South Boston, VA vs Roxboro, Nc (Danville, Triangle: sales, crime, chapel)

[KirkOden]

Looking at possibly relocating to the east coast for a job. In talking with the hiring manager he said half the company lives in VA and half in NC. Trying to get a feel for cost of living changes in each state. Prop. taxes, income tax, food tax, sales tax, etc. I have a wife and 2 small children so schools, crime, and neighborhoods are important too.

Thanks

[LM117]

Both are small towns in rural areas with not much going on. I've been to both towns and neither were particularly interesting, IMO. I didn't feel unsafe, they just never fazed me much. I can't speak much for the taxes other than sales tax in NC is a little higher than VA's. The fees, such as DMV fees, are higher in NC too. I grew up and lived in eastern NC (Wayne County) until 2009, though I still visit once in a while. South Boston is probably cheaper overall. I'm not familiar with the schools, though.

However, based on location alone, I would choose Roxboro over South Boston any day. Roxboro is closer to Durham and the rest of the Triangle metro in NC (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill), which gives you easy access to shopping and other amenities, along with great healthcare. South Boston is practically in no-man's-land and the closest larger city is Danville, which sorely lacks the features previously mentioned, and has terrible crime for a city it's size. The same highway connecting Roxboro to Durham (US-501) also goes through South Boston, but South Boston is further away from Durham.

[gemstone1]

I've been to both to shop, wife worked in Roxboro....I second the idea of Roxboro, just due to it's proximity to Raleigh/Durham. Research on the web for tax differences.

Regards
Gemstone1

[JayJayCB]

They're basically the same, as people often forget that state/county borders are just lines drawn on maps. Both towns are quite rural and sleepy with tobacco heritage. However, I agree that Roxboro is the better choice because it's closer to Durham. Keep in mind that people in South Boston also go down to Durham for just about everything, like access to the airport and shopping. I can't comment on the schools, though. If it's a possibility, it might be better to live in Durham and commute to Roxboro. However, they're 30 miles apart so I can understand if this doesn't seem like a good idea.

[LM117]

Originally Posted by JayJayCB

If it's a possibility, it might be better to live in Durham and commute to Roxboro. However, they're 30 miles apart so I can understand if this doesn't seem like a good idea.

Not to mention that Durham is bound to be more expensive, though I agree with the sentiment.

[Watchful]

Originally Posted by JayJayCB

If it's a possibility, it might be better to live in Durham and commute to Roxboro. However, they're 30 miles apart so I can understand if this doesn't seem like a good idea.

Very good point - there would be a huge difference in lifestyle between living in Roxboro OR South Boston, as compared to living closer to the edge of Durham.

Different strokes for different folks, but that will be a huge thing. Some families will relocate to a town like Roxboro and be very satisfied while others would feel like they had migrated to a new world.

[JayJayCB]

I guess it depends on where you're moving from, but it's worth noting that Roxboro and South Boston are rural southern towns. To be straightforward, people are going to be conservative, religious, etc. The culture shock might be extreme. However, say you're moving from somewhere like California, there's a good chance you'll be more comfortable in Durham. Not to stereotype or anything.

[slowlane3]

I agree with all the comments above, but just want to mention that South Boston does at least have this one attraction http://www.prizery.com

[manitopiaaa]

Originally Posted by JayJayCB

They're basically the same, as people often forget that state/county borders are just lines drawn on maps. Both towns are quite rural and sleepy with tobacco heritage. However, I agree that Roxboro is the better choice because it's closer to Durham. Keep in mind that people in South Boston also go down to Durham for just about everything, like access to the airport and shopping. I can't comment on the schools, though. If it's a possibility, it might be better to live in Durham and commute to Roxboro. However, they're 30 miles apart so I can understand if this doesn't seem like a good idea.

State borders distinguish between different political systems. And there are major differences between Virginia's politics and North Carolina's politics. North Carolina, for one, is not even considered a full democracy anymore because their State Government is so authoritarian that they tried to strip the incoming Democratic governor of most major duties just because he was the wrong party: http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politi...ence-democracy

You can live in Roxboro and experience the far-right Conservative utopia that the NC Legislature wants to create, or you can live in South Boston and experience a State Government that only moves forward with bipartisanship (because Dems have the Governor and the Reps have the Legislature).

Those are important distinctions between the two, even if both cities are similar politically (57% GOP, 40% Dem).

[LM117]

Originally Posted by manitopiaaa

State borders distinguish between different political systems. And there are major differences between Virginia's politics and North Carolina's politics. North Carolina, for one, is not even considered a full democracy anymore because their State Government is so authoritarian that they tried to strip the incoming Democratic governor of most major duties just because he was the wrong party: http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politi...ence-democracy

You can live in Roxboro and experience the far-right Conservative utopia that the NC Legislature wants to create, or you can live in South Boston and experience a State Government that only moves forward with bipartisanship (because Dems have the Governor and the Reps have the Legislature).

Those are important distinctions between the two, even if both cities are similar politically (57% GOP, 40% Dem).

I agree about the political differences, but that may change soon. There are court-ordered special elections being held in NC this November due to the gerrymandering. At least Pat McCrory got kicked out of the governor's mansion last November. He was a sorry excuse for a governor and NC Senate leader Phil Berger is the biggest P.O.S. in the General Assembly. If you want proof, watch Gov. Roy Cooper's recent State of the State address and then watch Berger's GOP response and that's just for starters. Cooper has won a couple of victories against the General Assembly so far.

Judges give partial wins to GOP, Cooper in power struggle | abc11.com

That said, I still don't think it's worth the extra gas it would take to go from South Boston to Durham just because of a few nutjobs in the legislature, but to each their own.

I also doubt the OP is coming back to this thread...