Sick of "Southern Hospitality": New England Bound (Durham: real estate, home)

[autumnlove07]

The y'all was cute! There are definitely some wonderful southerners that I have met who are sweet as pie. The problem is that when you (or me) grow up in the north as I did in PA, it gets in your bones and its hard to forget the great quality of life. I feel as though my biggest concerns are the high cost of living and the snow. I LOVE snow...don't get me wrong...all the fun outdoor activities and the pure beauty of it...I want my children to experience what I did as a child...but, I have been a Yankee out of the north for over a decade now and am ignorant on how to logistically deal with the snow. How do you deal with getting snowed into your house? How do you get to work if your car won't start or the roads haven't been plowed? I think I am just getting sucked into the horror stories. Anyone who has some real advice on how to manage and actually enjoy the snow, please send it my way.

[Aptor hours]

Originally Posted by autumnlove07

The y'all was cute! There are definitely some wonderful southerners that I have met who are sweet as pie. The problem is that when you (or me) grow up in the north as I did in PA, it gets in your bones and its hard to forget the great quality of life. I feel as though my biggest concerns are the high cost of living and the snow. I LOVE snow...don't get me wrong...all the fun outdoor activities and the pure beauty of it...I want my children to experience what I did as a child...but, I have been a Yankee out of the north for over a decade now and am ignorant on how to logistically deal with the snow. How do you deal with getting snowed into your house? How do you get to work if your car won't start or the roads haven't been plowed? I think I am just getting sucked into the horror stories. Anyone who has some real advice on how to manage and actually enjoy the snow, please send it my way.

We had so much snow this year in our yard it was crazy I did enjoy sliding down the snowbanks with my dog despite being far from sliding age.... I also watch movies and do yoga and my excercises at home on my Wii fit.

[ss20ts]

Originally Posted by autumnlove07

Awww! Thanks ss20ts for such a genuine and heartfelt message! It's funny the things that just don't feel like home down south...it was one of the most heartbreaking days of my life when I saw Christmas lights on a palm tree...what is that?!?!? Sweating in a witches costume on Halloween does not really equate to "trick or treat." More like, "give me the candy so I can go home to the AC!" Oh, and those palmetto bugs! Don't get me started!

I can't even imagine palm trees with Christmas lights.....that's so NOT Christmas! LOL And Halloween is just weird...You're supposed to be chilly when trick or treating and having a hot chocolate when you get home while you sort your goodies!

There are some things that I soooooo miss from the North that don't exist down here and some are incredibly hard to find. New England Hot Dog Rolls! I asked about the at the grocery store....What a mistake! I was told they don't exist. Ummm really? I ate from for over 35 years! Must have been my imagination. How can a place exist without Freihofer's? And pretzels....omg they suck here along with pizza and bagels.

Every single lake in SC is FAKE! How can a place not have a real lake? That's just craziness. I sooooo miss water and mountains. I never realized how important they are in life and I took that for granted.

There's the whole apple picking, pumpkin picking, visiting farms, county fairs, craft fairs, fall festivals, winter festivals, leaf peeping, raking leaves, skiing, snow mobiling, sitting in front of a fire sipping hot chocolate or wine - wine you picked up that day at a local vineyard, backyard bonfires, snowball fights, pizza, bagels, New England Style Hot Dog Rolls (LOL), chicken BBQ places, way better food where everything isn't a buffet or terrible bbq, ok I'll stop now.....

[ss20ts]

Originally Posted by homewardboundnh

Hi Autumn, I am in the middle of the two (Raleigh/Cary) in Durham. I have heard the term often 'half backs' ...lol....however, I think a lot of the half backs prefer home - back north !!! The area is fine in some regards, to each their own. It just isn't for me. I realize that the winters are milder, but in my opinion, it doesn't hold a candle to NH. It is totally different.

Like others before me, I was sick of the snow, thought this was a good alternative, I was wrong...but we all live and learn! The triangle may be a great place for you and you will never know unless you try! At the very least, it is closer to NH if you chose to go there after...lol...For me, I can't get home quick enough.....the fresh air, the clean lakes, the beautiful mountains, no entitlement BS, English as a First language, the people, the foliage, covered bridges, Real farm stands, Awesome summer, and Yes, Winter with all the fun activities that I once took for granted....

PS ~ never see the confederate flag much around here...lol...too many Yankees.....lol.....but be careful venturing 10-20 miles or so out of the city..... so I am told!

We've talked about moving to NC and seeing if it feels like home, but we've visited a lot and have family we see several times a year and it's nice to visit, but it's not the same. That New England vibe is VERY distinct! We've decided that we don't want to waste another 5 years trying to get back home.

Oh what I would give to see a covered bridge or a REAL farm stand! I really really really miss the lakes and mountains.

I'm in SC on the GA border and the Confederate flag is flown here move than the American flag even in the cities. And god help you if you venture out of the cities 10-20 miles. It's like the place time forgot or never stopped by. Some places are downright frightening! NC has a few places like this also and it's just like wow when you drive through. Yup you just drive through and keep going until you find civilization again.

[ss20ts]

Originally Posted by autumnlove07

The y'all was cute! There are definitely some wonderful southerners that I have met who are sweet as pie. The problem is that when you (or me) grow up in the north as I did in PA, it gets in your bones and its hard to forget the great quality of life. I feel as though my biggest concerns are the high cost of living and the snow. I LOVE snow...don't get me wrong...all the fun outdoor activities and the pure beauty of it...I want my children to experience what I did as a child...but, I have been a Yankee out of the north for over a decade now and am ignorant on how to logistically deal with the snow. How do you deal with getting snowed into your house? How do you get to work if your car won't start or the roads haven't been plowed? I think I am just getting sucked into the horror stories. Anyone who has some real advice on how to manage and actually enjoy the snow, please send it my way.

I totally understand the high cost of living issue. That was what drove us South. I will say you DEFINITELY get what you pay. The schools in the majority of the state suck. No nice way to say that. Higher education is not important here which is very disappointing.

It's not often you get snowed in. You get yourself a very good shovel or two and a snow blower and life is good. Depending on where you live often times you can pay neighborhood kids to help shovel you out. You can also get professional blow guys.

Schools are closed when it's really bad. Those days are built into the school calendar unlike down here there's ice and the schools are left scrambling to make up the day(s). Those days your kids help shovel, have a heck of a snowball fight, make a snowman, then have some hot chocolate and enjoy the day off.

If you want to be able to handle snow, you can. You're from Erie so there's no doubt you can handle snow!

[Valerie C]

Seriously, unless you are in the extreme snowbelt areas of northern or western NH, and on a private road or otherwise very rural area, the chances of being snowed into your house are very low! And seeking a job in health care, this is probably not the area(s) that you'll be looking in. The plows are generally out keeping the main roads clear before 10 flakes have fallen. And the interstate highways are pre-treated before a major storm even starts. For the most part, the state of NH knows how to handle snow There are LOTS of threads on enjoying snow which I'll try to find and repost for you.

Originally Posted by autumnlove07

I have been a Yankee out of the north for over a decade now and am ignorant on how to logistically deal with the snow. How do you deal with getting snowed into your house? How do you get to work if your car won't start or the roads haven't been plowed? I think I am just getting sucked into the horror stories. Anyone who has some real advice on how to manage and actually enjoy the snow, please send it my way.

[OwenFam]

My husband and I have recently started talking about moving from Missouri to NH. I really do not know a whole lot about NH...other than what I have found online and what my husband has told me. We are a family of 4...with two young, elementary age children and would love to find out more about the areas that have the best school districts. We had a friend that mentioned Windham, NH....can you tell us more about it?

Thanks!

[anifani821]

I just noticed the title of this thread and was curious about the "Southern hospitality" reference. I love the NE, too, and hope you and your family find a way to get to that ideal spot you envision.

But I just had to say . . . I am a native North Carolinian . . . and no way Florida is considered the South, lol. It may be south of the other states on the east coast, but it has very little in common with other "real" Southern states.

[Dutchman01]

Originally Posted by autumnlove07

Good morning all,

I am wondering if anyone can give me any guidance as far as relocation from the south to the beautiful northeast. My husband, child, and baby on the way currently live in Florida. I have lived here for about 11 years, beginning when I was stationed here in the military. I grew up in Pennsylvania, which was beautiful. There is a stark difference in the two places. I am truly over the EXTREME HEAT, the high crime, the low wages, lack of changing seasons, flat landscape, and limited activities (mainly because of alligators, snakes, bugs and being cooped up most of the year due to the unbearable heat.)

I would not move back to the parts of PA where I grew up. I grew up in Erie, PA which is now like a ghost town, i.e. dead factories, stuck in the 80's, etc. I also spent ten years in York, PA which was nicer but I have to say...not enough snow for my liking (I know, I am of a strange breed who loves the snow!)

I visited various parts of New England about two decades ago on vacation. I have been obsessed ever since and have been trying to find ways to get my family and I up there. My husband and I are taking our much needed honeymoon to that area in a couple weeks and plan to check it out! The problem lies in the fact that my mother and sister have also relocated to Florida. Neither one plans on ever moving back to "snow country." I am ready to deal with the reality of having no family around. I am so unhappy here in Florida and have never felt at home in the 11 years I have been here. I long for the New England way of life. I am just wondering if I have built it up my head to be more idyllic and Currier & Ives than it really is? It looks so picturesque and beautiful. According to statistics, it is also the lowest region for crime, and highest region for quality schools and health. I do realize that no place is perfect and everyplace has issues. I just know I long for New England.

In doing years of research, it looks like New Hampshire is the best place to land. The low taxes, low crime, great central location, etc. My husband and I are both registered nurses. I know there are always hospitals around, my concern lies more with the salary. Here in Florida an RN is looking at $20/hr...not much when you are trying to buy a house. It looks as though the cost of living is higher up there, but I am guessing it is all relative to income (I hope!)

If anyone has any guidance on how to get out of the south and how to make New England home...please help!

much/most of florida isn't "south" culturally but it's a free country if you want to move north please do so.

[avlis13013]

Originally Posted by Valerie C

Seriously, unless you are in the extreme snowbelt areas of northern or western NH, and on a private road or otherwise very rural area, the chances of being snowed into your house are very low! And seeking a job in health care, this is probably not the area(s) that you'll be looking in. The plows are generally out keeping the main roads clear before 10 flakes have fallen. And the interstate highways are pre-treated before a major storm even starts. For the most part, the state of NH knows how to handle snow

The above quote is exactly right. LOTS of snow last winter. I think I had 3-feet in my yard at one point. But not once did I have an issue getting out of my driveway or getting to work.

If your car has a good battery (less then 7-ish years old) and was made in the last two decades and is generally well-maintained, it should start right up even when it's below zero.

I think losing electricity is more of a "real" concern in winter. For some reason, my area in Nashua hardly ever loses power. That big ice storm a couple winters ago knocked out my power for *only* 12 hours. My neighbors behind me never lost power (I ran an extension to their house for my sump pump). The neighbors across from me lost power for 2 weeks. Relatives in Merrimack say they lose power whenever there's a breeze (and their lines are underground on their block).