'The Rural Life, Small-Town' thread (real estate, house, job)

[RuralCoastalGuy]

Originally Posted by Nims

Mikey_NC mentioned a ride in the countryside for today. Is that a holiday tradition for the two of you? We used to do that every New Year's Day when I was a kid in Connecticut. Here in Florida, we try to go to the beach on the major holidays.

What about everyone else? Anything special you like to do? Anything (besides those black-eyes peas) that is particularly North Carolinian?

Happy New Year to all!

Actually, yes it is. My Wife and I started doing this when we were first married and it started as a joke...but we decided to make it our tradition and we expect it will last until we can't drive anymore! (fat chance).

Today we covered some ground in Godwin, which is sorta kinda like south of Dunn heading towards Stedman and Wade (Cumberland County). Saw some beautiful horse farms today and, alas, a housing development of half million dollar plus homes, all about 10 miles away.

[RuralCoastalGuy]

hey NIMS:

Where the blazes is everyone in this thread...sleeping off the New Year celebration??? I was really hoping this thread would start 2008 with a bang and still think that it will serve all the rural residents of our State well.

NC is the fastest growing State in America and I doubt that all the transplants are heading to the cities and the burbs

I tried to entice posters in other NC forums to come post with us but was advised that my topic material was off post so I guess advertising isn't the answer.

I guess you and NCMommy2-4 and I will have to talk to each other until other rural posters discover us and join in. I saw a few one time posters and hope they return.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by Mikey_NC

OK, I for one am very interested (surprised?).

I live in an area that has a dollar store, general store, one traffic light 4 miles away and the closest city is 15 miles away.

Most of our neighbors here say "Moo", "oink" or "gobble gobble" and some don't speak as they are cotton, corn, beans and tobacco.

The air is clean, the noise is negligible and you can actually see the sun rise and set.

We are in Sampson County...how about you?.

What else would you like to know and what contributions are you suggesting?

Sounds like a slice of heavan to me

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by Mikey_NC

hey NIMS:

Where the blazes is everyone in this thread...sleeping off the New Year celebration??? I was really hoping this thread would start 2008 with a bang and still think that it will serve all the rural residents of our State well.

NC is the fastest growing State in America and I doubt that all the transplants are heading to the cities and the burbs

I tried to entice posters in other NC forums to come post with us but was advised that my topic material was off post so I guess advertising isn't the answer.

I guess you and NCMommy2-4 and I will have to talk to each other until other rural posters discover us and join in. I saw a few one time posters and hope they return.

I will be keeping an eye on this thread - just don't have much to contribute at this point since I live in the city! But boy oh boy, I do long to live in the mountains!!!

[RuralCoastalGuy]

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

I will be keeping an eye on this thread - just don't have much to contribute at this point since I live in the city! But boy oh boy, I do long to live in the mountains!!!

lovesMountains:

I am quite familiar with your posts and your excellent reputation preceeds you. Please feel free to post in here, ask questions, give advice, etc as it's all good....Mike

PS I miss seeing the mountains too but the beach is close and just too appealing.

[mbeckoff1]

I have been very busy since this thread happened. We have moved to Alexander County( just north of Hickory) from NJ in July and really love it here. We are currently renting a single wide mobile home in Hiddenite while our house is being built. We love driving around and seeing farm life. It is so peaceful here. The stars at night are wonderful to look at. Everyone is so warm , friendly and welcoming. We love our location. It is close enough to go to Charlotte to see what we want; We have already been to the Southern Christmas Show ;the Charlotte museum of History and LAtta Planatation. We are going this spring to see Wicked and Bruce Springsteen. For Thanksgiving, we went to Fontina Dam Village. It was a great place to spend the holidays.

Melissa

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by mbeckoff1

I have been very busy since this thread happened. We have moved to Alexander County( just north of Hickory) from NJ in July and really love it here. We are currently renting a single wide mobile home in Hiddenite while our house is being built. We love driving around and seeing farm life. It is so peaceful here. The stars at night are wonderful to look at. Everyone is so warm , friendly and welcoming. We love our location. It is close enough to go to Charlotte to see what we want; We have already been to the Southern Christmas Show ;the Charlotte museum of History and LAtta Planatation. We are going this spring to see Wicked and Bruce Springsteen. For Thanksgiving, we went to Fontina Dam Village. It was a great place to spend the holidays.

Melissa

Man, you are making me so jealous!! Sounds like my kind of living I'm happy for you!

[mbeckoff1]

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

Man, you are making me so jealous!! Sounds like my kind of living I'm happy for you!

Thanks

Now we just have to get our house built

Melissa

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by mbeckoff1

Thanks

Now we just have to get our house built

Melissa

I am interested in that...can you tell us what you have found homes in rural areas like yours are being built for per square foot?

[RuralCoastalGuy]

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

I am interested in that...can you tell us what you have found homes in rural areas like yours are being built for per square foot?

lovesMountains:

I did some research on this last year when we built our home here in Sampson County. The square foot price can range anywhere from $100 to $200 per square foot, ranging from modular to site built and based on a standard 1,600 sq ft one story home with unfinished loft area. I believe you can build a decent home for $125/sq ft using a contractor who site builds. Remember that there are so many variables that enter into the cost but I do not think it will vary much from eastern to western NC.

If you can find a reputable local, small general contractor who will allow you to do some of the work yourself, you could come up with a great looking and comfortable living home. We found that the small guy, if he has a good reputation, will build a better, tighter, more energy efficient home than the big cookie cutter type builder. Dollar for dollar I would first recommend a builder of modular homes first. First go visit the modular factory so you can see how they actually build and then decide.

Our home was built for a retired couple so we wanted better than average carpeting, appliances and very energy efficient. List your priorities and run them by builders and see what they tell you. If they sound more like salesmen than builders....run, don't walk...away!

I am a semi retired construction engineer (commercial building) and speak from experience. If you have any questions before you build post away or dm me and I will assist.