topic Re: Question about Winston-Salem in Community Chat

Question about Winston-Salem

Ditzydori — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 08:11:32 GMT

A little background. My husband passed may of 2017. We had 2 places, one in the poconos mountains of pa and the other in south florida. We were snowbirds.

When he passed I couldn’t hold the 2 places so I had to decide which one to sell. I chose to sell pa and I’m not sorry because I had had enough of NE winters. My whole life was spent there.

My children live NY, NJ, and NC. While in pa, I did see the 2 that live closer to pa, but it was still a nice distance so I was really alone much of the time. That coupled with the bad winters was a no brainer to sell.

I now live in the condo in florida we snowbirded to. I go out a lot, have made very nice friends, have lots of activities within the community I’m in. BUT I miss my children and grands.

I went up north 2 months of the summer, to NC for tnaksgiving, a week in oct because my granddaughter got hit by a car (she’s fine) and I’m going to nj for Christmas.

My children can’t seem to make it down here because of jobs etc so I’ve been going up.

When I went to NC for thanksgiving I had a realtor show me around one day in the triad area.

I like NC but I’m wondering will I, as a retired senior, be able to make a life for myself there. I’m quite social here but I miss my family. No family in florida at all.

So my question is “Winston Salem, yay or nay for retirement. Btw I’m very active with the church I attend here. And SF is a hopping place, along with crazy drivers and sometimes the people as well. But I know that exists all over but it’s more concentrated here because it’s a nice place to be. Especially now.

If I do decide to go, that’s going to be it with moving. Too much work and money

Thanks for any info you can provide.

Re: Question about Winston-Salem

Kachina624 — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 09:20:43 GMT

I hear North Carolina is quite the retirement area. Parents had friends who retired to Fayetteville who we visited. It seems like a lovely area without weather extremes. I'd take it over hot, humid, buggy Florida any day. You'd get a change in seasons, some snow but not a lot. I live with no relatives close and it gets lonely around holidays.

I remember when your hubby was ill. It sounds as though you're doing well on your own. Glad to hear you've adjusted to being independent.

Re: Question about Winston-Salem

number one queen — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 10:41:39 GMT

Do it for yourself not for your children.

Re: Question about Winston-Salem

novamc1 — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 15:29:57 GMT

@Ditzydori

Don't know if this will be helpful, but I'm fairly familiar with NC on several fronts and for several reasons. I have also been in Winston-Salem and many other medium-to-large cities both East and West in that state. Spent two years in Greensboro (lovely town) for a couple of years while in my first years of college. Sent one child to an NC university, too, and he still lives in the Raleigh area.

If looking for a place to retire which has the important prerequisites---accessibility to good health care, large research-oriented hospitals, proximity to various amenities and shopping, close to a major airport so kids and friends can visit, etc........

--I would probably investigate housing opportunities for seniors closer to Raleigh/Durham/Cary or Charlotte.

What you hear or read about "best places to retire" in NC usually refer to western NC (Asheville area) or Raleigh/Durham.

If a serious health issue were to develop, you probably can't do better than be somewhat close to Duke University Hospital in Durham. The economy in the Ralegh/Durham area is reportedly very good, and maybe just as good around Charlotte.

This is my opinion only, so always do your own due diligence while researching a new territory..

I do not know what type of active-adult-over-55 senior housing communities they are building there. We have a wealth of those type of communitiies still being built on the outskirts of Atlanta, but suspect it might not be much different around those NC cities.

Taxes in NC can be fairly high, so consider that point, as well.

Taxes on homes for seniors where I live are incredibly low, but the airport is somewhat far away, through heavy traffic, from outer suburbs................so there are many factors to consider.

Re: Question about Winston-Salem

software — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 12:29:26 GMT

You say you have family in NC?

I think you will be very happy there.

You are a very nice lady and in my experience, nice finds nice.

Your family members in NC will be the best resource for you.

Unless you are head-over-heels in love with FL, you will be happy anywhere you land.

@Ditzydori wrote:
A little background. My husband passed may of 2017. We had 2 places, one in the poconos mountains of pa and the other in south florida. We were snowbirds.

When he passed I couldn’t hold the 2 places so I had to decide which one to sell. I chose to sell pa and I’m not sorry because I had had enough of NE winters. My whole life was spent there.

My children live NY, NJ, and NC. While in pa, I did see the 2 that live closer to pa, but it was still a nice distance so I was really alone much of the time. That coupled with the bad winters was a no brainer to sell.

I now live in the condo in florida we snowbirded to. I go out a lot, have made very nice friends, have lots of activities within the community I’m in. BUT I miss my children and grands.

I went up north 2 months of the summer, to NC for tnaksgiving, a week in oct because my granddaughter got hit by a car (she’s fine) and I’m going to nj for Christmas.

My children can’t seem to make it down here because of jobs etc so I’ve been going up.

When I went to NC for thanksgiving I had a realtor show me around one day in the triad area.

I like NC but I’m wondering will I, as a retired senior, be able to make a life for myself there. I’m quite social here but I miss my family. No family in florida at all.

So my question is “Winston Salem, yay or nay for retirement. Btw I’m very active with the church I attend here. And SF is a hopping place, along with crazy drivers and sometimes the people as well. But I know that exists all over but it’s more concentrated here because it’s a nice place to be. Especially now.

If I do decide to go, that’s going to be it with moving. Too much work and money

Thanks for any info you can provide.

Re: Question about Winston-Salem

maestra — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 13:25:49 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
I hear North Carolina is quite the retirement area. Parents had friends who retired to Fayetteville who we visited. It seems like a lovely area without weather extremes. I'd take it over hot, humid, buggy Florida any day. You'd get a change in seasons, some snow but not a lot. I live with no relatives close and it gets lonely around holidays.

I remember when your hubby was ill. It sounds as though you're doing well on your own. Glad to hear you've adjusted to being independent.

NC has VERY HOT summers that last quite a bit longer than the NE. WS is western and higher elevation so it shouldnt be quite as bad. Hurricanes and Fayetteville flooding have been 'hand in hand ' for te past 2-3 hurricane seasons.

Also, check the water sources. There is a Dupont Chemical plant right below the head waters of the Cape Fear region spewing chemical residue down stream into drinking water source that is supposedly ';harmless'.

Makes ya' wonder who took the kickback on that plant's licensing and approval 30 years ago.

Try renting a place for 6 months to audition

Re: Question about Winston-Salem

SXMGirl — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 13:35:50 GMT

@Ditzydori, yesterday on the Only In North Carolina site, they listed the best places to live in NC. They were rated on safety and most peaceful.

Davidson

Apex

Pinehurst

Elon

Winterville

Holly Springs

Trent Woods

Black Mountain

Valdese

Cary

Re: Question about Winston-Salem

sue311 — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 13:36:25 GMT

I am not familiar with Winston-Salem but since someone mentioned Fayetteville, if you dont mind the traffic, then you should be fine. We lived there for over 10 years and I hated the traffic. Someone pointed out to me when you are retired the traffic shouldnt matter as you wont be working.

However, if you get involved in church there is always something to do. The weather is nice in NC...for that reason I would move back.

Re: Question about Winston-Salem

riley1 — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 13:41:51 GMT

@Ditzydori - Before you settle on any one place, you should investigate a couple of the towns to see what it has to offer for YOU. Once you have picked out an area/town, rent a place and see how you really like it. Also, depending on the area, ask about flooding.

I will also mention, Fayetteville has not done well with the last few storms that came through. A lot of flooding.

Re: Question about Winston-Salem

kaydee50 — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 14:24:16 GMT

IMO, you have a life in FL. Easy enough to get to NC, NY, NJ from there to visit whenever.

Re: Question about Winston-Salem

roster — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 15:05:48 GMT

Please consider flooding when making an investment anywhere. NC experienced terrible flooding & loss during recent storms this year.

Re: Question about Winston-Salem

Ditzydori — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 18:13:29 GMT

Thanks so much ladies. The flooding isn't an issue where I'm looking. Fayetteville is to far from my son. I should stay here if I'm going to be hours away. 30 to 40 minutes away will be fine.

I was also thinking of renting first .but before I sell my condo here in Florida and move to nc and rent a place I wanted to know if the area around WS is good to retire to. I can't afford to keep this condo and rent one in nc. bummer. So I thought I'd investigate first and ask.

I have an idea on what I might be able to do but personal experiences are always nice to hear.

Once again, thanks so much for taking the time to respond

Re: Question about Winston-Salem

PinkyPetunia — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 18:17:33 GMT

Your situation doesn't improve by moving to NC. You will still have to fly north to see your family. It costs a lot of money to relocate. It sounds like you are better off staying put and making periodic visits as you have been doing.

Re: Question about Winston-Salem

proudlyfromNJ — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 18:44:37 GMT

@PinkyPetunia wrote:
Your situation doesn't improve by moving to NC. You will still have to fly north to see your family. It costs a lot of money to relocate. It sounds like you are better off staying put and making periodic visits as you have been doing.

@PinkyPetunia. She does have a child in NC.

Re: Question about Winston-Salem

GenXmuse — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 23:30:20 GMT

I live about an hour and a half from W-S and I would have no problem living there.

Re: Question about Winston-Salem

Drythe — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 00:29:33 GMT

@Ditzydori

I’m a NC native, I love my home, have lived elsewhere & NO, thanks!

That being said, I’m going to tell you the things I frequently hear newbies complain about:

*We have an accent, Everyone does. Most new people seem to find ours humorous & dumb sounding.

*Life is somewhat slower here/ depends on where you’re from.

*Traffic on interstates is just as bad. I-40 was a parking lot from day one.

*Unless you live in a large city (Charlotte) the shopping will likely not be what you are used to.

*There are four seasons here, one of them is Summer, it lasts about 4 months. It is HOT, the HUMIDITY is HIGH, it is buggy, even natives struggle with the heat and humidity.

*While short, we do have WINTER, WE DO NOT GET SNOW except in the Mountains, but we do get Black Ice. Look it up. While living in the high desert of Utah I heard an NPR report which sited NC as the worst state for ice. There is NO cinder truck coming to sprinkle the road, and there are few state owned snow plows. When it snows folks stay home.

*Taxes are getting higher and higher, housing is not as cheap as you might think.

*In general this is a conservative state, I’m just saying.

*No, we probably don’t do it (whatever it is) like they do it in XXX.

*Sadly our public schools are ranked very low, I’m a teacher 😞.

*Hurricanes have always been an issue on the coast, in the last few years they have drifted further inland. I’m in the Piedmont, right now we have several 60 foot hardwoods down on our land due to wind bursts from Matthew.

*Pretty much still an agrarian state, hog & turkey farms bring issues.

*Airports are comparatively small, and in out lying areas.

*Outside the larger cities public transportation is limited.

*There are 3 large and 1 small military bases, they bring the good, and some issues.

Again, I love my home, there is so much good here. However, I worked in the long term retirement industry for a goodly time, these were the issues I heard about frequently.

Winston-Salem is a nice town, originally a Moravian settlement, still active.

Wishing you all the best with your decision.

Re: Question about Winston-Salem

doxie1 — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 01:17:45 GMT

@Ditzydori

Check out Cary, Apex and Holly Springs. I would get your child living in NC to help you research places before you decide. There are many nice areas and some depends on what type of activities you want to be able to do. Winston Salem has national recognition at their hospital for kidney issues. It is fascinating to visit and beautifully green but I am not sure I would want to live there or not.

doxie

Re: Question about Winston-Salem

bikerbabe — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 01:48:36 GMT

Just remember you need to live someplace where you are happy because there is no guarantee that your son will always be in NC.

Re: Question about Winston-Salem

Lindsays Grandma — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 02:54:28 GMT

Ditzydori, I don't envy you in having to make that decision. You are happy where you are, although I wouldn't want to live in FL because of the summer weather. No matter where you decide to move to you will have to make adjustments. What those adjustments are you really won't know until you get there. Of course you will have to weigh the pros and cons and it can be so mind boggling you just might decide to stay where you are. I have three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren on the east coast, New York and New Jersey. Being a native New Yorker, after living in CA for forty years I could never move back to N.Y. One sister in FL and one daughter and one granddaughter here in AZ so I'm not going anywhere. I wish you nothing but the best and no matter what you decide to do, may happiness and good health follow you.

Re: Question about Winston-Salem

riley1 — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 03:22:47 GMT

@Drythe - Well said. But I've got to ask - You ONLY had 4 months of summer????? Why do I feel like we had 7 months??? LOL

Yes, I have found the school systems in your area and mine to be low.