Diggin It
Super Star Member
I avoided the first thread, but.....
At one point or another over the years, I've been in 49 states, some more than twice. Grew up in a northern state, large metropolis, miserable winters and summers. Crowds everywhere, high taxes and utilities, Insurance rates insane.
For reasons I won't go into very deeply, I found Lower Uncton. Hot, muggy summers but winters are generally mild. Yes, we get snow, ice storms and frigid weather, but it usually only lasts a few days to a couple of weeks before moderating. Taxes are cheap for what I have, under $400/year. Insurance isn't great considering the rural location with a volunteer FD. No codes, permits or inspections for most things. Only inspections required for me have been when I converted the panel to breakers with a new meter base installed and when county water came in and was connected. If I owned over 10 acres, that one would not have been required.
County Sheriff's office is something like 6 or 7 deputies. I rarely feel the need to lock doors unless I'm going to town. Most problems are between people that know each other or if a property is known to have been vacant for some time.
No serious fire threat. Field fires can be 20 acres, but they burn slow and can be managed easily.
Flooding is an issue, but we manage. I can be flooded in for weeks by water over roads, but there is never a threat to my house.
Utility rates aren't great, but not horrible either. Generally reliable, but outages can be lengthy.
Have very large lakes nearby, plenty of recreation for those so inclined. Major fishing locations that draw people from all over. A National recreation area and quite a few historic sites. Lots of times I can stand outside and not hear a single human made sound. Plenty of wildlife including Bald Eagles.
Plenty of work if you want to drive 20 or more miles each way, or work in agriculture or quarries.
Most retail places are 20+ miles, so you have to plan your trips. No five minute runs for a gallon of milk.
Utopia? OK for me, but maybe not the best place for all.
At one point or another over the years, I've been in 49 states, some more than twice. Grew up in a northern state, large metropolis, miserable winters and summers. Crowds everywhere, high taxes and utilities, Insurance rates insane.
For reasons I won't go into very deeply, I found Lower Uncton. Hot, muggy summers but winters are generally mild. Yes, we get snow, ice storms and frigid weather, but it usually only lasts a few days to a couple of weeks before moderating. Taxes are cheap for what I have, under $400/year. Insurance isn't great considering the rural location with a volunteer FD. No codes, permits or inspections for most things. Only inspections required for me have been when I converted the panel to breakers with a new meter base installed and when county water came in and was connected. If I owned over 10 acres, that one would not have been required.
County Sheriff's office is something like 6 or 7 deputies. I rarely feel the need to lock doors unless I'm going to town. Most problems are between people that know each other or if a property is known to have been vacant for some time.
No serious fire threat. Field fires can be 20 acres, but they burn slow and can be managed easily.
Flooding is an issue, but we manage. I can be flooded in for weeks by water over roads, but there is never a threat to my house.
Utility rates aren't great, but not horrible either. Generally reliable, but outages can be lengthy.
Have very large lakes nearby, plenty of recreation for those so inclined. Major fishing locations that draw people from all over. A National recreation area and quite a few historic sites. Lots of times I can stand outside and not hear a single human made sound. Plenty of wildlife including Bald Eagles.
Plenty of work if you want to drive 20 or more miles each way, or work in agriculture or quarries.
Most retail places are 20+ miles, so you have to plan your trips. No five minute runs for a gallon of milk.
Utopia? OK for me, but maybe not the best place for all.
