where to live in the south

[bugsy]

Looking to relocate to either virginia, NC, SC, Georgia or Florida. Looking for anyone who lives in any of these states, looking for nice area in these states that anyone would recommend. Looking for house on 1 floor inground pool and big garage. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. please pm me with state and area and or realtors in that area. thank you SYC

[TimG]

Austin, Texas, baby..... I've been here for 41 years after growing up in Chicago and going to school in Wisconsin, a job transfer brought me here when I was 26. It's hard to beat central Texas and the Hill Country. My wife is from Houston and we love visiting Wisconsin in the summers. Austin is hard to beat.

[COPO]

Suggest you give significant consideration to important location factors to narrow your search as presently it's an enormous area. These are just a few things to consider, but just the tip of the iceberg.

1) Is being in or near a large city important?

2) Is being near a large airport for convenient travel important?

3) Are nearby modern healthcare facilities important?

4) Nearby professional sports teams, museums, recreation and cultural facilities important?

5) Is being near the coast, lake, or river important?

6) Is being near the mountains important?

7) Do you want mild winters, but still 4 seasons, or warm year round like south Florida?

8) Newer home, or older home that can be improved? Adding garage and pool are easy if you find the right house and location.

9) Is being within a neighborhood important or being out in the country without neighbors to do what you want?

10) Being near existing friends and family important?

11) Income tax free states like TN, TX, and FL are popular, but often have higher property taxes to make up for it.

12) Most importantly is a budget range.

Of the states you mentioned, probably overall GA or SC is going to have the most bang for your buck if that is important and living within an hour or so of Atlanta will provide all the nearby modern conveniences of a big city, but still far enough away from issues like traffic congestion and inner city crime. I would look to the northern area of GA 60-90 minutes from Atlanta as you have beautiful country in the foothills of the mountains, but still close to great healthcare, Atlanta airport, and cultural facilities.

Real Estate agents are normally experts in a specific area of a city, so first narrowing down your search area, and then picking a top local agent will likely yield better results.

There's a million online resources available that will assist you in narrowing your search and helping to guide you as to your most important factors. Good luck.

[John Brown]

www.bestplaces.net/

[CamaroNOS]

Now that's a VERY thorough check list, all good and VERY important questions to ask yourself from COPO.

Paul

[Bill Pritchard]

narrow your search as presently it's an enormous area.

That's an understatement :shocked: Don't know how feasible it may be for you, but if you can, I would rent for a month or more in a couple areas that you may have under consideration. Just looking at maps and online info can never take the place of real time experience. You wouldn't want to buy a house somewhere, go to the trouble & expense of moving there, and then 6 months or a year down the road, find out it's not your cup of tea. We vacationed for many years in AZ before we knew this was the place we wanted to be.

[Xplantdad]

That's an understatement :shocked: Don't know how feasible it may be for you, but if you can, I would rent for a month or more in a couple areas that you may have under consideration. Just looking at maps and online info can never take the place of real time experience. You wouldn't want to buy a house somewhere, go to the trouble & expense of moving there, and then 6 months or a year down the road, find out it's not your cup of tea. We vacationed for many years in AZ before we knew this was the place we wanted to be.




Absolutely true! We vacationed here quite a bit-including being here during the hot season, before deciding to move here :beers:

[markinnaples]

There are so many questions related to your main question, maybe answering some of the ones posted above would help. I moved south 25 years ago and other than missing my family and friends, I never regretted it. Best of luck in your decision, it's a big one.

[earntaz]

Being raised in northern Wisconsin, there are two four-letter-words I hate ... COLD & SNOW ... love south Texas!

[WILMASBOYL78]

Where your 2A rights are honored and respected...fill in the rest after that. :flag:

-wilma

[Too Many Projects]

Being raised in northern Wisconsin, there are two four-letter-words I hate ... COLD & SNOW ... love south Texas!
I am right there with ya....except I'm still in the frozen north...:rolleyes2:

[427.060]

I have lived in Georgia or South Carolina most of my life. Like any state, there are cities to stay away from. If you want to be near a good size city my choices would be Charleston SC or Savannah Ga. Both are close to the beach and will have most any activities you would look for. I love both for the history of the cities and the beautiful old houses and buildings. Stay away from the city of North Charleston. Crime is really bad there. If you want to be close to or in the mountains, check out Ashville or Hickory NC or some of the smaller cities like Boone and Murphy NC.
Personally, I hate Atlanta Ga or anywhere within 30 or 40 miles of it. There are some good places outside of that radius but I'm not very familiar with them.
As far as beach towns, there are several. I lived on Hilton Head for about 4 years but it was a while ago. I liked it there but it was a pain to get to and leave as there is only one way to get there. Myrtle Beach is too much of a tourist city and crime is getting really bad. There are a few island beach towns around Charleston SC and near Brunswick Ga.
Good luck with your search.

[Pro Stock John]

A friend of mine moved to Murphy NC likes it a lot. Side note that's where Eric Rudolph was hiding out: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Rudolph

I'm in Chicago been here for 30+ years, been thinking to relo to Western MI to be close my inlaws who are 83 this year and live in Grand Haven. I think the snow there is worse than here but we really like that area in good weather. Anyone on here live around there?

[bugsy]

thank you everyone for your input, thanks

[Hawkeye]

Moving to Charleston, SC was the best relocation I’ve ever done. If it lands towards the top of your list reach out and I’d be willing to discuss pros and cons.

[bergy]

We had a home on Marco Island, FL for 25 years. It was great, but gradually got too crowded. The past few years it was like NYC south during the season. Right now I’m over on the FL East coast looking out at the ocean. Very few people on the beach even this time of year

[Vern B]

A friend of mine moved to Murphy NC likes it a lot. Side note that's where Eric Rudolph was hiding out: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Rudolph

I'm in Chicago been here for 30+ years, been thinking to relo to Western MI to be close my inlaws who are 83 this year and live in Grand Haven. I think the snow there is worse than here but we really like that area in good weather. Anyone on here live around there?

I live not too far away to the north in Traverse City area. We’re there April thru December then January thru March in FL. Best of both worlds, Michigan weather for 9 months, FL for 3 months. Miss Michigans cold months and FL hot, humid months.

[drdave69]

I have lived in west central GA my entire life. Very hot/humid in the summer but not too bad in the winter (lawn is already turning green). My dad and stepmom have lived in the north east GA mountain area (Clayton) for about 10 years and I love that area when we visit. Super laid back and no real hustle and bustle. Would move there myself but still a little too young to retire.

[GMC_Typhoon]

I've been everywhere and I prefer Rural middle TN. Cheap houses/land,no income taxes,southern hospitality,BBQ. The vinegar based sauces suck IMO but you can get great KC sauces online.

[markinnaples]

We had a home on Marco Island, FL for 25 years. It was great, but gradually got too crowded. The past few years it was like NYC south during the season. Right now I’m over on the FL East coast looking out at the ocean. Very few people on the beach even this time of year

Where are you on the east coast? I get what you mean as I've been in Naples for 25 years now and it's just not what it once was with the massive influx over the last 5 years, especially. I'd love to find a quiet little beach town eventually.

[Pro Stock John]

I live not too far away to the north in Traverse City area. We’re there April thru December then January thru March in FL. Best of both worlds, Michigan weather for 9 months, FL for 3 months. Miss Michigans cold months and FL hot, humid months.

That sounds pretty good. I flew into Traverse City last spring and bought a truck at Voice Motors in Kalkaska, nice area.

I know a lot of car folks in MI so it appeals to me. I like KC too but I don't know that many folks there.