General Discussion & Chat: Looking to relocate to the Country and Mountains, 1 by LynnCanGrowIt

LynnCanGrowIt wrote:
Ranking the states of TN and NC by their tax burden, TN is 47th and NC is 28th.
Here's a link that can help you compare all states by looking at the state and local tax burdens as a % of income :
http://www.retirementliving.com/RLtaxburdens.html

You can also review each state by starting at this webpage: http://www.retirementliving.com/RLtaxes.html

When I was your exact age, I did the same thing...moved to the country about 80 miles away. I moved with my family from a crowded suburban area of Maryland into the countryside in the northern Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. Well, now, this area is growing more crowded and we are looking to make one final move OUT of the encroaching metro-zone. (I speak of the Washington DC area which is about 1 hour away.)

So at this time, we are comparing the above tax burdens, the cost-of-living w/ respect to land costs, and job possibilities and salaries. This fall, we will take an extended RV trip through MO, AR, and northern TX en route to our destination of AZ and UT. Part of the trip is to do a 'preview' of those areas to see if the geographical areas are pleasing to us. We are wanting a Zone 7ish climate since we are avid gardeners, plus we also love the seasons. Otherwise, we would relocate in the arid western area because, well, it is just magnificent there!

For us, our countryside is rapidly changing and there is nothing that can be done to halt "progress". We own property and are content here at our home. But to venture "out", we find crowds, traffic jams, and developments cropping up everywhere. And a "day trip" anywhere in this vicinity means a crowd. Oh sure, we can drive 11 miles away and be at the head of Skyline Drive....but we're there with a whole bunch of people escaping the 'burbs. LOL....

Here, now, a Virginia-owned large lake just 4 miles away is now being developed for a 2,760 unit gated "lakeside" community. And that's just one of the developments!! There are smaller developments cropping up on all of the farmland and orchards here in this part of the Shenandoah Valley. Sadly, land is at a premium in this region so farmers are unable to justify farming. Their land is worth millions and although some farms have been passed down through the family-lines, the current owners are unable to farm economically. Apples, peaches, and other farm crops are all imported now. Cattle and pigs do not provide enough profit to provide an income from farming any longer. The majority of area orchardists have sold out to developers, and ironically, some of the developers have opted to allow some of the fruit trees to remain standing, almost as a reminder of what once was....It's a good thing that there are several National Forests close by, otherwise the mountains would become sites for luxury homes.

Last year, we vacationed in the Smokey Mountains, not far from Cades Cove. While I would not choose to live there (too much tourism and cost of land is too expensive, imo), it was beautiful.

Here's a 'treat' for you to dream with! I captured a Smokey Mountain sunrise one morning!

Great thread to read and I hope there is alot more dialogue here.