finding friends and romance? By giving the Realtors in your target cities as many specifics as possible about your needs, you'll increase your chances of finding the right place to move to.

Weather
Do a little research about your future city. Love sunny weather? Seattle and Portland may not be for you. Do the trappings of a traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas rank high on your list? Florida and Hawaii just might flunk that test.

Health Care
Make a check list of your medical needs. How close do you need to be to a good hospital? Ten minutes? An hour? A day's drive? What are the medical specialties you need to be near? The American Medical Association's web site can be a great resource.

Schools
If you're moving with children, learning about the school districts in your new city is paramount. Local Realtors are well-versed in neighborhood schools and can help you match your housing with your child's educational needs.

Spiritual life
Check with the local Chamber of Commerce for a list of churches and synagogues, then call the ones that interest you. Is the congregation active? Are there clubs and events and outings?

Je ne sais quoi
This is the intangible, the something-in-the-air that gives you a jolt of joy just to be living there. It's instinct and romance and whimsy and without it, even the place that looks perfect on paper will fall short. That's why a site visit to your potential cities is so important. Take a weekend and immerse yourself in the place. Drive around, get lost, eat out, ask questions. Choosing a new home is a bit like choosing a mate--you can't explain what you're looking for but you'll know it when you find it.

[flgargoyle]

Greenville scores pretty well on all of those for us, especially the last one. BTW, New London CT is 125 miles from NYC, and would be at least a 3 hour commute at rush hour....

[drinkwat]

Originally Posted by flgargoyle

Greenville scores pretty well on all of those for us, especially the last one. BTW, New London CT is 125 miles from NYC, and would be at least a 3 hour commute at rush hour....

Good catch! It didn't hit me on the New London thing. I've driven that route but not often. Anyway, NYC would never make my list! I want OUT of the Northeast! Hopefully next Summer or early Fall

[averagenyjoe]

Originally Posted by drinkwat

Je ne sais quoi
This is the intangible, the something-in-the-air that gives you a jolt of joy just to be living there. It's instinct and romance and whimsy and without it, even the place that looks perfect on paper will fall short. That's why a site visit to your potential cities is so important. Take a weekend and immerse yourself in the place. Drive around, get lost, eat out, ask questions. Choosing a new home is a bit like choosing a mate--you can't explain what you're looking for but you'll know it when you find it.

To me, this in perhaps the most important. I think all final tallies of what you look for should be outweighed or at least equally weighed with this one.

All the above list is important to me but it seems some of my favorite places dont have even half those qualifications. Take Baker City, OR for example. What a little drip-water town in the middle of NOTHING. But when I'm there I just cant explain the peace that comes over me. the "everything is right with the world" kind of peace. Not doubt a frightful horror for many folks though.

great post drinkwat

[flgargoyle]

There seem to be two mindsets that people have. It's either "I'm in it for the money, and I don't care where I live." or " I want to live HERE, and I'll do whatever to make it happen." I'm definitely in the second camp. We already bought land in Traveler's Rest, and we ARE moving there. The jobs will come later. I guess we'll never be rich, but I'd rather be happy.

[Skyliner]

Originally Posted by flgargoyle

...I guess we'll never be rich, but I'd rather be happy.

That is a great quote, flgargoyle! People with that mindset seem to be everywhere in and around Greenville. This place makes you happy whether you are financially wealthy or not. That is one major reason I am so proud to call my city "home."

[averagenyjoe]

Originally Posted by flgargoyle

There seem to be two mindsets that people have. It's either "I'm in it for the money, and I don't care where I live." or " I want to live HERE, and I'll do whatever to make it happen." I'm definitely in the second camp. We already bought land in Traveler's Rest, and we ARE moving there. The jobs will come later. I guess we'll never be rich, but I'd rather be happy.

Yes, I agree with you. Somewhere we have to come around to where we will be happy. The other alternative is the "in it for money" people have less loyalty to help the area through thick & thin. When the economy hits the fan they will be the first ones to head out to the next gold rush. It really hurts to have to make friends and up & leave because you want a better deal somewhere else. If your heart is burning for an area, you will find work no matter how bad the economy is.

[jtatscha]

I visited a place called Priest Lake, Idaho and when I was floating in the crystal clear lake and looking up at the Rocky Mountains, I felt utter peace. I can't live there because it is to far from my son, but I'm sure I can get that same feeling from the beauty of South Carolina.

[drinkwat]

Originally Posted by averagenyjoe

To me, this in perhaps the most important. I think all final tallies of what you look for should be outweighed or at least equally weighed with this one.

All the above list is important to me but it seems some of my favorite places dont have even half those qualifications. Take Baker City, OR for example. What a little drip-water town in the middle of NOTHING. But when I'm there I just cant explain the peace that comes over me. the "everything is right with the world" kind of peace. Not doubt a frightful horror for many folks though.

great post drinkwat

Thank you! I was hoping it would be useful to others. It was #10 that really hit me, like Yureka!, that's what it is about Greenville that I couldn't explain. I've come close to the feeling once, but nothing close to Greenville. To have that, and the rest being workable too? Who could ask for more? And, when even a fortune cookie backs you up "You will move to a wonderful new home within the year", no lie, who am I to argue

[flgargoyle]

We were originally searching around Rome and Athens GA, since, on paper at least, they had what we wanted. We looked at real estate, drove around, and decided that either one would be 'adequate'. We drove through the Greenville area on a whim, and BINGO! That certain 'je ne sais quoi'. Long story short, on our very next trip, we bought land in Traveler's Rest. And it just seems to get better every time we visit!