Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi all, sorry this is off topic, but as we are spread out all over the country (and world) here on the forum, I was hoping I could use some of you for help in relocating.
My wife and I have been talking about moving (our house is actually on the market already) as a result of an influx of gang activity (in the Pocono Mountains!!!) and declining school scores. There was recently a shooting between gang kids about three miles down the road from us.
Anyway, we were looking about 40 minutes away, when my wife let it slip that she would really like to head someplace that doesn't get so bitterly cold in the winter...maybe the Carolinas, Georgia, north Florida (we'd like to stay on the east coast or thereabout).
I'm just wondering if anyone can point us in a direction to start. Our priorities are good schools, nice family neighborhood, and someplace relatively close to where we might find employment! She's trying to talk me into staying home, watching the kids and building my jigs while she returns to work, but I'm not sure if I am comfortable with her having to do so.
Now that I've poured out my life's story, I'll hand it over to you.
Anybody have any recommendations from places they have lived in or are currently living?
Thanks in advance!
Craig

i'm currently in the mountains of western north caolina, about 40 miles northeast of asheville. whilst i like it here, and there a lot of pickers out in the hollers, it still gets very cold, but perhaps not to the extent of eastern pa. it's well worth a look. what sort of work would you be looking for?

[QUOTE=ctholden] She's trying to talk me into staying home, watching the kids and building my jigs while she returns to work, Craig[/QUOTE]

You have married every luthiers dream woman!!

Doesn't like the cold eh? Hmmm, I guess Wisconsin is pretty much out of the question. Good schools though. That's why we moved here.

I live in Coastal Georgia (St. Simons Island) just north of Jacksonville. I love being close to the beach (15 Min). The schools in our county are very good. you have to check it out county by county. I have 200 Ac to ride my dirt bikes which is great. You can get a nice home for 120K. Jacksonville is about 1 hour away and Savannah which is nice 1.5 Hours. Miami 6 hours away

Downside no local jobs. My wife used to make 90K+ as a printing plant production supervisor in DC now she makes just over min wage as a primary school teacher. I do some realestate appraising so I make the same as I did in DC. My wife did not like moving back to her small town but that is a different issue. Rural attitudes down here take some getting used to.

Check out Warsaw, IN. It still gets cold but the community is unique. It is considered the "Orthopaedic Capitol of the World" because it is the headquarters for 3 of the top multi-billion dollar companies that make the hardware and implants that give people new hips, knees and help fix broken bones...Zimmer, DePuy and Biomet.

Because it's situated in a very rural area the community and businesses have collaborated to have good schools, safe streets, recreation areas (there are 100 lakes in our county). Why...because it would attract the professionals needed to run the industry. Jobs are plentiful for skilled people...engineers especially.

Check it out...feel free to PM me if you need more info and if you want to visit, you're always welcome. We could always use a 2nd guy in town who builds guitars!

_________________
JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

If you are looking to get out of the Poconos but want to stay in PA, why not look in the Montgomery County area or Bucks County? Lots of good schools and lots of different employment opportunities. What work would you be looking for? What industry? I know there are tons of work in the Financial industry or pharmaceutical. Plus, Philadelphia is just a short train or drive in.

And does your wife have a sister? FrankC38702.4356134259

Crazymanmichael,

Where in western NC are you? My father just had a house built at the top of a mountain in the Sylva area. I have only been there in the summer but, unless he is lying, said it doesn't get that bitter cold down there.

Craig...

We moved from California out here to Idaho and we love it, we were tired of high prices, crappy schools, stupid politicians and being taxed for anything the crooks in Sacramento could come up with.

So far we have found that everything is less expensive here, the people are very friendly, even the goth kids will say thank you and please which was a surprise to us. The area is really starting to grow, there's been a boom because the state is so business friendly a lot of companies are starting to move in, along with a lot of people from California who are getting out for the same reasons we are. The schools are top notch, and parents around here get involved with them. My wife got the curriculum for our youngest and it is right on par with the private school she was in which was very impressive to us...

Now it is cold this year, there's been a little snow and the mornings are down in the teens mostly and highs right now are around 28deg, but that's better than some areas of the country and this area does get a full 4 seasons. And I have not put snow tires on either the car or the truck because there's just simply no need unless you go up into the mountains...


And there's even a woodcraft

Just something to consider...

-Paul-

_________________
-Paul-

Patriot Guitars

[QUOTE=crazymanmichael] what sort of work would you be looking for?[/QUOTE]

Thanks for all the input and food for thought.
I have a background in computers, but am more interested in continuing to build jigs/guitars and doing other woodworking jobs. Right now I work in a cabinetry shop, and enjoy the work, I also do their CAD drawings and purchasing.
The problem (as I'm sure with most who work full time) is that it decreases the the time I have to build up my business, and sucks the energy from me.
That's why my wife was talking about going back to work. She has her Masters in social work, but has been working part time from home doing administrative work while raising the kids.
Just looking for a nice place to call home...
Craig

[QUOTE=Sprockett]   the mornings are down in the teens mostly and highs right now are around 28deg[/QUOTE]

Hey, Paul...Gotta change the tag line at the bottom of your posts--"sunny Concord, CA"

I'll throw in another vote for the Carolinas. I'm about an hour southeast of Asheville, in Shelby, NC. Shelby, and the surrounding area, is great...but I'll say that Asheville is one of the coolest places on the planet...if a bit expensive.

As for Shelby, if you're interested in taking on some repair work while building up your business, you'll be swamped, as there's nobody around for MILES who does that kind of work. There are many communities like "Mayberry". The schools are good to great, the people are awesome, the housing market (at least here) is very reasonable, and jobs are fairly plentiful. We're 1.5 hours from the Blue Ridge mountains, 1 hour from Charlotte, 3.5 hours from the coast of South Carolina, 3 hours from Atlanta. If our coldest winter days fall much below freezing, we're baffled. We have four distinct seasons, all beautiful.

Give it some thought. I'd be happy to act as your contact source should you want more info.

_________________
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

Craig,

A few years ago, my wife and I camp out at Bushkill Falls at a private campground. We got there at dusk, and we weren't allowed to go in to check out the place first. After we paid and got in, it was creepy to begin with. Decorated for halloween all year round (NOT kidding)It got worse and worse at night wore on. We felt like we were camping in the ghetto. Loud music, loud people, heavy drinking, people target shooting CO2 pistols till about 2:30 AM.

The Bushkill falls hike was nice though.

I'd want to get out of that town too.

   I spent some time in S Carolina   nice place. Temperature beats the PA winter and it is only a 8 hr drive

I'm in Charleston South Carolina to be exact James Island which I guess would be a suburb of Charleston.

I've lived here since 1967 and maybe seen snow a half a dozen times, 2 or 3 times it even stayed around for a day. But in the summertime it gets up into the 90's with 90 percent humidity or higher. Crime is below average and so are the schools, we homeschooled. There are some very good private schools and if you get in the right area some of the public schools aren't bad either depending on your children’s age. The economy is pretty good and there should be lot's of work for a man with your skills. Housing cost varies depending on how close you are to the water. If your near the coast $250,000 & up, if you get outside Charleston you can get a brand new 3 bedroom 2 & half 1700+ square ft. home for under $200,000. There's Lot's to see and do also, the family would never get bored.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll have to see how things pan out.

Craig

Y'all have to re-define "bitterly cold".

That, or come up with a new term to describe what Arv and I live in....Mario38704.9447337963

Craig,

I've lived many places in the last 15 years. Listening to your situation, I would consider the Florida panhandle, particularly the Pensacola/Fort Walton Beach area. The weather is beautiful year round--we were able to go boating every month of the year. The humidity is great for building guitars year round. The construction/housing industry is very strong in that area. Since your wife has a masters in social work, there would be some great opportunities at the military bases around there (NAS Pensacola, Hurlburt Field, Eglin AFB, Tyndall AFB, Whiting Field). I knew several social workers there and they were always looking for good people. Plus, she would have the advantage of being a GS employee working for the gov't...good pay, great benefits. The schools are very good because you get a large percentage of military kids who typically come from conservitive families. The panhandle doesn't have the typical Florida/southern Alabama problems like the atrocious systems you see in Tampa or Miami. Housing also is very affordable, especially for being located on the whitest, nicest sand beaches in the country.

Fort Walton Beach

Let me know if you have more specific questions about the area.

Cheers!

John

P.S. Also, the panhandle gets the added bonus of picking the next president!

[QUOTE=Mario] Y'all have to re-define "bitterly cold".

That, or come up with a new term to describe what Arv and I live in....[/QUOTE]

I hear ya there! Though you have it much worse than I, it's -2? right now with a HIGH of 12? today. At least we're not scooping snow (it's too cold for it to snow much).

[QUOTE=Mario] Y'all have to re-define "bitterly cold".

That, or come up with a new term to describe what Arv and I live in....[/QUOTE]

In S.E. Alabama, "bitterly cold" means that the temp drops to 32 F. You go out to crank your car and find a light glaze of frost on the windshield. Sometimes is take 4 or 5 minutes for the windshield to clear. Man, that's cold!!! Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrh.

Were Paul lives you scrape 4 or 5 minutes to shave.

[QUOTE=Keith M] Were Paul lives you scrape 4 or 5 minutes to shave.[/QUOTE]
Only under your nose where the snot has frozen. YUCK!
That's why everyone in the northland has beards in the winter. Ever try to shave with goosebumps on your face?

[QUOTE=Pwoolson]
That's why everyone in the northland has beards in the winter. Ever try to shave with goosebumps on your face?[/QUOTE]
What do you think stipdick is for? Besides, you only have to shave those goosebumps off once. Of course you could always pound the wiskers in with a hammer and bite them off from the inside.

Up until this year, I might have said, Ohio. But with 13" of snow on the ground and about 30 consecutive days at or below freezing, I withdraw the idea.

On the other hand, if your wife is a real sport, I'd move to Brazil to be near my favorite rosewood!

Regards, Steve

Are you antwhere near Canton??