Do you live in North Carolina or Tennesee???

I keep pondering the idea of moving south and would like any info anyone could give me about these area's, Like, What are the winters like? How long is your growing season? what do you like/not like about your area? Do you have many poisonus snakes? Fire ants there? Anything at all anyone would like to say would be great.

I live in North Carolina. This past winter was very mild, only a few days of freezing cold weather. We usually have more cold weather than that. Our last frost date is April 29 and the first frost date in the fall is 10-11. We have some pretty good weather and I like it here. I have not seen any snakes this year although my friend said her cats have brought two up out of the woods and were playing with them. I have never seen fire ants here in NC like they were out in TX.

North Carolina has one of the greatest beaches that I've ever been to. I used to spend a lot of the summer at the beach. Atlantic beach is beautiful and I can't wait to visit there soon. I live in the Durham area, so I'm not too far from any main point of interest. I am disabled and it is hard for me to get good health care anywhere other than here. And at my age health care is very important.

If you have any other questions you can dmail me or ask here. I would be happy to answer any of your questions if I can.

Jesse

OK - Native North Carolinaian chiming in here... NC is just the place to be... But I'm just a little biased... Why not tell us of some things you're looking for in where you want to move?

REally - you can find most anything in NC. Jessie mentioned beaches - I grew up in the area of Atlantic Beach and further Downeast. The climate there is mild due to the proximity to the Gulf Stream. Soil is sandy mix and land is flat with pine trees, evergreens and very few hardwoods. There are fire ants along the coast and coastal plain regions. I've lived 20 years in the Piedmont area or middle of the state. Soil here is clay based unless ameneded well. Definite change of seasons, hardwoods so you can see fall color and winters vary from frequent ice storms to very mild as Jessie described. Overall we get on average of 300 days of sun per year. To the West are the mountains and foothills. They get snow up there and have a series of ski resorts. It's typical mountain style communities and they grow wonderful Christmas trees up there.

Summers here are hot and humid. Along the coast you'll have an onshore breeze most of the time, further inland, it gets still and sultry. IT depends on your tastes as to where in NC you choose to settle. Vineyards are starting up in a lot of counties, and there is still a good bit of rural land or small farms to find for sale or rent. It's definately an easier lifestyle and gentler way of living. Why not take a trip down here to see if you like us..

Swoz

Iris,
I'm in the Mountains of western NC. It's beautiful here within a 50 mile area there are 17 lakes. We have lots of Hiking trails and waterfalls also. Our average temps in the summer are in the Lower 80's. Winter ave temps are in the 50's but we do have many days off and on in the 30's with some snow on about average we get 3-4 snow falls each winter of around 4-6 inches. Lots of beautiful native plants.

The town I live is in the far western county bordering Tn. We have a pop. of 1800 and a wonderful small town were no one ever meets a stranger. I was born and raised here and would rather be here than anywhere.

If you you like to visit the area just let me know I could show you around.
Oh and our county courthouse is one of a kind, It is the only solid Blue Marble courthouse in the US. the Marble was quaried here locally in the 1800's. the area is rich in marble and in a variety of clolrs also Blue, Pink, Red and Yellow.

We do have a couple of "Bad" snakes the Copperhead, And the Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake, though rare they may be. Rich in other wildlife also.

Come for a visit

Gary

This message was edited May 5, 2006 9:09 AM

Middle TN. Last frost date 4/15 (most of the time winter is pretty much gone by early March, but we have been known to occasionally have a late cold snap.) First frost is late October.

We get down to the teens a few times over the winter, but most nighttime winter temps are in the 20s, 30s, or 40s.

More tornadoes here than we experienced in Oklahoma, but that may be a fluke (sure hope so!) No fireants this far north, but the counties that border Alabama and Mississipi have had problems.

Copper heads, cotton mouths and rattle snakes exist - but as long as you aren't traipsing through uninhabited areas in sandals, the likelihood of getting snakebit is pretty small.

We have four seasons, but winter is mercifully short. And we have our beloved Vols to get us through fall and winter ;o)

Iris, didn't I meet you years ago at the 1st RU? Anyway, I seem to remember you had some health problems earlier. Tennessee has one of the worst State Medicaid systems in the US if you ever have to rely on help. Too bad because much of TN is wonderful.

I lived near Gary (the post above) for several years in several locations and can attest to being biased towards the NC Mountains. My sister and I are looking to move back but will probably locate just above the NC/VA line in SW Virginia due to housing costs. Be aware that good paying jobs are not always available in the rural areas. Climate is wonderful, much cooler in summers than more easterly in NC and not much colder in winter. Long enough growing season for almost anything but artichokes!

I'd never live in eastern nor central NC. Too hot, too many people. But, Horseshoe loves it, it's just not for me.

My folks lived in Boone, NC for 40 years and the locals always said there were no poisonous snakes on the Boone side of the ridge. Never saw a Fire Ant.

East TN is very, very different from West TN. At one point the state touted the "three states of Tennessee". The east has the Smoky Mountains; the middle is rolling hills; the west is pretty flat, bounded on the west by the Mississippi River.

West TN has April 15 as last frost date, and the first freeze or frost is usually around tne end of Oct/to the middle of Nov.

There are four definite seasons, and as Terry said above, there -are- fire ants in Shelby County (Memphis).

Life moves along slower down here, but as the internet and overnight deliveries move forward, the south is marching faster and faster.

To all: Thankyou so Very Much for all the info!! I really do appreciate it!!
Darius, Yes, We did meet at the first RU ( IT was Great!! TN and the people left a definate inpression on me!!) I think I have been longing for the South since that time! LOL! I know one thing I have always found true on my visits to the South, " The people have always been so sweet and curtious !!" ~ More relaxed then in my area! Anyways, I'm pretty much tired of the winters here and feel a need to move on, So been working a lot on my place and thinking about putting it on the selling market soon. Was thinking about the outskirts of Charolett Carolina because I was told that there is a lot of work in tha area, But would really consider all area's in Carolina or TN as long as it wasn't too close to the coast and there was working oppertunitys around.
Could I get some info on the prices of housing in your area? House taxes?? Is there a state income tax? I would love to get a home ( ranch house) with some land ( At least 5 acres) Can you build on your own land there or do you need permits?? Are there any special laws that I should know about?? All feedback would be emensely appreciated!! When I make it down there and get settled in, , I'm going to come see you all!! LOL!

Yes to building permits, even out in the boonies. In TN, NC and VA, and probably everywhere.

NC has state income tax, TN does not. Higher taxes in TN for purchases though. Like most areas, house tax depends on the assessed value but in my opinion, nothing like CT.

Charlotte usually is a good job market. Housing varies from the ridiculous to the sublime. Try searching on Realtor.com. The Triangle (Raleigh-Chapel Hill-Durham) and Winston Salem also have good job markets.

I'd say Asheville would be perfect, depending on what kind of work you do. Very cosmopolitan with a small town atmosphere.

South Carolina is beautiful so is Georgia.. awesome..Tenn is so lovely to.. Mountains, maggi valley.. wait is maggi valley in Tenn. sorry forgot.. ??Guess I'm no help any more can't remember so much.. sorry..

Maggie Valley is in western NC, between Cherokee and Franklin.

Sorry for getting back here so late, My computer has been down and so I haven't been To daves ( Or anywhere else!) Darius, Thankyou for being so helpfull!!

Hope43, Thankyou too!! anything at all that you can tell me is helpfull, Anything at all, So don't ever think your not helpfull because you are!!

Well I tried to talk you into moving to Ga. but I guess I just didn't have the right words. We could use another Ga. peach.

LOL!!! Well Jim, Georgia's not off the chart either!! Just starting to get going here!!! Nice to see you, Hope all's going well for you!!

Any interest in SC? We are very friendly. ; )

Happy to provide info if interested. I live on the coast now (think you said you didn't care for the coast) but have lived elsewhere in the state as well. It does get a bit "warm" here in the summer. Winters are very mild; only a few frosts last winter. (Other parts of the state vary.) I have flowers year round: roses bloom up until Thanksgiving; camellias and flowering quince bloom Christmas through mid March; Spring bulbs start to bloom in February. You can have a vegetable garden year round here.
In general, I think prices are relatively low. We frequently make the list for lowest gas price.

I could go on, but will wait to hear if you are interested 1st.

Scutler, Thankyou for all you have written!!! And 'Yes', I'm Very Interested ' in hearing all that you can tell me!!!! The gardening part is right up my alley, Don't really get a lot of gardening time here, Seems once plants start really taking off it's almost as though it's the end of summer, Only really have about 4 months of good growing season!
I have been browsing the web for info on the carolina's ( And listening to peoples responses) And have found ( So far) That there isn't much land with the housing, Which would be a major minus for me, I would really like to have at least a few acres without having to pay an arm and leg for a place. Tennesee has some excellent offers on housing and land, But, Not much on jobs. Anything at all that you can tell me about the area would be extremly helpfull to me and Very Much Appreciated!! Thanks!! :) ~Iris

We do have snakes here. Most are not poisonous except: Eastern Diamondback, Timber Rattle Snake, Copperhead, Water Moccasin, and a very shy coral snake that I have never seen. Even these are less toxic than many of those found in other parts of the country and world. From what I have read, although one should certainly seek treatment if bitten, with our snakes, you have a better than 50% chance of surviving even without treatment.

About snakes, here's the thing, I've lived here all of my life. I grew up in a rural area where we played (often "bare foot") in the fields and forests. I have seen many snakes (mostly as a child), and have even stepped on a few. I have ridden horseback for hours on end through fields, sometimes through underbrush as high as the horse's back, and have even seen snakes while riding. I have swum in lakes, waded through streams, and canoed in swamps and have even boated in areas with snakes hanging from trees. I have gardened knee deep in weeds. All this and more, yet I have never been bitten nor have I ever know anyone who was bitten by a snake. In fact, I only know 1 person who knows a person who was bitten by a poisonous snake, and after receiving antivenon that person had no lasting effects.

So while they are frightening, I think it's important to realize that the threat is greatly overblown in our minds.

Iris, my sister and I bought a house in SW Virginia 2 days ago. House and 19 acres for under $100,000. Much of the land is steep and wooded, but enough useable land to suit me.
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/601652/

scutler, Thankyou for all the info on the snakes and such, I'm not afraid of snakes ( here) because almost all are non-poisonus, But, I know in other area's that list of non-poisonus grows, But, Youv'e made me feeel better about that! I 'will' be answering your D-mail soon, I wanted to wait iuntill I had enough time to dedicate my attention to it and want you to know how very much I appreciate 'All' you have written, Thankyou so Very Much!

Darius, Wow, What a treat!!! I love it and I'm jelous!!! 19 acreas, A stream, covered bridge, ect!!! Exactly my cup of tea!!! What you bought is pretty much what I am looking for!! Dang!!! Congratulations!! Do you mind if I ask, Is this place close to town? is there much work in that area? you are so lucky and i an so happy for you!!! thanks so much for posting the link< i enjoyed seeing it and hope i can come across a good deal like that when i"m ready to start looking!

Iris, dead center downtown is 10 miles from our future home. According to what I read, there is lots of manufacturing in the area, hence many jobs. Don't know about office jobs although we brought the papers so my sister can look for a position.

Darius, Thats great!! And thanks for answering! Do you mind if I asked what town it's in?? I looked through your other post but don't think you posted it

Marion, VA, Smyth county. Said to be the least expensive area in the state. County population is 33,000.

Looking at a map, you really are in the middle of nowhere, aren't you? That sounds lovely! the interstates seem to be far away... BUT, you're close to Virginia, NC, and TN! Good choice, Darius :)

FlowrLady, we are 3.7 miles from the Interstate, I-81.

Well, that's perfect, too! At least we can get to you easily! You're closer to the interstate than I am. I have to drive about 20 minutes...

Thanks Darius! I'll look it up on the map. Nice that your only a little over 3 miles from the interstate and close to NC and TN, I'm definately going to be looking into your area!

Cool, Iris! Just have one DG member about 20 miles away, would love morep-s, just got approve3d for the loan, may close before June 15 if they can get the inspections and paperwork done.

Darius, I'm so happy for y'all! You'll be living near 'heaven'!!

NAH, MORE LIKE "IN HEAVEN!"

"Heaven" is right!!! Not far to the 15th Darius, Then it's yours!!! Congrats!!!!!

Whoooeee! JUST HEARD EARLIER THAT OURV LOAN IS APPROVED!

Thats Great!!! So happy for you!!!! :)

Iris, My favorite things about living in [east] Tennesse are as follows:

a. Climate - 3 months for each season (This I love!)
b. Very low property tax, no state income tax, but high sales tax - I live near Virginia and shop there a lot where the sales tax is normal.
c. The landscape is gorgeous (rolling hills, lots of trees that flower, different levels of mountains).
d. Most of the people live a little less by clocks and calendars than our northern friends (I can say this because I lived in Wisconsin for 30 years.)
e. The soil is fertile ... I moved here from Texas years ago and was very impressed that things sprouted so easily (compared to there).
f. There are nice walking and biking trails, tons of festivals, historical things to explore, caves, lakes, and east TN is within 5-6 hours of beaches.
JUST CAN'T BEAT IT for a great place to live.

Granny, I live near west TN. You are right! East TN is unusually beautiful.

Granny Lois, Thankyopu so much for all the info!! :)

Iris, please let me know if you end up in my area. Good luck with your decision.

Another thing: many, many retired northerners move to Tennessee or North Carolina. You would find lots of transplants. (Don't know if you're retirement age or not ... but it's a superb place for retired folks.)

Ok, now you have almost convinced me to move "north" to TN!

Grannylois, 'Will Do!" And Thankyou for the extra info!!

Sculter LOL!! ( I didn't forget you!!, Looking for some extra time!!)

Iris, I understand, and while I always enjoy hearing from you, I didn't expect a response. But I must admit, some days I'm tempted to move to TN - no kidding! : )

Thanks for being understanding! :) And I must say, Sometimes I get pretty tempted myself!!