Do not move here without a job!!! (Charlotte, Raleigh: rent, mortgage)

[anifani821]

I have stated this on numerous threads lately, and it seems the reception I, and other locals, get is - that the natives are not welcoming to newcomers.

That is not the situation at all!!

I have been blessed that all the friends I have made since moving back to NC several years ago - are newcomers, too.

My concern is that people have read articles about NC in the past when the job market was very robust - and they do not realize what this state, and Charlotte, in particular, are dealing with in re: to job loss.

Here is an article from a few weeks back that describes what has transpired - and is continuing to unfold - in NC.

Please listen to those of us who warn you not to come unless you have a job. If you are gainfully employed where you are now - stay there! If you want to move to NC - make a goal for 18 -24 months down the road, unless you can secure employment here b/f you move.

N.C. tops in percentage of job losses - Charlotte Business Journal:

[mm_mary73]

Uh-oh, Ani! Now you've done it.....

[Majordomo]

A good friend of mine recently received his economics degree. He can't find a job in or around Charlotte and he's been looking for a while now so he's moving out of NC. I suggest people listen to Ani and make sure you have a job before you move here. There are a lot of natives and long time residents leaving NC to find work in other states.

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by Majordomo

A good friend of mine recently received his economics degree. He can't find a job in or around Charlotte and he's been looking for a while now so he's moving out of NC. I suggest people listen to Ani and make sure you have a job before you move here. There are a lot of natives and long time residents leaving NC to find work in other states.

Sadly, it is often necessary to leave an area (even if you LOVE it) to secure employment. I assumed that w/ my DH's career - that is the way it was going to be so I was fine with that. Eventually, we worked our way back to NC. However, if he found out tomorrow he had the choice of being transferred or losing his job, we would be packing up and going WHEREVER.

We are in a crisis w/ employment all over the country - and of course - depending on your field, that crisis may or may not be severe.

To decide "where you want to move" based on lower taxes, warmer weather, etc. is fine . . . but everyone needs a big reality check on employment opportunities here in NC (and in particular cities, especially).

There are jobs out there, but there are many applicants for those available jobs. Again, there are fields less affected - with healthcare being one of them. But that also depends where you are. Some small hospitals - especially in communities where plants/factories have shut down or laid off a great portion of the workforce - even healthcare workers are being displaced. They can find jobs but not by remaining in their communities - they will have to move or commute long distances.

So the employment slow down in widespread. NC is NOT immune, even tho it appears the media has continued to portray various regions in our state as more robust than the national trend.

There was a report last week citing that Charlotte's housing market had not fallen as much as other markets across the country. Well, DUH. THe market here was never INFLATED as much as other markets! But people hear that and think - wow - Charlotte is holding its own!

I just don't want people to create complete havoc in their lives by coming here w/o a job and assuming they will find one w/in a few months. I have no other motive . . . DH and I have been out of work due to positions being eliminated during corporate mergers and we know what it is like to try to get through tough times. I have nothing but sympathy for those facing this situation, but also don't want to see families go through even more agony b/c they changed locations, left family and friends - thinking that just b/c NC has "lower taxes and good weather" - that life is gonna somehow fall in place and be golden here. Without a job, ain't nuthin' GOLDEN about living anywhere.

[castufari]

I moved to NC in 1992 w/o a job. My goodness it was tough to find work. I ended up working in a hotel, it was the only thing available. After that ended (I had enough of working every w/e and every night) I went into culinary. Better but after the holidays boom, that went away also.

I do hope that as the guest workers make their exodus back to where ever some of those jobs will open up for local folks.

[Asheville Native]

Asheville has always been tough for those with the motivation or need for more than $8/hr. but right now moving anywhere without a job doesn't make sense, unless you are currently in one of the 'ground zero' locations of the crashing economy such as Detroit and don't currently have a job.

[NCgirl]

I wanted to add the map that mm34b posted because it hasn't had a lot of views.

December Unemployment Rates

The national unemployment rate in December was 7.2%

[ss20ts]

Originally Posted by anifani821

To decide "where you want to move" based on lower taxes, warmer weather, etc. is fine . . . but everyone needs a big reality check on employment opportunities here in NC (and in particular cities, especially).

I used to want to move to NC mostly for the weather. After 4 plus feet of snow, you'd want to move, too, unless you're a snowbird. Obviously, I'm not.

I wanted to move and then the economy hit the toilet. I've decided to stay put for at least a year. Hubby works from home and can pretty much live anywhere in the lower 48. He travels alot and needs to be within an hour of a real airport.

The nicer weather, lower taxes, and warmth would have been nice. However, moving is expensive. I priced it out and expensive doesn't even begin to describe the costs involved. Not just the moving truck, the DMV fees, personal property taxes (we don't have them here), rent or another mortgage plus trying to sell our house up here....forget it! Unless Uncle Donald writes me a fat check.

Why anyone is moving anywhere without a job is beyond me! I understand that people have lost jobs, but why move unless you have one to move to? You already have a roof over your head. Finding one in anotehr state isn't easy.

Then there's the people who are looking to move without EVER visiting the area they *think* they want to live in. How can you know without visiting? I can paint you a rosy picture of X city and for all you know it's filled with drug dealers and abandoned houses. There may not be a gas station or grocery store for 20 miles.

I have spent about 5 weeks in NC over the last 2 years staying with family on our vacations. We have family in WS and they have shown us many things about that area. There's areas they won't venture into. Their best advice was for us to just drive around and explore. And honestly, that was the greatest thing we could have done. It deinitely made me rethink a number of places that I *thought* I might consider living in.

My advice: everyone stay put unless you find a job out of your area. And only then move. Heck, Ii'm now looking at moving in 18 months to an area that gets twice as much snow as I do now just so my hubby will have more job opportunities in case something should ever happen. Never thgouth I'd move some place that gets MORE snow!

[zthatzmanz28]

I am from Michigan and we are looking to move to the Raleigh area. My Hubby did find work as a teacher in the Smithfield area. The only problem is, that they want him to move NOW... and we have not really looked into it much. We were just starting to look. Employment, even for teachers in the Detroit area is shaky at best. He may have another job here, but how long that will last is anyone's guess. Any thoughts?

[ss20ts]

Originally Posted by zthatzmanz28

I am from Michigan and we are looking to move to the Raleigh area. My Hubby did find work as a teacher in the Smithfield area. The only problem is, that they want him to move NOW... and we have not really looked into it much. We were just starting to look. Employment, even for teachers in the Detroit area is shaky at best. He may have another job here, but how long that will last is anyone's guess. Any thoughts?

When do they want him to start teaching? I'd suggest renting for now. That will give you time to live in the area and see if you really like it and not have to deal with buying a house.

From what I've read about Michigan's economy, I'd be ready to jump ship, too! And it doesn't look like there's any end in sight anytime soon for Michigan.