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Hello everyone! My wife and I are seriously considering a move out of the DC metro area by summer 2007. We are looking for places to relocate to in the south/southeast or possibly Texas. We are unhappy up here with the cost of living/housing in the DC metro area (starter homes in desirable neighborhoods with desirable schools for your kids are over $390K --- this would be OUT of our price range). We are glad that the DC area is vibrant for jobs and economic growth, but if you are NOT already a homeowner, you are priced out of the housing market in the DC area (how do people make it here? But, that's another forum). Anyway, we are looking for a lower cost area in Texas or the south/southeast USA, with good schools and jobs for our respective careers (me -- computer specialist with the Fed Govt; she -- medical/health records field).
We'd love to be able to buy a home, with space to grow, and a decent-sized yard for our 2 kids to play in (ages 7 and 5), but we can't see it happening with (what we call) over-priced homes here in the DC area (at least homes in a desirable neighborhood).
We picture ourselves in the south/southeast or Texas. Any suggestions where we can start our search in? I just recently started a Fed Govt job, but I hope to transfer to another Fed Govt job next summer (summer 2007) in a location in south/southeast or Texas.
Although we have family in Charlotte (me) and Atlanta (wife), they would not be our first choices. Wife does not want to move to Atlanta (the traffic, sprawl, etc!!!); and Charlotte, although nice, is not a hot bed for Fed Govt jobs. Charlotte is more of a city for people in the financial industry.
We are looking for an area in the south/southeast or Texas with good schools, inexpensive housing (starter homes that are ready-to-move in, under $220K) access to an airport with direct flights to most major cities and good prospects for Fed Govt job employment (computer-related) and good prospects for jobs in the medical/health records field. There's GOTTA be a place out there somewhere that fits this bill.
Any suggestions/advice would be helpful. Also, if you can offer any advice on the things we should be doing now (researching, etc, etc) in advance of our plans to move in summer 2007, that would be great also!!!
Many, many thanks in advance! Looking forward to your input on locations for us to check out.
Swahilli, you may want to check out a few sites on the internet. Realtor.com could give you some idea of the amount of home you can buy for the money. They also have a comparison chart where you can compare the cost of two cities. Also Sperlings Best Places has a comparison chart and breaks it down to let you know the cost of housing, quality of the schools, religions, voting, etc. Weather.com has a comparison site to compare the year-round weather for two cities. Hope this helps just a bit and good luck to you.
swahili, I currently work for the USDA in Greensboro, NC. I think there are tons of good places to live in, and you seem to be open to a broad range of areas.
I remember seeing in the most recent Military Base closings (it was a big deal in my hometown), the (more expensive) northeast saw some very serious closings, while the south actually grew in facilities.
If you're looking for something military-related (perhaps a gov't contractor?) Fort Jackson is in Columbia, Shaw Air Force Base is in Sumter (45 minutes away). That's all my neck of the woods.
Charleston, SC has a NOAA Oceanographic Center, a naval weapons station, a port - and they used to have a naval base, but I believe it closed. There are a lot of supporting government jobs in the Charleston area, though. Perot Systems and Titan are always looking for Programmers and IT consultants.
Beaufort, SC is close to Parris Island, the Marine training facility - that may have jobs around. Fayetteville, NC has Fort Bragg, Columbus, GA has Fort Benning - both are very large military installations.
You're right about Charlotte - I don't think it's a gov't hotbed - and I wouldn't want to live in Atlanta either. the state of Alabama is well-known for having federal government facilities, though I'm not sure why.
swahili, I currently work for the USDA in Greensboro, NC. I think there are tons of good places to live in, and you seem to be open to a broad range of areas.
I remember seeing in the most recent Military Base closings (it was a big deal in my hometown), the (more expensive) northeast saw some very serious closings, while the south actually grew in facilities.
If you're looking for something military-related (perhaps a gov't contractor?) Fort Jackson is in Columbia, Shaw Air Force Base is in Sumter (45 minutes away). That's all my neck of the woods.
Charleston, SC has a NOAA Oceanographic Center, a naval weapons station, a port - and they used to have a naval base, but I believe it closed. There are a lot of supporting government jobs in the Charleston area, though. Perot Systems and Titan are always looking for Programmers and IT consultants.
Beaufort, SC is close to Parris Island, the Marine training facility - that may have jobs around. Fayetteville, NC has Fort Bragg, Columbus, GA has Fort Benning - both are very large military installations.
You're right about Charlotte - I don't think it's a gov't hotbed - and I wouldn't want to live in Atlanta either. the state of Alabama is well-known for having federal government facilities, though I'm not sure why.
Hello and THANKS anonymous for responding. I am a Fed Govt employee, and would only be interested in Govt employment --- NO government contracting at all (I have no plans to return to private sector).
Greensboro -- I did not realize USDA had employees in Greensboro. I'm on the computer side of the house (GS-2210 is career speciality code), so I'd be looking at computer jobs. I don't know G'boro intimately, but have been through many, many times. The area seems to be growing. Nice location, not as much congestion/traffic as the larger Charlotte and Raleigh/Durham metros (it's about an hour-and-a-half drive to each metro, respectively, isn't it?). Tell me, what do you know about the schools in the G'boro area? Which part(s) of town has the better schools? Lots of hospitals/medical facilities there (my wife is in the medical records field)???
Columbia -- I've been there once or twice. The last time was 7 yrs ago. My impression was not very favorable, but I am open to revisit. I will admit I stayed in a hotel on outskirts of downtown, so maybe I was on a bad side of town. But I will reconsider. Any opinions out there on Columbia? I've never been to Sumter.
Charleston -- Might consider. But, isn't it a big hurricane risk?? I haven't heard good things about Charleston schools either. I know there is a Fed Govt presence there, but what is the job market there for medical/healthcare folk? Anybody?
Hello Swahili! Being family minded, I would like to recommend a bedroom community of Charleston called Summerville. We're about 20 miles inland from the Atlantic. The threat of tidal surge during a hurricane is not something you worry about here, Charleston you would, although we get wind and possible tornadoes in the unlikely event of a storm "Hugo" in '89 was the last biggie.. In the last 16 years we've had to evacuate once.
The school district is highly rated (Dorchester District 2) and as you already know that is a concern in the South. I've raised my children in public schools here and have been very happy. There are also fine private schools in the area.
There are many opps for any type of medical professionals in the Charleston area. Summerville has "Summerville Medical" and we also have "Trident Hosp." being an EMT I can tell you there are so many in downtown Charleston it's like a hospital city!!
I'm sure you know better than I about Charleston AFB and the Weapons Station in Goose Creek. Of course the Navy base closed in the mid '90s.
Recreation is unlimited, close to beaches, mucho golf courses in S'ville. tennis, etc. Outdoorsy things, unlimited... If you are into more refined entertainment Charleston has many fine restaurants, art galleries etc...
The small amount of crime is generally committed by criminals against criminals. I guess the same as everywhere. Random crime is not the norm.
Hope this helps and good luck to you and yours...
Hello Swahili! Being family minded, I would like to recommend a bedroom community of Charleston called Summerville. We're about 20 miles inland from the Atlantic. The threat of tidal surge during a hurricane is not something you worry about here, Charleston you would, although we get wind and possible tornadoes in the unlikely event of a storm "Hugo" in '89 was the last biggie.. In the last 16 years we've had to evacuate once.
The school district is highly rated (Dorchester District 2) and as you already know that is a concern in the South. I've raised my children in public schools here and have been very happy. There are also fine private schools in the area.
There are many opps for any type of medical professionals in the Charleston area. Summerville has "Summerville Medical" and we also have "Trident Hosp." being an EMT I can tell you there are so many in downtown Charleston it's like a hospital city!!
I'm sure you know better than I about Charleston AFB and the Weapons Station in Goose Creek. Of course the Navy base closed in the mid '90s.
Recreation is unlimited, close to beaches, mucho golf courses in S'ville. tennis, etc. Outdoorsy things, unlimited... If you are into more refined entertainment Charleston has many fine restaurants, art galleries etc...
The small amount of crime is generally committed by criminals against criminals. I guess the same as everywhere. Random crime is not the norm.
Hope this helps and good luck to you and yours...
Thanks for your feedback on Charleston. I will have to take another look. I haven't been to Charleston in almost 20 years (before "Hugo" hit), so I would imagine it's changed/grown a lot since then. I would prefer a region not on the coast though, but I may have to consider it. Again, thank you!
Hi there. I wanted to offer my input on Texas. We lived in Austin for many years and it is gorgeous. Great schools in the suburbs (Cedar Park, Round Rock, Eanes ISD). In Austin you can buy a beautiful new home in your price range - and not a small starter home, fairly large and nice. Austin is growing, and some people don't like that kind of growth, but it is truly a wonderful place. As far as the computer industry - Austin is it! It is based on the IT industry. I am not sure about medical, but I do believe there are opportunities for that as well. If you have never been to Austin, it would be worth a trip. It is not like some of the other big cities, it has large hills everywhere (mini mountains) and it is beautiful! Many lakes and an awesome music experience! The people are very friendly too! We lived in Houston prior to Austin, and had no idea what we were missing until it was suggested to check it out. We could not believe the quality of life for a city that size. Also, the airport is new there and it is great. We travel frequently and have no issues with that airport at all. The Cedar Park area (school district for that is LISD, Leander Indep. School District) is nice. You can check out some builders for ideas ... maybe links removed, etc. This will give you a better idea on the housing. Good luck and I am more than willing to answer any Austin questions for you! I wish I was still there! (also check into the fed gov thing - I somewhat recall there being a large operation there)
I have read some these post and it sounds several of you are moving to Greenville, S.C.
If you are moving to Greenville, S.C. and your interested, I can send you information on a community located in northern greenville with a list of amenities and great access to locations.
Golf course, tennis courts, walking trail, swimming pool, 15 minutes from downtown, 50 minutes from Asheville, N.C., 25 minutes from Hendersonville, N.C. and 15 minutes from the mountains.
If you are interested let me know and I will send you information.
Thanks,
Rhett
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Anyway, we are looking for a lower cost area in Texas or the south/southeast USA, with good schools and jobs for our respective careers (me -- computer specialist with the Fed Govt; she -- medical/health records field). 
Charleston area
