Financial impact of moving from Virginia to North Carolina.

[sregorat3]

Originally Posted by memorytheatre

Roanoke, VA and Cary, NC are not comparable areas when it comes to costs it seems to me. The triangle area has become a major metropolitan area with a massive influx of wealthy transplants. The triangle had, and still has, a much more diversified and big-city economy than Roanoke. Salaries are greater with their corresponding costs. Seems to me that Hickory or similar would be a closer comparison to Roanoke. Or at least that's how it seems to me. Raleigh would be more comparable to the DC area, which I bet is more expensive than Cary.

I am very curious about your thoughts on quality-of-life and general comparisons between the triangle and Roanoke. I grew up in Chapel Hill, now live in a large west coast city and might have to move to Roanoke next summer. It is hard to get a handle on the quality-of-life there compared to somewhere like the triangle.

Hickory doesn't really compare well with Roanoke- it is much smaller and is not as diverse as Roanoke. Better comparisons might be Fayetteville, Asheville, and Wilmington. You might be surprised at what life in a city like Roanoke has for you; while it isn't the Triangle, it certainly isn't devoid of culture. A little bit of research will bear this out. If you like the mountains, you will be in even better shape.
In regards to just how great the Triangle area is- yes, it is nice and vibrant, but it doesn't hold a candle to DC.

[TN Lily]

One area where N.C. is cheaper than Va. concerns in-state college tuition. The cost of attending UNC-Greensboro is comparable to attending a community college in VA. It's a whole lot cheaper than in-state tuition to a Va. four-year college.

But this only helps if you are attending college or paying for someone else to attend.

[mzfroggez]

This is an older thread but it still has applicability. The OP commented on the increase in health insurance for his family upon moving to NC compared to what he paid in Virginia. I keep checking and rechecking what I am coming up with and I think I'm finding a significant difference as well between metropolitan areas in VA and NC. The cost is significantly higher for premiums in NC and thus far that translates not only in dollars spent on health insurance but car and housing insurance as well. Gas tax is significantly higher in NC and the sales tax now rivals and possibly exceeds what I paid in Florida. NC has wonderful aspects which I will always love but as I tally the total cost of living.............

[topchief1]

Originally Posted by mzfroggez

This is an older thread but it still has applicability. The OP commented on the increase in health insurance for his family upon moving to NC compared to what he paid in Virginia. I keep checking and rechecking what I am coming up with and I think I'm finding a significant difference as well between metropolitan areas in VA and NC. The cost is significantly higher for premiums in NC and thus far that translates not only in dollars spent on health insurance but car and housing insurance as well. Gas tax is significantly higher in NC and the sales tax now rivals and possibly exceeds what I paid in Florida. NC has wonderful aspects which I will always love but as I tally the total cost of living.............

Uncle Sam will always get his money, regardless of what state you live in. It's a matter of HOW he gets it, not IF he gets it.

[laughinglady]

Originally Posted by ljd1010

Not all of us Northerner's (New Englanders in particular) move to NC because of untenable tax burdens in their home states. Some of us come here purely for a better quality of life - not money-wise, but for a better climate, less frenetic lifestyle, warm/welcoming neighbors (most, at least) etc. We love it here, never complain and only appreciate everything in this wonderful state.

I only want to agree with this. Currently, I live in Roanoke, VA but am contemplating a move to NC in the future. Last year, I took a trip to visit my family in upstate NY. When I returned to Roanoke, I felt like I imagine a small child must feel upon returning home. I was excited by the sight of every street sign, shingle and familiar sight. I was never so happy to be home before. It made me realize that my previous home was my previous residence: nothing more, nothing less. Moving South was a great move and it had nothing to do with finances!

[Francois]

While many of the things you itemized are "State-level" costs, you picked one of the most expensive areas (Cary) in NC to move to! Anywhere that's being so flooded with newcomers from more expensive locales is likely going to be more expensive than other areas in the same state.

[rothbear]

Originally Posted by ljd1010

Not all of us Northerner's (New Englanders in particular) move to NC because of untenable tax burdens in their home states. Some of us come here purely for a better quality of life - not money-wise, but for a better climate, less frenetic lifestyle, warm/welcoming neighbors (most, at least) etc. We love it here, never complain and only appreciate everything in this wonderful state.

Thank you! We also moved south for a better climate and quality of life with more to do since we moved from a rural area of western PA. We took a big hit on taxes to come here, and paid a lot more for a smaller house, but enjoy it so much more. In PA there is no sales tax on clothing or food bought in a grocery store. Plus what is taxed is 6%, and at that time the only areas with a 1% county tax was Allegheny and Philadelphia, neither where we lived. We had no personal property taxes either. Although our property taxes were a bit higher than SC, once the homestead exemption kicked in it brought them down quite a bit, and the difference was much less than the personal property taxes we now pay. And we also found that the cost of food, in general, is somewhat higher here, especially produce (which is odd because there is so much more grown down here due to longer seasons). And then there is the cost of water and sewer. We had a minimum 500% increase, and with irrigation it can be up to 1000% increase in the cost of that. It's hard to even compare the income tax because of the way it is calculated. PA is pretty much flat rate with virtually no deductions...except at very low income level.

BUT.......we knew all this and made the move anyway. We are enjoying the weather, the people (with a few exceptions....but those kind are everywhere), and the ability to actually go to a concert or play or hobby convention without having to drive 2 hours to get there. And the beach is only a 3.5 hour drive away! And I love actually having pretty flowers around my house and designing it all myself. It is a much nicer lifestyle for us and we're glad we moved!

[HP91]

Originally Posted by Francois

While many of the things you itemized are "State-level" costs, you picked one of the most expensive areas (Cary) in NC to move to! Anywhere that's being so flooded with newcomers from more expensive locales is likely going to be more expensive than other areas in the same state.

That's the first thing I noticed...I mean c'mon, Cary and Roanoke are not comparable.

As well, the drive to the beach costs less, the cost of higher education is less, the cost of housing (unless you move to Cary) is usually less, usually the taxes on that house are less (depending where you live). What about car insurance rates?

All costs have to be considered, not just a state tax here or health insurance premium there. And again, it seems amazing that someone would move to Cary and then complain about taxes. If you can't afford the taxes, don't move to Cary, there are perfectly good other more affordable options in NC to live that would still likely be better than Roanoke.

[Winter_Sucks]

Originally Posted by cec311

Welcome to the new NC. The yankees invaded our fine state and brought their voting block with it. They voted for the democrats that taxed them out of New England, then they come to NC and vote for more democrats that are trying to tax and spend them out of NC. You'd think they'd learn but obviously not.

The "yankees" started to "invade" NC because Democrats long ago "taxed" and "spent" money creating a world class higher education system that attracted capital and workers from around the world.

The Republicans are working to put a stop to all that non-sense.

[west seattle gal]

Originally Posted by TN Lily

One area where N.C. is cheaper than Va. concerns in-state college tuition. The cost of attending UNC-Greensboro is comparable to attending a community college in VA. It's a whole lot cheaper than in-state tuition to a Va. four-year college.

But this only helps if you are attending college or paying for someone else to attend.

Exactly. When you have kids, this part is huge.