Wayne County (Central, Clifton, Waynesboro: real estate, mortgage, how much)

[Central Fl Girl]

Can you give me any information on the area? I am looking to move up there (from FL of course) and would like to know about the job market. I would prefer to stay in Clifton, Waynesboro area to live and work. Anything you can tell me would be appreciated.
thanks

[Live~Oak]

I hate to sound so negative because Wayne County is an absolutely gorgious and beautiful place. God's country. That having been said, unless you have a very good pension or are independently wealthy and are prepared to put up with people who view "outsiders" with utter contempt, you may want to look elsewhere.

The largest industry in Wayne county is the Wayne County General Session Court, followed by the illegal drug industry.

In Clifton where you asked about, the Jack Nicklaus signature golf course recently went under financially and was sold for pennies on the dollar, the town hardware store is closing, the state prison located in Clifton is closing (it was a major employer), the logging industry which was another big employer is not only a very difficult job but is slowing down to a crawl. The paper and lumber companies are cutting massive amounts of timber in what I suspect may be an effort to cut and run and sell off the clear cut land.

If you plan on buying much land, expect to encounter great resentment and hatered from locals who view this land as theirs. Trespassing and vandalism is a huge problem especially during the deer gun season.

If you are an independent soul and like peace and quiet and still want to live in God's Country, CAREFULLY research the property and who your neighbors are and buy a place that will afford you a place to either build or already has a home FAR off of ANY road. Drive by shootings are a frequent and BIG problem that apparently are NOT a priority for the sheriff. Post your land and stand your ground.

DON"T expect ANY help or support from the county sheriff. He doesn't like "outsiders" either and is openly hostile to them. County government corruption is rampant although there are some VERY nice and helpful folks working there who are good honest folks.

Again Wayne County is a beautiful place and there are a few real nice folks but just be mindful of the realities of living here. We are longing for a good neighbor.

[Central Fl Girl]

What about Collinwood? We just want to get away from the crazy hectic pace of Central FL. I should be receiving a decent pension and if all works out well, would like to purchase a place to live outright, as to not have a mortgage payment.
Thanks

[Live~Oak]

Collinwood in my opinion is as bad or worse. Please don't take my word for it. I strongly suggest you order a subscription to the Wayne County News and read it cover to cover and then come to your own conclusion AFTER you find out from someone who lives here what REALLY happened vs. what the Wayne County News says. The front page drug busts and criminal indictments are a farce in many cases. Flatwoods in kinda nice but has its own problems from time to time. Just be prepared to stand your ground and live your life. If you live in town, and like that kind of life style, you may like Waynesboro but I prefer peace and quiet.

[kbg]

Again I have to agree with the oak, If escaping means relocating to Wayne Co. then it must be bad, of course I do not agree in every aspect, Tn. in any aspect can offer alot in peace of mind and serenity but in the areas in question can look down on the so called "interloper" for my outlook to you is wait for the next train smoking and see where it takes you, besides central Fla. did in fact hit the top 10 in division 1-A football and that means anything is possible if given time.

[Central Fl Girl]

We have been to Waynesboro many times, as we have family who has lived there for the past 25 years. We enjoy the weather, scenery and the people in the area. Some of the family lives off of hurricane creek, the others live in Clifton.
We have subscribed to the newspaper for the past two years, as we have been discussing this move for quite some time. We know about the plant closing in Linden were a majority of the residents had worked and that employment is very hard to find. Traveling to Florence is another option, as I would only be seeking a part time job.

[Live~Oak]

CFG, I think it is what you make of it. Mind you, employment is VERY difficult to find but if you have a retirement income, then you should be fine.

Folks in this area DO NOT LIKE OUTSIDERS. I have seen more than a few folks move here and get run out or decide to leave once they learn the truth about their neighbors and how things work around here. OK, I got it. I can live ANYWHERE I darn well choose. I spent about a quarter century in the military serving and I kinda think I earned that right even if the constitution says I have it anyway.

Just be prepared to do things and look after yourself on your OWN. DO NOT expect ANY support from the sheriff. He behaves like another "outsider hater". Fortunately the sheriff is universally hated more than I have EVER seen anyone be and will very likely get the boot when his term of office is up if he is not booted out of office for other reasons first. There is still that "little issue" about the jail administrator selling guns to felons with no license and a few other nasty little "things" that are following him legally.

There are some real nice folks here, just have to be patient and look for the good. A few GOOD friends are what makes life enjoyable. It's not a popularity contest.

[Central Fl Girl]

Live~Oak

Do you think if we moved Wayne County,( in the Waynesboro/Collinwood area) it would make a difference if we have family and friends would have lived there for about 20+ years? We are hoping with knowing people in the area that things may be easier for us. Any input? Do you live in Waynesboro?
Thanks

[Live~Oak]

Originally Posted by Central Fl Girl

Live~Oak

Do you think if we moved Wayne County,( in the Waynesboro/Collinwood area) it would make a difference if we have family and friends would have lived there for about 20+ years? We are hoping with knowing people in the area that things may be easier for us. Any input? Do you live in Waynesboro?
Thanks

You bring up a very good point. I would think having family already long established here would be strong point in your favor especially if your family living here is "accepted" locally. Sounds like they must be. Mind you I have spoken to folks who lived in Waynesboro who moved to this area of Wayne county and even they have told me they were considered "outsiders". It was "explained" to me the the process of "being accepted" takes about 10 years. (not my idea or words)

Another big consideration to take into account is how much land you intend to buy. If buying just a few acres, it is not an issue. If buying a large acreage, the 3 rules of real estate apply. Location, location, and location.

If the acreage was owned by an abscentee owner expect to encounter BAD trespassing problems and if you post the land and enforce your RIGHT as a private property owner, expect reliation and repercussions especially if the land was a favorite place to party, swim, or use or sell drugs.

The majority of locals in Wayne county have NO CONCEPT of what private property is. For some reason there seems to be a pretty much universal mind set of "entitlement" with respect to private land. The usual explaination I and other hear is "we have been hunting this land since my grand daddy" or some similar twisted rationalization.

The idea and concept of "asking permission" is alien to this area. The predominant local logic is if the property is not posted, it is free to use how ever you want. If posted signs are up...........just tear them all down and voila! It is free to use again!

The usual responses encountered when you catch them is to play dumb about the posted sign they are stand under or resort to threats. The few who stand their ground have the most problems initially but with time things settle down and most of the time these free loaders go somewhere else.

I live in the northern part of the county. If you plan to live in Waynesboro proper, in town. I don't think you will have any problems PROVIDED you move in next to good neighbors.

A lot of people move to rural sections of the county thinking they are moving to the country and nice country folks. Don't be fooled by this illusion. In some cases this may well be the case BUT do some foot work and find out and meet who your neighbors are BEFORE you buy. Some parts of Wayne county are real nice.......others are competitors for the "white trash, singlewide, tattoo cover, ear ring wearing, alcoholic, methhead" award.

Not trying to come off negative.......our family speaks from experience of several years of dealing with this BS. We just got fed up with the beer cans, bottles, garbage, drug paraphenalia, soiled diapers, illegal hunting, poaching, parties, and theft on our land by free loaders who have no respect for the land or basic morality.

We are doing our best to raise our children in a positive, wholesome, drug free environment. It has been a VERY trying experience but all of our children are A students and we have been very fortunate to be able to mentor and guide their interests in positive pursuits around the farm and at school.

Things will eventually change for the better as more "outsiders" move in and start voting.

It is kinda sad in that many old families who were once very prominent in the county in the long ago past as owners of large farms and expanses of timber land have been squandered away by their decsendants. Casualties of Roosevelts "New Deal", many of whom have learned a culture of "living out of the mailbox" consumed by drugs and alcohol in rural isolated parts of the county. The problem is made MUCH worse by our county sheriff, the general sessions court, county prosecutor, who exploit this to create a never ending revenue stream and a county government who looks the other way. Mind you, the folks who move here cause their fair share of problems too.

From what I understand talking with others who live in other parts of the country, this is a recurring theme and problem. So you just have to find a place you like and after some homework, go for it.