were Outta Here! (Miami: closing, living in, prices)

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by 32828

But then again, I want people to stay in Miami, so........ NC folks are rude, the cost of living is too high, people drive like maniacs, crime is through the roof, and property taxes are so expensive. Oh, and it reminds me of a concrete jungle with nothing but strip malls, cheaply built houses, and congestion on the roads....... sounds like Miami doesnt it? OOOPS!

Subtract high property taxes, rude people (changing), and poor drivers (changing) and add poor air quality high state income tax, and above average unemployment rate (yes higher than Miami by nearly 2%) and you really did describe Charlotte. If you are going to move from Miami (especially WESTON), you might as well move someplace that's actually better.

[mikealialex]

Compelled- I wasnt crazy about Weston. Maybe because we lived in the far western part (exit 22 from I75), or maybe because I am not Hispanic, or because I wanted a different lifestyle for my Daughter. I never said that CLT was the best I could do, but there were reasons for selecting NC. My Wife's family lives in Miami, and she wanted to be within a quick flight in an emergency. There is no place closer to Miami than here that I would want to live. We looked at GA and SC, but I liked having the mountains so close to here. My Wife's Company is in Virginia, she has been travelling from Weston to VA every few weeks. From here, it is a 4 hour drive or a 35 minute flight to her office. Unemployment is not an issue for us, and hopefully with all of the building going on here, the market will catch up. We are in a fairly safe, security patrolled neighborhood. I moved in in Friday, and before the movers had arrived on Sunday, I had been given 3 "welcome to the neighborhood" cakes. Every one of my 7 neighbors have been over to introduce themselves and offer help. I moved 4 times between Dade, Monroe and Broward; and never got a welcome from any neighbor. Bottom line, I got 2.5 times more house for 66% less $$$, with great weather to boot. So far, it was the right decision.

[compelled to reply]

I have no right to speak for your own personal priorities and when I mentioned Weston I wasn't so much referring to you personally, but kind of in general but in your situation, and with what you want and don't want, you made a great move, and to that I say congratulations.

I think the unemployment situation in Charlotte and other parts of NC is not all that severe but noteworthy for sure and I think it's because there are so many transplants flooding into the cities in NC but they are coming looking for jobs rather than with jobs. Florida was like that in the 90s,the actual "unemployment rate" was above average (not critical). That doesn't mean there is no opportunity, in fact low unemployment could just mean the area is stable, not that there are more jobs for YOU. This part of Florida is finally "settling down" so to speak and although it's suffering from the real estate crisis it's other industries are pretty stable, but it is not adding on new residents. This already happened in the NE and areas out west years ago and I think that's why they have the highest pay yet it's not so easy to get your foot in the door. I'm no economist and I would love it if someone could correct me if I'm wrong, but that's my theory.

As far as the neighbor thing, I'm glad you found a neighborhood like that. They are exceedingly rare nowadays and yes even rarer in South Florida. When I moved in I didn't get any cookies or cakes, however I did get some really good BBQ and friendly exchanges. I live in a tiny neighborhood towards Bonaventure. Seek them out wherever you can find them, and also keep in mind that others find that kind of thing a little scary! I know people like that who aren't "rude" but just not "like that", they come from a different school of thought.

For me, I see no tangible advantages to Charlotte (I might in 10 years if it remains how it is), however for you, there are plenty, and unlike the many malcontents who has passed through this forum, they are very reasonable and sensible. To each their own, and congratulations!

[cellson]

I can not imagine a better place to live than in Northeast/west or Central Florida! I'm a native, so I'm certain that I'm biased, but give me our "winters", beautiful beaches, pasture land, biking trails, friendly people, history and so many more positive attributes to name. North Carolina is wonderful! But, when I'm in the mountains I start feeling closed in after about 3 days; I need to see more than 100 feet in front of me. I guess to each his own said the woman when she kissed the cow.

[Bye Bye Florida]

You are going to LOVE it here! We did it in December and live in WNC between Asheville and Hendersonville. Went from a 1500 sq foot condo in Miami to 3000 sq foot 3/4 acre home on a wooded cul de sac street, but two minutes from shopping and everything we need including vet and major drugstores, Lowes, Target, etc. At our home it feels private and out in the country. Neighbors are awesome and helpful.

We have a lot to learn about upkeep and things for up north home but people are nice here and helpful. At Lowes they actually know what they are talking about and help you. In Miami at Lowes they always pretended they didn't see you coming to ask for help.
Every drive we take here is gorgeous and the mountains are definitely our home when we look at them.
We sleep with windows open and have forgotten to lock our doors when we go out and nothing happens.

Did get hit with some weather but nothing like a hurricane which I went through every single one in Miami since 1965 when I was a kid. No more...but watch out here for ice storms and wind storms. Spring wind storm here made a mess weeks ago we are still cleaning up.

Enjoy NC...drive around...take your time and talk to everyone. They will all help you.

Originally Posted by mikealialex

Well, after 47 years living in South Florida (Miami, Marathon and now Weston), we are finally moving tomorrow to North Carolina. The movers took our stuff today, and we leave tomorrow at 1 PM. I cant think of a single thing I will miss, my Wife will miss the Cuban food. Our new home is more than double the size of where we live now, with a 1/2 acre lot. My insurances all went down by at least 50% (Auto went down 65%)! No wind storm insurance! No flood insurance! It was 50 degrees this AM! I can speak English in any restaurant I go to! I wont have the AC runnning this coming X-mas (or Halloween for that matter)! Instead of travelling 8 hours to get out of the State, I could be through my 5th State in that same time! Still only 7 hours to Disney, and only 5 to DC and 12 to NYC!
Good luck to those of you still sticking it out down here in "Paradise"!

[mikealialex]

I agree, we do love it here. HOWEVER- my Wife being Cuban is making it
tougher on us. Went to 3 Stores looking for Mojo, couldnt find any. Cuban bread looks like a French baguette, and tastes nothing like what we are used to. I have not really heard anyone speaking Spanish around where we live, which takes getting used to. It is nice being able to go anywhere and speak English though. So far (after 1 week), what we miss are:
-Popeyes chicken (they only have Bojangles)
-PUBLIX!!!!!!!!!!!
-Seeing the sun coming up over the water
-the Keys being nearby
-Jewish delis
-The Marlins (still rooting for them though they are not on TV)
-my 7 year old misses her friends

I am sure with time we will realize more that we are missing, but at this point I cant imagine going back. There are way too many more positives for us up here, than what we had down there.

[vpcats]

Can you guys ask someone in Miami to send you a care package with all those much needed supplies (except the bread maybe ). BTW...cuban bread is not healthy for you. Think of it that way and maybe you can live without it.

There's a store on 8th street that has a website.... Sentir Cubano - A Cuban Store and you can order stuff from them, at way high prices but in an emergency.....

[mariemelb]

Mike Good luck, I also moved from So Fla to Apex/Cary Area In NC. I am moving back to So FLA because my mom is not well and I need to be near her. I love both places and I see the good and bad in both and , and live my life to see the good in everything. I will miss NC for all the reasons you stated and will embrace going home to So Fla . Good luck . you will love NC . God Bless you and your family

[Journey2LS]

Originally Posted by mikealialex

I agree, we do love it here. HOWEVER- my Wife being Cuban is making it
tougher on us. Went to 3 Stores looking for Mojo, couldnt find any. Cuban bread looks like a French baguette, and tastes nothing like what we are used to. I have not really heard anyone speaking Spanish around where we live, which takes getting used to. It is nice being able to go anywhere and speak English though. So far (after 1 week), what we miss are:
-Popeyes chicken (they only have Bojangles)
-PUBLIX!!!!!!!!!!!
-Seeing the sun coming up over the water
-the Keys being nearby
-Jewish delis
-The Marlins (still rooting for them though they are not on TV)
-my 7 year old misses her friends

I am sure with time we will realize more that we are missing, but at this point I cant imagine going back. There are way too many more positives for us up here, than what we had down there.

Living in Oregon it has been really hard adjusting to life without Publix. I feel so lost without it. I have no idea where to get a decent sandwich. I haven't found a single place in Portland that sells Mojo or Adobo. I have to order from the Goya website or have my family mail me some. Good luck in NC!

[miamiblue]

Originally Posted by mikealialex

I agree, we do love it here. HOWEVER- my Wife being Cuban is making it
tougher on us. Went to 3 Stores looking for Mojo, couldnt find any. Cuban bread looks like a French baguette, and tastes nothing like what we are used to. I have not really heard anyone speaking Spanish around where we live, which takes getting used to. It is nice being able to go anywhere and speak English though. So far (after 1 week), what we miss are:
-Popeyes chicken (they only have Bojangles)
-PUBLIX!!!!!!!!!!!
-Seeing the sun coming up over the water
-the Keys being nearby
-Jewish delis
-The Marlins (still rooting for them though they are not on TV)
-my 7 year old misses her friends

I am sure with time we will realize more that we are missing, but at this point I cant imagine going back. There are way too many more positives for us up here, than what we had down there.

Have you been to a Harris Teeter yet? IMHO, it blows Publix away. Maybe a little pricier than Publix without the discount card (make sure you get the discount cards for all the grocery stores up here), but the stores are much nicer, quality is on par at the very least, and customer service is about a million times better.

Originally Posted by ksgator

Living in Oregon it has been really hard adjusting to life without Publix. I feel so lost without it. I have no idea where to get a decent sandwich. I haven't found a single place in Portland that sells Mojo or Adobo. I have to order from the Goya website or have my family mail me some. Good luck in NC!

You know, I bet the grocery store will order some products like Mojo for you. I know that they do that here (and Publix does it, too, since all stores are not equal). Just ask next time you are in there, I'm sure they would be happy to order things for you.