Whats with Laurinburg/Scotland County ? (Durham, Lumberton: motel, lawyers, home)

[april111954]

I've lived in Laurinburg for over 20 years now. I don't like it but stay here because this is where my husband's farm is. I think the worst parts of the burg are ridiculously high taxes, industry has left or is leaving, very poor customer service in nearly all the businesses here, there is absolutely nothing for teens to do except park in the grocery store parking lot, drink, & get run off by police for loitering. What else are they supposed to do? My 2 eldest sons have both left Laurinburg once they married. They're 33 & 26 yrs. old. The local high school, in my opinion, is a total zoo. The litter problem here is horrible. The only thing I DO like about Laurinburg are some of the old southern homes on a very few streets. Otherwise, I'm sorry, but this place is not where I really want to live. And believe me, I've lived in Memphis, Nashville, Tacoma, Grand Forks, etc. ANYWHERE BUT HERE please. Sorry burg-ites!

[sthompson]

Hey Steve,

I have lived in Laurinburg all of my adult life and I am very proud of that. Despite the negative talk about the tax rate that happens to be comparable to most of the surrounding towns, most people don't complain about living here. It has been a great place for us in raising our 2 kids both attending UNC Universities (Greensboro and Chapel Hill) this fall. What I like about Laurinburg is the Scottish theme and the Fighting Scots sports programs and with their marching band with their kilts and Highland Dancers. We also boast St. Andrews Presbyterian College with their huge and very successful equine program and a very modern hospital and medical community.

If you are looking for a small town with 3 local golf courses, progressive school program, plenty of parks and tennis facilities with adequate shopping and dining, we are it. I personally think we are a great retirement destination too. Along those lines we have Scotia Village, a large Presbyterian continual care facility and Prestwick Village. But for active adults looking for a place that they can get involved in a local community with tons of great people, this is it.

Also, very important to Laurinburg is our strong religious roots with tons of churches in most Christain denominations.

Finally, we are located close to major cities without the traffic and some pretty nice areas such as Pinehurst - 30 miles, Fayetteville - 45 miles, Florence, SC - 60 miles, Myrtle Beach, Wilmington, Charlotte and Raleigh around 90-100 miles.

People that aren't or that weren't happy living here have no one to blame but themselves for not getting involved in the community and doing things. If you want the big city with the thousands of people to put up with to get anywhere then, yes, we are not for you.

We are ranked #1 in unemployment and that is something we are not happy about with many jobs lost to China and third world countries like every other community in the country. But we are optimistic that we will land more jobs with a major defense contractor with BRAC coming to Ft. Bragg in Fayetteville in a couple of years.

The tax rate is really not an issue when you think about how much that is really costing you per month. It's an issue that people get excited about because they don't know any better. A rate means nothing until you compare it to property values and services and quality of education and quality of life. Mostly, the people talking about this are not very well educated or just have negative personalities about everything.

[JaWanna]

My mom is a single parent, She moved us here when I was about two years old. She left New Jersey expecting a change but no change was found She is a very hard worker and some times works 2-3 jobs outside of Laurinburg just to make ends meet. Here you can never get ahead!!!!!!!!! being a single-parent, black female is hard here in Laurinburg This small southeren town is based upon the "JIM CROW" era. I am now 18 years old and I have a 10 mos. baby girl, now I understand what mom had to go threw. There are some good people around but most WHITES think they are better than the BLACKS. It's not like that in Durham NC, where my sister now resides. I'm moving the first chance I get! LAURINBURG SUCKS! NO MONEY! NO JOBS! NOTHING TO DO! HATEFULL PEOPLE! I believe in change! YES WE CAN! OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA!

[Sayantsi]

Didn't Michael Jordan's father get shot in Laurinburg? I've been through it a couple times and it really strikes me as a place to not live - are really depressed and dying place.

[mm34b]

Originally Posted by Sayantsi

Didn't Michael Jordan's father get shot in Laurinburg?

Lumberton.

[roadpony]

This is a very sad thread to read. I graduated from St. Andrews Presbyterian College in the mid-70's and would like to think the college would have been a stronger influence for the town's development over the years. Of course, as a college student who grew up in Raleigh, I thought Laurinburg was the pits. It was (and probably still is) a suitcase campus on the weekends. The college itself has had its ups and downs over the years, but seems to be on a solid track at the present time.

[pms12]

Originally Posted by mm34b

Apparently, the 2006-2007 property tax rate for Scotland County is 1.1000 per $100. That's the highest in North Carolina. Why?????

Yes but there has been no reassessment in a number of years thus the taxes on not the highest in the state

[pms12]

taxes no higher than any other progressive area

[LBG2009]

I do not know if anyone who started this thread will return, but I figured I would give my "two cents." I was born and raised in Laurinburg, and am currently in Graduate School. I have not decided where I will reside when I graduate, but am considering returning to my hometown. I believe that some of the posters who responded to this question have a negative opinion about Laurinburg for various reasons. They are likely uneducated and unwilling to even attempt to make a difference and change their situation. I believe it is obvious that some want a handout, and is dependent upon someone "spoon-feeding" them much like their parents. I disagree completely with JaWanna's comment about Whites in Scotland county, and the Jim Crow comments. It shows that people like Jawanna, are at the root of the problem. She should pack her and her baby and move to Durham. In short, I would disregard her comment completely.

Laurinburg is a great place to live and raise a family. Over the last few years, before the economic downturn facing the country, much of the industry moved elsewhere. This, combined with the overall economic problems in this country, has left Scotland County trying to recover just like other similar areas. There are needs facing Scotland County, and there are great people making investment in small town businesses, and the school system. Laurinburg has the small town feeling, such as the Friday Night football games, the Live after 5, the John Blue Cotton Festival, The Story Telling Festival of Carolina. Scotland County has a strong Optimist Baseball league, with top of the line facilities. Parks and Recreation with a new, very nice baseball park with multiple fields and a splash pad for families to spend time at. Parks and Rec also sponsor various youth baseball, basketball and football divisions and leagues, who seem to make state tournaments each year. People who are so negative about Laurinburg and Scotland County should go out and volunteer with organizations, the schools, and be involved in the community.

If you are looking for a place to live, I suggest you strongly consider Laurinburg and Scotland County. Like stated above, it is a central location in North Carolina, and has the potential to be an awesome community. I hope that whoever reads this post, will take the time to visit the Scotland County Chamber website, the City of Laurinburg Website, and research about the things happening and the possibility of a nice home at reasonable prices. As someone who was born and raised in Laurinburg, I am not looking to abandon my hometown. Laurinburg was good to me, the people, the schools, the community, all provided me with opportunities to be a productive citizen in the community.

[arbyunc]

^ Nice post, LBG. I spent the first 18 years of my life in the 'Burg (way back in the 60's and 70's), and I agree completely with your comments about community involvement. I think it's a great place to grow up, as there are many opportunities for kids to keep busy. In addition to the organized activities like sports, dance, arts, etc., there is an incredible amount of outdoor fun to be had at places like the Sandhills gamelands, the Lumber River, or just riding your bike in a place where you can feel completely safe.

Laurinburg used to have a thriving economy, with lots of industry moving in to take advantage of the old air base facilities, low taxes and wage rates, and a good standard of living for their employees. There was a huge influx of people during the late 60's and 70's due to these industries, and along with St. Andrews College, they brought a diversity of people and views that forced the community to confront head-on some of the racial issues we all dealt with back then. There was (and continues to be) a strong liberal presence that made Laurinburg a very progressive place with respect to race relations and tolerance. However, I can't fully discount Jawanna's comments above--there are still many people there with racist views. Because the county has 3 major racial groups (white, black, and native American), I think most everyone is used to living with one another and they are generally respectful of each other. However, the racism does manifest itself in other ways, such as the still very segregated neighborhoods, churches, country clubs, civic clubs, and other groups. So I can easily see how Jawanna could have a negative impression. But even so, I think Laurinburg is way ahead of many other small communities in this regard due to the liberal influences there.