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Bargain prices for land, little existing infrastructure and cheaper construction methods of newer homes means developers can turn nice profits by converting southern farm fields into subdivisions. That's your main driver, money. Developers make money and buyers will keep trying to maintain their suburban lifestyle by chasing the lower COL southward.
A couple of years ago I moved to Charlotte and have met quite a few transplants here. Lots of them complain about the vanilla culture, lack of amentities, chain restaurants, etc. When I ask them their reasons for moving, the most common answers I get are either cheap housing or lower taxes. Do you think the low cost of living is the primary reason for the population boom in the South or are people really moving here for other reasons? Its not like there is really a booming economy here anymore. Thoughts?
I would also think that some people are moving there because they like the warmer climate? Personal matter of opinion of course, but I hear this from time to time.
Charlotte is also relatively close to the mountains for quick vacations. The city is really in a nice location.
The south is cheaper to live in than the northeast, but if your looking only at cost of living then the midwest is cheaper. Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin and parts of Ohio are very very very cheap. I live in Mi and rural parts of this state have liveable houses for sale for 40k or even cheaper. For 100k you can have a modest house and acres of land. I considered moving to Tennessee simply because I like it down that way, but It would cost me more money for housing there. It is not just cost of living that is attracting people to the south. If all you needed was a low COL then Michigan would be a boom state. The south is attracting people because of climate, the economy, the fact that many people love the southern culture, and yes COL is ONE of the reasons.
Location: Cleveland bound with MPLS in the rear-view
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1. prices
2. moderate / ideal weather
3. other amenities
But yes, I think price plays a very significant factor to the growth, since the question was about which PRIMARY factor is causing the growth. It hardly seems economy-driven (especially now with most Southern states ranking near the bottom in unemployment). Obviously, exceptions exist (mainly Atlanta).
A couple of years ago I moved to Charlotte and have met quite a few transplants here. Lots of them complain about the vanilla culture, lack of amentities, chain restaurants, etc. When I ask them their reasons for moving, the most common answers I get are either cheap housing or lower taxes. Do you think the low cost of living is the primary reason for the population boom in the South....?
Yes. And you've done a masterful, succinct job of describing Charlotte.
Yes. And you've done a masterful, succinct job of describing Charlotte.
What's even funnier is that those Northern transplants by and large settle down in the 'burbs and want to complain about all of that stuff. And of course they have no plans on moving back.
What's even funnier is that those Northern transplants by and large settle down in the 'burbs and want to complain about all of that stuff. And of course they have no plans on moving back.
Umm, no. I stayed 3 years (corporate relo; no choice) and as soon as possible moved to Chicago. Never going back. Charlotte has no coast, no lakes (except for the manmade lake with the nuclear power plant) lousy public schools, an unusually high number of racists-per-capita, banking execs waiting to get promoted again so they can move back to San Francisco or New York, and absolutely no culture. Other than that, it's just well - a bland nothing.
Pompous much? I live in the real world, and hate big houses and big yards. Guess I must be the exception to your ridiculous rule.
Funny because that is the rule in the real world.
Most people hate density. They hate how noisy other people are at night. They hate overhearing their conversations (like I am now), they hate how everything is more expensive, they hate how there's more crime near them (doesn't matter how often it happens, they just hate how if people are closer together, they are closer to the crime), they hate having other peoples' dogs **** on their front doorsteps because there's no grass, they hate how there's no green, just concrete and hate having to walk to parks to get that green, they hate having to constantly yell at their borderline criminal neighbors to stop slamming the gate leading to the exterior of the buildings, they hate having to deal with perpetual grime.
I could go on. These are among the many reasons why I'm looking forward to living in the suburbs. Thankfully many suburbs around where I live do have a town center which is thriving with mom and pop shops (not franchises of another Qdoba or Subway) so it's not like I have to choose between density and "culture" and spread out and "culture-less."
Tell me you disagree with me the next time you can't get any sleep at night because one of your neighbors is having sex, or some kid is playing with mommy and daddy's Mercedes and blasting the speakers out till 4 AM with his tween prepubescent friends, or when some bum druggie is stalking your girlfriend at night, or some idiot who likes to have parties Thursday thru Tuesday has one of his loser friends pull the fire alarm at 2 AM for the third time in the month. Trust me, happened multiple times living in the "wonderful happy shiny dense living arrangement." Give me a break. If I want to yell at someone for doing something, I wnat it to be my own kids.
I aim to be a homeowner in the next half year .
And if you were fortunate to buy a home in the past year, you might be in for a good surprise - I think inflation on the order of 10-15% will be the norm for the next five years or so because I see the 1970s in our current economy.
*** ANYWAY< BACK ON TOPIC!***
Yes, low COL and a more friendly business environment are all reasons why the south is attracting people from the north.
Most people hate density. They hate how noisy other people are at night. They hate overhearing their conversations (like I am now), they hate how everything is more expensive, they hate how there's more crime near them (doesn't matter how often it happens, they just hate how if people are closer together, they are closer to the crime), they hate having other peoples' dogs **** on their front doorsteps because there's no grass, they hate how there's no green, just concrete and hate having to walk to parks to get that green, they hate having to constantly yell at their borderline criminal neighbors to stop slamming the gate leading to the exterior of the buildings, they hate having to deal with perpetual grime.
I could go on. These are among the many reasons why I'm looking forward to living in the suburbs. Thankfully many suburbs around where I live do have a town center which is thriving with mom and pop shops (not franchises of another Qdoba or Subway) so it's not like I have to choose between density and "culture" and spread out and "culture-less."
Tell me you disagree with me the next time you can't get any sleep at night because one of your neighbors is having sex, or some kid is playing with mommy and daddy's Mercedes and blasting the speakers out till 4 AM with his tween prepubescent friends, or when some bum druggie is stalking your girlfriend at night, or some idiot who likes to have parties Thursday thru Tuesday has one of his loser friends pull the fire alarm at 2 AM for the third time in the month. Trust me, happened multiple times living in the "wonderful happy shiny dense living arrangement." Give me a break. If I want to yell at someone for doing something, I wnat it to be my own kids.
I aim to be a homeowner in the next half year .
And if you were fortunate to buy a home in the past year, you might be in for a good surprise - I think inflation on the order of 10-15% will be the norm for the next five years or so because I see the 1970s in our current economy.
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I stayed 3 years (corporate relo; no choice) and as soon as possible moved to Chicago. Never going back. Charlotte has no coast, no lakes (except for the manmade lake with the nuclear power plant) lousy public schools, an unusually high number of racists-per-capita, banking execs waiting to get promoted again so they can move back to San Francisco or New York, and absolutely no culture. Other than that, it's just well - a bland nothing.
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