Moving To North Carolina May Not Be For Everyone
Some people regret moving to North Carolina. Yes, that’s a fact. So today, I will highlight the primary reasons why moving to North Carolina isn’t for everyone.
Top Reasons Why People Regret Moving To North Carolina
People have left North Carolina because of one or more of the following reasons:
- Low incomes
- High taxes
- Increasing prices
- Summer heat and humidity
- Risk of hurricanes
- Mediocre public schools
- Limited public transit
- Traffic congestion
- Proximity to healthcare
- People, politics, and crime
Next, let’s go through these issues about life in North Carolina one at a time.
Disclosure: At no cost to you, I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
1. You Won’t Make As Much Money After Moving To North Carolina
You may regret moving to North Carolina because people make less money here. Based on median household income, the state falls in the bottom quarter of all states in the country.
Source: World Population Review
This issue is manageable for people retiring in North Carolina with enough savings. But for the rest of us who work for a living, ensure you secure adequate employment before moving.
2. Income Taxes Will Take A Larger Share Of Your Paycheck
You will regret moving to North Carolina if you can’t afford the taxes. The state has a flat income tax rate of almost 5%. At the same time, the sales tax rate averages 7%.
Some residents receive tax breaks. However, by combining my first two points, families make less money and keep less of what they make after taxes.
3. North Carolina Isn’t The Bargain It Used To Be
Many people are moving to North Carolina to benefit from the low cost of living. Unfortunately, prices have been rising.
Real estate values have appreciated rapidly in recent years. The pace of gains has exceeded the appreciation in the overall U.S. housing market.
For example, the median selling price of homes in Asheville is more than $500,000. That’s no bargain to me.
Source: Redfin
As one local put it, to make ends meet, get a high-paying job, save much money before you move here, or have family members help with costs.
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4. Northerners Regret Moving To North Carolina Because Of The Hot And Humid Summers
Unless you live in the higher elevations in the western part of the state, the summers may have you hunkered down in your air-conditioned home.
Temperatures routinely push into the 90s. Furthermore, the extreme humidity makes it feel much more uncomfortable than the temperatures indicate.
During peak season, I struggle with the summer heat and spend more time indoors than I care to.
However, I’m not alone. Many transplants from the north find the summer heat and humidity oppressive and claim, “That’s why I left North Carolina.”
5. The State’s Coastal Regions Are Prone To Hurricanes
North Carolina’s hurricane season is no joke and no secret. Yet people keep moving to the coastal regions.
The state is ranked fourth, after Florida, Texas, and Louisiana, in the number of cyclones that produced hurricane-force winds.
Source: Wikipedia
Finally, hurricane season lasts from June through November, with the last three months representing peak season.
6. The Public School System Could Be Better
North Carolina ranks in the bottom half of states for the quality and safety of its public school system.
Factors leading to the lower rating include:
- Student-to-teacher ratios
- Standardized test scores
- High school graduation rates
Source: WalletHub
Plenty of good schools exist, so choose your location wisely before moving to North Carolina.
7. Public Transportation Is Limited If You Don’t Own A Car
Even in the larger North Carolina cities, public transportation is inefficient and lacks sufficient coverage. In small towns and rural areas, it’s nonexistent.
The statistics reveal that the state is ranked number 31 for public transit usage.
Source: U.S. News and World Report
So, unless you can pull off living, working, and recreating in a confined area, plan on owning a car to get around.
8. Moving To North Carolina’s Major Cities Means Sitting In Traffic Congestion
Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and Raleigh all rank in the top 75 worst U.S. cities for traffic congestion.
Source: tomtom traffic index
Outside the major metro areas, traffic moves. And sometimes it moves too fast.
So, be prepared for fast and aggressive drivers.
9. You Might Have To Travel Long Distances For Health Care Services
You can avoid some of the issues of moving to North Carolina by settling in one of the more remote smaller towns.
However, that can mean traveling long distances for healthcare services. So, choose your location wisely if access to high-quality health care is one of your priorities.
10. People, Politics, And Crime
North Carolinians are generally friendly folks. However, being accepted as a transplant in small towns and rural areas can be challenging.
Next, the people here have divided political views. The cities lean liberal. Small towns and rural areas are very conservative.
Finally, North Carolina’s crime rate ranks it in the bottom one-third of all states.
Source: USA.com
Many parts of the state are safe, so choose your location wisely before moving to North Carolina. Consider installing a home security system and always be aware of your surroundings.
Okay. There you have my top 10 reasons people regret moving to North Carolina.
So, please allow me to wrap up with some final thoughts. But first, please save this image to Pinterest.
Why People Regret Moving To North Carolina
Unfortunately, North Carolina isn’t everything it’s cracked up to be. Many people have been moving here, increasing prices, traffic congestion, and the demand for public services.
So, ensure North Carolina is the right place for you and your family before you pack up and move. Don’t fall into the trap of relocating and saying later, “I hate living in North Carolina.”
Compare North and South Carolina; perhaps you will find South Carolina more to your liking.
Author Bio, Disclosure, & Disclaimer: Please join me (Tom) as I try to achieve my goals, find my next place to live, and make the most of my money. However, I am not a licensed investment adviser, financial counselor, real estate agent, or tax professional. Instead, I’m a 50-something-year-old, early retired CPA, finance professional, and business school teacher with 40+ years of DIY dividend investing experience. I’m here only to share my thoughts about essential topics for success. As a result, nothing published on this site should be considered individual investment, financial, tax, or real estate advice. This site’s only purpose is general information & entertainment. Thus, neither I nor Dividends Diversify can be held liable for losses suffered by any party because of the information published on this website. Finally, all written content is the property of Dividends Diversify LLC. Unauthorized publication elsewhere is strictly prohibited.