Considering move to NC

[MKO]

Zork, think abt moving just across the NC border to TN...NC has a state income tax, TN does not. Either way, you're near some of the bestest motorcycle roads in the country.

If you're working days are over, NC might be the place to minimize taxes. I have lived in FL and TX, both of which have no state income tax and I can assure you they find a way to squeeze it out of you. Property tax, sales tax...

I also lived in Rocky Mount, NC for three years and loved it! Rocky Mount is right off of I-95 in the NE part of the state but there is good riding there and the winters are much milder by the Atlantic coast than in the mountains near TN. The summers can be hot and humid, but the days when it is too hot to ride comfortably are few, IMHO. I had the chance to ride the western part of the state along the Blue Ridge Parkway and it is beautiful - and usually cooler throughout the year. Friends of ours still live in Hendersonville (west NC) and we have given serious thought to retiring there or near Ashville, NC.

Like Zork, the snow and winters are a consideration, but it is only one (long) season of the year. I lived the first 40 years of my life in NE Ohio where we'd get "lake affect snow". After living in NC, FL and TX, we know we won't retire up there, but friends and family are only a 10-hour ride north from Ashville, depending on traffic on Deals Gap! :yahoo:

 

[zorkler]

Thanks alot for the info guys. keep it comeing

 

[radman]

I'll be arriving Friday PM, May 25th. Kid ties the knot on the 27th, Sunday. My welcome is sure to have worn out by end of business, the 28th. So, who's up for a Tuesday meet? Probably have to start for home no later than June 1st, my birfday, so that gives me a couple days if the spirit moves me.

 

[HaulinAshe]

I'll be arriving Friday PM, May 25th. Kid ties the knot on the 27th, Sunday. My welcome is sure to have worn out by end of business, the 28th. So, who's up for a Tuesday meet? Probably have to start for home no later than June 1st, my birfday, so that gives me a couple days if the spirit moves me.

Rad, I would love to get together, but the kids will have to be back in school on Tuesday. Will see what I can do.

Jeff

 

[Charlie Hoss]

All you fine FJR bretheren with children and other relatives around me, need to speak up and visit!

Hey Zork, Jeff and Brazos,

I'm also thinking seriously about getting out of the snow and ice belt. Have Mom and brother in Cary and Clayton, NC. Was there in Dec, a former colleague in Raleigh said to check out King and Hickory, NC...so we did. Both not bad towns. Hickory is quite a bit larger, a little closer to the good riding, less than an hour to either Charlotte or Winston-Salem.

Zork, I also would like good bass fishing. Eastern TN seems to have a better mix of lakes and good riding.

I went to the last 2 EOM's, Townsend, TN, and Boone, NC. I was more impressed with TN in general. Also keeping an eye out for info about N Arkansas, S Missouri, and N Georgia. After a ride to WFO6, I may be adding more states to my list.

Maybe this thread can expand to include info on other great places to retire and ride and catch a few fish. Keep it coming.

 

[JimLor]

If you're thinking of moving 'cause you're an old fart, you might add into your consideration state taxes. As I understand it, NC doesn't tax social security or military pensions. To meet the military requirement for no tax you have to have served for at least 5 years prior to 1989. Worth a thought - I believe you can go to the Money magazine site and get tax stuff for all 50 states, they even rate them 1 - 50. Lorie and I are agonizing on where to retire to for good and NC is pretty high on the list. We're going to take a look at E. TN also. Anybody hear banjos playing.....

Here's a link to an MOAA site on the different tax burdens by state for your reading enjoyment (doesn't mention exclusions, just assumes all are paying taxes on all income):

Tax Burden

 

[luvtoride]

If you're thinking of moving 'cause you're an old fart, you might add into your consideration state taxes. As I understand it, NC doesn't tax social security or military pensions. To meet the military requirement for no tax you have to have served for at least 5 years prior to 1989. Worth a thought - I believe you can go to the Money magazine site and get tax stuff for all 50 states, they even rate them 1 - 50. Lorie and I are agonizing on where to retire to for good and NC is pretty high on the list. We're going to take a look at E. TN also. Anybody hear banjos playing.....
Here's a link to an MOAA site on the different tax burdens by state for your reading enjoyment (doesn't mention exclusions, just assumes all are paying taxes on all income):

Tax Burden

Jim, I don't know this for sure but I've heard that NC does tax military retirement... but much, much less than VA does. I've also heard that TN doesn't tax military retirement AT ALL.

Oh, back to the moving to NC thing... Mike, I just came from there yesterday. I took my bike to visit Jeff "Haulin ***" Ashe down in Richlands, NC. On my way home I distinctly remember the smell of cow ****... lots and lots of cow **** (NC has a lot of farmland ya' know) Do you like the smell of cow excretion?

Just joshin' ya'... NC is a nice place. Being a northern convert myself, I can tell you this for sure. If you do move down to the south, the pace will drive you crazy at first... but it does eventually go away as you adjust to a slower lifestyle.

I remember when I first moved down to VA from NJ, I was in the grocery store checkout & wanted to jump across the conveyor belt thing and strangle the cash register attendant, she was so flippin' slow.

Take heed... the indiginous people of Carolina are going to give you huge **** about your accent. HAHAHAHA!!! Just joshin' ya'.

They sure are nice & hospitable people.

Heidi

 

[JimLor]

Heidi - I read the NC tax stuff on the MOAA site and if you served 5 years as of 1989 (don't recall what month/day) they don't tax your pension. So, if you entered the military after 1984 you are correct

 

[yamahlr]

In plan on a move there when I retire next year. Primarily looking outside of Charlotte, NC. Had a small patio home there previously, really liked the area. Tired of the snow and high cost of living in the Northeast. Came very close to buying a house there between Christmas and New Years, but couldn't get together on a price as the house was a hostage in a nasty break-up.

 

[rbcollins]

Zork, think abt moving just across the NC border to TN...NC has a state income tax, TN does not. Either way, you're near some of the bestest motorcycle roads in the country.

If you're working days are over, NC might be the place to minimize taxes. I have lived in FL and TX, both of which have no state income tax and I can assure you they find a way to squeeze it out of you. Property tax, sales tax...

I also lived in Rocky Mount, NC for three years and loved it! Rocky Mount is right off of I-95 in the NE part of the state but there is good riding there and the winters are much milder by the Atlantic coast than in the mountains near TN. The summers can be hot and humid, but the days when it is too hot to ride comfortably are few, IMHO. I had the chance to ride the western part of the state along the Blue Ridge Parkway and it is beautiful - and usually cooler throughout the year. Friends of ours still live in Hendersonville (west NC) and we have given serious thought to retiring there or near Ashville, NC.

Like Zork, the snow and winters are a consideration, but it is only one (long) season of the year. I lived the first 40 years of my life in NE Ohio where we'd get "lake affect snow". After living in NC, FL and TX, we know we won't retire up there, but friends and family are only a 10-hour ride north from Ashville, depending on traffic on Deals Gap! :yahoo:

Wow, fellow Rocky Mounter eh? I was born and raised there. Live in the Charlotte area now though. Not too far to get to the mountains with lots of great riding, but still in a big city...

 

[HaulinAshe]

Just so all ya'll Northerners are clear on this... You can all HAVE Charlotte, Raleigh and most of Greensboro. If we could surgically transplant them to some place like... DC!, that would be just fine with me.

If you want a peaceful, countryside living, then you don't have to get far outside of those spots. If you want the feel of the big city with the country (and the smell of cowshit) close by, then Charlotte is my recommendation. I have absolutely no idea why anyone retiring would ever consider Raleigh. A really hot woman would have to be involved.

Mt. Airy is a very popular area for retirement now. As already stated, Hickory has more city feel with the typical bigger shops, malls etc. It may someday become a huge suburb of Charlotte, much like has happened with Gastonia.

Me, I have an "inside line" on some property IN the mountains that's been in my family since 1964. I plan on moving close enough to SlapNPop for him to buy me lunch at will.



Oh BTW, I plan on building some small cabins for rental and holding guided weekend tours, MSF classes and mountain riding courses. (Yes, hiring Grumpy as an instructor. )

 

[Grumpy]

I'll be arriving Friday PM, May 25th. Kid ties the knot on the 27th, Sunday. My welcome is sure to have worn out by end of business, the 28th. So, who's up for a Tuesday meet? Probably have to start for home no later than June 1st, my birfday, so that gives me a couple days if the spirit moves me.

Rad, I'm up for it. I'd love to show you what the local riding in Western NC is all about. You'll have to promise to leave your tiara at home. You're on the calendar.

jim

 

[daytripper]

Native Tarheel here, some I am biased. However I have lived in the Atlanta area and traveled much of the country. NC is a great place to live. The RDU area is close to the mountains and the beach. That is the best of both worlds. Also, I think Forbes just voted that the Raliegh area is the best place to live in the country right now. PM me if you want to know more.

 

[Grumpy]

Just so all ya'll Northerners are clear on this... You can all HAVE Charlotte, Raleigh and most of Greensboro. If we could surgically transplant them to some place like... DC!, that would be just fine with me.
If you want a peaceful, countryside living, then you don't have to get far outside of those spots. If you want the feel of the big city with the country (and the smell of cowshit) close by, then Charlotte is my recommendation. I have absolutely no idea why anyone retiring would ever consider Raleigh. A really hot woman would have to be involved.

Mt. Airy is a very popular area for retirement now. As already stated, Hickory has more city feel with the typical bigger shops, malls etc. It may someday become a huge suburb of Charlotte, much like has happened with Gastonia.

Me, I have an "inside line" on some property IN the mountains that's been in my family since 1964. I plan on moving close enough to SlapNPop for him to buy me lunch at will.



Oh BTW, I plan on building some small cabins for rental and holding guided weekend tours, MSF classes and mountain riding courses. (Yes, hiring Grumpy as an instructor. )

Jeff, I couldn't agree more. Additionally, there are several retirement magazines that can give you a lot of information on where the popular places are. Personally, I like living in Hendersonville, but would consider anything in the East Tennessee/ Western North Carolina area.

jim