Author Topic: Best Locations in the Southeast  (Read 18171 times)

Dee18

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Re: Best Locations in the Southeast
« Reply #50 on: March 11, 2016, 07:27:05 AM »
I spent weekends in Greenville and Asheville in the past year.  I liked them both, but thought Greenville would be nicer to live in, with Asheville just an hour away to visit.  Asheville appeared to have three groups:  artists, college students, and well to do retirees (mostly female). Greenville had a more "balanced" feel with lots of families in view.  In Asheville I stayed with a friend who moved there for early retirement a few years ago.  She said Asheville is struggling with rapid growth in both retirees and tourism.

zephyr911

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Re: Best Locations in the Southeast
« Reply #51 on: March 11, 2016, 08:59:40 AM »
I spent weekends in Greenville and Asheville in the past year.  I liked them both, but thought Greenville would be nicer to live in, with Asheville just an hour away to visit.  Asheville appeared to have three groups:  artists, college students, and well to do retirees (mostly female). Greenville had a more "balanced" feel with lots of families in view.  In Asheville I stayed with a friend who moved there for early retirement a few years ago.  She said Asheville is struggling with rapid growth in both retirees and tourism.
I just drove through there on Monday. Where is the walkable portion? :P

hoping2retire35

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Re: Best Locations in the Southeast
« Reply #52 on: March 11, 2016, 01:46:37 PM »
I spent weekends in Greenville and Asheville in the past year.  I liked them both, but thought Greenville would be nicer to live in, with Asheville just an hour away to visit.  Asheville appeared to have three groups:  artists, college students, and well to do retirees (mostly female). Greenville had a more "balanced" feel with lots of families in view.  In Asheville I stayed with a friend who moved there for early retirement a few years ago.  She said Asheville is struggling with rapid growth in both retirees and tourism.
I just drove through there on Monday. Where is the walkable portion? :P

Downtown

Pylortes

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Re: Best Locations in the Southeast
« Reply #53 on: March 11, 2016, 08:33:24 PM »
Can you guys who've spent time or lived in Greenville give a pros/cons list?  I've been there once for a couple of days and it seemed very nice but would like to hear from some folks who've spent a lot of time there.  How are the schools? The outdoor/recreation scene?  The nightlife? Is it very religious/church oriented social culture? 

hoping2retire35

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Re: Best Locations in the Southeast
« Reply #54 on: March 15, 2016, 10:33:19 AM »
Can you guys who've spent time or lived in Greenville give a pros/cons list?  I've been there once for a couple of days and it seemed very nice but would like to hear from some folks who've spent a lot of time there.  How are the schools? The outdoor/recreation scene?  The nightlife? Is it very religious/church oriented social culture? 
I live nearby. Most people who live in the city say it is very family friendly. lots of events and parks for kids etc. As far as your concern of nightlife or church oriented, it would just be a matter of who your friends and neighbors were. if you are near downtown and find the right friends then you will most likely experience more of a nightlife. It gets a lot of trade and people from Asheville too, which is sort of an Eastern beer capital. If you live in the burbs you will see a lot of dressed up people on sunday mornings loading their kids into their cars. Most of these people don't mind sharing a beer with you at a barbeque either. Alcohol laws have loosened up in recent years. Most locales, greenville included, in SC sell on Sundays now. I believe the Greenville-Spartanburg metro has about 1.6 million people so there is going to be some variety.

hoping2retire35

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Re: Best Locations in the Southeast
« Reply #55 on: March 15, 2016, 10:50:50 AM »
Can you guys who've spent time or lived in Greenville give a pros/cons list?  I've been there once for a couple of days and it seemed very nice but would like to hear from some folks who've spent a lot of time there.  How are the schools? The outdoor/recreation scene?  The nightlife? Is it very religious/church oriented social culture?

I cannot speak to the schools that much, other than they are all pretty good but you may want to ask around about specific school district, a real estate agent would not be that bad of a source, at least to begin with. as to the recreation; lots of hiking, mountain and road biking, kayaking and even some stand up paddle boarders. The region has a lot of hunters and fishermen too. ~30 minutes to the mountains so there is a lot to do.

Pylortes

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Re: Best Locations in the Southeast
« Reply #56 on: March 15, 2016, 08:50:37 PM »
Thanks!  On the church question, I've heard in that area new people you meet routinely ask you what church you attend.  My response would be "none", and from what I've heard this may be met with an uncomfortable silence.  Don't know if that's true or not.  I get along great with most everyone- but don't like the idea much of being judged by my religious affiliation (or lack thereof).  Wondered if you thought my concern was overblown?  All the outdoor mountain and recreational opportunities sound fantastic!

LeRainDrop

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Re: Best Locations in the Southeast
« Reply #57 on: March 15, 2016, 09:26:14 PM »
I'd be interested in comparing crime statistics for in-town Chattanooga vs. southwest Atlanta (and also vs. southeast Atlanta). Anybody know a good source?
I don't know a good source other than city-data. But that would be an interesting comparison.
The thing is that the bad parts of ATL are going to far outspread anything in Chattanooga and you will experience it more. I've been here (Atlanta) since last August, there have been numerous shootings of people sitting in traffic or driving down the road. That problem and the need living here ofgoing to parts of the city you'd prefer not to(for example going to the tag office. Had to do it.It had a police officer there to monitor the crowd. unsettling)...that's would apply no matter how nice your home neighborhood is.

I'm actually pretty surprised to hear so much general fear about crime in Atlanta (from VAR, not Jack, that is).  I think the statement about shootings sounds way overblown, setting aside the known bad neighborhoods.  I am a single female and have lived in Atlanta for most of the last 16 years.  Other than portions of the city generally in the southwest , I have found Atlanta to be pretty safe for the most part.  Obviously, it's a big city, so it has its fair share of petty (and more serious) crime, but I don't feel uncomfortable in most of Midtown, Buckhead, Virginia Highlands, Morningside, Emory/Druid Hills, Decatur, etc.  I'm not really fond of Downtown, but I only have to go to there on occasion for court and government offices, which is fine in daylight.  I actually am curious, where was this "unsettling" tag office?

For Jack, this is what I found doing a quick search only:
http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/tn/chattanooga/crime/
http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ga/atlanta/crime/

ostornadoe1

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Re: Best Locations in the Southeast
« Reply #58 on: March 15, 2016, 10:32:14 PM »
To avoid selection bias, I'll avoid recommending my own hometown, and instead offer: downtown Chattanooga.  Located on the Tennessee River, close to the mountains, plenty of outdoor activities, city-funded broadband Internet, with a low cost of living (TN has no state income tax).

https://www.walkscore.com/TN/Chattanooga/37403

I've been looking at Chattanooga a lot lately as a relocation area for a different job. It looks pretty solid. In addition to what rubic said, the real estate looks pretty cheap, and from what I can tell, you can rent it out with no taxes other than property tax, which are very low. Also has a pretty diversified economy.

Chattanooga is gentrifying -there's still a LOT of crime around those cheap houses. So look into that carefully. People I know in Chatt would not consider living in that area - they live 15+ minutes out in the suburbs and nearby towns. TN has no income tax but they have certain taxes on investments and the sales tax is high. For people interested in traveling by air, the airport there is very small.

I live in Chattanooga, and although it is an amazing town, especially for outdoor enthusiasts, there are some downfalls. There is a decent bit of gang-related violence in parts of the city (that are relatively easy to avoid). North Chattanooga would be a great option. Very bikeable/walkable to downtown (5-15 minutes crossing over the mile-long walking bridge every day does not sound bad). However, the houses there are more expensive, as the 20-30s young business professionals have taken over.

Other than living in North Chattanooga, or an apartment downtown (again, expensive), you need a car to go anywhere else.

There is a lot of biking, hiking, watersports, etc. available for outdoor enthusiasts (I am a big trail runner and mountain biker).

Another downfall is that the school system is pretty poor. There are lots of private high schools in the area that are great, but again, very expensive.

hoping2retire35

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Re: Best Locations in the Southeast
« Reply #59 on: March 16, 2016, 06:08:40 AM »
Thanks!  On the church question, I've heard in that area new people you meet routinely ask you what church you attend.  My response would be "none", and from what I've heard this may be met with an uncomfortable silence.  Don't know if that's true or not.  I get along great with most everyone- but don't like the idea much of being judged by my religious affiliation (or lack thereof).  Wondered if you thought my concern was overblown?  All the outdoor mountain and recreational opportunities sound fantastic!
ah, yes. I know what you mean. something like that(a new friend or acquaintance asking about your faith) does not happen often, though it will some . Someone who does not attend a church is regionally historically non-existent, though becoming more common. depending on the level of interaction with whom you are speaking you may want to provide more of an explanation. if its another parent at the park "none" is fine (they could be some megachurch attendee who has been told to be really aggressive about finding new members). Most people you meet, even your drinking buddies who dont attend, will at the very least have a soft side for religion and religious people. I personally do attend church but do not like being asked about it, (at least in the way I am imagining you describing and how I have been asked) but you may want to think about how much a few people asking you that will bother you. I have many good friends that I do not know their religious affliation or lack thereof.

EDIT realize too, the situation will be the biggest factor for being asked. a date or meeting your kid's friend's parent you will need to be prepared for for some type of answer. Barley's tap room or a mountain biking trail is much less likely (though 2am in barleys or on top of a mountain with a good vista could get some weird dude emotional and start asking questions ;)
« Last Edit: March 16, 2016, 06:19:57 AM by hoping2retire35 »

Pylortes

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Re: Best Locations in the Southeast
« Reply #60 on: March 16, 2016, 10:38:40 AM »
I appreciate the additional background.  Not necessarily that different from where I currently reside (it comes up here in some of those contexts).  Another question- how hot/humid do the summers get?  Can you open the windows at night during the summer after dark or is it still too hot?

eljefe-speaks

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Re: Best Locations in the Southeast
« Reply #61 on: March 16, 2016, 11:32:54 AM »
http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/Clemson-SC/pmf,pf_pt/house,mobile,land,townhouse_type/72677737_zpid/10855_rid/34.677,-82.786124,34.654233,-82.822301_rect/14_zm/

cheap, walkable, bikable, good schools, favorite beer store is 3 minute walk away from this place. other houses nearby too that are closer to grocery stores. clemson university is like a giant park with buildings in it, and a giant library.

I'm sure there are other college towns that are similar in the region.

My wife and I have dear friends that live in that exact neighborhood! Everyone I know who lives in Clemson is very, very happy to live in Clemson. I'm not certain how bikable it is though. There isn't a bike culture and I don't think a cyclist is respected on the roads there. And the city completely shuts down for home football games - great if you're a fan, not so great if you have to get somewhere.

I live in Charlotte and I bike everywhere. If you can afford South Charlotte you get walkable, bikable, and nice schools. I absolutely love it here, mostly because of the people. They're just super friendly here.

eljefe-speaks

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Re: Best Locations in the Southeast
« Reply #62 on: March 16, 2016, 11:36:59 AM »
Throwing in Greenville SC. Very bike friendly so you can live outside of the city center and still be able to get around. Kind of feels like a slightly less collegey version of Austin to me. Well, less music too.

+1. Greenville is a hidden gem.

eljefe-speaks

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Re: Best Locations in the Southeast
« Reply #63 on: March 16, 2016, 11:47:30 AM »
I appreciate the additional background.  Not necessarily that different from where I currently reside (it comes up here in some of those contexts).  Another question- how hot/humid do the summers get?  Can you open the windows at night during the summer after dark or is it still too hot?

Let's be honest: ridiculously hot and humid in the summer. Too hot to leave windows open at night in the summer, and most of the spring/fall.

hoping2retire35

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Re: Best Locations in the Southeast
« Reply #64 on: March 16, 2016, 12:05:24 PM »
I appreciate the additional background.  Not necessarily that different from where I currently reside (it comes up here in some of those contexts).  Another question- how hot/humid do the summers get?  Can you open the windows at night during the summer after dark or is it still too hot?

Let's be honest: ridiculously hot and humid in the summer. Too hot to leave windows open at night in the summer, and most of the spring/fall.
I disagree. the first (for a new person) few weeks during an afternoon summer thunderstorm may take nerves of mustacian steel to keep those windows open but it is still a far cry from charleston or even columbia or augusta. I grew up near cola. without ac(yep, that poor) and had to keep windows open at night to keep cool. we always watched the weather to see if it would get below the 80s at night. I have yet to see that high of a low here.

Yes it gets hot and humid but it is doable.

VAR

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Re: Best Locations in the Southeast
« Reply #65 on: March 16, 2016, 03:29:48 PM »
I'd be interested in comparing crime statistics for in-town Chattanooga vs. southwest Atlanta (and also vs. southeast Atlanta). Anybody know a good source?
I don't know a good source other than city-data. But that would be an interesting comparison.
The thing is that the bad parts of ATL are going to far outspread anything in Chattanooga and you will experience it more. I've been here (Atlanta) since last August, there have been numerous shootings of people sitting in traffic or driving down the road. That problem and the need living here ofgoing to parts of the city you'd prefer not to(for example going to the tag office. Had to do it.It had a police officer there to monitor the crowd. unsettling)...that's would apply no matter how nice your home neighborhood is.

I'm actually pretty surprised to hear so much general fear about crime in Atlanta (from VAR, not Jack, that is).  I think the statement about shootings sounds way overblown, setting aside the known bad neighborhoods.  I am a single female and have lived in Atlanta for most of the last 16 years.  Other than portions of the city generally in the southwest , I have found Atlanta to be pretty safe for the most part.  Obviously, it's a big city, so it has its fair share of petty (and more serious) crime, but I don't feel uncomfortable in most of Midtown, Buckhead, Virginia Highlands, Morningside, Emory/Druid Hills, Decatur, etc.  I'm not really fond of Downtown, but I only have to go to there on occasion for court and government offices, which is fine in daylight.  I actually am curious, where was this "unsettling" tag office?

For Jack, this is what I found doing a quick search only:
http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/tn/chattanooga/crime/
http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ga/atlanta/crime/

All the parts of ATL you are talking about are pretty nice areas. I wouldn't say they were the average over the span of the metro area.
The tag office I was in was Dekalb county's main office. There's been numerous shootings within 10 miles of me since I moved back here in Aug 2015. My father's neighbor, which is in Tucker, and is a decent neighborhood, has robberies happen pretty regularly every 1-2months. I'm on the neighborhood watch email list so they notify us every time. My mother actually caught a guy in the act of robbing her house last year. She startled him so badly he  dropped his car keys and some of the stuff he was stealing as he jumped out the window. But since the car wasn't parked nearby they couldn't track it. That was in an area just outside decatur. I've never lived anywhere else (out of 7 states) that had my house robbed, my car stolen, or even felt uncomfortable walking around town. I have had all of that happen here.

If you're only going to be in the nicer areas of ATL then it's fine I suppose. But for people reading about ATL and thinking about moving here - if they look online and see these "cheap" houses (especially relative to other more expensive places in the US) then I think it's good info to consider for possible relocation.


Dee18

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Re: Best Locations in the Southeast
« Reply #66 on: March 16, 2016, 05:22:35 PM »
I lived in Atlanta 8 years, near Emory University and Virginia Highlands.  The first place I lived was a great bungalow with two other women.  Only after I moved in did I learn that one of the women had been raped at knifepoint in an apartment a couple blocks away.  I mentioned it at work the next day and discovered one of my colleagues had been raped, also by a man with a knife, in her own home.  I think every person I knew in Atlanta had been the victim of crime at least once, though mostly nonviolent..in my case my car was broken into while I was attending an evening function for work.  I learned to keep my doors and windows locked, even when I was home.  It has been many years since I lived in Atlanta, and I had not thought about the crime level in a long time before seeing this thread. I now live in a smaller, quieter city that I wish was livelier and more progressive ....but I do appreciate never worrying about crime.