For newcomers.....how did you overcome the lower wages of TN? (Knoxville: rental, insurance)

[hiknapster]

You know, I just poured my heart out.

But I guess it wasn't pertinent to the OP.

That's pretty much what is going on here.

I'm sure there are other parts of the south that would fit our needs. Does anyone know where?

It seems like a lot of work, though, all of this struggle for a woman, a man, and a seven-year-old girl, for nothing.

[Jon F Moss]

Originally Posted by sliverbox

In my opinion, the middle and lower classes are getting clobbered nationally. I know people on both sides of the fence who are in that category and just getting by is hard enough. The more expensive areas just happen to have gotten to the point where it no longer makes sense to live there unless you're loaded. That's why this board is flooded with people from other states thinking that by moving to an area that's cheaper, suddenly their problems will evaporate.

To me, a move to a cheaper area will only really make a significant difference if:

A: you do not have significant debt.

B: You have job prospects lined up

C: the area you choose to live in is truly affordable in your income bracket.

A move to a cheaper area is a very sound decision if:

A: You have actually saved up money. A house that you haven't sold yet doesn't count.

B: Your line of work is either highly available or growing in the area you choose to move to

C: You actually like the area and not just because it is cheeep.

Bottom line, everyone's income, job, living situation, reasoning is different. A move to a cheaper area can be a good/bad decision.

Good points! And just as important...it's best to dig deeper and find other reasons (besides economical) to move to a certain area. If you're a praying man/woman, then focus more on finding a great church and let that be a factor than pure economics alone. (that's what we're trying to do) Relatives are also a good pull. My wife's entire family lives in upstate NY (except her mom) so we considered that area as well as TN.

Everyone may be in a different boat, but (as I kept saying to my wife) there has got to be a compelling reason for us to move to a new town or else why go!?! Family, job relocation, Dr's orders are all valid reasons. Our looking to TN contained none of those though, and even though I still have a strong desire to check out TN...it bothered me that we had no compelling reason to go to a particular city/town.

Resolution, for me at least, may come if/when we find a good church home to plant roots. And that's where things stand for the moment. I hope you find your "compelling" reason before making a move.

[Jon F Moss]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

You know, I just poured my heart out.

But I guess it wasn't pertinent to the OP.

That's pretty much what is going on here.

I'm sure there are other parts of the south that would fit our needs. Does anyone know where?

It seems like a lot of work, though, all of this struggle for a woman, a man, and a seven-year-old girl, for nothing.

it's very cold in cyber space at times. Back in the real world you have your family, and hopefully draw strength from them.

[mbmouse]

Hiknapster, Have you thought of looking onto other areas of TN? Knoxville is growing, fast. You yourself say you see the sprawl which means higher prices for houses. Maybe move to a not so metro area? Does your company have any other laces you could work and transfer within TN? It sounds like your hubby is the type of honest hard working employee that could get a good job elsewhere in TN. There are other places that have good schools and jobs here in TN. On your time off, take some rides, look around. You might be surprised what you find.

[Tony1790]

Originally Posted by sliverbox

In my opinion, the middle and lower classes are getting clobbered nationally. I know people on both sides of the fence who are in that category and just getting by is hard enough. The more expensive areas just happen to have gotten to the point where it no longer makes sense to live there unless you're loaded. That's why this board is flooded with people from other states thinking that by moving to an area that's cheaper, suddenly their problems will evaporate.

To me, a move to a cheaper area will only really make a significant difference if:

A: you do not have significant debt.

B: You have job prospects lined up

C: the area you choose to live in is truly affordable in your income bracket.

A move to a cheaper area is a very sound decision if:

A: You have actually saved up money. A house that you haven't sold yet doesn't count.

B: Your line of work is either highly available or growing in the area you choose to move to

C: You actually like the area and not just because it is cheeep.

Bottom line, everyone's income, job, living situation, reasoning is different. A move to a cheaper area can be a good/bad decision.

Thanks Silverbox,

We have some very similar views on topics with regard to housing and the middle class getting squeezed.

I have a small retirement $20,000 annually, no debt, I have enough cash to buy a modest home for cash (under $150,000). So in essence I should be ok, however it costs so much to just live.....gas at $3 a gallon here, car insurance $150 a month, even my dental insurance is $130 per month, Health ins $100 per month, groceries, etc, etc.

Safe to say it's about $2500 to $3000 just for necessities, that's without mortgage, loans, etc.

So even at $50,000 annually is not very much these days, and heaven forbid if you allow yourself to get behind and start charging everything on your credit card. My wife works at Safeway and almost everyone is buying their groceries on plastic, paying interest on that lettuce for the next 30 years is not the way to get ahead.....but it is quickly turning into the american way. I'm trying to break that cycle, for me anyway.

Tony

[hiknapster]

YES. We have got to get out of here. I have a bit of time that I will be getting off and I think that we need to do that. I bet I can put in for a transfer and my husband can work anywhere.

Too bad that the valuable information that I conveyed got lost in the shuffle. It will be understood directly, I am sure.

[Tony1790]

Originally Posted by TriDad

I hope you find your "compelling" reason before making a move.

My mom is in Jonesboro, TN, my sister is in Weaverville, NC and my granny just moved to Spartanburg, SC from Asheville, NC. So I have family in the area in addition to the cost of living. I am a very analytical fellow and worry and stress over every last detail, even to the detriment of "having a life".

I'm just hoping to get there and bring my family with me and that we are all "Happy". It's been along time since I've been happy per se, but who knows, maybe this will be the ticket. But removing the stress of living in a higher cost area can't hurt, unless I can't earn enough of a living to do well or at least survive comforably.

Tony

[Jon F Moss]

Originally Posted by Tony1790

My mom is in Jonesboro, TN, my sister is in Weaverville, NC and my granny just moved to Spartanburg, SC from Asheville, NC. So I have family in the area in addition to the cost of living. I am a very analytical fellow and worry and stress over every last detail, even to the detriment of "having a life".

I'm just hoping to get there and bring my family with me and that we are all "Happy". It's been along time since I've been happy per se, but who knows, maybe this will be the ticket. But removing the stress of living in a higher cost area can't hurt, unless I can't earn enough of a living to do well or at least survive comforably.

Tony

I'm like that too. Hey, didn't you just answer your own question? Maybe we'll run into each other someday in TN

[daniellefort]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Rents here are getting very high.

How high are the rents getting in Knoxville? Just curious for comparison.

[Tony1790]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

YES. We have got to get out of here. I have a bit of time that I will be getting off and I think that we need to do that. I bet I can put in for a transfer and my husband can work anywhere.

Too bad that the valuable information that I conveyed got lost in the shuffle. It will be understood directly, I am sure.

This is an interesting thread, I did see what you posted and am thankful for the replies. With regard to going somewhere else, there are other parts of TN that are further out in the boonies, even other states that are out there. But the further out you go, would'nt there be fewer jobs? But I don't know anything, that's why I'm on here asking questions

My granny just moved to Spartanburg, SC and bought a 1800 sqft house on 1.5 acres for $137,000. I thought that was a good price for a home, but I'm looking at it from west coast pricing, so that may be very expensive for down there. I have heard that SC has alot of jobs as well, it's just so dang hot in the summertime for me.

Tony