(04-27-2013 04:53 PM)tcb Wrote: bleeding purple,
you are correct. I have lived in ny all my life...just north of nyc. Very nice area but we are taxed to death here. Part of my son coming to jmu was to go south and experience something other than ny. of the schools I mentioned jmu was most affordable and blew the rest away with combination of academics and hospitality. The gorgeous campus and friendly people were great to us on our two trips there. My wife and are both teachers thinking of heading to va or nc area when we retire in ten years. Too expensive to stay here. I have followed jmu hoops closely this season and cant wait to attend my first football and hoop games next season.
Come on down. But remember, we have pockets of areas in both states that are depressed as well. In addition, some of the cities have some fairly heavy property taxes.
Personally, I think the best bang for the buck, is to be located in almost any county which surrounds a city. For example, Charlotte is located within the borders of Mecklenburg county, I would choose any county touching Mecklenburg but not Mecklenburg itself. I'm in the city of Charlotte and pay more that 2x what any of the other counties pay.
We must pay for the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the Coliseum for the Bobcats, all kinds of city/county parks, the list goes on and on. You can live in a neighboring county and utilize everything as though it is yours. I've lived in Richmond, and know the Raleigh area as well, and they are the same way. Its pretty much the same around any city, as I'm sure you are aware of this.
You, being from just north of NY city, will go insane if you choose a place too far from civilization. The pace will be too slow. You will not have enough things to do and you will become a complainer of the south. Then, we'll have to ship you back.