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in rural areas, the "good ol boys" network running everything and fewer people can make it more of a problem since they can be a larger percentage of the local population. People are people everywhere, but the old networks can be cliquey in some areas.
in rural areas, the "good ol boys" network running everything and fewer people can make it more of a problem since they can be a larger percentage of the local population. People are people everywhere, but the old networks can be cliquey in some areas.
I agree where I live Ocala, Florida is very much as you described. Old network of generations of locals that run everything, then a big following of voters that think just like them. They think building more and more gas stations, car washes,Waffle House and Publix Grocery store locations, and lets not forget all the churches every half mile. They think that is the type of development that is only needed with a growing population. Instead of Medical Facilities, actual stores people can use and a actual road network to get from A to B. God forbid a bus line to go where all the retirees live, to help get them off the few major roads that are here. So yes good ol boy networks are a big part of living in the SE USA.
1. No Mail Service. Every day we must drive into town.
2. Did not notice there are no street lights
3. Did not notice the home across the street is actually the water company. Too many cars driving in and out
4. Did not realize in such a tiny town people call the Cops all the time about stupid stuff. Someones old dog is loose, someone is not parking the correct way, etc.
5. Did not think about the gas prices skyrocketing and now paying $300 more a month for gasoline
6. Did not realize though everyone has AT&T, the company refuses to hook any new people up. Even if the home had AT&T in the past
so crappy Satellite was all that was available for a long time
I agree where I live Ocala, Florida is very much as you described. Old network of generations of locals that run everything, then a big following of voters that think just like them. They think building more and more gas stations, car washes,Waffle House and Publix Grocery store locations, and lets not forget all the churches every half mile. They think that is the type of development that is only needed with a growing population. Instead of Medical Facilities, actual stores people can use and a actual road network to get from A to B. God forbid a bus line to go where all the retirees live, to help get them off the few major roads that are here. So yes good ol boy networks are a big part of living in the SE USA.
You nailed it, Ocala was on the list of possible towns to move to Florida, but last year when driving around, I saw exactly what you describe. The one hospital I drove by looked run down. Ocala has incredibly gorgeous horse farms for the Uber wealthy, but for the rest, well…
1. No Mail Service. Every day we must drive into town.
2. Did not notice there are no street lights
3. Did not notice the home across the street is actually the water company. Too many cars driving in and out
4. Did not realize in such a tiny town people call the Cops all the time about stupid stuff. Someones old dog is loose, someone is not parking the correct way, etc.
5. Did not think about the gas prices skyrocketing and now paying $300 more a month for gasoline
6. Did not realize though everyone has AT&T, the company refuses to hook any new people up. Even if the home had AT&T in the past
so crappy Satellite was all that was available for a long time
I'm actually hoping for no street lights. I'm specifically looking for a lot less light pollution.
#3 - google earth has eliminated a number of otherwise "looks perfect!" properties without having to visit
#4 - not what I'd expect in an established rural community! Were they calling the cops on you?
#5 - well, that's everywhere and #6 - ouch! Would not have expected that!
Hardly any service people in the nearby towns. Larger towns won't drive this far. Much goes un-done or finally completed by an amateur risking amateur results (plumber, electrician, painter, etc)
I'm actually hoping for no street lights. I'm specifically looking for a lot less light pollution.
#3 - google earth has eliminated a number of otherwise "looks perfect!" properties without having to visit
#4 - not what I'd expect in an established rural community! Were they calling the cops on you?
#5 - well, that's everywhere and #6 - ouch! Would not have expected that!
I can't be sure but got suspicious when a Cop drove by shortly after I pulled out.
He appeared looking for someone but we know the guy living right above where I parked, calls on everyone.
1. No Mail Service. Every day we must drive into town.
2. Did not notice there are no street lights
3. Did not notice the home across the street is actually the water company. Too many cars driving in and out
4. Did not realize in such a tiny town people call the Cops all the time about stupid stuff. Someones old dog is loose, someone is not parking the correct way, etc.
5. Did not think about the gas prices skyrocketing and now paying $300 more a month for gasoline
6. Did not realize though everyone has AT&T, the company refuses to hook any new people up. Even if the home had AT&T in the past
so crappy Satellite was all that was available for a long time
1. That's how I grew up, and it's also what I've dealt with for the last couple years on the private road I am renting on. IMO, not a huge deal. USPS's Informed Delivery tells me when I have something important coming in. I'm moving even more rural next year and will actually get mail at the house, so that is good.
2. No street lights is a good thing. I don't want to pay for them. Luckily they just came out with a feature on cars called headlights.
3. yeah that sucks. Should have come up while doing research about the property, but live and learn.
4. That doesn't sound rural at all. The town I'm moving to doesn't have a PD and is covered for emergencies by the state police-they won't waste their time on minor stuff.
5. Yeah we're all dealing with that. One of the disadvantages of living rural is you get a lot of windshield time just to satisfy the basic needs. Optimizing shopping trips is useful.
6. No Starlink available? That's what I'll have to get when I move next year as there is no broadband and the cell coverage isn't fast enough(12mbps on a speedtest).
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