Cost of living questions

[GJM]

I live in Carolina Forest, we did pick this area because of the schools. My son is going into the Middles School next year.

[baylovers]

We moved here 4 1/2 years ago from Nassau Co. (Long Beach) and love it. We have been fortunate with employment. And there jobs out there but they do not pay nearly as much as those in NY & I have found that being active in the community opens up a lot of doors for work. Networking is key.

Just to give you something else to compare against... we have a 3500sqft home (5 br/3.5 bath) on nearly a half acre in Pawleys Island, Georgetown County.

Gas (propane for fireplace) paid $270 to fill 100gal tank but lasts about 2 years
Electric (heat & cooking included) avg is about $160 mo.
Car Ins: (2 cars less than 2 years old & moderate liability) $161 mo.
Personal property tax (2 cars): $480 annual
Phone/Internet/cable bundle w/ HBO: $240 mo.
Home owners Ins: $1200
Wind & Hail Ins (2% deductible on $420k replacement value): $2900 (my albatross)
R.E. taxes: $1180
HOA (no pool or any special amenities): $450 annual

NO TOLLS, cheaper fuel & much better roads. I had to pay the Atlantic Beach Bridge toll & tried to use one of the free East River crossings, but it tough. LIRR fees were so expensive as well.

We have been happy with the schools here. And the weather is more tolerable. Remember the summer is quite hot, although nice at the beach. This winter has been chilly here, but nothing like what you guys have experienced (Thanks goodness!)

[rode2nowhere]

Thank you baylovers. My mom actually lives in long beach. Since she moved there a few years ago and getting to spend some time there i've been thinking that a beach town seems like a nice pace to live. But we really want to get out of NY. I'm in Elmont.. It's not bad, the schools are good..but I'm just down with it all, need a change...and quite frankly can't afford NY anymore. As for tolls my husband commutes to the Bronx everyday which puts him over either the Throgs Neck or the Whitestone..either of which is like about $8.50-$9.50 a day, and gas wasted sitting in traffic...it gets ridiculous. Plus we both get seasonal depression so this winter has been brutal. And it really helps to be planning ot make the move with his best friend and his family..I imaigin that could go long way in easing some homesickness.
Now, not to sound like a NY snob, becasue I'm really not...but I AM a pizza snob lol. I mean when I moved from Queens to Long Island I had a hard time finding a pizza place that I liked. Are there any pizza places you would recommend?....or a good deli?
Thanks to everyone for taking time to give me some feedback.

[GJM]

The lst. thing we eat when we go back to NJ to visit is Pizza! We have found a few places with decent pizza, it still isn't the same as NJ/NY Pizza -

I really miss a bakery -