Calling all Southerners

[RU OX Alum]

have you considered Richmond or the other cities in Central Virginia? I know we are not "the deep south" but I would say hospitable

[jitterbug13]

Originally Posted by scbelle

Lots of people want property in Charleston proper or coastal areas, so the demand is very high. Prices range from the $700,000 upwards to multimillion dollar homes found in Isle of Palms or Kiawah... Summerville, which is about 20 minutes inland from Charleston has a depressed market right now, so you could probably find some great deals. I have found one myself that I'm looking into purchasing for retirement. I don't know about the specifics of the market for the coastal areas right now. I'm sure there is some demand, but I don't know if it's outpacing the supply right now or not, given the economy.

Some places in Mount Pleasant can be just as high as Isle of Palms, Kiawah or Sullivans Island. It's not hard to find a home at $500,000. Summerville is growing so fast Dorchester County is trying to put a six-month halt on new homes built. You may also want to try Johns Island (part of it is in the City of Charleston) or West Ashley (which is in Charleston).

The housing market is slowing down her, but hasn't been as bad as some other places across the country.

[alum]

I would live on HHI in a heartbeat.

We used to live on Ft. Knox and I grew to love Louisville. It was a lovely little city.

Currently we are in Northern VA. Despite the fact that we are below the Mason-Dixon line, there is very little Southern charm in this area.

[nikki1920]

Originally Posted by alum

I would live on HHI in a heartbeat.

We used to live on Ft. Knox and I grew to love Louisville. It was a lovely little city.

Currently we are in Northern VA. Despite the fact that we are below the Mason-Dixon line, there is very little Southern charm in this area.

The Mr and I argue about this all the time. He's from SC. Virginia IS part of the South; he shut up about it NOT being Southern when I pointed out that the capital of the Confederacy was in Richmond. lol.

Northern VA is a whole 'nother beast, lol. There is Virginia and Northern VA, its like night and day. The Tidewater area is nice, too, as someone said (Hampton Roads, Norfolk, etc).

My heart is in the heart of North Carolina, actually. Enough mix of city and country to give you enough of both when you need to escape, good schools, great economy, great University system (GO TARHEELS!!!) and nice people.

[FSUZeta]

birmingham is lovely-the suburbs of homewood and mountain brook are especially nice. franklin, tennessee and brentwood, tennessee are suburbs of nashville and are very nice too.

i lived several years in jacksonville,fl. and it does have southern charm. the riverside and san marco neighborhoods are my favorite.

the research triangle area of nc is well thought of.

southern living magazine always has nice things to say about wilmington,nc. there is an informative article in the april 2008 coastal living magazine.

my sil and her family live in the woodlands, texas, which is a suburb of houston. good schools and nice neighborhoods.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by nikki1920

My heart is in the heart of North Carolina, actually. Enough mix of city and country to give you enough of both when you need to escape, good schools, great economy, great University system (GO TARHEELS!!!) and nice people.

And easy access to the beach and the mountains.

Baci, how old are your kids?

[carnation]

Originally Posted by alum

I would live on HHI in a heartbeat.

Oooh, me too! We go to a huge family reunion every Thanksgiving at Mr. C's uncle's house and all the neighbors on the cul-de-sac let the Carnations have their houses free. I love that area and even towns close to it...Statesboro, GA is a favorite. Reminds me of Houston, TX before it got so huge.

I also adore Valdosta, GA.

[SthrnZeta]

Originally Posted by alum

I would live on HHI in a heartbeat.

We used to live on Ft. Knox and I grew to love Louisville. It was a lovely little city.

Currently we are in Northern VA. Despite the fact that we are below the Mason-Dixon line, there is very little Southern charm in this area.

Go south or west of the beltway, and it gets pretty southern, lol.

I've heard great things about Nashville (got engaged there!) and Chatanooga. Myrtle Beach is getting pretty run down and touristy so I would avoid that city if possible. I've also heard great things about TX in general, despite the weather. Southern Va is nice too, Virginia Beach is beautiful and not too touristy

[baci]

I am sure I will have a culture shock to a certain extent. I am from South Florida and I know it will be major adjustment, but I see it as a positive one. I have a great attitude! (btw, someone asked how old my children are. I have three under the age of 8)

I also want to thank everyone contributing to this thread. It has been helpful and I have learned a great deal. I am also enjoying it!

[ktbug10474]

Atlanta wouldn't be as big of a culture shock either because there are a ton of people up north down here but it still holds that southern charm. It also has a ton of great suburbs. {Duluth, Kennesaw, Marietta, Morrow, McDonough} A good school system and PLENTY to do {the new aquarium and world of coke, sporting events, musuems, plays, the works}

In Georgia, I would try to stay away from Savannah because while it is a GORGEOUS city it is a tad touristy and a little bit pricey.

Macon, is THE HEART of central georgia and most definitely one of the biggest cities in the state after Atlanta. It has a decent elementary public school system, middle and high school are ok, but I know a lot of people that send their kids to private schools after public elementary. There's a ton to do in Macon and it's very family friendly. I would recommend living somewhere off Zebulon or Bass Road {as those tend to be the nicer neighborhoods that are more friendly} Basically, North Macon is the best part of town to live in. If you want to know anymore about Macon, PM me because I grew up there but live in the ATL now.

In Virginia, definitely try to go more with the southern portion of the state because it will probably be more what you're looking for. the northern part of the state {especially up by the river} is fancy shmancy {i.e. Prince William county}.


GOOD LUCK with moving to the South!!!!! and you know what they say " Once you go Southern, you never go back"

[DSTRen13]

Originally Posted by ktbug10474

In Georgia, I would try to stay away from Savannah because while it is a GORGEOUS city it is a tad touristy and a little bit pricey.

Savannah is definitely a better place to visit than to live, IMO. (There are those who live here and love it, but they are the minority and tend to be those who have lived here for generations.)

[baci]

(I have been thinking a bit more/researching with all the given advice from many members)

Many of you suggested areas and I have been looking into them, but when it comes to public school systems are any areas known to be strong? (or does one need to resort to the private sector) I know that is a tough one, but do any areas shine regarding public education through high school and still have the combination of great family area, wonderful southern living, things to do, affordable living and on and on. I know that a "perfect" area doesn't exist, but does any area, in your opinon, combine a great deal of that into one?

[DSTRen13]

Originally Posted by baci

(I have been thinking a bit more/researching with all the given advice from many members)

Many of you suggested areas and I have been looking into them, but when it comes to public school systems are any areas known to be strong? (or does one need to resort to the private sector) I know that is a tough one, but do any areas shine regarding public education through high school and still have the combination of great family area, wonderful southern living, things to do, affordable living and on and on. I know that a "perfect" area doesn't exist, but does any area, in your opinon, combine a great deal of that into one?

Myself, I am just not a Fayette County (GA) kind of person, but traditional family types do love it and it does pretty much fit the characteristics you're describing. You can get some pretty good deals on housing there right now - a lot of the developers kept building long after they should have with the market like it is, thinking that FayCo would be spared.

(Also, if you're wanting a Southern atmosphere without it being TOO Southern, Peachtree City (in Fayette County) is FULL of Northern transplants.)

Feel free to PM me with any questions you have on the area. I lived (on and off) in south Fayette County for 20+ years.

[MSKKG]

Originally Posted by baci

Many of you suggested areas and I have been looking into them, but when it comes to public school systems are any areas known to be strong? (or does one need to resort to the private sector) I know that is a tough one, but do any areas shine regarding public education through high school and still have the combination of great family area, wonderful southern living, things to do, affordable living and on and on. I know that a "perfect" area doesn't exist, but does any area, in your opinon, combine a great deal of that into one?

If you are looking in the Columbia, SC, area, Lexington One, Lexington Five, and Richland One are 3 strong school districts.

[Army Wife'79]

For good schools, check out Madison AL, next to Huntsville. Great schools. A lot of magazines have rated Huntsville as one of the 10 best places to live. Not so close to the beach as to worry about hurricanes. I read there are more PhD's in Huntsville than any city in America so it's well educated. Not a huge town (yet - people are moving here like crazy). The housing market is still reasonable and you can buy a good size house for a decent price. PM me any questions you may have.