Question about Winston-Salem

Ditzydori · ‎03-10-2010

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.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

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.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

number one queen · ‎06-13-2011

Do it for yourself not for your children.

novamc1 · ‎07-02-2015

@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.

software · ‎06-08-2016

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.

maestra · ‎03-09-2010

@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

SXMGirl · ‎07-07-2010

@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

The next time that I hear salt and ice together, it better be in a margarita!

sue311 · ‎05-05-2013

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.

riley1 · ‎03-10-2010

@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.