North Carolinans, I Would Like Your Input! :)

[PamperedChefDebi]

What is RTP?

Thanks for the good info. I just heard from Quiverfull that your taxes (income) are pretty steep. Poor DH thought you didn't have income taxes in NC.

Research Triangle Park = Raleigh, Durham, and Charlotte, I think, and the area in between.

 

[Cindycooks]

close - its Raleigh, Durham & Chapel Hill.

 

[PamperedChefDebi]

close - its Raleigh, Durham & Chapel Hill.

Thanks Cindy! Though Charlotte is nice also. :thumbup:

 

[Kitchen Diva]

Thanks guys!!!

 

[Kitchen Diva]

Looks like it will be soonerI guess DH says he wants to move within a year... shoot I'd better get busy, and find a job so I can make some money for this move-

I'm so happy I'll at least know people where we'll be moving. With all my past military moves with DH, we never knew anyone, and it was hard on us. This is cool that CS has helped me meet people in a state that we will be moving to.

Anyone want to help us unpack? Free pizza and koolaid and oreo truffles!!!:chef:

 

[janetupnorth]

I guess DH says he wants to move within a year... shoot I'd better get busy, and find a job so I can make some money for this move-

I'm so happy I'll at least know people where we'll be moving. With all my past military moves with DH, we never knew anyone, and it was hard on us. This is cool that Chef Success has helped me meet people in a state that we will be moving to.

Anyone want to help us unpack? Free pizza and koolaid and oreo truffles!!!:chef:

Sorry, I already drank the Koolaid - remember?

 

[Kitchen Diva]

Sorry, I already drank the Koolaid - remember?

well, I can't serve beer...I guess I could say pizza and sodas!

 

[RuthV]

Having been born and raised about 30 minutes from Fayetteville, NC I can honestly say it's not as bad as many say. Hubby is a former paratrooper(I had to date outside my county because of so many relatives) who hated Ft. Bragg til he met me and got out into the country. I've only ever lived away from here for the 2 years we were stationed at Ft. Hood, TX(talk about a duty staion we hated). We live in a small town about 45 minutes from Fayetteville now(45 minutes-hour to Wilmington). Check the areas around Fayetteville like Harnett County, Moore County, Hoke County......and if you're looking to get a place out in the country but still close to a good-sized city, check out Bladen or Sampson counties. I love this area. Let me know if you want specific info on the Fayetteville area and things like property taxes in the area.

 

[pamperedape]

Not having school-aged children in Fayetteville is a big plus for you! That was the first thing I went and looked for in your siggy.

 

[Bren706]

Greensboro is about 50 minutes west of Raleigh, and like mentioned above, there are no military bases around. High Point, and Thomasville (near Greensboro) is known for the Furniture Market. We have many stores in the area: Sam's Club, Costco, Kohls, Targets (3), Walmart (4-5), Four Seasons Mall, Belk, Dillards, Home Depot (3-4), Lowes' and many more. We have a Wet n Wild water park here, a Childrens' Museum, Natural Science Center, and Coliseum. The zoo is only 40 minutes away. The Raleigh Durham International Airport is 50 minutes away, and we also have the Piedmont Triad International Airport right here in Greensboro (flights are a little more expensive though). Charlotte is 90 minutes away. I am pretty sure we have a Coca-Cola Bottling company here as well.

There are a lot of new homes being built in the area, and I am confident you would find something in your price range.

 

[daniellemorgan]

Even though you don't like to shop, it is nice to have the store there if you need it. Wilmington is finally catching up. We have almost every store you mentioned EXCEPT trader joe's and ikea. Those are two of my favorite stores, so it really puts a strain on me. I have to shop there once a year when I visit my family in Pittsburgh. Check out Leland and Winnabow. They are across the bridge from Wilmington so it's so much cheaper to live there. There are a ton of new housing communities going up in those parts. Here is a great real estate agents website here in Wilmington: http://www.tinaabraham.com/.Good Luck!

 

[Kitchen Diva]

my siggy? hee-hee

Not having school-aged children in Fayetteville is a big plus for you! That was the first thing I went and looked for in your siggy.

I wish we had kids...just isn't in the stars. But yes, that is a great plus- that we don't have to worry about finding schools, etc. The biggest challenge will be the timing- selling the house once DH gets a job in NC- God is really gonna get some props throughout this entire adventure, that's for sure- this can only happen with Him at the helm...it's too darn close to impossible otherwise!

 

[Kitchen Diva]

Even though you don't like to shop, it is nice to have the store there if you need it. Wilmington is finally catching up. We have almost every store you mentioned EXCEPT trader joe's and ikea. Those are two of my favorite stores, so it really puts a strain on me. I have to shop there once a year when I visit my family in Pittsburgh.

Check out Leland and Winnabow. They are across the bridge from Wilmington so it's so much cheaper to live there. There are a ton of new housing communities going up in those parts. Here is a great real estate agents website here in Wilmington: http://www.tinaabraham.com/.

Good Luck!

Thanks for the link- that is SOOOO helpful! when you google NC real estate some really goofy stuff pops up!

 

[Kitchen Diva]

Greensboro is about 50 minutes west of Raleigh, and like mentioned above, there are no military bases around. High Point, and Thomasville (near Greensboro) is known for the Furniture Market. We have many stores in the area: Sam's Club, Costco, Kohls, Targets (3), Walmart (4-5), Four Seasons Mall, Belk, Dillards, Home Depot (3-4), Lowes' and many more. We have a Wet n Wild water park here, a Childrens' Museum, Natural Science Center, and Coliseum. The zoo is only 40 minutes away. The Raleigh Durham International Airport is 50 minutes away, and we also have the Piedmont Triad International Airport right here in Greensboro (flights are a little more expensive though). Charlotte is 90 minutes away. I am pretty sure we have a Coca-Cola Bottling company here as well.

There are a lot of new homes being built in the area, and I am confident you would find something in your price range.

Wow, sounds like quite a bit to do in those areas! I need to print up a large map and write next to each city the info you guys have given me, and then go from there! I wonder how much Kinko's would charge to blow up my Atlas Map of NC? I'm thinking 3x3 foot oughta do it

Looks like I'll be hitting the pavement for a FT job on Monday the 7th!

 

[daniellemorgan]

Thanks for the link- that is SOOOO helpful! when you google NC real estate some really goofy stuff pops up!

She's a great lady and honest!! I've dealt with a ton of idiot real estate agents down here. The lady who sold me my house was the worst!! I know Tina through my gym and she definately is not an idiot

 

[jenniferp417]

My brother and sister-in-law are talking about moving to NC - Ashville or Charlotte, it rather sounds like. It's pretty up in the air right now. But NC is a beautiful state from all I've heard. I just wish Michigan was closer.

 

[Kitchen Diva]

Realtors-

She's a great lady and honest!! I've dealt with a ton of idiot real estate agents down here. The lady who sold me my house was the worst!! I know Tina through my gym and she definately is not an idiot

I used to work in the mortgage industry...sadly there are very few unhelpful and clueless realtors. I interviewed over 70 realtors before finding the 3 I was willing to work with full time!

How does it work with the attorney's you need in NC to buy a house? Up here in MN you just have a realtor, the title company and your mortgage lender...I heard you needed an attorney to buy a house too? How do they get paid and why do you need one?

I'm off to bed. Sitting at the computer, and watching TV all day has made me tired. LOL I really need to get a job out of the house!!

Thanks again everyone for the input. If I come up with additional questions, I'll selfishly bump this thread to the top again for help!

Have a wonderful evening!

 

[ChefLisa]

Hi Kacey!

Have you considered North Georgia? We sit nicely between South Carolina and Tennessee. We are at the foothills of the mountains so you can get there in 30 minutes to one hour. We are about four hours to the nearest beaches.

I live in Cumming, Georgia, which is about 40 miles north of Atlanta. Our county, Forsyth (not to be confused with the city of Forsyth) is one of the fastest growing in the nation so shopping is quite plentiful. We have all the stores you mentioned, including Dunkin Donuts! I am not 100% sure where the Commissary is located, but my in-laws shop there.

I think one of the best things about our area are the number of businesses very close to here. The cities of Alpharetta, Norcross, Duluth, Roswell and Atlanta (all close to Cumming) are full of large companies. I think the job market in this area would be great in your husband's field.

Just another option to think about.

Lisa

 

[Kitchen Diva]

Hi Kacey!

Have you considered North Georgia? We sit nicely between South Carolina and Tennessee. We are at the foothills of the mountains so you can get there in 30 minutes to one hour. We are about four hours to the nearest beaches.

I live in Cumming, Georgia, which is about 40 miles north of Atlanta. Our county, Forsyth (not to be confused with the city of Forsyth) is one of the fastest growing in the nation so shopping is quite plentiful. We have all the stores you mentioned, including Dunkin Donuts! I am not 100% sure where the Commissary is located, but my in-laws shop there.

I think one of the best things about our area are the number of businesses very close to here. The cities of Alpharetta, Norcross, Duluth, Roswell and Atlanta (all close to Cumming) are full of large companies. I think the job market in this area would be great in your husband's field.

Just another option to think about.

Lisa

Hi Lisa!
I sent you a PM.

Guess what? We have a city in MN called Duluth, too. It's on the shores of Lake Superior! too funny!

 

[daniellemorgan]

How does it work with the attorney's you need in NC to buy a house? Up here in MN you just have a realtor, the title company and your mortgage lender...I heard you needed an attorney to buy a house too? How do they get paid and why do you need one?

I didn't realize having an attorney was a north carolina thing...our attorney was actually a good friend of mine. she pretty much was the go between. she looked over all the paperwork to make sure it was all in order, she has to be at closing, all the bills (pest inspection, home inspection, survey, etc) are sent to her so after closing she sends out all the checks. her fee was included in the closing costs. i believe she charged around $400. i don't know if that is high or low, but i know she's been doing this a long time and she's very good.

hope this helps!

 

[Kitchen Diva]

Sounds a little like what our title companies do up here.
I was just looking at your state income taxes...HOLY COW! I thought we were taxed to high heaven in MN! At least we don't pay taxes on food or clothing...you guys are getting pilfered! How do you do it? (no offense meant by the way, I just couldn't believe that the cost of living was lower, wages were lower, but taxes were higher than MN which is one of the highest taxed states in the US!) OUCH!

I have to remember this is to be closer to the ocean and mountains, and closer to the nexxus of evil..I mean the step kids and their babies. Sorry the nexxus of evil would be the ex... I'm naughty this morning... I need to go back to bed. I guess being up since 4:30 makes me a bit cranky.

At least I don't think MN is so bad anymore as far as taxes are concerned. I'll just have to look at other good things that NC has to offer to get my mind off the tax thing. One of the reasons we were looking to move from MN is that the taxes are so high. It's getting difficult to for DH to want to make the kind of money he is making when over 30% is sucked up in taxes.

But I digress...

Talk to you all a little later...

 

[jrstephens]

I do not know about in NC but in AL attorneys normally charge 1% of the purchase price of the house as their fee. Or at least that is what the attorney that I work for does. I recommened having an attorney for the closing even if you have a realtor and title company. The realtor is going to be more concerned for the sellor b/c that is who they represent and the title company is going to insure you clear title for the house. But you need someone looking over the loan papers and documents that is in it for your best interest and no one else.

 

[Kitchen Diva]

I do not know about in NC but in AL attorneys normally charge 1% of the purchase price of the house as their fee. Or at least that is what the attorney that I work for does. I recommened having an attorney for the closing even if you have a realtor and title company. The realtor is going to be more concerned for the sellor b/c that is who they represent and the title company is going to insure you clear title for the house. But you need someone looking over the loan papers and documents that is in it for your best interest and no one else.

Don't you guys have buying agents? Up here we have selling and buying agents... example, DH and I want to buy a house- we find ourselves a realtor. On occasion that realtor may have listed a home that we decide we want to buy- which is dual agency, but it's rare, so there is a realtor for the seller and the buyer, and your realtors look out for YOU...not the seller- that's what the seller's realtor is for.

Isn't it odd how different it is from state to state? Lots to learn. I have a friend in Raleigh that is a mortgage consultant, I think it's time to phone her.

 

[PamperedChefDebi]

Hi Kacey!

Have you considered North Georgia? We sit nicely between South Carolina and Tennessee. We are at the foothills of the mountains so you can get there in 30 minutes to one hour. We are about four hours to the nearest beaches.

I live in Cumming, Georgia, which is about 40 miles north of Atlanta. Our county, Forsyth (not to be confused with the city of Forsyth) is one of the fastest growing in the nation so shopping is quite plentiful. We have all the stores you mentioned, including Dunkin Donuts! I am not 100% sure where the Commissary is located, but my in-laws shop there.

I think one of the best things about our area are the number of businesses very close to here. The cities of Alpharetta, Norcross, Duluth, Roswell and Atlanta (all close to Cumming) are full of large companies. I think the job market in this area would be great in your husband's field.

Just another option to think about.

Lisa

My ex-step-mom lives in Forsyth county. Outside of Roswell near Woodstock. It is beautiful around there and Roswell has EVERYTHING.

There should be a Commissary on either Dobbins Air National Guard Base in Marrietta or on Forts Gillam or McPherson (if they're still open).

 

[jrstephens]

Don't you guys have buying agents? Up here we have selling and buying agents... example, DH and I want to buy a house- we find ourselves a realtor. On occasion that realtor may have listed a home that we decide we want to buy- which is dual agency, but it's rare, so there is a realtor for the seller and the buyer, and your realtors look out for YOU...not the seller- that's what the seller's realtor is for.

Isn't it odd how different it is from state to state? Lots to learn. I have a friend in Raleigh that is a mortgage consultant, I think it's time to phone her.

They may have buying agents in the bigger cities but in my small area they pretty much just represent the seller. Eveyr time we have ever closed one there is not an agent for the seller.

It is strange how things can be so different in so many different areas!

 

[Kitchen Diva]

They may have buying agents in the bigger cities but in my small area they pretty much just represent the seller. Eveyr time we have ever closed one there is not an agent for the seller.

It is strange how things can be so different in so many different areas!

That is weird! Yeah, MN passed some laws a while back to make it so there had to be a listing/buying agent representing the buyers of a home. Sometimes that agent is also selling the same home, but it is very rare! It makes it darn near impossible to get hosed by your realtor- which I like.

I just called my friend Susan that lives in Sanford, NC. She is a branch manager for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. She'll be able to help me with all those realtor questions, etc... We ended up gonig to every training course together, and then would always get stuck at the airport together and fast became friends. I've been meaning to call her anyway to ask her some questions about NC.

I finally printed up some maps and made notations near the cities that all you cheffers mentioned.

I'm off to start looking for a FT job. I can't spruce up my house without money, and I need a job to make money, so hi-ho, hi-ho it's off to the jobsites I go...♪♫♪

 

[Kitchen Diva]

Prayers for a jobOkay fellow cheffers, I need prayers that I will find a FT day job so that DH and I can save up additional money to spruce up our house here in MN- and afford a move across country to NC. DH wants to move within the next 12 months, so prayers for a great company in NC to desire to hire him, and help cover some of the costs of the move (if not all)...

This is a huge leap of faith for DH and I. He's never just decided to up and move- normally he'd leave a place kicking and screaming when he was in the Air Force- so I know DH is serious about this move.

So I need a job up here to help with additional monies for the house and the move, and DH needs a great job offer from a company in NC!

Thanks again guys!

 

[pamperedape]

Ohhhh!!! I'm in a Sanford cluster!!!!!!!

We may just end up seeing each other once a month!!!

 

[chefmeg]

what kind of job does DH do?? that may determine where in NC you wind up.

we are in Virginia, only 2 1/2 hours from Raleigh and I have to say the cost of living here is WAY lower than that particular area.
Is his heart set on NC or is he willing to look around?

As for a job for you.....good luck! OR bump up your PC business...recruit with the mindset that you'll be leaving the area and will need good consultants to help your customers once you are gone!

 

[Kitchen Diva]

what kind of job does DH do?? that may determine where in NC you wind up.

we are both pretty set on NC. DH is in HR Management aka Talent Acquisition/recruiting. He manages teams of HR people and HR recruiters...