MA to NC, are we crazy to even consider it (Boston: employment, schools)

[WestieWhitie]

Originally Posted by OutdoorLover

MA has difficult winters. NC has difficult summers.

And golf ball-sized hail and dinner plate-sized spiders.

[msRB311]

Originally Posted by WestieWhitie

And golf ball-sized hail and dinner plate-sized spiders.

But do they bite

[huff100]

Originally Posted by johngolf

I would be among the first to say get out of MA to NC. I got out of MA for SC. Best move I ever made. That said, leaving behind your teacher pension has to be considered. I know SC is really hurting for teachers. There are all kind of open positions here. I know starting salary is $38K but I have no idea if higher with experience.

Housing in SC is reasonable. Below is a listing in Lexington SC which is an upmarket suburb of Columbia SC.
https://www.remax.com/sc/lexington/h...0000559/539763

I would love to know what you love about SC compared to MA. I am really curious, my sister-in-law just told me about a friend of hers who moved to SC and they loved EVERYTHING about it but I did not get any specific info.

[Barnibus]

I think North Carolina's overall tax rate is second only to Massachusetts. You should feel right at home.

When I was working in Raleigh, a fellow there told me, "You have to remember that around here, most of the people fought in favor of 'Taxation without Representation' ." (Much of the populace were Tories - Pro Britain)

[jayrandom]

Originally Posted by Barnibus

I think North Carolina's overall tax rate is second only to Massachusetts. You should feel right at home.

When I was working in Raleigh, a fellow there told me, "You have to remember that around here, most of the people fought in favor of 'Taxation without Representation' ." (Much of the populace were Tories - Pro Britain)

Tax burden by state

Massachusetts is 21st (1st being the highest) and North Carolina is 35th.

The "taxachusetts" moniker is no longer accurate.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by jayrandom

Tax burden by state

Massachusetts is 21st (1st being the highest) and North Carolina is 35th.

The "taxachusetts" moniker is no longer accurate.

And if you're collecting a Massachusetts public sector pension, it's not taxed.

[johngolf]

Originally Posted by huff100

I would love to know what you love about SC compared to MA. I am really curious, my sister-in-law just told me about a friend of hers who moved to SC and they loved EVERYTHING about it but I did not get any specific info.

My primary reason for leaving MA was the weather. I hate the cold/winter. I wanted year round golf. One can get a lot of house is SC for much less money then in MA. Property taxes are low. People are friendly. Easier pace of life. Sissy traffic.

There are things I miss, but they are not important things.

[almost_retired]

Winters in MA are not what they once were. We have just a couple of storms per year - I think this year there were 2. They are cleared up pretty fast. The last bad winter was in 2015. There are a few very cold days in January, but winters are not like they are in the midwest. Plus we don't have tornados, hurricanes, fires, earthquakes for the most part. IMO, northeast has some of the best weather in the country and it doesn't damage property.

I have family in NC, and while the areas they live in are nice, right outside of these planned areas - not so good. And while property taxes NOW are good, they are not going to stay that way with retirees moving to that state. People are fooled into thinking it is that much less. You get what you pay for.

Plus can't compete with the culture, the medicine that you get up here.

[Southshorebound]

If you absolutely hate it here I would consider it. Otherwise, I think It would be a mistake to give up your pension to work part-time in rural North Carolina for much less. Given the state of the world, I’d be concerned with trading in more financially security for a lifestyle change.

I am not from Massachusetts originally and this time of year always gets to me too with the weather. I’d recommend exploring more of New England this summer to make the best of living here. Retire to NC and collect your Mass pension in the future.

[Gerania]

Originally Posted by johngolf

You do not need to shovel the heat nor buy snow tires. One can sit under a shade tree with a drink in ones hand and not get frost bite. Sweat (in the South we say she "glistens") a bit maybe but no frost bite..;....LOL

I would have loved to have been able to shovel the heat somewhere when I lived in Southeastern North Carolina. We never went to the beach during the summer because it was too hot.