Lower cost of living in NC? Whaddya mean? :>)

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 9, 2006

When people say the cost of living is lower in NC, they usually don't mean from other areas in the south, including Florida. They usually mean from the North.

NC, like FL is a growth state as such the cost of living keeps rising. My parents live there and I used to live there and the cost of living seems to be fairly comparable. (except they have a state income tax, and they tax everything, including food). You will notice a diffrence in housing and property cost as you get into more rural areas, where you get more bang for your buck. But that's true in some areas in Florida as well.

RNSuzq1, RN · May 13, 2006

Hi NICU Nurse,

I live in NC and like Tweety said - when people talk about the lower cost of living here, they mean lower than prices up North. I grew up in Boston and it is cheaper to live down here, but incomes are usually lower as well (so it all sort of evens out). I'm here because this is my husbands hometown and used to love it.

You mentioned taxes - we have State Taxes and are also taxed on food and pretty much everything else - it can really add up. With the huge influx of people moving to our State - the cost of real estate has gone sky high. People moving from up North that were used to paying $500,000 for a home think it's a steal to find one down here for $300,000 - so houses are going up all over the place at an incredible rate, it's crazy. It's great for the newcomers, but with the constant increase in home prices, it's unfortunately pushed many "locals" right out of the housing market.

When we first moved to our town 15 years ago - most homes were well under $100,000 - now you'd be lucky to buy a shoebox for that price, it's awful. This used to be a sweet little Mayberry like farming community outside of Raleigh - mostly average middle class folks who shopped at the Piggly Wiggly and everyone knew their neighbors. Now - the small town is gone and we've been over-run with expensive golf course communities, million dollar estate homes on the river, cute little shops downtown have been replaced with high dollar gift shops and expensive restaurants/bistros for our new rich neighbors... The traffic has gotten out of hand, schools were quickly capped and the town had to build 5 new schools to house all the new students (jacked the taxes way up for that). Utilities are outrageous if you live in town - we pay an average of $300.00 a month for elec/water - that almost doubles during the winter to pay for natural gas for heating.

What absolutely drives me crazy about all of this is - the people moving down here claim they wanted to live here for the slower pace of life, to enjoy Southern ways, etc. - but they've quickly turned our little town into an expensive, over crowded, mini-city with all the problems that go along with that. They constantly complain about the "traffic" - but hey, there wasn't any traffic problems until thousands of new people moved to town, we were doing just fine without them. The old Piggly Wiggly left town - couldn't compete with the gourmet shops, etc.

I could go on and on but I'm guessing you get my drift. There are still places that aren't very expensive, but they would be in very rural areas and normally quite a drive from a hospital. I hope my long winded ramble helps you out. Just wanted you to know that it used to be a nice place with low cost of living - but the secret got out and it's all changed.... :angryfire

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · May 13, 2006

The far Eastern areas of the state still have some "Mayberry" towns. In our area, the threat of the OLF (Navy wants to destroy our ecosystem and economy by building an outlying landing field for its deafening SuperHornets) has kept many Northerners away. Many houses lie vacant around town and could be bought at "auction" prices if someone had the desire to do so. Even so, our area of the US is known as the last bastion of "water-front" property at "bargain" prices... So areas on the sounds or rivers that used to be farm-land or swamp are now selling for hundreds of thousands (even millions) of dollars, and this in some of the poorest counties in NC. Some locals who were fortunate enough to own such property are now very rich, but others are being forced out of the real estate market altogether as good-paying jobs and economic opportunities are very scarce. We're hoping and praying for a true economic revival in our area of the state.

llg, PhD, RN · May 13, 2006

I've lived in 9 different states during my nursing career. What I have learned is that each region has it's good points and bad points. Each region has its expensive areas and less expensive areas -- and those change over time.

Just as there are big differences between prices in areas such as South Beach and Orlando and the rural areas of Florida ... there are similar differences in prices between the larger and/or trendier communities in North Carolina and some of the smaller and/or less trendy areas. You have to look at each region specifically and identify the possibilities it has to offer -- and how to live comfortably within that region. Most regions offer the possibility of living either and expensive lifestyle or a more moderate if you know how to economize and are willing to make a few compromises.

llg

tollern · May 13, 2006

hello Susan & Vickie,

what counties are you in, sounds like Susan lives in the Cary, Garner area I have found the Lee & Harnett County areas cheaper than Wake with easy access to hospitals like Wake Med, Duke, Cape Fear & Moore Reg. I live in rural Harnett county in a 2000 sq ft home (rental) 600/mth and very nice (want to buy it) it all depends on the area you choose...I could never afford Raleigh homes. Gas is killing me right now....because of the extra distance to work, what I save in housing is going into the gas tank.

RNSuzq1, RN · May 15, 2006

Hi Tollerern,

You guessed right - I'm in Clayton - the new Cary. :uhoh3: I've been going to school in Wilson for the last few years - quite a haul from here, so one good thing about Clayton is that I'll only be about 15 minutes from WakeMed. Now that I'm done with school my husband really wants to move further out where we can buy some land, but like you said, the houses might be a bit cheaper, but you end up paying a fortune in gas to get to work.

Where are you working? I've been to Harnett Co., but not Lee - what's the housing market like there and can you still find land? Our biggest problem will be selling our home - it's over 100 years old and it seems that everyone moving to town wants to live on a golf course. They're beautiful homes, but on top of each other with people playing golf in your back-yard, they must really, really love golf!!!!

gentle · May 26, 2006

Hello everyone,

I have been reading the thread and as best as I can tell, I probably could not support my husband and 2 boys on my earnings alone. Is this true? I am a Medical Surgical Nurse.

We really need to relocate because of my mother-in-law; but, hubby doesn't have employment there.

Any in put would be very appreciated.

Thanks

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · May 28, 2006

Hello everyone,
I have been reading the thread and as best as I can tell, I probably could not support my husband and 2 boys on my earnings alone. Is this true? I am a Medical Surgical Nurse.
We really need to relocate because of my mother-in-law; but, hubby doesn't have employment there.
Any in put would be very appreciated.
Thanks

This really depends on the area of the state in which you eventually settle. If you choose a larger metropolitan area (such as Charlotte, Raleigh, or Greenville), your base salary as an RN will be higher, but so will the cost of living (namely housing). You will need to live in some of the rural outlying areas for the most affordable housing/ rent, and commute to work. If you search and search, you should be able to find economical housing. It is doable supporting a family of four on a nurse's salary, but you will be pinching pennies. Also be aware that most public schools are of questionable quality, and that many newcomers face significant challenges/ issues with the schools. Often, people end up placing their children in private schools or home schooling. So this factor can significantly increase the cost of living. Best wishes to you :)

gentle · May 30, 2006

Dear Vickie RN,

Thank you ever so much :)!!!! Hurray, I think we may be able to do it for a while, anyway. I personally would prefer to homeschool my children for our first year in Charlotte (my hubby supports this as well.) One of the homeschooling networks in Charlotte has a yahoogroup. (I already joined the group.)

We will be selling our home here in CA, and should at least have something to put towards a home, even though it might not cover the complete cost.

I will print your response and show it to hubby.

BTW, you have alot of company under the shadow of His wings;).

gentle

WaynesvilleRN · Jun 6, 2006

If moving to Asheville or Haywood County the cost of buying a home can be expensive....all these retirees from Florida buying it up...oh...ha sorry.....no really...the cost in our counties is among the highest in the state

edogs334 · Mar 19, 2008

I'm originally from MA, and a lot of conservatives in that state nickname it "Taxachusetts." MA sales tax is about 5.5%, last time I checked. It's kind of ironic that NC is considered one of the "red" states and sales tax here is 6.75%!! I see it on my receipt every damn time I go to the grocery store! As others have said, rent here is cheaper, but it's commensurate with the salaries people make- so it all evens out.