Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
It hit me just how many folks are relocating here while talking to folks this week. I was in Durham and couldn't believe it - no one I spoke with, either patients or staff/healthcare workers - was a native. One guy in the cath lab was actually a Durham native, but that was it.
Here in Charlotte, less than 1/3 the folks living here are NC natives. I guess I thought the rest of the state surely didn't have so many newcomers.
However, I have been reading for about 20 years that NC was one of the top 3 relocation states for retirees and since 2000, the region where I live has been a huge draw for newcomers because of work, despite the recession and our awful unemployment (post-2008).
PS> I love California -- and I mean - from top to bottom. There are places I would live in all areas of the state.
I dream of writing the novel that becomes a huge hit of a movie . . . and leaves me with a windfall . . . so I can move to Malibu.
As for folks leaving where they currently live -- someone opened the floodgates in NY and NJ and gave everyone a ticket to North Carolina.[/quote]
The other day I read an article on my MSN homepage that ranked states for retirees. The worst state was North Carolina. That really surprised me but mostly because of this forum. I've seen very little that wasn't 'good' about the state. But then they ranked Wyoming as #1, North Dakota as #2 and South Dakota as #3. In all areas, except weather, these were the top ranking. Housing costs, food costs, low unemployment, opportunities for employment for the 'oldsters', low taxes, medical care, etc.. I thought about our Wyoming poster here when I read that and could just see him saying, "See? I told you so!". lol
I hope you write that novel. Then we can all say we knew you when...
The other day I read an article on my MSN homepage that ranked states for retirees. The worst state was North Carolina. That really surprised me but mostly because of this forum. I've seen very little that wasn't 'good' about the state. But then they ranked Wyoming as #1, North Dakota as #2 and South Dakota as #3.
Open your homepage another day and you'll probably find an article that rates NC first and Wyoming last.
So where did the natives go after the transplants took their jobs?
Quote:
Originally Posted by anifani821
It hit me just how many folks are relocating here while talking to folks this week. I was in Durham and couldn't believe it - no one I spoke with, either patients or staff/healthcare workers - was a native. One guy in the cath lab was actually a Durham native, but that was it.
Here in Charlotte, less than 1/3 the folks living here are NC natives. I guess I thought the rest of the state surely didn't have so many newcomers.
However, I have been reading for about 20 years that NC was one of the top 3 relocation states for retirees and since 2000, the region where I live has been a huge draw for newcomers because of work, despite the recession and our awful unemployment (post-2008).
It hit me just how many folks are relocating here while talking to folks this week. I was in Durham and couldn't believe it - no one I spoke with, either patients or staff/healthcare workers - was a native. One guy in the cath lab was actually a Durham native, but that was it.
Here in Charlotte, less than 1/3 the folks living here are NC natives. I guess I thought the rest of the state surely didn't have so many newcomers.
However, I have been reading for about 20 years that NC was one of the top 3 relocation states for retirees and since 2000, the region where I live has been a huge draw for newcomers because of work, despite the recession and our awful unemployment (post-2008).
I can't blame any of the NC natives for feeling resentful about this. So much of the state's beauty is being plowed over for housing. I read about how the grocery stores aren't the same as where they came from. I went to Lowe's and thought it was great. Interesting how when one of the realtors was talking about a grocery store being built and when I asked which one everyone in the room just "tightened" up - you could feel it. I don't care which grocery stores are there and I sure don't expect any from this area to be there (except Trader Joe's & Whole Foods which are already in NC).
My point: not only are they moving in in droves but are already making demands - a good way to alienate yourself.
This same thing happened to CO and the natives aren't happy there either. Tell them all to move to MN
It hit me just how many folks are relocating here while talking to folks this week. I was in Durham and couldn't believe it - no one I spoke with, either patients or staff/healthcare workers - was a native. One guy in the cath lab was actually a Durham native, but that was it.
Here in Charlotte, less than 1/3 the folks living here are NC natives. I guess I thought the rest of the state surely didn't have so many newcomers.
However, I have been reading for about 20 years that NC was one of the top 3 relocation states for retirees and since 2000, the region where I live has been a huge draw for newcomers because of work, despite the recession and our awful unemployment (post-2008).
Hi Ani! The situation in North Carolina reminds me of California in 1958 when I first moved here at the age of 14; most people seemed to be transplants, not natives. Of course by now that situation has changed and there are plenty of California-born folks.
I'd guess that it's a natural thing in Carolina now, as it is in Florida, for an ice-breaker question to be "where are you from?"
I do remember in my days before the CD and Google, I bought a big book .....think it was a meteorological study of the USA to try to pick the all-over best location for retirement and Charlotte ranked very high.
Maybe sales were great for that book
Do you ever think about how we learned new things before the internet? Or how long it took to get a question answered?
PS> I love California -- and I mean - from top to bottom. There are places I would live in all areas of the state.
I dream of writing the novel that becomes a huge hit of a movie . . . and leaves me with a windfall . . . so I can move to Malibu.
As for folks leaving where they currently live -- someone opened the floodgates in NY and NJ and gave everyone a ticket to North Carolina.[/quote]
The other day I read an article on my MSN homepage that ranked states for retirees. The worst state was North Carolina. That really surprised me but mostly because of this forum. I've seen very little that wasn't 'good' about the state. But then they ranked Wyoming as #1, North Dakota as #2 and South Dakota as #3. In all areas, except weather, these were the top ranking. Housing costs, food costs, low unemployment, opportunities for employment for the 'oldsters', low taxes, medical care, etc.. I thought about our Wyoming poster here when I read that and could just see him saying, "See? I told you so!". lol
I hope you write that novel. Then we can all say we knew you when...
I promise if I really get the novel written, I will make sure C-D friends get autographed copies, lol.
Ah, NC for retirees . . . here is the thing. Many states have better "breaks" for retirees, such as better homestead laws and tax breaks. Housing varies so much from region to region . . . areas that are popular for retirees often are over-priced (because they have been, historically, tourist towns).
Enclaves of retirees from the NE have naturally occurred and I find it wonderful! The influx of newcomers is a good thing when they are coming with pensions, cash in hand to buy a home . . . plus the added benefit of volunteers! Retirees provide so much volunteer time - it truly is a bonus to the communities where they decide to establish themselves.
So those are positive things.
The negative things with "any" newcomers range from strain on existing infrastructure (which typically means escalating taxes in order to upgrade infrastructure), changes in voting patterns (a negative from some natives' perspectives - possibly a positive for others!), disgruntled parents in re: to what they expect from schools and sports venues, and so forth. Newcomers can add so much -- or they can make it difficult for those who chose a particular lifestyle (more rural, slower paced, less sophisticated infrastructure, i.e. gravel roads, no guttering, private wells and sewer systems, lower taxes, etc).
I have seen positives as well as negatives but overall . . . having good folks move into an area and "give back" to the community in various ways (retail establishment, involvement in politics, subdivision development/HOAs) can be a boost to the overall quality of life for everyone. Sadly, I have often seen an "us vs. them" mentality in smaller enclaves (natives vs. newcomers) but that can be overcome in time.
I have made a totally new group of friends, all newcomers -- mostly from NYC/LI -- and find their energy, sense of humor, Italian culture (yes, they are all Italians!!!) -- to be a great boost to their communities and a welcomed infusion of new ideas and traditions to the region. Love love love those ladies . . . :-)
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
So where did the natives go after the transplants took their jobs?
. I went to Lowe's and thought it was great. Interesting how when one of the realtors was talking about a grocery store being built and when I asked which one everyone in the room just "tightened" up - you could feel it. I don't care which grocery stores are there and I sure don't expect any from this area to be there (except Trader Joe's & Whole Foods which are already in NC).
